I just wanted to add a perspective from someone who recently navigated this exact situation successfully! I turned 67 last month with an FRA of 66 and 10 months, so I went through this process just a few months ago. All the advice here is spot-on, but I wanted to emphasize one thing that really helped me: when you're on the phone with SSA (whether to verify your application or ask questions), don't be afraid to ask them to explain the timing back to you in simple terms. I said something like "Just to confirm - I'm applying today in October, but my benefits will start in January 2025 when I reach my full retirement age, not in October, correct?" The representative was very patient and walked me through exactly how it works. She even explained that the computer system has built-in safeguards to prevent accidentally starting benefits before your selected date, which gave me extra confidence. One small thing that surprised me: my confirmation letter actually arrived much faster than the 2-3 weeks others mentioned - mine came in about 10 days. So don't panic if it arrives sooner than expected, and definitely don't assume something's wrong if you get it quickly! Your methodical approach is perfect. The $178 monthly difference you mentioned is exactly why it's worth being this careful. You've got this!

This thread has been incredibly comprehensive and helpful! As someone who will be facing this exact decision in a couple of years, I've been taking notes on all the advice shared here. I wanted to add one small tip that might be useful: consider setting up a dedicated folder (physical or digital) to keep all your Social Security application documentation together. Based on everything discussed here, you'll want to save screenshots of your application, copies of your earnings record, documentation of any corrections needed, notes from phone calls with SSA, and your confirmation letter when it arrives. Having everything organized in one place will make it much easier to reference if you need to follow up on anything or if any discrepancies arise. Plus, it's good documentation to have for your records going forward. The level of detail and careful planning everyone has shared here really shows how important it is to get this timing exactly right. The $178 monthly difference you mentioned definitely justifies all this preparation. Best of luck with your October application for January 2025 benefits!

That sounds like a solid plan! Since you're 59 now, you have a good opportunity to strategically think about this. One thing to consider is that if you're currently in your peak earning years, even without indexing, your age 60+ earnings might still be high enough to bump out some of those early career years from your top 35. You might want to pull your Social Security statement (available at ssa.gov/myaccount) to see your current earnings record and get a sense of which years might be your lowest. That way you can make a more informed decision about whether working those extra years will meaningfully increase your benefit calculation. Good luck with your planning!

Just wanted to add another perspective on this - I'm a retired HR benefits administrator and helped employees with Social Security questions for 30 years. The indexing system can seem complex, but it's actually quite fair when you understand it. One thing I always told people approaching 60 is to consider not just the raw numbers, but also quality of life. Yes, working past 60 might replace some lower-earning indexed years, but remember that delaying retirement also means fewer years to enjoy your benefits. Also worth noting - if you're still working and haven't filed for Social Security yet, each year you delay past your full retirement age (until age 70), you get delayed retirement credits that increase your benefit by about 8% per year. That's often a better return than trying to squeeze out a few more high-earning years to replace indexed ones. The key is running the actual numbers for your specific situation rather than making assumptions!

Mary, I went through something very similar when we adopted our grandson two years ago! Your situation sounds almost identical - my husband was already collecting SS and I was still working full-time. The good news is that all the information people have shared here is spot-on. Just wanted to add one thing that really helped us: when you go for your appointment, bring a small notebook to write down everything they tell you. The SSA worker gave us so much information that day, and I was worried I'd forget important details later. Also, don't be discouraged if they seem to ask the same questions multiple times - they're just being thorough. The whole process took about 9 weeks for us, but once those monthly payments started coming in, it was such a relief! The amount was right around 48% of my husband's benefit, which really helped with all the extra expenses that come with suddenly having a child in the house again. You're doing such a wonderful thing for your granddaughter, and this financial support will make the transition so much easier for your whole family.

Just wanted to jump in as someone who works with families navigating adoption and benefits - you've gotten some excellent advice here! One additional tip that might help: if your local SSA office offers online appointment scheduling, definitely use that instead of calling. I've found it's much more reliable and you can see available time slots without the phone hassles. Also, when you do get your first payment, don't panic if the amount seems different than expected - sometimes there are small adjustments for processing fees or other factors that get worked out in subsequent months. The Representative Payee responsibilities aren't too burdensome - basically just keeping receipts for major expenses like clothing, medical costs, school supplies, etc. Congratulations on your growing family - what you're doing for your granddaughter is truly special, and having this financial support will definitely help ease some of the practical concerns so you can focus on the joy of officially making her part of your family!

Based on what you've shared, your own benefit at FRA ($1,850) is actually higher than what you'd get as an ex-spouse benefit (50% of $3,400 = $1,700). And remember that filing at 62 means you'd only get about 70% of either amount. This is a critical point many people miss: SSA doesn't give you both benefits added together. They give you the higher of the two. So in your case, you'd likely just get your own reduced retirement benefit if you file at 62. If you can afford to wait until your FRA or even age 70, your own benefit would grow substantially and almost certainly exceed anything you'd get on your ex's record.

I went through this exact situation about 3 years ago! The key thing to remember is that you CAN file for divorced spouse benefits even if your ex hasn't filed yet, as long as you've been divorced for at least 2 years and he's at least 62 (which you both meet). However, here's what I wish someone had told me: based on your numbers, your own benefit at FRA ($1,850) is actually HIGHER than what you'd get as a divorced spouse benefit (50% of his $3,400 = $1,700). So you'd end up getting your own benefit anyway, not his! My advice? Create that my Social Security account online ASAP to see your exact projections. I was surprised to find that waiting until my FRA made way more sense than filing early, even though I was tempted by the immediate income. The reduction for filing at 62 is pretty steep - you'd only get about 70% of your full benefit amount. Also, don't let the SSA phone struggles discourage you from getting proper information. The online account will give you most of what you need to make an informed decision.

Based on everyone's experiences shared here, I'd strongly recommend calling your courthouse first to ask about digital certified copies before paying the full $75. As several people mentioned, many courts now offer email delivery with embedded digital seals for much less money and faster turnaround - sometimes the same day! I also want to emphasize what the paralegal mentioned about submitting your SSA application now to establish your filing date while you wait for the document. This is crucial since you mentioned your FRA is in 3 months. SSA can backdate benefits to your initial filing date once you provide the required documentation. One more tip - when you do call SSA (or use a service like Claimyr to get through faster), ask specifically about their document submission process. Some offices accept faxed certified copies, which could save you time once you get your divorce decree. Good luck with your application!

I'm going through something similar right now! After reading all these helpful responses, I wanted to add that some states also have online portals through their Secretary of State office that might have divorce records, especially if your divorce was processed through a state database rather than just the county level. It's worth checking both your county courthouse AND your state's official records website. Also, if you're dealing with financial hardship from the fees, many counties have indigent fee waiver forms you can fill out. You'll need to provide proof of income, but they can sometimes waive or reduce the certification fees. It's not well advertised, but it's worth asking about when you call. The advice about establishing your filing date while waiting for documents is spot on - don't let the paperwork delay starting your claim! SSA can hold your file while you gather the required documentation.