Can I collect Social Security widow benefits at 60 and switch to my own higher SS benefits at 65?

First, I'm very sorry for your loss. Yes, you can absolutely start receiving reduced widow's benefits at 60 and then switch to your own retirement benefits later. This is actually a smart strategy if your own benefit will be higher. The widow's benefit would be reduced because you're taking it before your full retirement age (which is probably around 67 for you), but this reduction does NOT affect your own retirement benefit when you switch later. When you switch to your own benefit, you'll receive the full amount you're entitled to based on your age at that time. Just be aware that if you're still working while collecting widow's benefits between 60-FRA, you'll be subject to the earnings test (which can reduce your benefits if you earn above certain thresholds).

So sorry about ur husband. I did somthing similar when my Jerry passed. Started on his record at 61 (couldn't wait til 60, needed money) and took my own at 66. The SSA people were actually helpful about it but waiting on the phone took FOREVER!!!

You're on the right track with your thinking. This strategy is sometimes called "restricting the scope of your application" and it can be very beneficial. When you apply at 60, you'll want to be explicit that you're ONLY applying for survivor benefits. Regarding the earnings test - for 2025, the limit will likely be around $22,000-23,000 (it's $21,240 for 2023 and increases annually). Since you earn $85,000, you would lose some of your widow's benefits while working. The reduction is $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. However, once you reach your Full Retirement Age, those reductions are recalculated and you get the money back in the form of higher monthly payments. Despite the earnings test reduction, it might still be worth claiming at 60 because whatever widow's benefits you do receive are essentially "free money" that wouldn't affect your own retirement benefit amount later.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I just went through what you're planning. I started taking my late husband's SS at 60 (reduced amount of course) and just switched to my own higher benefit when I turned 67 last month. One thing NOBODY warned me about - you need to schedule an appointment with SSA about 3 months before you want to switch to your own benefit. I tried calling their regular number for WEEKS and couldn't get through. Spent hours on hold and got disconnected multiple times. So frustrating!! I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual SSA agent within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Totally worth it because I was able to get everything straightened out before my birthday instead of missing out on payments. Just a heads up so you don't go through what I did!

Just so u know my mom tried this and they MESSED UP everything!!! She ended up getting LESS money overall becuz they calculated something wrong when she switched. Make SURE u get everything in writing and triple check what they tell u. SSA makes so many mistakes its not even funny.

The switching strategy you're describing is EXACTLY what my financial advisor recommended to me when my husband died!! But then when I went to SSA to apply they tried to tell me I had to apply for BOTH widow AND retirement at 60!!! I had to literally show them their OWN RULES printed from their website before the supervisor admitted I was right. Don't trust the first person you talk to at SSA - they are NOT all trained properly!!!

To follow up on some of the questions raised: Yes, bringing printed documentation of SSA policies is smart. The specific rule you want is called "deemed filing," but importantly, deemed filing does NOT apply to survivor benefits. This means you can file for just widow's benefits without being forced to take your retirement. Regarding your salary and the earnings test - with $85,000 income, you would be about $62,000 over the limit. That means approximately $31,000 would be deducted from your annual widow's benefits. If your widow's benefit amount is less than that, you might not receive payments while working, but you should still apply at 60 to establish eligibility. Then when you reduce hours or stop working before switching to your own benefit, you could receive those widow's benefits. Remember that at your Full Retirement Age, the earnings test disappears completely.

did anyone else get a tax surprise when they started getting SS widows benefits?? I sure did!! had to pay way more than expected my first year getting them since i was still working

My buddy at work says his mom did this exact thing and she gets way more money now than her friends who didn't know about this strategy. Smart thinking!

One final point I want to clarify - you mentioned switching at 65, but you might want to consider waiting until your Full Retirement Age (probably 67) or even age 70 to switch to your own benefit if you can afford to do so. Your own retirement benefit continues to grow until age 70, increasing approximately 8% per year past your FRA. This could significantly increase your lifetime benefits if you're in good health and expect to live into your 80s or beyond.