I'm so sorry for your loss, Tristan. What you're going through is incredibly difficult, and it's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed by all these financial details on top of your grief. From everything I know about Social Security, that October payment should absolutely stay with your father's estate. Since Social Security pays benefits for the previous month (so October's payment was actually for September), and your dad was alive for all of September, that money rightfully belongs to his estate. SSA shouldn't try to reclaim it. The bank hold is almost certainly just their standard procedure when they're notified of an account holder's death - they freeze things until you can provide proper documentation like the death certificate and proof that you're the executor. I'd definitely recommend calling SSA yourself to report his passing, even though the funeral home said they'd handle it. You want to make sure it's properly recorded so no future payments get issued. If a November payment does come through (for October), that one would need to be returned since he didn't live the full month. You're handling this really well by asking the right questions. This community has given you great advice, and it sounds like you have a clear path forward. Take it one step at a time, and don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions as you work through everything.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Tristan. Losing a parent is one of life's most difficult experiences, and having to navigate financial and administrative matters while grieving just makes everything so much harder. Based on what others have shared here and my understanding of how Social Security works, you should be able to breathe a little easier about that October payment. Since Social Security pays benefits in arrears (meaning the payment is for the previous month), that October deposit was actually for September's benefits. Because your father was alive for the entire month of September, that money rightfully belongs to his estate and SSA should not reclaim it. The bank hold you're experiencing is almost certainly their standard procedure when they receive notification of an account holder's death, not SSA trying to take back funds. Banks typically freeze accounts immediately to prevent unauthorized access until proper documentation is provided. When you visit the bank, make sure to bring both the death certificate and your executor paperwork to get the hold released. I'd also strongly recommend calling Social Security directly to report your father's passing, even though the funeral home said they would handle it. You want to ensure it's properly recorded in their system to prevent any future payments from being issued. Just be aware that if a November payment does come through (which would be for October), that one would need to be returned to SSA since your father didn't live through the entire month of October. Also, when you speak with SSA, don't forget to ask about the one-time death benefit of $255 - surviving spouses or dependent children may be eligible for this. You're asking all the right questions and handling this difficult situation with such grace. Take care of yourself during this challenging time, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need more guidance as you work through this process.

I went through something very similar when I got laid off at 65! Here's what I learned that might help you: The key is understanding which of your 35 highest-earning years would potentially be replaced. Since you mentioned your last 6-7 years were your highest earning, you're likely in better shape than you think. What really helped me was creating a spreadsheet of my earnings history (you can get this from ssa.gov) and identifying my lowest-earning year that's currently in my top 35. That became my "threshold" - as long as I earned more than that amount in future years, my benefit wouldn't decrease. Also, keep in mind that even if your base benefit drops slightly, the delayed retirement credits are still incredibly valuable. Going from FRA to 70 gives you that 32% increase regardless of small changes to your underlying calculation. In my case, even with two years of part-time work, the delayed credits far outweighed the minor reduction in my base amount. Don't panic - with 35+ years of work history and those peak earning years already in your record, you're probably looking at minimal impact even in a worst-case scenario.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got laid off 6 months ago at 66 and have been really anxious about how it might affect my Social Security benefits. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful, especially the real-world examples people have shared. What I've learned from my own research and talking to a financial advisor is that if you've already worked 35+ years like you have, the impact is usually much smaller than you'd expect. The Social Security Administration's projections can definitely be misleading because they assume you'll keep earning at your current rate indefinitely. One thing that's given me peace of mind is running different scenarios through that detailed calculator Connor mentioned earlier. Even in worst-case scenarios where I don't work again, my age-70 benefit only drops by about $60-80/month from the original projection. When you consider that delaying from FRA to 70 increases your benefit by 32%, that small reduction becomes pretty negligible. Have you considered doing some consulting or part-time work in your field? Even earning $20-30K per year might be enough to keep your benefit calculation stable, and it could help with the transition into full retirement. Plus it might be less stressful than jumping back into a full-time role at this stage. Hang in there - this kind of late-career disruption is scary, but it sounds like you're in a much stronger position than you realize!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Yara. This brings back memories of when my grandmother passed away three years ago - I had the exact same frustrating experience with SSA's phone system. After multiple failed attempts at calling (including one 5-hour marathon that ended with getting disconnected), I finally went to our local SSA office. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: call the local office directly (not the main 800 number) to ask if they require appointments for estate matters. Many offices changed their procedures after COVID. If they do take walk-ins, get there at least 45 minutes before they open - seriously. People start lining up early because estate matters can be time-consuming. When you go, bring your Letters Testamentary, certified death certificate, and your photo ID. They'll be able to print what's called a "partial year SSA-1099" that covers just the months your mother received benefits. Don't forget to ask about the $255 lump sum death benefit if you received one - that's also taxable income that many people overlook. The whole process took about 30 minutes once I got to speak with someone, versus literally days wasted on their phone system. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through these hoops during an already difficult time, but the in-person approach really is your best bet. You've got this!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Yara. I went through this exact same situation when my father passed away last year, and the SSA phone system is absolutely infuriating. I spent countless hours on hold with nothing to show for it. What finally worked was going to the local SSA office in person with all the proper documentation. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. Call the local office directly (not the main 800 number) to ask if they require appointments for estate matters - many offices changed their procedures recently 2. If they take walk-ins, arrive at least 30-45 minutes before opening. Bring a book or something to do while you wait 3. Make sure you have your Letters Testamentary, certified death certificate, and your photo ID 4. They can generate a "partial year SSA-1099" on the spot that covers just the months your mother received benefits One thing that caught me off guard was learning about the $255 lump sum death benefit - if you received one, that's also reportable income for tax purposes. The staff at the local office was much more helpful than anything I experienced trying to call. The whole process took about 45 minutes once I got to speak with someone, which felt like a miracle after all those failed phone attempts. It's frustrating that we have to deal with this bureaucratic maze while grieving, but you're doing the right thing by handling her affairs properly. Hang in there - the in-person route really is your best bet for getting this resolved quickly.

