If your wife predeceases you, your Social Security benefit would increase and be equivalent to her current benefit, $992 per month. On the other hand, if something happens to you first, she would just continue to receive her Social Security because it’s the largest benefit … it would not be changed. In the event of either of your deaths, your overall Social Security income would drop by the equivalent of your benefit, but the system provides a bit of protection for the lower wage earning spouse which is why you would receive her larger check.