After searching this site closely, I suspect social security benefits aren't part of the usual discussions, but maybe somebody can point me in the right direction on this one.

My mother-in-law turns 62 this month. She's been a widow for 30 years. She did not take SS as a widow this whole time (not sure why). So now, she is comparing what she could take on widows SS compared to her own SS benefit. Right now, at 62, she could get $900/month on widows vs $650/month on her own.

My understanding right now is that she could go on widow's now at 62, collect $900/month, and continue to work, presumably until age 65. If her own SS benefit is greater than $900 at age 65, could she switch over to that at that time?

Is it just me, or does this seem like she should have been taking widow's SS a long time ago? I presume the amount 30 years ago would have been much less than $900/month. Still, that was money she could have been recieving all these years. I can't see the downside to her taking that benefit all those years, compared to now. If her own SS benefit is near $900/month at 65, that would seem to confirm my suspicions that she lost out on a lot of money.

Wishful thinking here, but are there any options for her to go back and get a lumpsum widows SS benefit for all the years she did not take it and was entitled to it (sorry, had to ask that)?

Thanks for any help.

you can call 504-561-4541 and request a booklet "guide to social security and medicare". if the widow(er) is not caring for a child under 16, he/she will not receive any death benefit from the workers PIA. he/she can claim at age 60, a reduction will apply b/c he/she is not at full retirement age.
she can work but before FRA an earnings limit applies.

Widow's benefits are not payable during those years unless she is caring for a dependent child at the time.

Any SS benefit (own, widows, etc.) is cutback (if prior to age 65) for earnings. So taking a widows benefit now and continuing to work will wipe it out. When she eventually quits working, she will still have the early retirement reduction factor applying (assuming she applies now). So, it is better if she does not apply for the widow's benefits until she actually quits working. These statements may not be true if she is working at very low wages.

You cannot claim benefits for which you haven't previously applied for.