I am turning 62 next week. My husband died in April at age 68. We have both been decent earners since our 20's. He was a relatively high earner compared to me. Neither of us took Social Security benefits. (I believe he was waiting till age 70 -- is there a way to verify? A line on our taxes, e.g.?) My husband had cancer for the past two years and I limited my earnings to care for him. My income is now zero and it just occurred to me I might be eligible for a SS benefit of my own and/or a widow's benefit. I am healthy and intending to return to work. All my money is tied up in probate with the family at the moment. I am wondering if there is income I can have access to now while I am looking for new work (Though I am a young 62, being 62 makes it tougher to get the jobs I got even 5 years ago.)

I have so far asked all the wrong questions regarding my estate and it has cost me mightily. I don't want to make another mistake just because i am uninformed.

Hi,

As long as you're not working, you can receive either reduced widow's benefits now, or reduced benefits on your own account effective with the first month you are age 62 for the entire month. The reduction you take on one record will not affect the future rate payable on the other account. The best strategy for you is likely either to file for reduced widow's benefits ASAP then switch to your own record at age 70, or file for reduced benefits on your own record at age 62, then file for unreduced widow's benefits at age 66. Normally, you're better off saving the highest potential benefit for last.

Based on your description of your husband as the higher earner, it probably would be best for you to apply on your own record at age 62, then file on his account when you reach age 66. You should double check this with Social Security, or you may wish to run the maximization software available on this website.

It shouldn't hurt you in the long run to start benefits on the lower record now, since it won't reduce your benefits when you file later on the other record. Even if you subsequently find a job and lose some or all of your reduced benefits due to Social Security's earnings test ( https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html), anything that you are able to draw on the lower record prior to filing on the higher record is essentially a bonus.

If your husband did receive Social Security benefits prior to his death, it could change the equation somewhat. You should be able to find that out by contacting Social Security, or by checking lines 20 & 21 on form 1040 of his most recent tax return.

Best, Jerry