I just started getting widows benefit st age 61. My benefits at age 62 will be larger than my widows benefit. Will I be able to switch over to my own when I become eligible

Hi. Yes you could, but you probably shouldn't. The only way that it might make sense for you to switch to your own benefits at age 62 is if you have severe health problems that will substantially shorten your life span. If you switch to drawing your own benefits at age 62 you'll be stuck with a substantially reduced monthly benefit rate for the rest of your life. What you should strongly consider doing instead is to continue drawing just your widow's benefits until you reach age 70, and then switch to your own account. Your own benefit rate will continue growing until you reach age 70 as long as you don't claim your own benefits until then.

For example, let's say Amy is collecting a reduced widow's rate of $800. When Amy turns age 62, she could switch to her own benefits at a reduced rate of $1200. However, if Amy waits until age 70 to switch to her own benefits, her monthly rate will have grown to $2114. Thus, by waiting until age 70 to switch to drawing her own benefits Amy would increase the monthly amount she'd receive for the rest of her life by over $900.

You may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry