I'm so sorry for your loss. As someone who recently navigated a similar situation when my stepfather passed, I wanted to share what I learned that might help your family. The most important thing to understand is that survivor benefits aren't a limited resource that gets divided up - each eligible person receives their full calculated benefit independently. Both your mom and his widow can receive benefits based on your father's record without affecting each other at all. What really helped in our situation was having both parties understand that SSA handles hundreds of these cases every month - it's routine for them, even though it feels overwhelming for families. I'd recommend that when they contact SSA, they should ask specifically about: 1) their individual benefit estimate, 2) the optimal timing for filing (since they're different ages), and 3) how any benefits they're already receiving might transition to survivor benefits. The emotional piece is just as important as the financial piece - both women were significant parts of your father's life, and he paid into Social Security with the expectation it would provide security for his eligible family members. That's exactly what's happening here. You're doing a wonderful job advocating for both of them during such a difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I can only imagine how difficult this must be for your entire family. What you're describing is actually a very common situation that the Social Security Administration handles regularly. Both your mom and your father's widow can absolutely receive survivor benefits based on his work record, and importantly, these benefits are calculated completely independently - one person's benefit doesn't reduce what's available to the other. Since your mom was married to your father for 22 years, never remarried, and is 67, she meets all the eligibility requirements for divorced spouse survivor benefits. His widow, having been married to him for 15 years at the time of his death, also clearly qualifies for widow's benefits. The SSA system is specifically designed to handle these situations because they recognize that people's lives and families can be complex. One thing that might help reduce family tensions is to explain to both women that they don't need to coordinate their applications or even be aware of each other's filing status. Each will work directly with SSA based on their own circumstances. Also, since they're different ages, their optimal claiming strategies might be different - they should each ask about the best timing for their individual situations. I'd encourage both of them to gather their documentation (marriage certificates, divorce decree, death certificate, Social Security statements) before contacting SSA, as this will make the process much smoother. The fact that you're helping both sides navigate this with such care and sensitivity speaks volumes about your character during an already difficult time.

I've been following this thread as someone who's also navigating widow benefits, and I wanted to add my perspective since I went through a similar situation last year. Like many of you, I was terrified of making any financial moves that might jeopardize my benefits. The distinction between the earnings test and taxation that @729892634026 explained is crucial - I wish someone had explained it to me that clearly when I first started receiving benefits! One thing I learned that might help others: when I called SSA to confirm these rules, the representative suggested I request a written statement of how different types of income affect my specific situation. It took a few weeks to get, but having it in writing gave me the confidence to proceed with my retirement account withdrawals. Also, for anyone considering home sales, remember that if you're selling because you can no longer afford the upkeep or need to downsize, there might be additional resources available through local senior services that can help with the transition. The financial stress of widowhood is real, but understanding these rules correctly can open up options we might not have realized we had.

As someone who's been helping community members navigate Social Security issues for years, I want to reinforce the excellent clarification that's been provided here. The confusion between the earnings test and benefit taxation is probably the #1 misconception I see among widow/widower benefit recipients. Just to add one more practical tip: if you're planning both a 401k withdrawal AND a home sale in the same year, consider doing a rough calculation of your "combined income" first (adjusted gross income + non-taxable interest + half of Social Security benefits). If this pushes you significantly over the thresholds ($25,000 for single filers, $32,000 for married filing jointly), you might want to stagger the transactions across tax years as others have mentioned. Also, don't forget that you can always do a "trial run" calculation using tax software or consult with a tax professional before making any major moves. The peace of mind is worth the small investment, especially when you're dealing with amounts like $165,000 in home sale profits. Knowledge is power when it comes to protecting your financial security!

I'm really sorry for your loss. This is such a complex situation, but I'm glad you're thinking ahead and planning for your future. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to consider reaching out to a Social Security disability attorney or elder law attorney who has experience with international cases. Many offer free consultations and can help you understand the nuances of claiming benefits while living abroad. They often have established relationships with FBUs and know exactly what documentation you'll need. Also, since you mentioned your children are all adults and US citizens, they might be able to help you navigate some of the US-based requirements if needed. Sometimes having someone stateside who can make calls during business hours or pick up documents can be really helpful. The fact that you have 5 years to prepare is actually a blessing in disguise - most people don't have that luxury of time to get everything organized properly. You're being really smart about starting this research now rather than scrambling when you turn 60. One last thought - if your home country has a US embassy with an FBU, they might also offer informational seminars or workshops about Social Security benefits for Americans abroad. It could be worth checking their website or calling to see if they have any scheduled events that might be helpful.

