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Social Security Q&A: Can I Claim Retirement and Survivor’s Benefits?

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Question: My husband passed away when I was 60 years old. I was not working that much when he died. I started taking my survivor benefits then, and still do. Can I take my own benefits at 70?

Answer: Very sorry for your loss. Social Security won’t pay you two benefits at once. Instead it will pay the larger of the ​two benefits. If your retirement benefit at 70 exceeds your widows benefit (which doesn’t sound very likely), your monthly check will rise and equal your retirement benefit.

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