widow's benefit

Under Social Security rules, remarrying at 60 or older allows her to collect a widow’s benefit while delaying her own benefit until later.

You could take a widow's benefit at 60 and then switch to your own benefit when it maxes out at age 70, if your own benefit would be larger at that point.

Third, the SSA isn’t telling people that filing early will permanently reduce not only their own monthly check, but also the widow’s benefit that their lower-earning spouse will collect if they die first.

You also could start your own benefit at 62, the minimum age to begin retirement checks, and switch to a widow's benefit later.

If your own benefit at 70 would exceed what you'd be receiving as a widow, then taking your widow's benefit at 60 and your own at 70 is likely the best course, Kotlikoff said.