Hi Larry my question is I applied for divorced widower /benefits I think I made the best decision because even at my FRA I only get 50 more rather when I turn 70 opposed to me getting it now and I Just turned 60 it would be crazy to me to wait 10 years to get 50 extra not to mention I make more almost twice more with taking my benefits Now than I get from my job am out and I did all my research am still doing all my math i am aware also of how much you can make while getting my benefits and that works fine for me He my ex made twice more than me and we been married 14 years I never remarried I received my ward letter and will be getting my money soon plus I been working same job over 30 years and my health has be a challenge I Beat cancer twice am tired but died years later so I think I am fine tell me what you think also thanks in advance I must admit you have been a big help answering so many question this is the best webb site I came across that really is so informative!

Hi,

The only advice I can give you with the limited information in your question is the advice I give to all people in your situation. Specifically, if you're eligible for both Social Security retirement benefits on your own account and also for widow's or surviving divorced spousal benefits, your best strategy is almost certainly one of the following:
1) File for reduced survivor benefits as early as age 60 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 as early as age 62 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). However, if your deceased spouse drew reduced Social Security retirement benefits prior to their death, it may be advantageous to claim survivor benefits earlier than FRA.

Normally, you would want to start out drawing the lower benefit first and then switch to the higher benefit when it reaches it's 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