I'm so sorry for your loss, Ethan. I just went through this exact situation when my father passed away in October. After weeks of frustration with the phone system, I finally had success by visiting my local SSA office with an appointment. I brought his death certificate, my letters of administration, and a copy of his driver's license. The representative was incredibly helpful and printed his SSA-1099 right there - the whole process took about 30 minutes. What really helped was booking the appointment online early in the morning when slots first become available (they seem to release new appointments around midnight). I'd also recommend having backup plans ready - the early morning calling strategy others mentioned here is solid, and that Claimyr service sounds promising too. One thing my local office told me that might help: if you're still waiting close to tax deadline, you can request a letter from SSA stating that the 1099 is delayed due to the death, which can help if you need to file an extension. Hang in there - dealing with all this paperwork while grieving is exhausting, but you're doing everything right by seeking advice and being proactive. The community here has given you so many good options to try.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ethan. I went through this same situation when my mother passed in September. After reading all these helpful responses, I wanted to add one more option that worked for me - I contacted my state's Department of Aging ombudsman office. They have advocates who specifically help with Social Security issues for seniors and their families. They were able to contact SSA on my behalf and expedite the 1099 request. It arrived within 8 days! Many people don't know this resource exists, but every state has one and they're free. Just search "[your state] aging ombudsman" or "state health insurance assistance program." It's worth trying alongside the other great suggestions here like the early morning calls and in-person visits. The combination of grief and bureaucracy is so overwhelming, but you have a whole community here rooting for you. You'll get through this!

This entire thread has been absolutely incredible to read! As someone who's completely new to this community and about 7 years away from my own FRA, I had no idea that Social Security benefits weren't subject to FICA taxes. Like so many others here, I just assumed the government would keep taking those payroll deductions forever - it seemed like something they'd never give up! The wealth of practical advice shared here goes far beyond the original question and creates such a valuable roadmap for anyone approaching retirement. The tips about calling local SSA offices (who knew?), starting with 10% withholding, and being able to adjust later with Form W-4V are exactly the kind of real-world insights you can't find in government pamphlets. What really strikes me is how supportive everyone has been in sharing their actual experiences rather than just theoretical knowledge. Reading about people's first-hand transitions from paycheck deductions to benefit payments makes this whole process feel much less intimidating. Ashley, thank you for asking the question that clearly so many of us needed answered! Your willingness to admit confusion opened the door for this amazing educational discussion. Congratulations on reaching your FRA - what an exciting milestone after decades of contributing to the system. This thread will definitely be my go-to reference when my time comes!

This has been such an enlightening thread to follow! I'm about 4 years out from my FRA and have been gradually trying to understand all the tax implications of retirement. Like so many others here, I had completely assumed that FICA taxes would continue to be deducted from Social Security benefits - it really does seem counterintuitive after decades of seeing those payroll deductions! The clarity everyone has provided about no FICA taxes on benefits is incredibly reassuring. What's been even more valuable are all the practical tips shared throughout this discussion - the advice about starting with 10% federal withholding, calling local SSA offices instead of the national hotline, and the flexibility to adjust withholding later with Form W-4V. These are exactly the kinds of real-world insights that make the difference between a smooth transition and a stressful one. I'm particularly grateful for the tips about managing multiple retirement income sources (SS + pension + 401k withdrawals) and how they all interact from a tax perspective. It's clear that while you can do general planning years ahead, the specific withholding decisions really need to be fine-tuned once you're actually receiving benefits and can see how everything works together. Ashley, thank you for asking the question that so many of us needed answered! Your courage to admit confusion created space for this incredibly comprehensive discussion. This thread has become an invaluable resource that I'll definitely reference as I get closer to my own retirement transition. Congratulations on reaching this milestone - you've truly earned it after all those years of contributing to the system!

I just went through this exact process 3 months ago and can totally relate to your stress! I had two divorces from the 1980s and honestly couldn't remember if one happened in '87 or '88. I was convinced I'd need to track down certified copies from two different counties before I could even start my application. After reading similar advice online, I decided to just submit with my best estimates using language like "divorced approximately late 1987 - exact records unavailable after 35+ years" in the date fields. I also added brief notes explaining why I couldn't provide precise dates. My application was approved within about 5 weeks with ZERO requests for additional documentation! When I eventually spoke with an SSA representative about something else, she confirmed that for your own retirement benefits, they're very understanding about approximate dates from decades ago. They see this situation all the time. Don't let this delay your application when you're turning 66 next month! Submit with your best estimates and clear explanations about why the dates are approximate. The worst case is they ask for more info later, but based on my experience and what I've read from others, that rarely happens for retirement benefits based on your own work record. Get that application submitted!

