Thanks everyone for the helpful information! I had no idea the difference between SSDI and early retirement could be so substantial. I'm going to talk to my brother about applying for disability first, and we'll gather all his medical documentation. It sounds like even with the difficult approval process, the financial difference makes it worth trying before just defaulting to early retirement. I'll also look into that call service someone mentioned since we've been struggling to get through to SSA by phone.

One thing to keep in mind is that your brother can actually apply for SSDI even if he's already receiving early retirement benefits, but there are some important timing considerations. If he gets approved for SSDI after starting early retirement, SSA will convert him to disability benefits and pay back the difference in monthly amounts from when his disability began (up to 12 months before his application date). However, it's much better to apply for SSDI first if possible, because once you start receiving retirement benefits, it can complicate the disability determination process. The key question becomes whether his inability to work started before or after he filed for retirement. Given that he's almost 62, I'd definitely recommend applying for SSDI immediately if his rheumatoid arthritis is preventing him from working. Don't wait - the longer he delays, the harder it becomes to establish that disability onset date before age 62.

I went through a very similar situation a few years ago, and I want to echo what others have said about the 2-year rule. Since your husband is already collecting his retirement benefits, you won't need to wait 2 years after the divorce is finalized - you can apply for divorced spouse benefits as soon as the divorce is final and you turn 62. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: consider requesting your Social Security Statement online at ssa.gov to see your estimated benefits based on your own work record. Even though you worked part-time, you might be surprised at what your own benefit could be. Sometimes the divorced spouse benefit (which maxes out at 50% of your ex's full retirement age benefit) isn't necessarily higher than your own, especially if you factor in the early retirement reduction. Also, don't forget that you can switch between benefits if circumstances change. For example, if you start with your own reduced benefit at 62, you could potentially switch to the divorced spouse benefit later if it becomes advantageous. The emotional part of this is just as challenging as the financial planning. Take care of yourself through this process - 32 years is a long marriage to untangle, and it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed by all the details.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this difficult situation after such a long marriage. Reading through all the responses here, it's clear you've gotten excellent advice about the Social Security timing rules. I wanted to add one practical tip that might help with your planning process. Since you have about 2 years before you turn 62, this could be a good time to create a "Social Security file" where you keep all the relevant documents and information in one place. Include things like your Social Security Statement (which you can get online at ssa.gov), your marriage certificate, and eventually your divorce decree. Also consider keeping notes about your ex-husband's work history and when he started collecting benefits - SSA may ask about these details when you apply. You might also want to set a reminder for yourself to check back on any rule changes as you get closer to 62. While the fundamentals are unlikely to change, sometimes there are updates to the application process or documentation requirements. The fact that you're thinking through all these details now shows you're really on top of your planning. After 32 years of marriage, you deserve to feel confident about your financial security going forward. Hang in there - you're asking all the right questions and gathering the information you need to make good decisions for your future.

That's really helpful, thank you! I didn't realize there was a difference between the 75% vs 50% depending on whether the parent is living or deceased. It seems like keeping my son on my husband's record might be better, but I'll definitely get SSA to run the numbers. I appreciate everyone's help in understanding this complicated situation!

I'm dealing with a similar situation and wanted to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure to ask SSA about the "deemed filing" rules when you do apply for survivor benefits. Since you're over your full retirement age for survivor benefits (which is different from regular retirement age), you have more flexibility in timing. You can potentially claim survivor benefits now without being forced to claim your own retirement benefits, which gives you more control over maximizing your total lifetime benefits. Also, don't forget that survivor benefits aren't subject to the earnings test once you reach full retirement age for survivors (around 66-67 depending on your birth year), so you might be able to claim them even while working full-time. The family maximum calculations are definitely tricky, but having that survivor benefit option gives you more strategic choices for when and how to claim.

Based on what you've shared, starting your benefits in September 2025 when you reach FRA makes the most sense. The potential reduction for exceeding the earnings limit by a small amount for the pre-FRA months would be minimal compared to giving up four complete months of benefits by waiting until January 2026. Remember that at your FRA, you'll receive 100% of your primary insurance amount (PIA). If you delay past FRA, you earn delayed retirement credits of 8% per year (or 2/3% per month) up to age 70. But if you're continuing to work anyway, there's typically no financial advantage to delaying once you've reached FRA unless you're trying to maximize your benefit at age 70.

Great decision, Marina! Just wanted to add one more point that might be helpful - when you do file in September, make sure to keep good records of your monthly earnings for 2025. The SSA will need to verify exactly how much you earned in the months before your FRA versus after. Having clear documentation (pay stubs, etc.) can help speed up the process if they need to recalculate anything. Also, don't be surprised if your first few benefit payments seem a bit off while they sort out the earnings test calculation - it usually gets corrected within a few months. Good luck with your retirement planning!

Thanks everyone for such detailed responses! This clarifies a lot. Sounds like I need to: 1. Expect Medicare Part B to be automatically deducted ($207) 2. Consider Part D premiums as well 3. File that W-4V form for tax withholding 4. Be aware that 50-85% of my benefits might be taxable I'll definitely calculate all this before I finalize my retirement date. Really appreciate all the help!

Reading below it looks like the withholding percentage, say 12% is on the gross and then medicare premiums, etc come out of what is left taken withholding, is this correct?