I will be 66 this year (2018) and still working. I am thinking of retiring this year. My husband passed in 2010 at the age of 59. My income was always more than his but am I eligible to receive his Social Security Benefit as well?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

If you file for both Social Security widow's benefits and retirement benefits on your own record you'll only be paid the higher of the two rates. But, if you don't file for your own retirement benefits until age 70 they will continue to grow by 8% per year even if you're drawing widow's benefits.

Therefore, your best option is likely one of the following:
1) File for 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 effective with the month that you will reach full retirement age.

Normally, 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 optimal strategy.

Best, Jerry