One thing no one has mentioned - you should check if your state has a "Medicaid spend-down" program (sometimes called Medically Needy). This allows people with higher incomes to qualify for Medicaid if they have high medical expenses. Essentially, you "spend down" your income to the eligibility level by incurring medical expenses. This might be an option during the Medicare waiting period. Regarding the ABLE account, even without SSI asset restrictions, it still provides tax advantages that a regular savings account doesn't. Earnings grow tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses. Think of it like a 529 college savings plan, but for disability expenses.

I'm going through a very similar situation with my 26-year-old daughter right now! She just transitioned from SSI+SSDI to DAC benefits only when my husband started collecting his retirement. The asset limit relief is real and such a huge weight off our shoulders, but the Medicaid loss is terrifying. One thing that helped us was contacting a disability benefits attorney for a consultation - many offer free initial consultations. They explained some state-specific Medicaid programs we didn't know existed. Also, don't forget about COBRA if your son was covered under anyone's employer health plan recently - it's expensive but might bridge the gap until Medicare kicks in. Keep that special needs trust! Even our attorney said it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. The rules change so often, and you never know what the future holds.

After working through all this with my own survivor benefits last year, my suggestion would be to run the numbers carefully. Calculate exactly what your survivor benefit would be (reduced for early claiming), how much would be withheld based on your earnings, and compare that to waiting until FRA for unreduced benefits. For me, even with the earnings test, claiming early still made mathematical sense because I needed the income and expected to live a long time. Everyone's situation is different though!

I'm sorry for your loss, Nia. Navigating survivor benefits while working can be really complex. Based on the discussion here, it sounds like you have several factors to consider: 1. The $22,320 earnings limit for 2025 means you'd have about $7,840 withheld from your annual benefits 2. SSA withholds entire months rather than reducing each payment proportionally 3. Survivor benefits claimed at 62 are permanently reduced to about 71% of your FRA amount 4. Your investment/rental income won't count toward the earnings limit 5. You'll get credit later for withheld benefits when you reach FRA One strategy to consider: Could you reduce your work hours to get closer to the $22,320 threshold? Even dropping to part-time might allow you to collect most of your survivor benefits while still working. You mentioned you were hoping to reduce hours anyway. Also, since you have rental income that doesn't count toward the limit, that might give you more flexibility in your work decisions. Definitely worth speaking with an SSA representative to model out different scenarios before making your final decision.

i forgot to mention - when ur ex applies for benefits on ur record, you will NEVER get any kind of notification from SSA. they wont tell u that someone filed on ur record or is getting paid based on ur work. complete privacy both ways. they take that super serious.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - divorced in 2018 after 12 years of marriage, and I had no idea about any of this ex-spouse benefit stuff until I stumbled across this post. It's crazy that SSA doesn't proactively tell people about benefits they might be entitled to. One thing I'm wondering - does anyone know if there's a good resource or website that explains all the divorce/ex-spouse benefit rules in plain English? The SSA website is so confusing with all the technical language. It sounds like a lot of people are missing out on money they're owed just because they don't know the rules exist! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here. Really eye-opening stuff.

One important point to add: even if you claim benefits on your first ex-spouse's record, it does NOT reduce their benefits or impact them in any way. Some people worry about this aspect, but your claim has zero effect on what your ex receives. Also, your ex doesn't need to be receiving benefits yet for you to claim on their record, though they must be eligible for benefits (i.e., be at least 62).

As someone who works in retirement planning, I want to emphasize a few critical points that haven't been fully addressed yet. First, make sure you understand the "deemed filing" rules - if you were born before 1954, you have more flexibility to claim spousal benefits first and switch to your own later. If born after 1954, you're generally stuck with whichever benefit you file for first until full retirement age. Second, consider that your current spouse's future earning potential might significantly impact the math - 8 more years of high earnings could potentially make their record more valuable than your first ex's. Third, there are potential impacts on survivor benefits to consider - if something happened to either spouse, which scenario leaves you better protected? The "strategic divorce" might make sense financially, but run detailed projections comparing all scenarios before making this major life decision.

Just wanted to add one more piece of advice from my experience helping my nephew transition to DAC benefits - contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Center for Independent Living. They often have benefits counselors who specialize in these transitions and can help you navigate the application process for free. They're also great advocates if you run into issues with caseworkers who don't understand the DAC Medicaid protections. Also, consider applying for your son's Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) as soon as he becomes eligible, even if he has Medicaid. Having dual coverage can sometimes provide better medication access and lower out-of-pocket costs. The transition can feel overwhelming, but it sounds like you're doing everything right by planning ahead and asking the right questions. Your son is lucky to have such a dedicated advocate!

I'm going through a similar situation with my daughter who has intellectual disabilities. One thing that really helped us was contacting our state's Protection and Advocacy agency - they have specialists who deal specifically with SSI to DAC transitions and can help you navigate the application process for free. They also know which local SSA offices are more experienced with DAC cases. For the work history section, I'd recommend getting a copy of your son's Social Security Statement online (you can create an account for him at ssa.gov) - this will show his complete earnings record and make filling out that section much easier. Even if the amounts were tiny, having the exact years and earnings helps avoid any back-and-forth with SSA. One more tip: when you apply, ask specifically to speak with someone who handles DAC cases regularly. Not all SSA representatives are familiar with the nuances, especially around the Medicaid protections. If you get someone who seems uncertain about the rules, politely ask to speak with a supervisor or technical expert. It can save you months of delays and confusion. The fact that you're planning this transition so thoughtfully puts your son in a great position for long-term stability. The DAC program is really designed for situations exactly like yours!