To answer your follow-up question about the $2,500 PIA - if your ex-wife's PIA is $2,500, then 50% of that would be $1,250. Since your own benefit is $1,425, you wouldn't receive any additional amount because your own benefit is already higher than what you'd get as an ex-spouse (50% of her PIA). One other thing to consider: Check if you might qualify for any other government benefits to supplement your income if you're struggling financially. Programs like SNAP (food stamps), Medicare Savings Programs (which help with Medicare costs), or energy assistance programs might help ease your financial situation.

Hey just wondering - does anyone know if the OP could have done something different? Like if he had waited until Full Retirement Age instead of taking benefits at 65? I'm trying to figure out what to do with my own situation and don't want to make the same mistake!

One thing to consider - did your ex-husband take his benefits early (before his FRA)? Because if YOU apply at your FRA, you get 50% of his Primary Insurance Amount (what he would get at his FRA), not 50% of his actual benefit if he took reduced benefits. So the calculations can be really confusing.

wait i'm confused...if i'm getting ssi now and my husband retires next year do i get a higher benefit? or do i have to pick one or the other?? we've been married 23 years

just a random thought but did u check if taking your OWN retirement might be better than survivor? my neighbor discovered her own benefit was higher than her husbands!

Update: I called back today and got a much more knowledgeable representative. He confirmed that starting in January would indeed reduce my benefit slightly compared to waiting until my FRA in February. He corrected my application to show February 1st as my start date and gave me a confirmation number. Thanks everyone for giving me the confidence to push back!

my sister had same problem took 3 months to fix but she got extra $210 per month after they fixed it plus backpay

Thank you all for your helpful responses! I finally called SSA again today using the specific terms "spousal benefit computation" as suggested, and got someone who seemed to understand the situation. She confirmed that since my wife was born in 1957, she falls under the deemed filing rules, but because she started receiving her own benefits before I filed, the system didn't automatically compare the benefits. The representative has initiated a review of her case, and preliminary calculations show she should be eligible for about $175 more per month, plus some retroactive payments. They said it will take about 30-45 days to process the adjustment. For anyone else in a similar situation - be persistent and use the specific terminology "spousal benefit computation" when you call!

i don't understand why the goverment has to take money away from seniors anyways... we worked are whole lives for those benefits!!

One more important point that hasn't been mentioned: Even if you do exceed your individual earnings limit, the $1 for every $2 reduction isn't as bad as it sounds. Here's why: 1. If you earn $25,400 (which is $2,000 over the $23,400 limit), they would only withhold $1,000 for the year. 2. SSA doesn't take a little from each check - they typically withhold full months of benefits at the beginning of the year until they've satisfied the withholding amount. 3. Most importantly, these aren't permanent reductions. When you reach your Full Retirement Age, SSA will recalculate your benefit and give you credit for the months they withheld, which increases your monthly payment going forward.

OMG the SS phone system is THE WORST!!! i spent 3 HOURS on hold last month and then got disconnected right when someone picked up!! i was so mad i could've screamed. ended up having to take a day off work to go in person. this is why ppl hate dealing with government agencies!!

UPDATE: 1/17 I called the local office right at 9am like someone suggested and was on hold less than 15 minutes! I spoke with the agent for about 5 minutes and got answers to all three of my questions. And I'm really glad I called - my calculations about how the WEP would affect my benefit were off by almost $300/month. Now I have the correct numbers and can make a more informed decision about when to file. Thank you all for the helpful suggestions!

Just to address the question about the "disability freeze" that was mentioned - yes, this is a real thing. It means that the years you're on disability don't count as zero-earning years when calculating your retirement benefit. Instead, SSA essentially ignores those years so they don't drag down your average lifetime earnings. This is why your benefit amount stays the same when SSDI converts to retirement.

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I'm going to try calling SSA again to ask specifically about the spousal benefit top-up. I'm also going to talk to my husband about checking his PIA so we can figure out if 50% of his would be more than my current SSDI payment. It sounds like there's nothing I need to do about the SSDI to retirement conversion which is a relief!

I dont know why people are telling you to delay benefits. My sister and her husband waited and now regret it. They could have traveled more when they were younger and healthier. Money now is worth more than money later! TAKE IT NOW and enjoy life while you can!!!

quick question - does your husband have any pensions from government jobs? if yes make sure you look into WEP and GPO rules those can really mess up your SS benefits

I just realized something else - does it matter that I'm still working part-time? Will that affect when I should start benefits or is the earnings test gone once I reach 70?

one other thing to consider is taxes. if ur still working ur ss will probably be taxed so make sure ur withholding enough or maybe making quarterly payments. i got hit with a big tax bill my first year on ss because of this

After reviewing everything more carefully, here's what will likely happen in your case: 1. January counts as a month where you exceeded the limit ($4,000 vs $1,950) 2. If you stay under $1,950 for all remaining months of 2025 AND work part-time, you'll only have January counted against you 3. SSA will likely withhold your February payment (the first one) to account for the January excess 4. Starting March, as long as you stay under the monthly limit, you should receive regular payments But as others have suggested, it's essential to confirm this with SSA directly regarding your specific case.

EVERYBODY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT!! My friend and I both started survivors benefits within a month of each other and SSA treated our earnings completely differently. Don't assume what happened to someone else will happen to you.