“The surviving spouse gets to claim either person’s SS, but not both.”
Only up to 50% of other’s SS.
Maybe there are other rules. Like the fact that my mother was already collecting SS too when he died (meaning she has to be old enough to collect and also has to have put a lot into it herself to get more than just 50% of her husband's SS).
Or maybe the rule you site is a new rule for future retirees, but the rule I'm familiar with was grandfathered in for existing retirees.