I just turned 60 April 2017. My husband passed away 2001. I work full time and make around $40,000 per year. Do I qualify for any widow benefits?

Hi,

It sounds like you qualify for widow's benefits, but whether or not you could receive any benefits depends on your potential benefit rate. Social Security would withhold $1 of benefits for every $2 that you earn in excess of $16,920 this year (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html).

Your best filing strategy is likely one of the following:
1) File for reduced widow's benefits now or as soon as your earnings will permit payment of some benefits, 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 payment of some benefits, then file for unreduced widow's benefits at full retirement age.

The maximization software available on this website can help you determine which of these strategies is best in your case, and when would be the best time for you to apply for each type of benefit.

Best, Jerry