Since your husband had higher earnings and you worked part-time for 10 years, there's a good chance his benefit will be significantly higher than yours. Here's what I'd suggest: create accounts on SSA.gov for both of you to get your actual benefit estimates. You can run scenarios for different claiming ages and see the exact dollar amounts. One strategy to consider - if you need income at 62, you could claim your reduced benefit then switch to spousal benefits later. But if you can afford to wait, claiming at your FRA would give you the full 50% spousal benefit (assuming his is higher). The key is knowing your actual numbers before deciding. You might also want to factor in your health and family longevity when weighing early vs. delayed claiming.

I went through a similar situation a few years ago! One thing that really helped me was getting my actual Social Security Statement to see my projected benefits at different ages. You can access this on your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Just to add to what others have said - the decision really depends on your financial needs and life expectancy expectations. If you need the income at 62 and can't wait, taking the reduced benefit might still be the right choice even with the permanent reduction. But if you can manage without it until your FRA, you'll get significantly more money over your lifetime. Also, don't forget that Social Security benefits are inflation-adjusted with COLAs, so that 30% reduction compounds over time. A smaller benefit today means smaller cost-of-living increases in the future too. It's definitely worth running the numbers on the SSA website before making your final decision!

I just wanted to update - I found my 1099 today! It wasn't there yesterday but showed up this morning. So I guess they're still uploading them. Anyway if anyone else is still waiting just keep checking.

Great to hear everyone's getting their forms! For those still having trouble accessing their MySocialSecurity accounts, another option is to call the SSA national number at 1-800-772-1213. They can mail you a replacement 1099 if you can't get online access working. The wait times can be long but they're usually helpful. Also, if you're doing your own taxes, most tax software will let you manually enter the Social Security income amounts even if you don't have the physical form yet - you just need to know your total benefits received for 2024.

Great thread everyone! I'm a newcomer here but dealing with a similar situation. I was married for 15 years, divorced, then remarried for 4 years before divorcing again. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning that I don't need my ex's permission and that it won't affect his benefits at all. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen mentioned yet - does anyone know if there are any tax implications when claiming divorced spouse benefits versus your own benefits? I'm assuming it's all treated the same by the IRS, but wanted to check since I'm still a few years away from claiming and trying to plan ahead. Also wondering if anyone has experience with how this might affect Medicare eligibility timing, since I know those are tied together somehow. Thanks for sharing all your experiences - this community seems incredibly knowledgeable and supportive!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly detailed discussion! I'm in a somewhat similar situation - divorced after 13 years and considering my future Social Security options. Reading through all these responses has given me so much clarity on things I never would have thought to ask about. A few key takeaways that really stood out to me: - The strict 10-year marriage requirement (so helpful to know it's a firm cutoff) - No need for ex-spouse permission or notification - The importance of specifically asking for divorced spouse benefits when applying - Getting all documentation together early, including marriage/divorce certificates One question I have after reading through everything - for those who have actually gone through the application process, how far in advance did you start gathering your paperwork? I'm still about 8 years away from being able to claim, but wondering if I should start tracking down those certificates now or if that's overkill. My divorce was finalized in a different state than where I currently live, so I'm anticipating it might take some time to get certified copies. Thanks again for sharing all your real-world experiences - this has been incredibly valuable!

Just wanted to add one more thing about timing - since you're turning 67 next month, make sure you apply for your benefits in the month you turn 67 or the month before to avoid any delays in payments. Social Security doesn't pay retroactively beyond 6 months, so timing matters! For your wife's spousal benefits, she can't receive them until you're actually receiving your retirement benefits, so her application timing should be coordinated with when your payments start. The SSA office will help coordinate this during her appointment. Also, if she's currently working and earning income, there might be earnings limits to consider for spousal benefits if she's under her full retirement age. But given the 20+ year marriage and her permanent resident status, you're both in a good position for this to work out smoothly once you get through the appointment process. Good luck with everything - retirement benefits can seem overwhelming but you're asking all the right questions!

As someone who went through this exact process with my husband last year, I can confirm everything others have said about needing an in-person appointment for your wife. One thing I'd add - when you call to schedule her appointment, ask if they have any cancellation lists you can be put on. Sometimes people cancel last-minute and you can get in much sooner than the regular 6+ week wait times. Also, make copies of EVERYTHING before you go. The SSA office will keep originals of some documents, and having copies for your records has been a lifesaver when we needed to reference things later. Your wife's 20 years as a permanent resident puts her in a really strong position - much more straightforward than newer green card holders. The spousal benefit should process smoothly once you get past the appointment hurdle. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly informative! I'm 63 and took early retirement 8 months ago due to degenerative disc disease and chronic pain, but I'm now realizing I might be able to get disability benefits to remove that early retirement penalty. A few things I wanted to add based on my research: **Work while waiting** - You can continue part-time work during the application process as long as you stay under the SGA limit ($1,530/month for 2025). However, SSA will look at your work activity as evidence of your capabilities, so document everything about how difficult those work days are for you. **Medical evidence timeline** - Make sure you have recent medical evidence (within the last year) that supports your disability claim. Even if you have years of documentation, they'll want to see current status of your conditions. **Functional limitations** - From what I've learned, SSA cares more about what you CAN'T do than what conditions you have. So when you see your doctors, make sure they're documenting things like: difficulty lifting/carrying, problems with prolonged sitting or standing, concentration issues, attendance problems due to flare-ups, etc. **Pain management records** - Keep detailed records of all treatments you've tried and failed. This shows you've made good faith efforts to manage your conditions. The fact that you have multiple conditions (osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, PTSD) that can be evaluated together really strengthens your case. I'm planning to apply next month after reading everyone's experiences here. Good luck to both of us!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm dealing with a very similar situation - took early retirement at 62 due to severe degenerative joint disease in my knees and shoulders, plus chronic fatigue syndrome. I've been on early retirement for about 4 months now and just learned about the possibility of switching to disability benefits to get the full amount. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and encouraging. A few things that really stood out to me: **The 12-month backpay limit** - I had no idea about this! It sounds like I need to move quickly if I'm going to apply. **Documentation of functional limitations** - This seems to be the key. I've been focusing on getting my doctors to document my diagnoses, but I need to make sure they're also writing down specifically how these conditions prevent me from working (like how long I can stand, lift, concentrate, etc.). **Multiple conditions working together** - Like the original poster, I have several conditions that individually might not be severe enough, but together make working impossible. It's reassuring to hear that SSA evaluates the combined impact. One question for those who have been through this process: How detailed should I be in the application about my daily limitations? I can barely get through basic household tasks most days, but I don't want to sound like I'm exaggerating. Also, has anyone had experience with the online application versus going to an SSA office? I'm wondering which approach works better for this type of situation where you're already receiving benefits. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this community has been more helpful than any official SSA resource I've found!