I am a 59 year old widow of two deceased husbands. I was told through social security that at age 62 I may be entitled to partial social security from my most recent husband of 15, if I do not make too much. I was told at age 65 I can make as much as I want and collect his full social security benefits. Recently, I've been asked to remarry again this time to a gentleman who is retiring and will be receiving railroad retirement. How does this all effect benefits I should be getting in the near future.

Hi,

First off, if you remarry prior to turning age 60, you won't be able to draw widow's benefits for as long as the new marriage continues. And, the Social Security earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html) applies to both widow's benefits and retirement benefits until you reach full retirement age, which would be between ages 66 & 67 in your case.

Assuming that you don't remarry prior to age 60, your best strategy is likely one of the following:
1) File for reduced widow's benefits at age 60 or as soon as your earnings permit the payment of benefits, then switch to your own record at age 70; or,
2) File for reduced retirement benefits on your own record at age 62 or as soon as your earnings permit the payment of benefits, then file for widow's benefits at full retirement age, or sooner.

The best strategy in your case depends on the relative benefit rates on each record, as well as your expected yearly earnings prior to full retirement age. You may wish to consider running the maximization software available on this website in order to sort out all of your filing options to determine which is best.

Best, Jerry