Based on what you've shared, your best strategy would likely be to compare these two approaches: 1) Take your survivor benefit at FRA (when it's not reduced) and switch to your own retirement at 70 (after it's grown by 32%) 2) Take your reduced retirement benefit now and switch to the full survivor benefit at your FRA The right choice depends on your specific benefit amounts and your life expectancy. Generally, if you're in good health and expect to live past your early 80s, maximizing the higher benefit by delaying it can pay off significantly over time. I'd recommend contacting SSA directly to get detailed benefit estimates, and consider consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies.

I went through this exact situation about 3 years ago! You're getting good advice here - you definitely can't collect both benefits at full value simultaneously, but you do have strategic options. What really helped me was creating a spreadsheet comparing the lifetime totals for different scenarios. I calculated taking survivor benefits at FRA vs taking them early, and taking my own retirement at 62, FRA, and 70. The breakeven analysis showed me exactly when each strategy would pay off based on my life expectancy. Also, don't forget to factor in cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) - they apply to whichever benefit you're receiving. One tip: when you call SSA, ask them to mail you a written benefit estimate rather than just getting verbal numbers. Having it in writing helped me feel more confident about my decision and gave me something to reference later.

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Turning 65 in two months and my small company's HR department has been less than helpful about how Medicare will interact with our group plan. The phone system really is broken - I've tried calling both the 800 number and my local office multiple times with no luck. Based on what everyone's sharing here, it sounds like I need to try that Claimyr service and also submit the online contact form as backup. @Chloe Wilson - thank you for explaining the small employer rules! That clarifies why I can't just enroll in Part A online. I had no idea about the HSA contribution restrictions either. One question for anyone who's been through this - how far in advance should I schedule my appointment? I'm worried about getting too close to my 65th birthday and missing something important in the enrollment timeline.

I just went through this exact process about 6 months ago and wanted to share what worked for me. After a week of failed attempts calling both the local office and 800 number, I ended up using a three-pronged approach: 1) Used the Claimyr service (definitely worth the fee - got through in under 2 hours vs days of frustration), 2) Submitted the online contact form on ssa.gov as backup, and 3) Had my spouse call from a different phone simultaneously to increase our odds. The Claimyr service is what ultimately got us the appointment. For your Medicare situation specifically, bring documentation of your current employer coverage including the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) document - the SSA rep will need this to coordinate your transition properly. Also ask your HR department for a letter stating your coverage end date and whether it meets Medicare's "creditable coverage" standards. This documentation becomes crucial if you ever need to change Medicare plans later without penalties. One heads up - when they do call you back to schedule, have your calendar ready because they often have very limited appointment slots and may only offer you 1-2 options. I almost missed getting scheduled because I wasn't prepared with my availability when they called. Good luck!

i wonder if you get to keep the higher payment for life once you switch? or can they reduce it later?

I'm sorry you're having to think about this difficult situation, but it's wise to understand your options ahead of time. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you would likely be eligible for survivor benefits as an ex-spouse since your marriage lasted 29 years (well over the 10-year requirement) and you haven't remarried. The key thing I'm gathering is that you'd receive whichever benefit is higher - either your current $1,450 or potentially close to his $2,900 (depending on when you apply and your age at the time). Just wanted to add that you might also want to keep track of any changes to his address or contact information if possible, as SSA sometimes needs to verify details about the deceased person's work history and benefits. Wishing you the best as you navigate this.

btw u should apply like 3 months before u want benefits to start cuz processing takes forever these days!!!

One additional consideration: If you're planning to work while receiving benefits and you haven't reached your Full Retirement Age, be aware of the earnings limit ($21,240 in 2025). If you earn over that amount, $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $2 you earn above the limit. This might influence your decision about when to start benefits if you're continuing to work.

wait u can have taxes takin out of ss checks?? i didnt know that i been gettin benefits for 2 yrs and always owe at tax time ughhh

Just wanted to share another tip for folks dealing with this issue - if you're tech-savvy, you can actually check the status of your W-4V processing online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Look under "Benefits & Payment Details" and then "Tax Withholding." It might show as "pending" even if they haven't processed it yet, but at least you'll know they received it. Also, for anyone worried about owing taxes while waiting for the withholding to kick in, you can make estimated quarterly payments directly to the IRS using their online payment system (EFTPS) or by mailing Form 1040-ES with a check. This way you're not scrambling come tax season! Emma, glad you got your receipt! That's the most important part - having proof you submitted it.