Welcome to the community! I just wanted to add my voice to everyone else's - you're absolutely entitled to those 6 months of retroactive benefits at age 70½. I'm currently 69 and have been researching this exact topic as I prepare for my own filing next year. What's been most helpful from reading through everyone's experiences is that while the benefit is automatic, you definitely need to be prepared to advocate for yourself if you encounter a confused representative. The fact that so many people have had similar issues with SSA reps not knowing the post-70 retroactive benefit rules is honestly pretty alarming. I'm already planning to print out the relevant SSA website pages and keep that POMS reference (RS 00615.003) handy when I apply. It sounds like having the official policy documentation ready can save a lot of time and frustration. The amounts people are talking about - $15,000-$18,000 for 6 months - really show how important it is to make sure this gets processed correctly. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially the current SSA representative who provided the official clarification. This thread is going to be incredibly valuable for anyone in a similar situation!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful for all the detailed responses here! I'm 68 and planning to file at 70, but reading about everyone's experiences with confused SSA representatives is both concerning and eye-opening. It's shocking how many people have encountered reps who don't know the basic rules about retroactive benefits for post-70 filers. What strikes me most is how consistent the advice is across all your experiences: come prepared with documentation, don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor, and be persistent about getting accurate information. The fact that we need to essentially educate SSA staff about their own policies is frustrating, but clearly necessary given what everyone's shared. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and taking notes on all the references you've provided - especially that POMS section RS 00615.003 and Social Security Act Section 202(j)(4). Having both the policy manual reference and the actual law should help if I run into any issues. The amounts people are mentioning for 6 months of retroactive benefits ($15,000-$18,000) really drive home how important it is to get this right. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical knowledge that makes navigating Social Security so much easier!

Update: My sister called SSA this morning (took almost 2 hours to get through). The representative confirmed that they haven't fully processed her divorced spouse benefit yet! Apparently, they processed her retirement claim first and are still working on the divorced spouse portion. They said it could take another 4-6 weeks to process, but she will receive backpay for the difference once it's done. Thank you everyone for your help! This forum saved her a lot of anxiety.

That's such great news! I'm so glad she was able to get through and get a clear answer. It's really helpful that you shared the update - I'm sure other people going through similar situations will benefit from knowing that this processing delay is normal and that backpay will be included. Four to six weeks seems like a long time to wait, but at least now she knows what to expect. Thanks for following up with the resolution!