I'm also navigating this same situation as a divorced woman trying to figure out retirement planning! Reading through everyone's experiences has been so helpful. One thing I learned recently that might be useful - if you're worried about the phone wait times with SSA, you can also try calling first thing in the morning (like right at 8 AM when they open) or later in the month rather than right after people get their benefits. I finally got through after trying this approach and the representative was incredibly helpful in explaining my options. Also, since you mentioned being stressed about making ends meet, don't forget to look into whether you might qualify for SNAP benefits or other assistance programs once you do start receiving Social Security. Every bit helps when you're rebuilding financial security later in life. The fact that you're asking these questions now at 60 shows you're being smart about planning ahead - you've got this!

I'm so glad you posted this question because I'm in almost the exact same boat - divorced after a long marriage with limited work history and feeling completely overwhelmed by Social Security planning! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational. One thing that really stands out to me is how many people confirmed that the old "file and switch" strategy is no longer available, but also that your ex taking benefits early doesn't hurt your potential benefit at all. That's huge relief! From everything I'm reading here, it sounds like your best bet is to get those concrete numbers from SSA comparing what you'd receive at different ages. Whether you use one of those callback services people mentioned or brave the phone lines, having real dollar amounts instead of just estimates will probably make this decision so much clearer. Also, don't underestimate the value of those two years you have left to work - every bit of additional earnings can help boost your own benefit calculation. You're definitely not alone in feeling like you're playing catch-up on retirement planning. Wishing you the best as you figure this out!

After you get those extra credits, ask SSA for a benefit verification letter that shows both amounts - what you'd get on your own record and what you get as an ex-spouse. That way you can make an informed decision about which is better. Sometimes the difference is smaller than people expect.

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I'm a retired SSA claims specialist and your strategy is absolutely valid. What you're describing is sometimes called "restricted application" or "file and switch" strategy, though those terms are more commonly used for other scenarios. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also consider survivor benefits down the line. If your ex-spouse passes away before you do, you could potentially switch to survivor benefits (which can be up to 100% of his benefit amount) rather than your own retirement benefit, if that would be higher. Also, when you do go back to work, make sure your employer is reporting your earnings correctly to SSA. You can check this annually by creating a my Social Security account online and reviewing your earnings record. Any errors should be corrected as soon as possible since they become harder to fix after 3 years. Good luck with your application - you're making a smart financial move given your circumstances!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly detailed and helpful discussion! I'm 64 and recently divorced after 22 years of marriage, so I'm right in the middle of making these exact decisions myself. Reading through all these experiences has been both educational and sobering. The stories about the 2016 deemed filing rule changes really highlight how much the Social Security landscape has shifted - it's clear that many of the old strategies people used to rely on simply don't work anymore. @Madison Tipne, after reading everything here, I'd strongly echo what others have said about taking your time with this decision. The stories from @Kyle Wallace and others about getting stuck with permanently reduced benefits due to incorrect advice from SSA reps are genuinely frightening. It really shows how critical it is to get everything in writing and possibly seek professional guidance. One thing I've learned from my own research that might help - when you do schedule that SSA appointment, ask them to show you the specific regulation numbers for anything they tell you. I've found that asking for the actual rule references helps ensure you're getting accurate information and gives you something to verify independently later. The break-even analysis suggestion from @Natalie Chen is excellent too. In my case, I calculated that waiting until my FRA would mean about 14 years to break even, but given my family's longevity history, the math clearly favors patience. Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences so openly - this thread should definitely be bookmarked by anyone facing these complex Social Security decisions!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly comprehensive and enlightening discussion! I'm 58 and going through a divorce after 16 years of marriage, so I'll be facing these exact same decisions in a few years. What really stands out to me from reading all these experiences is how dramatically the 2016 deemed filing rule changes affected Social Security strategy, yet there's still so much confusion - even among SSA representatives themselves. The personal stories from @Kyle Wallace and others about getting permanently stuck with reduced benefits due to incorrect advice are genuinely alarming and really emphasize why this decision requires such careful research and documentation. @Madison Tipne, the collective wisdom from both experienced members and fellow newcomers seems overwhelmingly clear: take your time, get all benefit estimates in writing from SSA, run detailed break-even calculations considering your family's longevity history, document every interaction with SSA representatives, and seriously consider investing in a qualified Social Security claiming strategist given the potentially life-changing financial implications. The "practice run" suggestion with the online application is fantastic - I had no idea SSA offered that option to see actual benefit amounts before committing. @Ian Armstrong's tip about asking for specific regulation numbers is also brilliant for ensuring you get accurate information. For other newcomers following this thread, the key lessons seem to be: 1) The 2016 deemed filing rules eliminated the ability to switch strategies after filing, 2) Early filing reductions are permanent, 3) Never rely solely on verbal advice from SSA without written confirmation, 4) Professional consultation may be worth the cost given what's at stake financially, and 5) This decision requires careful consideration of health, longevity expectations, current financial needs, and personal risk tolerance. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences so openly and honestly - both the successes and the cautionary tales. This discussion has become an invaluable resource that should help many people navigate these complex and consequential decisions with greater confidence!

Thanks everyone for all the detailed explanations! This has been incredibly helpful. I was really stressed about accidentally going over some limit and losing benefits, but it sounds like I'm completely in the clear now that I've passed my FRA month in April. My HR department was definitely giving me wrong information - they kept saying I'd be penalized for the entire year if I earned too much at any point. It's frustrating how many people don't understand these rules! I feel much more confident now about my earnings for the rest of the year. Really appreciate this community for breaking it down so clearly.

This is such valuable information! As someone approaching my own FRA in a few months, I'm bookmarking this entire thread. The three-phase breakdown that Oliver provided is incredibly clear - I had no idea about the different limits and rules for each phase. It's really frustrating how common it seems to be for HR departments to give incorrect information about Social Security earnings rules. I've been getting mixed signals from my own workplace too. One quick question for the group: when they calculate those pre-FRA monthly earnings, do they include things like overtime pay and shift differentials, or just base salary? I work in healthcare and sometimes pick up extra shifts, so I want to make sure I'm calculating everything correctly for my planning.

After reading through this thread, I'd suggest scheduling an appointment at your local SSA office if possible. For complex situations involving survivor benefits and optimal claiming strategies, speaking face-to-face with a claims specialist is often more productive than phone calls. Bring as much documentation as possible: your husband's death certificate, both SSNs, marriage certificate, recent tax returns, and employment information. These appointments can be booked through the SSA website or by phone, though waits for appointments can be 2-3 weeks in some areas.

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share what I learned when I went through this exact situation last year. The strategy your coworker mentioned absolutely works - I started taking my deceased husband's survivor benefits at 62 (with reduction) while continuing to work as a nurse. Yes, some benefits were withheld due to the earnings test, but like others mentioned, you get that back through higher payments once you reach FRA. The key is running the numbers first. I used the my Social Security account online to see my projected benefit at 70, then called SSA (took forever to get through!) to get my survivor benefit amounts. In my case, my own benefit at 70 would be about $2,800/month vs. my husband's unreduced survivor benefit of $2,400/month. So taking the reduced survivor benefit early and switching to my own at 70 made financial sense. Just make sure to keep detailed records of everything - SSA paperwork can get confusing and you want documentation of what they promised you!