I was born 6/20/56 and was married for 25 years to my husband (6/22/52) who died suddenly at 47 years old on May 23 2000. I might also add that on a visit to a local Social Security office (not in my home state), I was told that they wouldn't answer my questions because I had to make an appointment in my home state. I spend time in two states and have my primary residence in Florida. I was in New York at the time I made an appointment w Soc Sec.
My question at the time was could I or should I collect spousal benefits and still work.
I had purchased Larry's software at the time (approximately 2 years ago) and couldn't complete the form for I didn't have my husbands social security statements and Social Security would not help me. They were actually very rude!
I'm looking to see what would be best for me at this time.
I am working full time and plan to do so for another two years and then gradually work less.
My question as you might imagine is, what course of action should I pursue with regards to collecting mine or his or another scenario and when.
In addition, if I purchase the software again, how can I get access to my husband's records, if I need to do that.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Christina

Hi Christina,

Our software could help you even if you can only find out your deceased husband's primary insurance amount (PIA). The software could also perform the necessary calculations if you could provide your husband's Social Security earnings history, but it may be difficult to obtain that information from Social Security. However, if you call Social Security and establish your identity to their satisfaction, they should at least be willing to tell you your husband's current PIA.

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 your 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 it's highest potential rate. The optimal month for you to claim one or the other benefit depends on how much you plan to earn between now and your FRA. 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