Hi - I was married to my first husband for 11 years and divorced. My 2nd marriage - also 11 years - ended when my spouse died. My ex-husband died after my 2nd had died, so I was unmarried (widowed) at the time of his death. My ex was receiving SSDI when he died.
I am 52 now (born Dec 1970) & will be eligible to draw on my own record.
My question is: can I file for surviving ex-spouse benefits at 60 then switch to full widow's benefits at FRA? And will my record also be used to determine surviving ex-spouse benefits if so?
Thanks in advance for your answers

Hi. Yes, that's certainly a viable option. Your own earnings history would be irrelevant with regard to what you could receive as a survivor, but depending on how your own benefit rate compares to your survivor benefit rates you may be able switch entitlements more than once. For example, you could potentially file for one survivor benefit at age 60, then your own benefits at age 62, then the other survivor benefit at your full retirement age (FRA). Or, you could potentially file for one survivor benefit at age 60, the other survivor benefit at FRA, and your own benefits at age 70.

The best overall strategy for maximizing your benefits depends on a number of different variables, so you may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully compare and analyze all of your options so that you can determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry