my husband passed away at age 59 5 years ago I am still working can I collect his benefits also or do i have to cut back on working hours

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

You can qualify for reduced widow's benefits as early as age 60, but your benefits could be subject to full or partial withholding due to Social Security's earnings test until you reach full retirement age (FRA). The earnings test exempt amount in 2019 is $17,640, and you'd lose $1 of benefits for each $2 that you earn in excess of that amount unless you reach FRA in 2019 or sooner.

Depending on your current age, your best strategy for claiming benefits is likely one of the following:
1) File for reduced widow's benefits at age 60 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 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 your FRA.

Normally, you would want to start out drawing the lower benefit first and then switch to the higher record when it reaches it's highest potential rate. Our maximization software could sort all of this out for you and help you determine your optimal strategy.

Best, Jerry