I'm really sorry for your loss. This thread has been incredibly informative - it's amazing how much helpful information everyone has shared! One additional resource I wanted to mention is the Social Security Administration's "Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States" publication (SSA Publication No. 05-10137). It has detailed information about receiving benefits while living abroad and covers many of the issues that have been discussed here like totalization agreements and payment restrictions by country. You can find it on the SSA website or ask the FBU to provide you with a copy when you meet with them. It's written specifically for people in your situation and might answer some questions you haven't even thought to ask yet. Also, since you're planning 5 years ahead, you might want to set a reminder to check back on any rule changes annually. Social Security rules can change, and international payment policies sometimes get updated. The FBU can help you stay informed about any changes that might affect your situation. Your methodical approach to planning this out is really admirable - your future self will definitely thank you for being so thorough now!

Fantastic outcome! This is such a great example of why it's worth asking HR about these timing issues. Many people don't realize they can often request changes to payout dates for exactly these reasons. Your story will definitely help others in similar situations. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement and congratulations on getting this sorted out before it became a problem!

Welcome to the community, Jamal! You're absolutely right about how these timing details can make such a huge difference. I've learned so much from threads like this one too. If you're facing a similar PTO payout situation, definitely start the conversation with your HR department early - as Dmitry found out, they often can accommodate these requests but need advance notice. The key thing to remember is that Social Security counts income when you receive it, not when you earned it. Feel free to ask questions here - this community has been incredibly helpful for navigating all the complexities of Social Security and retirement planning!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ethan. Having to navigate these complex benefit decisions while grieving is incredibly difficult, and the SSA phone system certainly doesn't help. I wanted to add one important point that might affect your decision timing: if you're considering the strategy of taking survivor benefits now and switching to your own retirement benefit later, keep in mind that survivor benefits don't earn delayed retirement credits. So the reduction you face at 63 (about 19%) is permanent for the survivor benefit, but your own retirement benefit would continue growing by about 8% per year until age 70. This makes the comparison even more important. If your own retirement benefit at 70 would be significantly higher than the reduced survivor benefit you'd get now, it might be worth running the numbers to see if waiting or doing the "claim now, switch later" strategy makes the most financial sense. Also, regarding your retail work with variable hours - when you do visit your local SSA office, ask specifically about how they handle seasonal workers for earnings reporting. Some offices have experience helping people in similar situations set up reporting schedules that work with irregular income patterns. You're being very thoughtful about this complex decision during an already overwhelming time. The fact that you're researching thoroughly and asking the right questions will serve you well. Best of luck with your SSA appointment!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ethan. Navigating survivor benefits while grieving is incredibly challenging, especially with SSA's difficult phone system. Based on your situation at 63, here are the key points to consider: **Earnings Limits for 2025:** - Annual limit: $22,320 (they deduct $1 for every $2 over this amount) - Monthly limit during first year: $1,860 per month (you get full benefits for any month under this threshold) - You MUST specifically request the monthly calculation - it's not automatic **Your Benefit Amount:** Since your husband converted from SSDI to retirement at his FRA (66), your survivor benefit would be based on his retirement amount. However, claiming at 63 means a permanent reduction of about 19% from the full survivor benefit amount. **Strategy Consideration:** Given your retail work with variable income, the monthly earnings test during your first year could be very beneficial for seasonal fluctuations. You might also want to explore taking reduced survivor benefits now while letting your own retirement benefit grow until age 70 (earning 8% per year in delayed credits), then switching if your own benefit becomes higher. **Next Steps:** 1. Visit your local SSA office in person (much better than phone) 2. Request benefit projections for both survivor benefits and your own retirement benefits at different claiming ages 3. Ask specifically about quarterly earnings reporting for seasonal workers 4. Bring all documentation including your husband's benefit information The community here has given excellent advice. Having all these details will help you make an informed decision during your SSA appointment.