I am a bit confused about spousal benefits. I turn 66 this Oct. (2016). My husband passed away in Feb. 2013 at the age of 57. His DOB is 11/9/1955. According to your program I can start drawing spousal benefits now. So as a surviving spouse I can collect benefits even before his "early retirement age" (62 in 2017)? Will the benefit be reduced by claiming before his full retirement age (66 or 67)?
Thank you for considering my question.
Cyndy R.

Hi Cyndy,

Very sorry for your loss. You can collect widow benefits as early as age 60 (50 if you are disabled). The date your deceased husband was or would have been eligible for early retirement benefits doesn't have any impact on when you can start collecting widow benefits. If our program told you to start collecting right now, it no doubt also told you to wait till 70 to take your own retirement benefit. This way you can collect your widows benefit and let your own retirement benefit keep growing.

My best, Larry