Hi,
I'd like to know if a widow, who remarried after age 60, can file a restricted application at age 62 to collect a spousal benefit on her new husband's record, then switch to the higher widower benefit at full retirement age. Also, wondering if she could alternatively restrict application to her own record at age 62 and later switch to widower benefit. Thanks!

Hi,

A widow such as the one you describe could file for spousal benefits at age 62 and restrict widow's benefits from the scope of her application, but she couldn't restrict her own Social Security retirement benefits from the application's scope. Her new husband would have to be drawing his benefits in order for her to potentially be able to collect spousal benefits, though. If she files for either spousal benefits or her own retirement benefits at age 62, she'll be deemed to be filing for both of those benefits. However, she could file for spousal and retirement benefits at age 62 and wait until her full retirement age (FRA) to apply for unreduced widow's benefits. Or, vice versa.

Our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) can help people like the remarried widow described in in your question determine the best filing strategy for maximizing their benefits.

Best, Jerry