Can I receive both my own Social Security retirement and widow benefits at the same time?

You've asked a really important question that many widows face. You can't receive both your full retirement benefit AND your full widow's benefit at the same time - SSA will only pay the higher of the two amounts. However, there's a strategy you might be able to use. Since you're turning 62, you could file for either your reduced retirement benefit OR your reduced widow's benefit. The optimal strategy often involves taking the lower benefit first and then switching to the higher benefit later when it reaches its maximum amount. For example, if your widow's benefit would ultimately be higher, you might take your own reduced retirement benefit at 62, then switch to the unreduced widow's benefit at your Full Retirement Age (probably 66-67 depending on your birth year). This is definitely a case where talking to someone at SSA directly would help, as they can calculate your exact benefit amounts for both scenarios.

my sister did this exact thing!! she took her own benefit at 62 (it was small, only like $1100) and then when she hit 66 she switched to her husbands which was like $2400 i think. she said it was the smartest thing she did financially.

YOUR BEST BET IS TO WAIT!!! If you take your own benefit early at 62, it's permanently reduced by like 30%!!! Same with widow benefits if you take them before your full retirement age. The SSA doesn't always tell you all your options either because the workers are overworked and undertrained. I made this mistake and I'm stuck with a tiny check forever now. DON'T DO WHAT I DID!!

The strategy the first commenter mentioned is called "restricted application" and it can be very valuable for widows. Since you mentioned you were a teacher, I should point out that you might be affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and possibly the Government Pension Offset (GPO) if you're receiving a pension from work not covered by Social Security. This can reduce both your own benefit and potentially your widow's benefit. I'd recommend getting a benefits calculation directly from SSA that accounts for any potential WEP/GPO reductions before making your decision. The optimal strategy depends on the exact benefit amounts and your life expectancy.

I tried calling the social security office about widow benefits last month and was on hold for over 2 hours! Then they transferred me and I got disconnected. So frustrating! finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real agent in 20 minutes instead of hours on hold. they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU really worth it for complicated questions like yours where you need specific calculations for your situation. helped me figure out my survivor benefits when nothing else worked.

Have you checked your Social Security statement online to see what your estimated benefits would be? You can create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount and it shows estimates for your own retirement at different ages AND your widow's benefit. That might help you compare the numbers before deciding what to do.

Since you mentioned you worked as a teacher not covered by Social Security for part of your career, the WEP/GPO issue raised by another commenter is crucial. The Government Pension Offset can reduce your widow's benefit by 2/3 of your teacher's pension amount. This could significantly impact your strategy. Here's what I recommend: 1. Get your benefit estimates from SSA (online or by phone) 2. Ask specifically how WEP/GPO affects each benefit type in your case 3. Calculate which claiming strategy maximizes your lifetime benefits Generally, if your widow's benefit will be substantially higher than your own retirement benefit (even after GPO reduction), taking your own reduced benefit at 62 and switching to widow's benefits at your FRA often works best. But this is very specific to your individual circumstances.

just wanna add my two cents - my mom was in a similar boat and SSA never told her she could switch benefits later! she found out from a friend years later that she could have been getting more. definitely get a second opinion and talk to someone who specializes in widows benefits. the frontline SSA people dont always know all the rules.

I'm so sorry for your loss and I completely understand the confusion - the Social Security system can be overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with grief and financial stress. Based on what you've shared, you have some really good options to explore. Since your husband had higher earnings in construction work, your widow's benefit will likely be substantial. The key strategy many widows use is exactly what others have mentioned - taking one benefit early and then switching to the higher one later. Given that you're turning 62 next month, you could potentially start your own reduced retirement benefit now (which would give you some immediate income relief) and then switch to your full widow's benefit at your Full Retirement Age. This strategy can work really well when the survivor benefit is significantly higher. However, the teaching pension situation does complicate things significantly with WEP/GPO. The Government Pension Offset could reduce your widow's benefit by up to 2/3 of your monthly pension amount, so you really need those exact calculations before deciding. I'd strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with SSA (in person if possible - sometimes easier than phone) and specifically asking them to calculate both scenarios: taking retirement now vs. taking widow's benefit now, and how the pension offset affects each. Bring all your pension documentation with you. You deserve to get every dollar you're entitled to, and with some planning, you can likely maximize your benefits despite the complexity. Hang in there!

I want to echo what others have said about getting those specific calculations, but I also wanted to mention something that might help in the meantime. Since you mentioned struggling with bills, don't forget that as a widow you may be eligible for other assistance programs while you're figuring out the Social Security piece. Things like SNAP benefits, utility assistance, or even property tax relief for seniors/widows vary by state but could provide some immediate help. Also, regarding the online SSA account - if you're still having trouble with the verification questions, you can actually go to a local SSA office with your ID and they can help you set up the account in person. Once you have access, you'll be able to see your earning history and benefit estimates, which will be really helpful for planning. The fact that your husband worked in construction his whole life with higher earnings is definitely in your favor here. Construction workers typically have solid Social Security earnings records, so your widow's benefit calculation should be based on a good foundation. Just make sure when you talk to SSA that they walk you through exactly how the GPO will affect that widow's benefit amount - don't let them rush through that part because it's crucial for your decision. You're asking all the right questions and getting great advice here. Take it one step at a time!

