I am 61 and retired. My husband died in 1998 and I have not remarried. We were married 7.5 years. I want to claim his ss now and wait until I am 70 to claim mine. However, someone told me that if I do that before age 66, they will limit what I receive at 70. Is that true?

Hi,

No, that's not true. The amount payable on your own record at age 70 will not be any lower regardless of how soon you start drawing widow's benefits.

Your best option is likely either:
1) Draw reduced widow's benefits now, then switch to your own record at age 70; or,
2) Draw reduced benefits on your record at 62, then file for widow's benefits at age 66.

You may wish to consider running the maximization software available on this website in order to determine your best option. If it's option #1, don't delay filing your application for reduced widow's since there is no retroactivity for reduced benefits.

Best, Jerry