19 Aug I’m almost 44. Can I get my husband’s Social Security?

Q. I’m almost 44. I was married in 2002. My husband died in 2005. I was young and dumb at the time and nobody helped me with Social Security. I have our marriage certificate but no death certificate and no other info on my husband. Can I still file for Social Security? My husband would’ve been 65-66?
— Unsure

A. We’re sorry to hear about your husband.

There are several things you will have to contend with before you can apply to receive benefits based on his Social Security record.

The most obvious to point out is your age.

The minimum age to receive benefits is 60,or age 50 if disabled, so it appears you may need to wait a few years before you’d be eligible, said Claudia Mott, a certified financial planner with Epona Financial Solutions in Basking Ridge.

She said before you reach out to Social Security about a survivor’s benefit, you should have the death certificate so that you have that in hand.

You can put in a request to New Jersey Vital Statistics. You will also need to know his Social Security number, Mott said. .

“When the time comes, Social Security will look at both the survivor benefit and any benefit you might receive based on your own work record,” she said. “These two amounts will not be added together, but one must be chosen over the other.”

You may be able to take the survivor benefit first and then switch to your own benefit at age 70 when that payment would be its highest, she said. .

To learn more about your benefit and any possible benefit through your husband’s work history you can contact Social Security at (800) 772-1213.

Email your questions to .

This story was originally published in August 2024.

NJMoneyHelp.com presents certain general financial planning principles and advice, but should never be viewed as a substitute for obtaining advice from a personal professional advisor who understands your unique individual circumstances.