I turned 65 on 8- 18- 2017 My husband passed away in 1999. I began drawing SSDI in 2001. I recieve 2 payments, one from my husband's SS , and a lesser amount from my work period.
I would like to know if and how this will change now. Thank you.

Hi,

Nothing is likely to change, at least until you reach full retirement age at 66. It sounds like you are drawing an unreduced disability benefit (SSDI) on your own record, plus a reduced excess widow's benefit from your husband's record. The reason that your benefits are being paid separately is because Social Security maintains a separate trust fund for disability benefits. After your disability benefits convert to regular retirement benefits at age 66, your benefits will be combined into a single payment.

Your excess widow's benefit is calculated by subtracting your disability rate from your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA), and then reducing the difference by 28.5% assuming that you started drawing as a disabled widow at age 60 or earlier. If you became entitled to the excess widow's benefit after you started drawing SSDI or at the same time, the 28.5% reduction will be removed after your reach age 66 resulting in a higher overall benefit rate than you currently receive. However, if you became entitled to SSDI after you started drawing disabled widow's benefits, your total benefit rate will likely stay the same when you reach age 66.

Best, Jerry