My husband died 9-14-16. He filed for SSI and I continued on his behalf. I received a lump sum payment 12-1-17 for $23,273, $6000 of which was for attorney fees. He started receiving SS benefits in 2014. My question is I retired June 30, 2017, I receive my pension, am I entitled to receive widow benefits and approximately how much would it be.. He has paid into SS since he started working at the age of 21.

I am 63 years of age. I have not applied for SS under my own record yet.

Thank you sir.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Unfortunately, I can't fully answer your question without much more information. However, it sounds as though you could potentially be entitled to either retirement benefits on your own record or widow's benefits.

Assuming that's the case, your best strategy is likely one of the following:
1) File for reduced widow's benefits now and then switch to your own record at age 70; or,
2) File for reduced retirement benefits on your own record now and then file for unreduced widow's benefits at your full retirement age.

However, if your husband was entitled to reduced retirement benefits prior to his death that could affect the optimal time for you to claim widow's benefits. And, if the pension you refer to receiving is based on your earnings that were exempt from Social Security taxes, that could affect your optimal strategy.

Our maximization software should be able to help you sort of this all out in order to determine your best overall filing strategy.

Best, Jerry