Hi Larry

My husband passed away about 7 years ago; he made considerably more money than I did. I will be 60 years old next year, work as an executive assistant, and plan on working for 10 more years, hopefully! Can I claim my late husband's social security when I turn 60 and then mine when I turn 70? I am healthy and don't have any plans on retiring anytime soon! The women in my family usually last for a very long time! My grandmother lived until she was 104 and my mother is 87 and still going strong.

Thank you

Hi,

Yes, you can, but the Social Security earnings test may limit your ability to receive benefits prior to your full retirement age (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html). Also, the filing strategy you describe would likely only be advantageous if your own benefit amount at age 70 would be higher than your reduced widow's benefit. Otherwise, it might be better to apply for reduced benefits on your own account at age 62, or whenever your earnings would first permit payments, then for unreduced widow's benefits at your full retirement age.

Before filing for anything, you may wish to consider running the maximization software available on this website. It should tell you which filing strategy is best for you, and it also accounts for the effects of the Social Security earnings test.

Best, Jerry