As it currently stands, Social Security provides a "death benefit" to a surviving spouse. This is a fair and good provision and should remain.
However, Social Security also has a "spousal benefit" provision that permits a non-working (non-contributing) spouse to claim 50% of the spouse's monthly benefit amount upon reaching the age of 65. As a result of the "spousal benefit" rules, a one-income couple with avg income of $80,000 per year will receive combined monthly benefit amounts 50% higher than that of a two-income couple with the same household pre-retirement income.
This seems grossly inequitable and wasteful. If the households had the same pre-retirement income, why does one couple suddenly require 50% more upon reaching 65?
Please consider revising SS to remove this provision