I just joined this community after struggling with government websites for months, and wow - this thread is exactly what I needed to see! I've been putting off updating my contact info with SSA because I was dreading dealing with their website, but now I know I'm not crazy for expecting it to actually work properly. It's both frustrating and comforting to learn that these logout bugs have been affecting so many people for months. The detailed breakdown of solutions here is fantastic - from trying the mobile app to using services like Claimyr to skip hold times. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for when I finally tackle my own account updates. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and follow up with what actually worked. This kind of community knowledge-sharing makes dealing with bureaucratic tech issues so much less overwhelming!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful to have found this thread! I've been putting off updating my email address with SSA for weeks because I kept running into the same logout error that everyone here has described. Reading through all these experiences has been so validating - I was starting to think I was doing something fundamentally wrong. The range of solutions shared here is impressive, from trying different browsers and timing strategies to using services like Claimyr to bypass the notorious hold times. It's particularly helpful to see Carmen's follow-up confirming that the agent assistance route actually worked. What strikes me most is how this community doesn't just identify problems but actively shares practical workarounds and real results. The tips about screenshotting error messages, using simpler passwords temporarily, and having backup verification methods ready are exactly the kind of detailed advice that can save hours of frustration. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to making this such a comprehensive resource for dealing with SSA's technical issues. This thread will definitely be my roadmap when I tackle my own account updates!

I'm new to this community but found this discussion incredibly helpful! I'm facing a somewhat similar situation where I'm trying to understand how SSA calculates the 10-year requirement. My marriage lasted about 8 years before we separated, but due to complex financial disputes and appeals, the divorce process dragged on for nearly 3 years before being finalized - putting me at just over 11 years total. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so reassuring, especially seeing how consistent SSA's approach is across different cases. It's clear they really do only care about the legal marriage start and end dates, not the separation period or living arrangements during that time. The fact that so many people have had nearly identical timelines with lengthy divorce proceedings really shows how common this situation is. I'm particularly grateful for all the practical tips shared here - getting certified copies of documents ready early, applying up to 4 months before turning 62, and most importantly, specifically requesting consideration for ex-spouse benefits rather than assuming they'll check automatically. That last point seems crucial and could save significant delays. It's such a relief to know that what initially seemed like a complicated situation is actually very routine for SSA. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences - it makes all the difference to hear from people who have successfully navigated this exact process!

I'm also new here but wanted to chime in with some additional reassurance! I went through this exact scenario about 18 months ago - married for 8 years and 2 months when we separated, but the divorce took another 2 years and 10 months to finalize due to business asset disputes, giving me just over 11 years total. Like everyone else has said, SSA was completely straightforward about it. They asked for my marriage certificate (showing the wedding date) and final divorce decree (showing when the divorce became legally final), calculated the time between those two dates, and confirmed I met the 10+ year requirement. That's literally all they cared about - no questions whatsoever about our separation date, living arrangements, or any of the messy details of our divorce proceedings. The agent even mentioned that they see these situations constantly because contested divorces often take years to resolve, especially when there are significant assets involved. She said SSA has to stick to clear legal dates because they can't be investigating everyone's personal circumstances during marriage breakdowns. Based on your timeline (7 years together before separating, then almost 4 more years until final divorce), you're definitely well over the 10-year mark and should have no issues at all. Just make sure to have certified copies of both documents ready when you apply, and definitely specify that you want to be considered for ex-spouse benefits - don't assume they'll automatically check that option for you!

Hey Natalie! As a newcomer here, I just wanted to say this thread has been incredibly helpful to read through. I'm in a similar situation - planning to start my benefits soon and had the same confusion about timing. From everything I've seen here, it sounds like you'll definitely get your first payment in May (around the 21st since your birthday is in November), and it'll be prorated for the partial April month. One thing I noticed that might help - several people mentioned filing your application ASAP since processing takes time. Better to get that paperwork in motion now rather than risk any delays. This community seems really knowledgeable about the ins and outs of Social Security timing!

Hi everyone! As someone new to this community, I just wanted to jump in and say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been. I'm also approaching the point where I'll need to start my Social Security benefits soon, and reading through all these responses has cleared up so much confusion I had about the timing and payment schedules. The information about payment dates being tied to birth dates was completely new to me - I had no idea that's how they determined when checks go out each month. It's also really valuable to see the mix of official information and real-world experiences from people who've actually been through this process. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and help Natalie (and newcomers like me) understand how this all works!

I'm sorry for your loss, Giovanni. Going through this transition while grieving is really difficult. Just to add some reassurance to what others have said - you will definitely get just one SSA-1099 form that combines both your spousal benefits from January-June and your widow's benefits from July-December. The SSA doesn't distinguish between benefit types on the tax form. One thing I'd suggest is keeping your own records of the monthly amounts you received throughout the year so you can double-check the total when your 1099 arrives. Based on what you mentioned ($1,485/month for 6 months = $8,910, plus $2,240/month for 6 months = $13,440), you should expect to see around $22,350 total on your form (minus any Medicare deductions if applicable). Having your own calculation ready will help you quickly spot any errors like what Libby experienced. And definitely take Sofia's advice about discussing your changed filing status with your tax preparer - that's going to have a much bigger impact on your tax situation than the Social Security benefits reporting.

I'm really sorry for your loss, Giovanni. This is such a helpful thread - I'm in a similar situation and was wondering about the same thing. My husband passed in August and I just switched to widow's benefits last month. It's reassuring to know that SSA will send just one form combining everything. One question for those who've been through this - do you know roughly when the SSA-1099 forms typically arrive? I want to make sure I'm watching for it and don't miss it in the mail. Also, has anyone had experience with getting the form electronically through my Social Security account online? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences during what I know is a difficult time.

I'm in a similar situation - planning to retire abroad in the next few years and have been researching this extensively! One thing I'd add is to make sure you understand the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) rules if you have any foreign pensions or government benefits. Portugal has a totalization agreement with the US which can help with benefit calculations, but it's worth understanding how your Portuguese residence might affect your overall retirement income picture. Also, consider opening a Portuguese bank account before you move if possible - some expat forums mention that it's easier to do while you're still a tourist rather than after you become a resident. The bureaucracy can be quite different there! Has anyone dealt with getting their Social Security benefit verification letters translated and apostilled for Portuguese residency requirements?

I've been living in Portugal for 2 years now and receiving my Social Security without any major issues! A few things that might help with your planning: 1. **Banking**: I kept my US account with Bank of America since they have good international partnerships. Wise (formerly TransferWise) has been excellent for currency transfers with much better rates than traditional wire transfers. 2. **Portugal specifics**: You'll want to get your NIF (tax number) as soon as possible after arriving - you'll need it for almost everything. The SEF (immigration service) appointments can take months to get, so book early. 3. **Annual questionnaire**: It's really not a big deal - just confirms you're alive and still eligible. Takes 5 minutes online. 4. **Healthcare**: Portugal has excellent public healthcare that you can access as a resident. Many expats get private insurance as a supplement, but the public system is quite good. The Facebook groups "Americans & FriendsPT" and "Portugal Expats" have been incredibly helpful resources with people sharing real experiences. Portugal is very expat-friendly and the bureaucracy, while slow, is manageable. Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions about the move!