I'm really glad you found this community to ask these important questions! As someone who went through a similar situation a few years ago, I can tell you that the strategy of taking one benefit early and switching later can really make a difference financially. One thing I wanted to add that I don't think has been mentioned yet - when you do talk to SSA, make sure to ask about "deemed filing" rules. At 62, if you apply for one benefit, SSA might automatically deem you to be filing for both your retirement and widow's benefits, and they'll just give you the higher amount. But there are some exceptions to this rule that might apply to your situation, especially with the timing and your specific circumstances. Also, since you mentioned your husband worked in construction, his Social Security record should be pretty straightforward without the WEP/GPO complications that affect your own benefit. That's actually a good thing for calculating your widow's benefit. I'd recommend writing down all your questions before you go to the SSA office (including asking specifically about deemed filing and how GPO affects your widow's benefit), because these appointments can be overwhelming and it's easy to forget important details. You've got a lot of people here rooting for you to get this figured out!

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I want to commend you for being proactive about understanding your Social Security options during such a difficult time. The advice you've received here is excellent, and I wanted to add a few more practical considerations. Since you mentioned struggling with bills and need income soon, timing becomes really important. While the strategy of taking your reduced retirement benefit at 62 and switching to widow's benefits later is often optimal, you should also consider your immediate cash flow needs. Sometimes the "perfect" strategy on paper doesn't work if you can't afford to wait. One thing to keep in mind - if you do decide to take your retirement benefit early at 62, you'll be subject to the earnings test if you continue working. For 2024, you can only earn $22,320 without having benefits reduced. Since you mentioned being a teacher, this might affect you if you're still working or plan to work part-time. Also, regarding the GPO reduction on your widow's benefit - this only applies if you're receiving a pension from government work not covered by Social Security. If part of your teaching career WAS covered by Social Security, that could affect the calculation. I'd suggest calling SSA early in the morning (right when they open at 7 AM local time) for the shortest wait times, or as others mentioned, visiting in person with all your documentation. You're asking all the right questions - don't let anyone rush you through this decision!

I want to add something that might be helpful since you mentioned being confused by the SSA website - there's actually a really useful benefit calculator tool buried in their site called the "Retirement Estimator" that can help you see projected amounts at different claiming ages. It's separate from your my Social Security account and doesn't require as much verification to use. Also, given all the great advice here about the WEP/GPO complications with your teaching pension, you might want to consider contacting your state teachers' retirement system too. They often have counselors who are specifically trained on how Social Security benefits interact with teacher pensions, and they might be able to help you understand the offset calculations before you even get to SSA. One more thing - since you're turning 62 next month, you have a small window where you can still change your mind if you start benefits and realize it wasn't the right choice. There's a 12-month withdrawal option where you can pay back what you received and restart later, though you can only use this once. It's not ideal, but it's good to know it exists as a safety net. The fact that you're researching this thoroughly and asking questions shows you're going to make an informed decision. Take your time to get all the numbers, and don't let anyone pressure you into deciding before you're ready. Your financial security is too important to rush!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful for your situation. Since you're dealing with the complexity of teacher pensions and Social Security, you might want to check if your state has a SHINE program (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). While they're primarily known for Medicare counseling, many SHINE counselors are also trained on Social Security issues and can provide free, unbiased advice about benefit strategies. Also, I noticed someone mentioned the online Retirement Estimator - that's great for getting rough numbers, but since you have the WEP/GPO complications, those estimates might not be accurate for your actual situation. The tool doesn't account for government pensions, so definitely don't rely on those numbers alone for your decision. One practical tip for your SSA appointment: if possible, bring your husband's Social Security statement or any records you have of his earnings. Sometimes having that information handy can help speed up the process of calculating your widow's benefit, especially if there are any discrepancies in their system. You're getting excellent advice here, and I can tell you're going to be well-prepared for this decision. The fact that you're taking the time to understand all your options will really pay off in the long run. Wishing you the best as you navigate this process!

I'm so glad you found this community and asked these important questions! Reading through all the excellent advice here, I can see you're getting a really comprehensive picture of your options. As a newcomer to navigating Social Security benefits myself, I wanted to share something that might help - when I was researching similar questions for my own family situation, I found that having a written timeline really helped clarify things. You might want to create a simple chart showing what your monthly income would look like under different scenarios (taking retirement at 62 vs waiting, taking widow's benefits now vs later, etc.) once you get those calculations from SSA. Also, since everyone has mentioned how crucial the WEP/GPO calculations are for your teacher's pension, you might want to ask SSA to put those specific reduction amounts in writing when you meet with them. That way you can review the numbers at home without feeling rushed during the appointment. The fact that you're asking these questions now, before making any decisions, shows you're going to make the best choice for your situation. It sounds like you have several potentially good strategies to choose from once you get all the numbers. Best of luck with your SSA appointment - you've got this!