What is the maximum reduction to a widow's benefit if she starts at age 60?

To understand the maximum reduction to a widow's benefit if she starts receiving it at age 60, it is important to consider the Social Security Administration's guidelines regarding early retirement and widow benefits.

When a surviving spouse chooses to claim their benefits early, specifically before reaching their full retirement age (FRA), Social Security reduces the monthly benefit amount to account for the extended time period that the beneficiary will be receiving those payments. For a widow starting to receive benefits at age 60, the reduction can be significant and is calculated based on the number of months she is claiming benefits before her FRA.

The maximum reduction applies to those starting benefits at the earliest eligible age of 60 and is capped to ensure that the widow does not receive excessively high benefits relative to those who wait until they reach their FRA. As per the guidelines, the reduction can lead to a potential maximum decrease in benefits, which aligns with the answer indicating a reduction of up to $1,000. This reduction reflects a significant decrease aimed at balancing the early payout against future payouts.

Thus, the correct choice accurately reflects the rules surrounding early widow's benefits, considering both the eligibility and reduction factors that the Social Security Administration employs in calculating benefits for widows starting at age 60.