Hello,
I recently applied for Social Security benefits from my deceased x-husband. I am 60, we were married 15 years, had 2 children. I had a short second marriage, we are divorced. I recently relocated to California in order to care for my mother. My daughter and I live with her (also pay we rent). My Daughter is deaf and has mild mental disabilities, she works and receives SSI. I did not qualify for unemployment. Family told me I could file for benefits from my X-husband. I was told Social Security would pay for a few months and then I could ask for more time. They needed a date for it to stop. I can not leave it open.

I am trying to find work in my field but seem to be having trouble because of my age I believe. Do I have to call every few months to extend SS benefits? Can't they leave it open until I manage to find work?

I would much prefer a pay check instead of a SS check. But I may not be able to get a job right away. Also the woman serving me at the SS office seemed to be surprised I was applying. If I qualify, why would I not apply?

Hi,

The pertinent question is not whether you should file, but when is the best time to file. And, the answer to that question depends on each person's individual set of circumstances.

If you qualify and file for benefits on your deceased ex-husband's account, there isn't necessarily only a temporary period of time that you could draw the benefits. You could potentially be paid your survivor benefits for as long as you live. However, until you reach your full retirement age (FRA) your benefits could be subject to full or partial withholding depending on how much you earn. If you're now age 60 and claim survivor benefits, Social Security would need to withhold $1 of your benefits for each $2 that you earn in excess of $17040 this year, and $17640 in 2019. You would need to let Social Security know how much you'll be earning, and you'd need to notify them if your estimated earnings change.

If your own future Social Security retirement benefit rate would be higher than your unreduced survivor rate, then it would likely be advantageous for you to claim the survivor benefits as soon as you could be paid at least some benefits. You would then likely want to switch to drawing on your own record at age 70, assuming that benefit rate is higher than your survivor rate. You should strongly consider using our maximization software to help you determine the best time to file for your survivor benefits and for your own retirement benefits.

Best, Jerry