I was just trying to see if I could get any more on my SS check. Right now I am receiving about $1589.00 per month. I am 73 and will be 74 12/31/2016. Thanks, Bryan

Dear Bryan, You can't collect higher retirement benefits. But if you are married and your current spouse dies or if you were married for 10 plus years and your ex spouse dies, you can collect an excess widows benefit equalling the difference between your widower or divorced widower benefit and your own retirement benefit. Of course, if this difference is negative, the excess widower or the excess divorced widower benefit will be negative. Also, if you have a wife or ex wife who is alive and earned a lot more than you, you may be able to collect, starting immediately, an excess spousal or an excess divorced spousal benefit.

Yours, Larry