Hello Larry. Thank you in advance for any light you can shed on my questions. I've talked with the Social Security office a couple of times, as well as the State of Massachusetts retirement office, and I am getting differing answers. When I dropped in to my local SS office to ask questions in person I got two different calculations from the same representative and wasn't sure if any of it was correct.
I have primarily been a full time mom and homemaker and so have no social security of my own to draw on. I’m currently 58. My late husband died at the age of 57 in 2010. He worked for the state of Massachusetts for over 18 years and did not pay Social Security during that time for that job.
Before, during and after his work in MA he also worked for private companies, the Federal Government and also NY State, paying SS taxes, and he accumulated enough quarters as a high earner to receive SS benefits. Since his death I have been receiving a portion of his MA State pension, as his survivor. When I turn 60 I would like to draw on his Social Security record for my widow’s benefits but have been told by the SS office that because of the survivor’s pension I receive from his MA State work that any widow’s SS benefits I apply for on his record will be offset and reduced by 2/3 of the survivor's pension. Is this correct?
I also have an ex husband I was married to for over 10 years who has always paid social security taxes. If I choose to draw social security on his record, when I reach age 62 or 66, would those benefits also be reduced or offset by 2/3 because I receive the survivor’s pension from my late husband’s MA work?
Can I start with my late husband’s SS benefits then switch to my ex husband’s SS benefits later, if they are more? Thank you again.

Hi,

No, neither your widow's benefits nor your divorced spousal benefits would be offset or reduced because of the survivor pension you receive from the state of Massachusetts. The 2/3rds offset provision you mention refers to the Government Pension Offset (GPO), but that would only be applicable if you received a non-Social Security covered government pension based on YOUR OWN work. The fact that you receive a non-covered government pension based on your husband's work is irrelevant with regard to any type of Social Security benefits for which you qualify.

And yes, you could potentially file for reduced widow's benefits at age 60 and then switch to a higher divorced spousal benefit at age 62 or later. But before filing for any benefits, you should strongly consider using our maximization software to determine your best strategy for claiming your benefits.

Best, Jerry