I am 62 and my husband passed away 3 years ago. I’m employed full time with a salary of about $49,000. When can I draw my husbands social security without negatively impacting my own. I plan on working until age 70.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Your own retirement benefit rate won't be affected by collecting widow's benefits, regardless of how soon you start drawing the widow's benefits.

Your best filing strategy is likely 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 full retirement age. However, if your husband received reduced retirement benefits prior to his death, then it would likely be optimal to file on his record sooner than when you reach full retirement age.

Our maximization software can factor in all of the above variables and determine which of the above filing strategies is best in your case, as well as when to apply for each type of benefit.

Best, Jerry