The higher earner can delay the benefit up to age 70, earning another 8% a year in delayed retirement credits.

WSJ: Family Value: Bolstering Your Social Security Benefits

By starting the Survivor Benefit early, the Surviving Spouse could wait to take his or her retirement benefit, allowing this retirement benefit to earn the delayed retirement credits up to age 70.

FORBES: The Social Security Survivor Benefit - Part 2

This is called delayed retirement credits.

FORBES: 70 is the New 65