I'm 62 years old and work full time and make 30,000 a year my husband past away 5 years ago can I get widow benefits from social security
Thanks Sharon

Hi Sharon,

I'm sorry for your loss.

You may be able to receive some widow's benefits, but Social Security would withhold $1 of your benefits for each $2 that your earnings exceed $17,040 this year (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html).

It sounds like your best strategy would likely be one of the following:
1) File for reduced widow's benefits 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 your full retirement age. However, if your husband received reduced retirement benefits prior to his death that could affect the optimal time for you to claim widow's benefits.

Generally, you would want to start out drawing the lower benefit first and then switch to the higher record when it reaches it's highest potential rate. Our maximization software can sort all of this out for you and help you determine your best filing strategy.

Best, Jerry