My spouse died in 2020 when we both were age 63 (both born in 1956), and we were both working. I continued and still continue to work and am now age 67. I collected nothing from Social Security (we both qualified for benefits) until my full age of 66 as a survivor, when I began the larger benefit, the survivor benefit. I never collected on my own record. I am trying to get an appointment to see if my benefit would ever grow as large as the survivor benefit (at the time of filing, they told me likely it wouldn't). Am I able to collect any "back" Social Security on my own record?

Hi - I was married to my first husband for 11 years and divorced. My 2nd marriage - also 11 years - ended when my spouse died. My ex-husband died after my 2nd had died, so I was unmarried (widowed) at the time of his death. My ex was receiving SSDI when he died.
I am 52 now (born Dec 1970) & will be eligible to draw on my own record.
My question is: can I file for surviving ex-spouse benefits at 60 then switch to full widow's benefits at FRA? And will my record also be used to determine surviving ex-spouse benefits if so?

Hello,
Has there been any definitive update from Social Security on applying for your own benefits at age 70 on line after taking spousal for 4 years?
Thanks

Hi Larry,

My wife (born in 1952) started collecting her full social security benefits at age 66 (and I, at that time was age 65, started taking 1/2 of her benefits, in addition to her benefits.)

I will be turning 70 this year and then will start collecting my maximum social security benefits (instead of just 1/2 of my wife’s benefits.)

When I turn 70 will my wife be able to collect 1/2 of my full benefits (Instead of the smaller amount she is collecting now.)?

Thank you for your thoughts on this question!

If I am a surviving spouse, can I collect my social security benefit at age 62 and then switch to my spouses social security benefit at age 67? Where can I go to find information on this question? Social Security website links would be great. Thank you so much

I am 75. I delayed filing until age 70 and currently receive around the maximum benefit, $4500 per month.

My spouse is 60 and qualifies on her own work record. If I die in the next year could she file for reduced benefits on her record at 62 and then apply for survivors benefit at age 67 and get 100% of my current benefit(adjusted for cost of living)?

If I am still alive in a few years, could she also file for reduced benefits on her record at 62 and then apply for survivors benefit at age 67 and get 100% of my current benefit(adjusted for cost of living)?

If I retire and start collecting social security at age 70 in July of this year can my wife file born in sept of 1954 file a restricted application in order to collect spousal benefits on my account

Hello, Larry. My wife and I used your book when we first applied for SS benefits. I was born in 1952, and submitted for my own benefit at full retirement age of 66 in 2018. My wife was born in 1953, and she reached full retirement age in 2019 we decided she should submit for a spousal benefit. Now, in 2023, she will be 70 in June. Since she did not file for her own benefit back in 2019, we anticipated that she can now apply for her own benefit, which in theory should have continued accruing value.

My husband was the primary wage earner and is planning to collect SS at age 70. I’m two and half years younger and would like to start collecting at age 62 under my own work history and then switch to spousal benefit at age 67 (after husband has started collecting). Will my spousal benefit be reduced based on the SS that I received from age 62-67

Can my wife collect her benefit at 62 yrs old and then the spousal benefit when I begin collecting at 67? We are the same age and my benefit is about 2x hers year to year. Thanks.