I am 68 years old and collecting widow's benefits should I be collecting my own social security

Hi. You couldn't collect both your own benefits and Social Security widow's benefits in full, you could only be paid the higher of the two benefit rates. So, the only way you'd gain anything by filing for your own benefits is if your own benefit rate would be higher than your widow's rate. And, if your own rate is higher, then it would likely be best to wait until age 70 to claim your own benefits. Age 70 is when your own Social Security retirement benefit amount would reach it's maximum rate.

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Best, Jerry