I was married to my first husband for over 10 years. He died in 1983 at age 30. I am now 65 and would like to retire at 66, however, being a stay at home mom, divorced after 24 years and a work history of 30 years-but not great financially-can I claim my social security at 66, work under the SS earning limit then claim my widow's benefits at 70?

Hi,

The best strategy is almost certainly one of the following 2 options:
1) File for retirement benefits on your own record as soon as your earnings will permit payment, then file for unreduced widow's benefits at age 66; or,
2) File for widow's benefits as soon as your earnings will permit payment, then switch to your own record at age 70.

Basically, you will likely want to start the lower benefit as soon as possible, and save the higher benefit rate for last. The Social Security earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html) could limit the benefits you can draw prior to age 66, however.

Under no circumstances would you wait past age 66 to apply for widow's benefits. You don't earn delayed retirement credits on widow's benefits, so they are no higher at age 70 than at full retirement age. However, your own retirement benefit rate would continue to grow by a total of 32% if you wait until age 70 to start. That's true even if you are drawing widow's benefits in the meantime.

You may wish to run the maximization software available on this website. It can help you determine which benefit to start first, and when you should start each type of benefit. It may also be able to determine if there is any possibility of receiving divorced spousal benefits on your second husband's record.

Best, Jerry