Just a quick clarification that might help others reading this thread - the survivor benefit for a divorced spouse follows the same rules as for a current spouse, IF the marriage lasted at least 10 years. The key difference is that for a divorced spouse claiming survivor benefits, you can claim as early as age 60 regardless of whether your ex has filed for benefits or not (unlike spousal benefits while they're alive, which require the worker to have filed). Also worth noting that remarriage after 60 doesn't prevent you from claiming survivor benefits on your ex's record. This trips up a lot of people who think any remarriage would disqualify them.

One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - if you're still working at 64, you should also consider the earnings test impact on any benefits you might claim before your full retirement age. If you earn over the annual limit ($22,320 for 2024), Social Security will reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above that threshold. This applies to both your own retirement benefits AND survivor benefits if claimed before FRA. So if you're planning to keep working, it might make sense to delay claiming until you either reduce your earnings or reach full retirement age, depending on your specific financial situation. Also, don't forget that as a divorced spouse, you have the advantage of being able to claim survivor benefits without your ex-spouse having to file first (unlike spousal benefits while he's alive). This gives you more flexibility in timing your claim.

NO ONE IS MENTIONING THE EARNINGS TEST!!! If you claim at 62 and decide to go back to work before your Full Retirement Age, SSA will TAKE BACK $1 of benefits for every $2 you earn above the annual limit (about $22,320 in 2025). So don't assume you can just go back to work part-time without consequences if your savings run short!

One thing that might help you feel more confident about this decision is to calculate your break-even point. Since you're planning to claim at 62 instead of waiting until your Full Retirement Age (probably 67), you'll get about 70% of your full benefit. But you'll receive those payments for 5 extra years. For many people, it takes until around age 78-80 to "break even" - meaning the total lifetime benefits become equal whether you claim at 62 or wait until FRA. If you live past that break-even age, waiting would have been better financially. If you don't, claiming early was the right choice. Given that you're planning to stop working at 57 anyway, you'll need income during those gap years before claiming. Make sure you've calculated whether your savings can realistically support 5 years of expenses plus healthcare costs (which can be significant if you're not eligible for Medicare yet). Sometimes people focus so much on the Social Security calculation that they underestimate the cost of bridging to 62.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom. I went through this exact situation two years ago when my father passed and my mom needed to apply for survivor benefits. One thing that really helped us was creating a simple checklist before the phone interview. Beyond what others have mentioned, I'd also suggest having: - Your mom's last pay stub if she was working - Any pension or retirement account statements she had - A list of all the places she worked (dates and employers) - they sometimes ask for employment history The SSA representative was actually very patient with us during the phone interview and explained each step. Don't worry if you don't have every single document perfect - they can often work with what you have and request additional items later if needed. One heads up: they may ask your dad to estimate your mom's earnings for her final year of work, so try to have a rough idea of that. And definitely set up direct deposit during the call if possible - it makes everything much faster. The waiting is the hardest part, but in our case, mom received her first payment about 5 weeks after approval. You're being such a good advocate for your dad during this difficult time. Take care of yourself too.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I went through this same process with my mom when my dad passed away about 18 months ago. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - if your mom had any 401k or retirement accounts, bring those statements too. Sometimes they ask about other potential survivor benefits. Also, during the phone interview, they'll likely ask your dad to confirm he wants direct deposit and will need his bank routing and account numbers, so have those handy. The agent might also ask if your parents lived together continuously since marriage - it's a standard question, don't worry if it seems odd. One tip that saved us time: if you have access to your mom's my.ssa.gov account (or can create one), try to print her benefit estimate before the call. It helps them verify information faster. The whole process took about 7 weeks for us from application to first payment, but like others mentioned, they backdated everything. Your dad is lucky to have you helping him through this - it's a lot to handle while grieving. Hang in there.

Thank you all for the great information! I've helped my sister make an appointment with SSA. We'll make sure to bring documentation about her son's disability status and her caregiving role. It sounds like she should be eligible for the full 50% without reduction, minus any adjustment for her part-time earnings. One last question - will she need her ex's SSN for the application or can SSA find that information based on her son's existing benefit?

Great job helping your sister navigate this complex situation! Just wanted to add one more important detail - make sure she asks specifically about the "child-in-care" provision when she goes to her appointment. Sometimes SSA representatives aren't immediately familiar with this rule and might initially tell her she'll get reduced benefits at 62. If she gets pushback, she can reference POMS RS 00615.201 which covers divorced spouse benefits with child in care. Also, bring a copy of the child's current benefit award letter showing he's receiving benefits on his father's record - this helps establish the connection quickly. Good luck with the appointment!

To summarize for anyone else who finds this thread: - SSDI: No asset limits. No limits on unearned income (inheritance, investments, gifts, lottery). Only limits on earned income from working. - SSI: Strict asset limit of $2,000 for individuals. Almost all income, earned or unearned, can reduce benefits. I've seen this confusion cause so much unnecessary stress for people. The programs have similar names but completely different rules.

I'm new to understanding disability benefits and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My daughter just applied for SSDI after her lupus became severe enough that she can't work. Reading about the differences between SSDI and SSI is really eye-opening - I had no idea they were so different despite the similar names. It's reassuring to know that if she gets approved, any financial help we might be able to give her in the future won't jeopardize her benefits. The inheritance situation described here could easily happen to any of us. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and knowledge!