Dear Larry, A am a 64 year old woman who after a 24 year marriage has been divorced for 15 years. My former husband died a year ago at the age of 69. I have not worked enough outside the house to obtain Social Security based on my own record. As a widow of a divorced spouse can I apply now for benefits or can I earn more by waiting until I am 66 or even more by waiting until 70. I am planning on obtaining Medicare though his social security record when I become 65.

Strangely enough, the answer depends on when your deceased ex took his own retirement benefit. If he took it at or after he reached full retirement age, you'll want to wait till 66, but not later to take your divorced widows benefit. Taking widows or divorced widows benefits after 66 doesn't lead to higher benefits. So there is nothing to be gained from waiting.

Now if your ex did take his retirement benefit early, your divorced widows benefit is subject to the RIB-LIM formula. The formula is such that after some point, such as age 64, your widows benefit will peak and waiting to collect it won't make it higher.

If you can swing the $40, please run our www.maximizemysocialsecurity.com software. It handles the RIB-LIM and won't let you lose money. Also, be aware that if you should have filed before your current age due to the RIB-LIM, you can at least collect divorced widows benefits retroactive to 6 months before the date you request your widows benefit.

best, Larry