I'm reading the book, but I am so confused. I am 67. I am not working. My husband died in 1993 and his income was substantially more than mine. How can I consider "File and Suspend" without knowing what his benefit would be so I know how to file. I have NOT filed for SS yet and was waiting until I turn age 70. HE did not collect because he died just shy of age 50. HOW can I find out about his potential SS retirement benefits that I would be entitled to?

Also I receive a non-taxable Washington State Labor and Industries monthly payment since his death was accidental. It was under their Workman's comp benefits. Does that count as income for Social Security? I have no other income, but the monthly benefit is substantial.
Thanks for your help.
Rosemary

Hi Rosemary. It sounds like you should call Social Security immediately to make an appointment to apply for benefits. Social Security should be able to tell you how much you can be paid as a widow, and since you've already reached your full retirement age (FRA) there would be no reason to delay claiming widow's benefits. Survivor benefits don't get any higher if you wait past FRA to claim them.

You can claim widow's benefits now and let your own benefit rate grow until age 70. Then at age 70, if your own benefit rate would be higher than your widow's rate you could switch to drawing your own benefits by filing a new application. You definitely don't want to file and suspend your own benefits now, because that would prevent you from being able to collect widow's benefits while your own benefits are in suspense.

The survivor benefit you receive from the Washington State Labor & Industries department won't have any adverse effect on your ability to collect either your own Social Security benefits or widow's benefits. You may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your options so that you can confirm your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry