If I am a surviving spouse, can I collect my social security benefit at age 62 and then switch to my spouses social security benefit at age 67? Where can I go to find information on this question? Social Security website links would be great. Thank you so much

Hi. Yes, although you couldn't actually switch from your own benefits to survivor benefits only (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200204035). Instead, if you're drawing your own benefits and if you later claim higher survivor benefits, Social Security continues to pay your own benefit plus a partial survivor benefit that's equal to the difference between the benefit rates. The result is a combined benefit amount that's equal to the higher survivor rate.

However, if you claim benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA) and if you're still working, there is a limit on how much you can earn and still be paid benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html).

Generally, the best filing strategy for people who are eligible for both their own Social Security retirement benefits and for surviving spousal benefits is one of the following:
1) File for reduced widow(er) benefits at age 60 or as soon as their earnings will permit at least some benefits to be paid, then switch to their own record at age 70; or,
2) File for reduced retirement benefits on their own record at age 62 or as soon as their earnings will permit at least some benefits to be paid, then file for unreduced widow(er) benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

Normally, a person would want to start out drawing the lower benefit first and then switch to the higher benefit when it reaches its highest potential rate. Our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) can help people sort out all of their options so that they can determine the best strategy for maximizing their benefits.

Best, Jerry