I was 57 when my husband died at age 62 (did not claim Soc Sec). Can I claim early social Security benefits at 62 on my own record and then switch at my full retirement age to 100% survivor benefits from my husband‘s record?

Hi. Yes, but you couldn't actually stop drawing your own benefits at full retirement age (FRA) and just draw survivor benefits instead. What you could do, though, is continue collecting your own benefits at FRA plus a partial survivor benefit that would be equal to the difference between your own reduced rate and your unreduced survivor rate . The two benefits would then add up to your higher unreduced survivor rate.

However, there is a an earnings test that applies until you reach FRA. So, whether or not you could actually be paid benefits prior to FRA depends on whether or not you're working and, if so, how much you earn (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html).

Before you apply, you may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your options so that you can determine your best possible strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry