You mentioned that you are 64 and still working. If you have earned enough credits on your own (40 credits or approx 10 years), then you may qualify for benefits on your own work history. You are eligible to start collecting retirement benefits as early as age 62, although those benefits will be discounted for every month before you reach full retirement age (66 for people born between 1943-1954).

You may also be entitled to benefits based on your deceased husband’s work record. Generally, a widow is entitled to receive benefits on her deceased husband’s account beginning at age 60, or as early as age 50 if she is totally disabled. However, similar to retirement benefits, if you start collecting survivor benefits before full retirement age, those benefits will be discounted. One strategy is to start collecting survivor benefits now and switch to your own benefits at age 66 if they will be higher than the survivor benefit.

You should notify Social Security and apply for Social Security benefits right away if you haven’t done so already. To apply, call the Social Security Administration or visit the closest office to you. You will need to provide proof of death (death certificate or proof from a funeral home), your Social Security number and your husband’s Social Security number, your birth certificate, marriage certificate, and income information for your husband (from W-2s or income tax returns) for the most recent year.