I recently turned 62. I just heard of my ex dying several years ago and we were separated at the time, he abandoned me. Am I eligible for his SS benefits should I decide to retire early at 62?
We are still legally married

Hi,

You can never actually be paid someone else's benefits, but you may qualify for survivor benefits on your husband's record. Widow's benefits can potentially be paid as early as age 60, or even at age 50 if you're disabled, provided that you meet all of the requirements for those benefits.

I don't have enough information about you to be able to tell you whether or not you might qualify for widow's benefits, but the requirements for widow's benefits are outlined in the following section of Social Security's operations manual: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html.

Assuming that you're potentially eligible for benefits on both your own record and on your husband's account, your best filing strategy is almost certainly 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 unreduced widow's benefits at full retirement age (FRA). However, if your husband collected reduced Social Security retirement benefits prior to his death it could alter your optimal strategy.

Normally, you would want to start out drawing the lower benefit first and then switch to the higher benefit when it reaches it's highest potential rate. Our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) could help you determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits, but you'd likely need to contact Social Security to find out your potential widow's benefit rate. Social Security should be able to give you that information once you provide them with proof of your identity and marriage.

Best, Jerry