Seriously, the spouse doesn’t get ANYTHING if I die before starting SS? There is no reduced death benefit or anything similar available to the spouse who did not work?
Yes, there is something to the spouse, but only if the surviving spouse’s own benefit is less, I think. I am not familiar with the details on this, as far as reduced retirement benefits to surviving spouse. There is not a “death benefit”, as far as I know (or, it is under $300 one-time, IIRC).