Ask the Expert: Can I switch from my late spouse's Social Security to my own?

I am 67 years old, and have been a widow since 1982. I never remarried. I started to collect my late husband’s Social Security in 2020 at the age of 64, when I was laid off due to the pandemic. I believe I can wait until I’m 70 to switch over to my own Social Security, with no penalty for taking my husband’s benefit earlier. I just want to make sure this is correct information as Social Security tells me different stories.  

Don’t worry, your information is correct.

Widows and widowers have choices that aren’t available to other Social Security recipients. When a married person who is entitled to two benefits files for Social Security, she’s automatically applying for both. She receives an amount equal to the larger of the two.

But people who are entitled to a surviving spouse’s benefit and their own benefit can choose to take either one, and later switch without penalty to the other.

You can take a reduced widow or widower’s benefit as early as age 60. To get the maximum benefit — 100% of the amount your deceased spouse was entitled to receive at full retirement age (FRA) — you must postpone your application until your own FRA. You can’t boost it by waiting until you’re 70.

You can take a reduced benefit based on your own record as early as age 62. And if you postpone applying for it, that benefit grows an extra 8% for each year of delay between your FRA and age 70.

The best decision depends on the dollar amounts involved. To learn more about your specific choices, make an appointment at a local Social Security office and speak to an agency representative with computer access to your record.

The bottom line:

Widows and widowers have unique Social Security options.

More information:

bit.ly/SSAsurvivorbenefitsplanner

bit.ly/3HPRCyj