Can I get 6 months backpay when switching from survivor benefits to my own SS at age 70?

Yes, you can absolutely request retroactive benefits when switching from survivors to your own retirement benefits after age 70. SSA allows for up to 6 months of retroactive benefits in this scenario. Just make sure when you apply that you specifically request the retroactive start date from when you turned 70. They'll calculate the difference between what you received as survivor benefits and what you should have received on your own record for those months, and pay you the difference in a lump sum.

CAREFUL HERE!! I went through something similar and what they don't tell you is that if you waited until 70 to maximize your delayed retirement credits, you MUST specify an effective date that doesn't lose those credits!!! The SSA rep I dealt with initially tried to make my retroactive benefits go back a full 12 months which would have REDUCED my monthly benefit amount!!! Make absolutely SURE your application says January 2025 as the start date, not anything earlier!!!!

my brother tried this but they denied his backpay because he didnt ask for it at the right time during the application or something... make sure you fill out the right form and check the box for retroactive benefits cause ssa doesnt volunteer these things

Just wanted to share my experience switching from widow's benefits to my own retirement benefit last year. Yes, you can get the retroactive pay for up to 6 months after reaching 70, but be prepared for a potentially long processing time. When I applied, I couldn't get through to anyone on the phone for weeks. I eventually used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a live SSA agent in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I got through, the agent helped me properly request my retroactive benefits and made sure everything was documented correctly. Without that help, I might still be waiting on hold! The retroactive payment took about 8 weeks to process after my application was approved.

I think your neighbor is right about this. My cousin got 6 months backpay when she switched from widow benefits to her own SS at 70 last year. But make sure you tell them right away that's what you want!!

I dont understand why you'd wait until 6 months AFTER turning 70 to apply?? There's NO benefit increase after 70 so you're just losing money every month you delay past 70. Apply IN JANUARY when you turn 70!!! Don't wait until June!!!

One more thing to be aware of - when you get the retroactive payment, it will be counted as income for the tax year in which you receive it, not the months it covers. So if you apply in January 2025 and receive the backpay in March 2025, it counts as 2025 income. But if you wait until June 2025 to apply and get the payment in August 2025, it's still 2025 income. This lump sum might affect your Medicare IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) premium two years later. There is a provision called the Life-Changing Event form (SSA-44) you can file if this one-time income increase would cause your Medicare premiums to spike.

Just to be really clear here since there's some confusion in the comments: Yes, Social Security will pay you the difference between the survivor benefit you received and what your own retirement benefit would have been for those months. However, retroactive benefits for retirement are limited to 6 months from the date of application, and cannot begin before you reach age 70 in your case (since you want the maximum delayed retirement credits).

wait i'm confused now. are you still working at 70? cuz if you are that can mess up your benefits depending on how much you make

So sorry about your husband passing away so young. My sister has survivor benefits too and she said the SSA office people were really helpful explaining all her options when she turned 70. Hope everything works out for you!