I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 64 and still working, earning about $80k annually, while my husband just turned 65 and his SSDI converted to retirement benefits. Reading through all these responses, it seems like the key factors are: 1. Your own benefit amount vs. spousal benefit amount 2. Your current earnings level 3. Whether you plan to keep working past FRA Based on what everyone's shared, it sounds like for most people still working with decent salaries, waiting until FRA makes the most sense. The earnings test would just wipe out most benefits anyway, and if your own benefit is higher than spousal, there's really no advantage to filing early. Has anyone here actually tried using that my.ssa.gov benefit calculator to compare scenarios? I've looked at mine but find it confusing to figure out exactly what I'd get under different timing options.

I'm new to this community but going through almost the exact same situation! I'm 65, still working full-time making about $68,000, and my husband's SSDI just converted to retirement benefits when he turned 65 last month. Reading through all these responses has been so enlightening - I had no idea about the "deemed filing" rule or how the earnings test actually works. I've been stressing about whether I should apply for something NOW, but it sounds like with my salary level, most benefits would just get withheld anyway. One question I haven't seen addressed - if I wait until my FRA to file, will there be any issues with the fact that my husband's benefits converted from SSDI to retirement? Does that timing affect my eligibility for spousal benefits at all, or is it just treated the same as if he had regular retirement benefits all along? Also, has anyone here actually received those calculation worksheets that were mentioned? I called SSA twice but couldn't get through, and I'm wondering if it's worth trying that Claimyr service that was suggested or if I should just be patient and keep trying the regular number. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this has been more helpful than anything I found on the SSA website!

I wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful - many states have SHINE programs (Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone) that provide free counseling on Medicare and Social Security benefits. These counselors are specially trained volunteers who can help you understand your options and even accompany you to SSA appointments if needed. You can find your local SHINE program through your state's aging services department or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Given your age and financial situation, they might also be able to connect you with other assistance programs you qualify for. Since you're dealing with such a complex situation involving incarceration and benefit calculations, having a knowledgeable advocate could be really valuable. These services are completely free and they're used to dealing with complicated SSA cases.

I'm really impressed by how thorough and supportive everyone has been in this thread! As someone who works with seniors navigating government benefits, I wanted to add one more practical tip: when you go to your SSA appointment, consider bringing a small notebook or using your phone to take notes during the conversation. SSA representatives sometimes speak quickly and use specific terminology, and it's easy to forget important details once you leave. Also, if they give you any forms to complete, don't feel pressured to fill them out on the spot if you're unsure about anything - you can always ask to take them home and return them later. This ensures you have time to review everything carefully and ask questions if needed. You've clearly done your homework by gathering all this information, and I'm confident that preparation will serve you well. Wishing you success with your appointment!

I've been following this discussion as someone who went through a similar situation a few years ago. One thing I want to emphasize is the importance of getting everything in writing from SSA once you do speak with them. When I was navigating my ex-spouse benefits after my second divorce, I had three different SSA representatives give me conflicting information over the phone. I finally requested that all calculations and eligibility determinations be provided in writing, which helped tremendously when I had to clarify discrepancies later. Also, don't be surprised if the first person you speak with isn't familiar with complex divorce/remarriage scenarios. I had to ask to speak with a specialist who deals specifically with spousal and survivor benefits. The general representatives are knowledgeable, but these multi-marriage situations have so many nuances that it really helps to talk to someone who handles them regularly. One last tip - bring copies of ALL your marriage certificates and divorce decrees, even if you think they might not be relevant. I initially only brought paperwork from my qualifying marriage, but they ended up needing documentation from all my marriages to properly process my claim. Best of luck navigating this process! It's complicated but definitely worth getting right.

I've been working in Social Security disability advocacy for over 15 years and wanted to add a few practical tips for when you do get your SSA appointment: 1. **Timing matters for your appointment** - Try to schedule for early morning when staff are fresh and have more time to review complex cases like yours. 2. **Bring a written summary** - Write out your marriage timeline (dates married/divorced for both husbands) and your key questions. This helps keep the appointment focused and ensures you don't forget anything important. 3. **Ask about "what if" scenarios** - Have them calculate benefits for different filing ages (62, 65, 67, 70) so you can see exactly how much waiting would be worth in dollars. 4. **Get your ex-husband's earnings estimate** - While they can't give you his exact earnings history, they can tell you approximately what your ex-spousal benefit would be based on his record. The remarriage rules are definitely tricky, but you're asking all the right questions. The fact that your first marriage lasted 29 years puts you in a strong position once your current divorce is finalized. Many people don't realize they can claim on a prior ex-spouse's record after a subsequent divorce ends. Good luck with everything! These decisions are never easy, but getting the right information upfront will help you make the best choice for your situation.

I went through this exact same situation a few years ago when I turned 62! Like everyone else has mentioned, the restricted application strategy unfortunately doesn't work anymore for people born after January 1, 1954. I had the same misconception and was really disappointed when I learned about the deemed filing rules. Since your own benefit at FRA ($2,100) is already higher than what you could get in spousal benefits (50% of your husband's $2,800 = $1,400), you're actually in a pretty good position. The spousal benefit wouldn't help you anyway since your own earned benefit is higher. I ended up waiting until my FRA to claim, and I'm glad I did. The peace of mind of getting my full benefit amount was worth it for me. Just make sure you factor in your health, family longevity, and current financial needs when making your decision. Good luck!

I'm in a very similar situation and have been researching this extensively! You're right to be confused - there's a lot of outdated information floating around about Social Security strategies that don't work anymore. As others have mentioned, the restricted application strategy ended with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. But here's something that might help with your decision-making: since your own benefit ($2,100 at FRA) is already higher than what you'd get in spousal benefits anyway, you're essentially choosing between taking your reduced benefit now versus your full benefit later (or even larger if you wait until 70). I've been using the SSA's online calculators and also found a really helpful break-even analysis tool on their website. For most people in our situation, if you expect to live past about age 78-80, waiting until FRA usually comes out ahead financially. One thing I'd suggest is creating an account on ssa.gov if you haven't already - you can see your exact benefit estimates at different claiming ages, which might help you make a more informed decision based on your specific numbers rather than estimates.

just want 2 add - make sure u keep good records! my mom had issues proving my dads income when he passed & it took MONTHS to sort out with SS. keep copies of EVERYTHING

This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation where I'm considering delaying my benefits to maximize what my husband would get as a survivor. One thing I'm curious about - does anyone know if there are any tax implications we should consider? Like, would the higher survivor benefit amount put my husband in a different tax bracket that might affect the overall value? I know Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on other income, but I'm not sure how that works with survivor benefits specifically.