I'm currently going through this exact same process and this entire thread has been incredibly reassuring! I've been stuck for over a month trying to remember precise dates from two divorces that happened in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The SSA website really does make everything sound mandatory and intimidating, but reading everyone's real experiences here shows that approximate dates with honest explanations are completely acceptable for your own retirement benefits. It's such a relief to learn that SSA understands people don't keep perfect records from 30-40 years ago! I'm planning to submit my application this week using the approach so many of you have shared - approximate dates like "divorced approximately winter 1989 - exact records unavailable after 35+ years" with brief explanatory notes. Based on all the success stories in this thread, it sounds like this rarely leads to requests for additional documentation. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - this has been far more helpful than anything I found on the official SSA website! For anyone else reading this and feeling overwhelmed by the documentation requirements, don't let it delay your application. Submit with your best estimates and honest explanations - the SSA deals with this situation constantly and is very understanding about it.

my aunt got remarried after her divorce but her 2nd husband died and then she WAS able to get benefits from her first husband (who was still alive). So I think the poster might be able to get her ex's benefits if something happened to her current husband. kind of a morbid thought but just sharing what happened in my family

I'm sorry to hear your financial advisor gave you conflicting information - that must be really frustrating when you're trying to make important retirement decisions! The others have explained the remarriage rule correctly, but I wanted to add that you should definitely get your exact benefit estimates in writing from SSA before making any filing decisions. Since you mentioned you'll be 63 next month, remember that if you file for your own benefits before your full retirement age, they'll be permanently reduced. At 63, you'd get about 80% of your full benefit amount. Given that your estimated benefit at FRA is $1,800, filing at 63 would give you roughly $1,440/month. You might want to weigh whether waiting until your FRA (or even age 70 for maximum benefits) makes more financial sense for your situation. Also, don't forget that once your current husband files for his benefits, you may be eligible for spousal benefits on his record, which could potentially be higher than your own reduced benefit if you file early.

As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through this incredibly comprehensive discussion and wanted to add my perspective as someone who's about 8 months away from facing this exact same decision (December 22nd birthday, FRA of 67). This thread has been more educational than anything I've found in official SSA materials or retirement planning websites. What really resonates with me is how everyone's real-world experiences show that the actual Social Security benefit difference (that 0.67% monthly increase) is almost insignificant compared to the broader tax planning implications. The concrete examples shared here have been invaluable - Sofia's $800 tax savings, Finley's $2,000+ Medicare IRMAA avoidance, and Sofia Torres's cautionary tale about coordinating spousal benefits really drive home why professional consultation is essential. These real dollar amounts make it clear that spending a few hundred on professional advice can pay for itself many times over. I'm definitely planning to follow the strategy several people recommended: apply 3-4 months early to preserve flexibility, then make the final December vs January decision based on my actual year-end financial picture. The ability to change your start date after applying seems like such a valuable option that costs nothing but provides significant strategic flexibility. One thing I'm taking away is that this decision really needs to be viewed through the lens of comprehensive retirement income planning rather than just Social Security optimization. The interactions with other income sources, tax brackets, Medicare premiums, and even state taxes create a complex web that requires professional analysis. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and insights - this discussion has become an incredible resource that I'll definitely be referencing as my decision time approaches!

As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this incredibly detailed discussion and it's been more helpful than any official resource I've found! I'm about 18 months away from my own December FRA birthday, and this thread has completely transformed how I'm thinking about this timing decision. What really strikes me is how this has evolved from a simple "wait one month or not" question into a comprehensive retirement income planning discussion. The real-world examples everyone has shared - especially the specific dollar amounts for tax savings and Medicare IRMAA avoidance - really demonstrate why that 0.67% benefit increase is almost irrelevant compared to the broader financial implications. I'm particularly grateful for the practical strategies that have emerged: applying 3-4 months early to preserve flexibility, working with tax professionals who understand Social Security timing, and viewing this decision through the lens of your complete retirement income picture rather than just SS benefits alone. The point about coordinating spousal benefits adds another layer I hadn't considered, and the state tax implications mentioned are something I definitely need to research for my situation. One question for the group: has anyone dealt with this timing decision while also managing a Roth IRA conversion ladder or other advanced tax strategies? I'm wondering if there are additional considerations when you're trying to optimize multiple moving pieces of retirement income simultaneously. Thanks to everyone who has made this such an educational and comprehensive discussion - this thread has become an invaluable planning resource!