I am 64. My spouse is dead. My SS FRA is 67. Can I collect SS widower’s benefits on my husband’s record now (a reduced amount due to me being under 67), and switch to my own record when I get to my FRA and get my full benefit?

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. You could claim widow's benefits now and then claim your own unreduced benefits at your full retirement age (FRA), but whether or not you could currently be paid benefits depends on how much you're earning. If you're working, Social Security would need to withhold $1 of your benefits for each $2 that you earn in excess of $19,560 this year,

Prior to applying, you'll want to make sure that you're choosing the best possible filing strategy. It sounds like your best strategy for claiming benefits would likely be 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).

Normally, you 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) could help sort all of this out for you so that you can determine the best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry