dear larry .. i am 69 yo .. i am currently working .. i am also collecting SS as a survivor to my deceased wife .. my plan was to draw her's until 70.5 and then convert to mine .. reverting back to the 70 yo payout (and collecting the difference .. not sure what this called .. but i am sure you understand what i am intending) .. i decided to remarry (my common law wife) soon (in a month) ... how will this new marriage affect my current plan .. will i have to give up collecting as a survivor ?? .. or will my plan still hold up ?? tia for your help .. mm

Hi,

Remarriages occurring at or after age 60 don't preclude entitlement to widower's benefits on a deceased spouse's record, nor do they have any impact on a person's own retirement benefits. So no, it sounds like your plan shouldn't be affected in the least should you remarry now or in the future.

A remarriage could also potentially permit your new wife to qualify for spousal benefits on your record once you file for your retirement benefits, but probably not until you've been married for at least a year (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0305.html). A remarriage could also allow your new wife to receive widow's benefits in the future should you die before her. You may want to consider using the maximization software available on this website in order to make sure you choose the best possible filing strategy.

Best, Jerry