Can I get widow benefit estimates from Social Security at 56 before eligible at 60?

It's definitely not too early to get this information! SSA can provide estimates for survivor benefits before you're eligible. Call them and request a benefit calculation for widow/widower benefits at 60. You'll probably need your wife's SSN and death certificate info. Your strategy sounds solid - taking survivor benefits at 60 and switching to your own at FRA, especially if yours will be higher. Just remember survivor benefits taken early are permanently reduced (about 28.5% reduction at age 60).

Just went thru this with my mom. SS wont give u a exact number but they can give estimate. Bring death cert and marrige stuff when u go. My mom got like $1400 at 60 as widow but would been like $2000 if she waited till her full age but she needed money now.

You're absolutely on the right track! It's never too early to plan. I recommend creating a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov if you haven't already. While this won't show widow(er) benefit estimates, it gives you access to your own work record and benefit estimates. For widow benefits, you'll need to contact SSA directly. The strategy you're considering (taking reduced survivor benefits at 60, then switching to your own higher benefit at FRA) is often called the "restricted application" strategy, and it's one of the few remaining opportunities for this type of benefit optimization after the 2015 law changes. One important note: if you're still working at age 60, be aware of the earnings limit ($23,290 in 2025 for those under FRA), as exceeding this could temporarily reduce your survivor benefits.

To clarify about restricted applications: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 did eliminate many claiming strategies, but surviving spouses can still use this approach. Widow(er)s can still choose to take either their survivor benefit OR their own retirement benefit independently of each other. This is different from spousal benefits for those still married, which were more significantly restricted by the 2015 changes.

I had SUCH a nightmare trying to get through to SSA on the phone when I needed widow benefit info!!! Called for WEEKS and either got disconnected or waited 2+ hours only to get someone who couldn't help me!!! FINALLY I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at SSA in under 20 minutes. Best $20 I ever spent honestly. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU if you're interested. Made my life so much easier after weeks of frustration.

Yes it actually worked! I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for so long. The website connects you with an actual SS agent - not some third party. After you're connected, it's just you and the SS person, and they helped me sort out my widow benefits questions in one call.

my mom went to the office for her info btw. took like 3 hours of waiting but she got the numbers. also they asked a bunch of stuff about my dads work history so bring anything u have about that.

Thank you all for the helpful advice! I'll definitely call SSA to request the widow benefit estimate and I'll probably use that Claimyr service to avoid the long wait times. I'll make sure to have my wife's information handy and will ask specifically about the difference between taking benefits at 60 versus FRA. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!

My friend was a widow and she said the SS people told her the WRONG information THREE TIMES!!! Each person told her something different about her benefits. Just be careful and maybe talk to more than one person there to make sure what they tell you is right.

I was in a similar situation but reversed (I'm female). Started widow benefits at 60 and they were about 70% of what I would've gotten at FRA. But it was worth it for me because I needed the income. One thing no one mentioned - if you're planning to work past 60 while collecting, remember those benefits will be reduced if you earn over the limit (which was around $19k when I started but is higher now). For every $2 over the limit, they take $1 from your benefits.

Good question about withheld benefits due to excess earnings! Those benefits aren't permanently lost. Once you reach your Full Retirement Age, Social Security will recalculate your benefit amount to give you credit for the months when benefits were withheld. It's essentially a recoupment over time. But also consider: if your own retirement benefit will ultimately be higher than the widow benefit, and you plan to switch to your own benefit at FRA anyway, it might be worth analyzing whether taking a reduced widow benefit that's further reduced by the earnings test makes financial sense. Sometimes waiting until you're closer to FRA or working part-time to stay under the earnings limit can be more advantageous.