I will be 62 this year. I am currently working part time. I am a widow, who recently remarried after the age of 60. Am I able to collect widows benefits and continue working? Also, can I collect widows benefits and my own social security when the time comes?
Thank you

Hi,

That depends on how much you're earning. Remarrying after age 60 wouldn't prohibit you from collecting widow's benefits, but if you earn too much your widow's benefits could be fully or partially withheld depending on how much you earn. For example, $1 of a person's 2020 benefits would need to be withheld for each $2 that they earn in excess $18,240 this year if they'll be under full retirement age (FRA) throughout the year 2020 (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html).

You can't really collect both your own benefits and widow's benefits simultaneously. You can basically only be paid the higher of the 2 rates, but if your own rate is lower than your widow's rate and you file for both benefits Social Security would pay you a) your own rate plus b) a partial widow's rate that would add up to c) your higher widow's rate.

It sounds like your best strategy for claiming benefits would likely be one of the following:
1) File for reduced widow's benefits now or as soon as your earnings will permit at least some benefits to be paid, 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 will permit at least some benefits to be paid, then file for unreduced widow's benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

However, if your deceased spouse received reduced Social Security retirement benefits prior to his death, that could alter your optimal strategy. Also, if 50% of your current husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than your own PIA then you may be able to qualify for spousal benefits from his record. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

Normally, you would want to start out drawing the lower benefit first and then switch to the higher benefit when it reaches it's highest potential rate. Our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) could help sort all of this out for you so that you can determine the best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry