 the survivor is going to lose one of the two benefits. Right. They will pick the higher of the two. So if you had waited till 70 and got a $4,400 per month income, or you could have taken a $2,800 per month income at 62, when you die, your spouse will get either the $2,800 or the $4,400. You decide which one you want your spouse to get because the spouse will lose one of the two benefits.