What should widow's next step be with Social Security?

Q: My husband passed away at the age of 60. I had just turned 60 that month. I started collecting his Social Security. I didn't work much throughout our life, so his was more to collect. Can you tell me what my next step will be? I will be 62 this month. I know I can work part time and earn up to $15,000 a year without them deducting from his Social Security that I receive. — Cathy Scarborough, South Jordan, Utah.

A: Our sympathies for your loss. You're right about working, says Andy Landis, author of Social Security: The Inside Story. You can earn up to $15,720 this year with no effect on your Social Security.

And, if you earn over that amount, only $1 will be taken out of your Social Security for every $2 you earn over that limit. "So, even with the penalty, you'll be money ahead by working," says Landis.

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Looking ahead, Landis suggests checking your own Social Security, particularly at age 70 when it maximizes. "You might find that a future shift to your own Social Security will pay more than your widow's benefit," he says.

For more, read Survivors Planner: Survivors Benefits For Your Widow Or Widower. (www.ssa.gov/planners/survivors/onyourown2.html)

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Robert Powell is editor of Retirement Weekly, contributes regularly to USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch. Got questions about money? Emailrpowell@allthingsretirement.com.