I work full-time and have been receiving my widow's benefit for a number of years at reduced amount. I will be 65 in September. First question: May I retire in September and receive my deceased husband's Social Security benefit but keep working without the earnings test reducing my benefit amount? Second question: Can I then switch to my own Social Security benefit amount (which will be higher) when I retire from my job at 66-1/2?

Hi,

The earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html) will apply until you reach your full retirement age (FRA) of 66, whether you are drawing widow's benefits or retirement benefits on your own record. A higher exempt amount applies in the year you reach FRA, though, so that should help you next year.

You could switch to your own record at any age, but if your own retirement benefit rate is higher than your widow's rate, it would likely benefit you to wait until age 70 to make the switch. Your retirement benefit rate will be 32% higher if you wait until age 70 to start drawing instead of age 66. You may want to run the maximization software available on this website in order to determine your best strategy.

Best, Jerry