My husband died December 28, 2014; I was 55 at the age of his death. In 2015, I went to the Social Security Administration office in Rockville, Maryland to determine when I was eligible to apply for Survivor (widow) benefits. I was told at age 60, I could apply for 50% of my late husband’s benefits and at age 62, 75% of his benefits. So, I decided to continue working to receive the maximum benefit based on the regulations, if I took his benefits, I could not receive my own benefits based on my income. As a result, I decided to continue working so I could receive his maximum benefit. I was not told that my benefits could be evaluated at age 70 and I could receive my benefits instead of his based on my length of employment.
Based on the story I heard on Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson Report, what is the real story for my situation? I have struggled for eight years on my salary when I could have received my late husband’s benefits. I am sure my benefits will be higher.

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. First of all, the widow's benefit rates you were apparently quoted aren't accurate. If claimed at age 60, widow's benefits are calculated based on 71.5% of the deceased worker's primary insurance amount (PIA). The percentage increases incrementally for each month that a widow gets closer to full retirement age (FRA) before claiming widow's benefits.

Furthermore, you can claim widow's benefits while waiting until later to claim your own benefits, or vice versa. It sounds like your best strategy for claiming benefits would likely be one of the following:
1) File for reduced widow's benefits now or 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 on your own record now or as soon as your earnings will permit at least some benefits to be paid, then file for unreduced widow's benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

Normally, you would want to start out drawing the lower benefit first and then switch to the higher benefit when it reaches its highest potential rate. Our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) could help sort all of this out for you so that you can determine the best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry