I will be 65 this July. Just got let go from my job. Yesterday I filed for widow's benefit. My late husband passed in 2001 at 57. I was told I will collect 95.2% of his social security. I HOPE to get a job earning a decent salary and will work until 70. Is there a salary limit and will I still collect widow's benefit? Thank you.

Hi,

There is an earnings limit until you reach your full retirement age of 66 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html), but not after that. Basically, you could be paid all of your benefits this year as long as you either a) earn no more than $17040 for the calendar year 2018, or b) earn no more than $1420 in any of the months that you are entitled to benefits.

If you haven't already done so, you may want to strongly consider using our maximization software to make sure that you're choosing the best possible filing strategy. It sounds like your best strategy would probably be one of the following:
1) File for reduced widow's benefits now 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 now or as soon as your earnings will permit at least some benefits to be paid, then file for unreduced widow's benefits at your full retirement age.

Normally, you would want to start out drawing the lower benefit first and then switch to the higher record when it reaches it's highest potential rate. Our maximization software can sort all of this out for you and help you determine your optimal strategy.

Best, Jerry