I'm dealing with a similar situation with my elderly father right now. After reading through all these responses, I'm realizing there might be a pattern here where SSA doesn't automatically optimize benefits like they're supposed to. For anyone else in this situation, I'd recommend documenting everything when you contact SSA. I started keeping a log with dates, times, and names of who I spoke with because I was getting different answers each time I called. It's been really helpful when following up. Also, if your parent has any cognitive issues or gets easily confused (like many elderly people do when dealing with bureaucracy), consider going to the appointment WITH them rather than just sending them alone. I learned this the hard way when my dad came back from his first SSA visit with more questions than answers because he got overwhelmed. Good luck with your appointment next week! Really hoping your mom gets the higher survivor benefit she deserves.

I'm so glad you started this thread! As someone who works in elder care advocacy, I see this exact scenario constantly. The reality is that SSA's systems are not designed to proactively notify people when they could be getting higher benefits, especially with survivor benefits. Here's what I tell families in your situation: 1) Print out your mom's current benefit statement from her MySocialSecurity account before the appointment - having the exact monthly amount will help the SSA worker do the comparison 2) If possible, try to find any old Social Security statements your dad received that showed his estimated benefits. These usually arrive annually and would give you a ballpark of what your mom should be getting as a survivor 3) Don't let them brush you off if the first calculation seems wrong. I've seen cases where the initial comparison was incorrect due to data entry errors or not accounting for delayed retirement credits your dad may have earned 4) Ask about "protective filing" - if there's any delay in processing the switch, this can help preserve some retroactive benefits The unfortunate truth is that thousands of widows and widowers are likely receiving suboptimal benefits simply because they were never informed they could switch. Your persistence in figuring this out could save your mom hundreds of dollars every month for the rest of her life. Please keep us updated - these stories help other families realize they need to double-check their benefits too!

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're planning to work while collecting benefits at 62, be aware of the earnings test. For 2024, if you earn more than $22,320, they'll reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. This applies until you reach your full retirement age. Just something to factor into your planning since you mentioned needing the income now. The good news is that any benefits withheld due to earnings get added back to your monthly payment once you reach FRA, so it's not permanently lost.

I went through this exact same situation two years ago! The process was actually much smoother than I expected once I understood that SSA handles all the comparison work. I applied online at ssa.gov and it took about 6 weeks to get approved. One tip that really helped me: when you're gathering documents, also look for any old tax returns where you filed jointly - SSA sometimes asks for these to verify the marriage dates if there are any discrepancies with your other documents. I ended up getting the divorced spouse benefit which was about $200 more per month than my own would have been. Don't stress about not knowing your ex's benefit amount - the system really does work without you having to figure that out yourself!

After reviewing your complete situation: 1. For the earnings test, you're on the right track using the monthly test in your first year 2. Your strategy of taking reduced widow benefits now and switching to your own at 70 is actually optimal given the benefit amounts you've shared 3. For those vacation payouts, request Form SSA-131 (Employer Report of Special Wage Payments) from your employer to document that those payments were for work performed before your benefits began Keep all documentation showing your retirement date and submit the SSA-131 as soon as possible to avoid any incorrect application of the earnings test.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation (planning to file for widow benefits at 62 next year) and had no idea about the monthly earnings test for the first year. A few quick tips from my own research and experience with my late husband's benefits: - When you call SSA, ask to speak with a "claims specialist" rather than just any representative. They tend to be more knowledgeable about complex situations like widow benefits with earnings. - Document EVERYTHING in writing. I keep a log of every SSA interaction with date, time, rep name/ID, and what was discussed. - The Form SSA-131 mentioned by Luca is crucial! My sister had a similar vacation payout issue and that form resolved it completely. @Sean - your benefit strategy sounds smart given those amounts. Just make sure you understand that once you switch to your own benefit at 70, you can't go back to the widow benefit even if yours ends up being lower than expected. Good luck navigating this maze! The SSA system is confusing but this community really helps clarify things.

I'm really sorry for your loss, and I can completely understand your anxiety about navigating these benefits during such a difficult time. The great news is that everyone here is absolutely correct - ESOP dividends are NOT considered earned income for Social Security's earnings test purposes. I went through a very similar situation when I lost my spouse and was receiving distributions from their retirement accounts. The key thing to remember is that the $22,560 earnings limit for 2025 only applies to wages from active employment and self-employment income - not investment returns, dividends, pensions, or distributions from retirement plans. When you apply, I'd suggest being very clear that these are ESOP dividend payments from your late husband's employer plan, not wages or compensation for current work. Having your documentation ready (like the ESOP statements) will help make the process smoother. You're being smart to get this sorted out before you turn 60 and apply. Hang in there - you've got this!

I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you! As someone who works with retirement benefits, I just wanted to add one small but important point: when you do apply for survivor benefits, you might want to ask SSA about whether you should also file a "protective filing" for your own retirement benefits. Even though your own benefit will be much smaller, filing a protective claim can preserve your filing date for future reference. This won't affect your current survivor benefits at all, but it could be useful down the road if there are any changes to the rules or your situation. It's just something to ask about when you're already talking to them - probably won't be necessary, but good to know all your options. Best of luck with everything, and I hope the application process goes smoothly for you!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zoe. What you're going through is incredibly difficult, and it's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed by these decisions while grieving. I want to add one more practical tip that helped me when I was in a similar situation: consider scheduling your SSA call for a time when you feel most emotionally steady (for me, that was mid-morning), and have a glass of water nearby. The call might take a while, and grief can be physically exhausting. Also, don't hesitate to tell the SSA representative at the start of the call that you recently lost your spouse and may need them to speak slowly or repeat information. Most are very understanding and will take extra care to make sure you understand everything correctly. You've got a solid plan, and this community has given you excellent guidance. You're going to get through this. ❤️

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zoe. Reading your post brought back memories of my own experience navigating this exact situation two years ago. The combination of grief and complex Social Security decisions is overwhelming, but you're asking all the right questions. I want to emphasize something that others have touched on but bears repeating: when you call SSA, be very specific that you want to file for "survivor benefits only" and that you are intentionally delaying your own retirement benefits until age 70. Some representatives may not immediately understand this strategy and might suggest you file for your own benefits if they appear higher on paper right now - but they won't account for the delayed retirement credits you'll earn by waiting until 70. One thing that really helped me was writing down my key points on a notecard before the call: my husband's death date, that I wanted survivor benefits only, and that I planned to switch to my own benefits at 70. When grief brain kicked in during the call, I could just read from my notes. Also, don't feel bad about taking your time during the call or asking them to repeat things. You're dealing with a lot right now, and getting this right is important for your financial future. Take care of yourself. ❤️