I am 62 my wife passed away in sept at age 60. I visited the SS office and was told I could not claim a survivors benefit on my wife’s record and later switch to my record at fra or age 70. I would have to choose either her or my record and I could start at reduced rate or at fra or at. age 70. The calculation was good for 6 mo. I went back and got a totally different story. The gentleman said I could file for survivor benefits on my wife’s and later switch to my record at a higher benefit. That’s what I would like for o do but have concerns Since I have received two different stories. Both of us were high earners so our benefits are similar n amount but it would be a big benefit if I could start the survivor benefits now approx $2k wait 8 years till I’m 70 and get the higher rate approx $ 3.5k on my own record thank you

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

You can file for reduced widower's benefits now and then switch to your own record later, so the second representative that you spoke with is correct. You don't mention your current earnings (if any), though, so I can't tell you what filing strategy would be best in your case. Your benefits could be subject to the Social Security earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html) until you reach full retirement age, which could affect your optimal month in which to claim benefits.

Your best strategy is almost certainly one of the following:
1) File for widower's benefits now or as soon as your earnings will permit benefits to be paid, then switch to your own record at age 70; or,
2) File for retirement benefits on your own record now or as soon as your earnings will permit benefits to be paid, then file for unreduced widow's benefits at your 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. The maximization software available on this website can help you determine which of the above strategies is best in your case as well as the exact month in which to claim each type of benefit.

Best, Jerry