I am not at all an expert on US SSI but I think Dave is on to something.
After just a little digging I found this:
"Social Security will not combine a late spouse's benefit and your own and pay you both. When you are eligible for two benefits, such as a*survivor benefit*and a retirement payment, Social Security doesn’t add them together but rather pays you the higher of the two amounts.
If that’s the retirement benefit, then the retirement benefit is all you’ll get. If the survivor benefit is higher, Social Security pays the retirement benefit first and tops it up to match the amount of the survivor benefit."
https://www.aarp.org/retirement/soci...-benefits.html
https://www.aarp.org/retirement/soci...ouse-dies.html
https://www.nasi.org/learn/social-se...in-retirement/
Definitely seek some professional guidance on this one Eric because like I said I am dumber than dirt RE: US SSI but I think your in for a pleasant surprise ... at least I hope so brother.
