I was married for 19 years. My husband died in 2003. I was born in 1952 and would like to retire in March 2017 at the age of 65. I have gone to the local social security office who told me I would get 1458 a month in survivors benefits and could draw my own benefits at 70 and get 1900 a month. If I retired next year under my own benefit I would get around 1800. This didn't seem right to me because my husband was a naval captain and earned good money, his retirement was much higher than that.

I call social security and they told me I would earn $1700 in March on my husbands, and not to worry I'd be fine. That's a difference in $400 a month that the two offices are reporting to me. How can I get an accurate statement of what I would make a month in Social security if I retire at 65 under widow benefits and what I would make at 70 under my own benefits?

I appreciate your help!

Confused in Indy!

Ann,
If you don't have your husband's earnings record, then you'll have to rely on Social Security's widow's benefit estimate. Ask for the estimate in writing and ask a couple of times. If you get different answers, then ask to speak to a supervisor or a technical expert. You can get your past earnings record at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. Our software, MaximizeMySocialSecurity, can use these inputs to calculate your retirement at age 70 and your best filing strategy.
Best,
Mike