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Experts at Maximize My Social Security have answered more than 10,000 questions about Social Security over many years. Search for your questions and answers here.
Which Is The Best Way For Me To Draw Widow's Benefits?
My husband died in Sept 2016 at age 62. I turned 62 this week. Which is the best way for me to draw his social security. I have not worked in 30 year. I was a stay at home mom.
Looking forward to your answer.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
The answer largely depends on whether or not your husband drew reduced retirement benefits before he died. If he didn't, you would probably want to wait until age 66 to draw widow's benefits if you can afford to do so. However, if he did draw reduced retirement benefits, you would want to start drawing sooner than that. And, if you can receive any benefits on your own record before your widow's benefits would reach their maximum rate, you would likely want to file for reduced retirement benefits on your own record now.
You may want to consider running the maximization software available on this website in order to determine your best filing strategy.
Best, Jerry
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Posted:
February 11, 2017