Thank you all for the responses. This has been incredibly helpful. I've learned I can definitely get both divorced spousal benefits (as a top-up if eligible) and later survivor benefits despite being divorced for over 20 years. But I need to apply separately for each benefit - nothing happens automatically. I'm going to call the SSA to get my specific numbers and see what kind of spousal top-up I might qualify for. Sounds like the survivor benefit later could be substantial, especially if my ex delays claiming until 70 (though I have no way to know his plans). That RIB-LIM rule sounds concerning though - I'll make sure to ask specifically how taking my benefit at 62 will affect future survivor benefits.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help with your decision - you mentioned being 62 and planning to take benefits early. Have you considered whether you'll still be working? If you're planning to work while collecting Social Security before your full retirement age, you could hit the earnings test limit ($22,320 for 2024). If you earn more than that, they'll reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn over the limit. This applies to both your own retirement benefits AND any divorced spousal benefits you might receive. The earnings test goes away once you reach full retirement age, but it's something to factor into your timing decision. Also, when you do call SSA, ask them to run scenarios showing your benefit amounts at different claiming ages (62, full retirement age, and 70) so you can see the long-term impact of claiming early versus waiting. Sometimes seeing the actual dollar differences over your lifetime can help with the decision.

One more important point I forgot to mention - your wife should apply for survivor benefits promptly after turning 60 if that's when she wants to start. There's a limit to retroactive benefits (only 6 months), so waiting too long after eligibility could mean losing out on some payments. Also, when applying, she'll need your death certificate, your Social Security number, her Social Security number, your marriage certificate, her birth certificate, and your W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax return for the most recent year. Having these documents ready in advance can help streamline the process.

I remember when my father passed, my mother was exactly in your wife's position (she was 58). She had to wait until 60 to claim anything, and even then it was reduced quite a bit because she was still working. I think the most frustrating part was just trying to get straight answers from SSA about how much she'd actually receive. The estimates they gave were always different from what actually showed up in her account. Honestly, the best advice I can give is to prepare financially for that gap period between your passing and when she turns 60. My mom wasn't prepared for that and it caused a lot of stress during an already difficult time.

Based on your situation, here's what likely happened: 1. When you initially filed, you received your reduced retirement benefit plus a spousal add-on to reach your total entitled amount 2. Those 6 years of part-time work were recently added to your earnings record during an automatic recomputation 3. This increased your own benefit amount based on those additional earnings 4. Since your total entitlement remained the same, the spousal portion decreased accordingly This is working correctly. The formula ensures you receive the correct total amount you're entitled to, regardless of how it's divided between your own benefit and the spousal supplement.

As someone who went through a similar situation recently, I can confirm this is completely normal! What helped me understand it better was thinking of it this way: Social Security essentially guarantees you the higher of two amounts - either 100% of your own benefit OR the spousal benefit (up to 50% of your spouse's PIA, reduced for early claiming). When your own benefit increases due to additional earnings being factored in, it doesn't mean you get "extra" money on top of the spousal benefit. Instead, since your own benefit went up, less of a spousal supplement is needed to reach your total entitled amount. It's like they're constantly rebalancing the two components to ensure you get exactly what you're entitled to under the law. The good news is that your work history is now contributing more meaningfully to your benefit! Even though the total didn't change this time, having a higher own benefit amount could be beneficial for future adjustments and provides a stronger foundation for your Social Security record.

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! Based on your advice, it sounds like my stepchildren will qualify since they've been my stepchildren for 6 years, live with me, and I provide more than half their support. I'll make sure to bring our marriage certificate and their birth certificates when I apply for my retirement benefits next year. I'll also need to carefully consider the family maximum and how it might limit their benefit amounts. It sounds like between the two of them, they might receive somewhat less than 50% each of my PIA.And it's good to know their benefits can continue until they graduate high school. This will definitely help with our family finances while they're growing up.

Just wanted to add a few more details that might help with your planning! When you apply, SSA will want to see proof that you're providing more than half support for the stepchildren. This could include things like receipts for their clothing, food, medical expenses, school supplies, etc. Keep good records of what you spend on them. Also, if either stepchild has any income from things like part-time jobs or Social Security survivor benefits from their biological father, that could affect their eligibility or benefit amounts. Even though you mentioned their father isn't in the picture, it's worth checking if they have any existing Social Security entitlements. One last tip - when you file at your local SSA office, ask specifically about protective filing dates. If there are any delays in processing the stepchildren's applications, you want to make sure their benefits start from the earliest possible date. Good luck with your retirement!

Quick update on my brother's situation that I mentioned earlier - we finally got approved after reconsideration and the monthly payment is $1,675 compared to the $943 he was getting on SSI. Plus, no more stressing about the $2,000 asset limit! The Medicare will kick in soon too. Definitely worth fighting for!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation! As someone who works with disability advocacy, I can tell you that the agent absolutely gave you incorrect information. There is no "new guidance" that allows DAC approvals based solely on existing SSI determinations without medical documentation. The DAC program has very specific requirements - they need to establish that your daughter became disabled before age 22, which requires medical evidence from that time period. Even though she's been on SSI for over 20 years, the SSI file may not contain sufficient documentation about her condition prior to age 22. For your reconsideration, I'd recommend: 1. Gather all medical records from before she turned 22 (diagnosis, treatment notes, hospitalizations, etc.) 2. Include a detailed statement about the misinformation you received from the SSA representative 3. Document the exact date and what was told to you about not needing medical records 4. Consider requesting a face-to-face interview during reconsideration The good news is that DAC benefits are significantly better than SSI - higher payments, no asset limits, and Medicare eligibility. Don't give up! Many cases like yours are approved on reconsideration once the proper documentation is submitted.