I'm 65 still working and NOT getting social security , My husband 72 had been on social security on his 65th birthday and he passed away on 08-05-2019. Am I able to receive his monthly benefits?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

You can't actually collect your husband's monthly benefit payments, but it sounds like you'd probably qualify for widow's benefits. However, whether or not you could be paid benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA) of 66 depends on how much you're earning and your potential benefit amount (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html).

It sounds like your best filing strategy is likely one of the following:
1) File for reduced widow's benefits now or as soon as your earnings will permit at least some benefits to be paid, then switch to your own record at age 70; or,
2) File for reduced retirement benefits on your own record now or as soon as your earnings will permit at least some benefits to be paid, then file for widow's benefits which they reach their highest possible rate. Since your husband apparently started drawing his benefits prior to FRA, though, your widow's rate may not get any higher even it you wait past your present age to apply.

Normally, you would want to start out drawing the lower benefit first and then switch to the higher record when it reaches it's highest potential rate. Our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) could sort all of this out for you and help you determine your optimal filing strategy.

Best, Jerry