Chad, I'm so deeply sorry for the loss of your husband. What you're facing - grieving while trying to navigate these complex benefit systems for your children - is incredibly challenging, and you're handling it with remarkable thoughtfulness and care. I wanted to add something that might help with timing and preparation: when you do start the Adult Disabled Child application process 3-4 months before your son's 18th birthday, consider requesting an in-person appointment at your local SSA office rather than trying to handle it over the phone or online. For complex cases involving multiple disabilities like your son's vision and cognitive impairments, having face-to-face time with a claims specialist can make a huge difference. You can bring all your documentation, ask questions in real time, and ensure they understand the full scope of his limitations. Also, don't hesitate to bring an advocate with you - whether from an Independent Living Center, disability rights organization, or even just a knowledgeable friend. Having support during that appointment can help ensure nothing important gets overlooked. You're doing an amazing job preparing for your family's future during such an unimaginably difficult time.

Chad, I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a spouse while trying to navigate these complex systems is overwhelming beyond words. I wanted to mention one resource that might help bridge the gap while you're preparing for your son's Adult Disabled Child application - many states have "Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach" (BPAO) programs that provide free counseling specifically for Social Security disability benefits. These counselors can help you understand exactly what documentation you'll need and can even help coordinate with SSA during the application process. You can find your local BPAO through the Social Security Administration's website or by calling their main number. Also, since your son will likely qualify for Medicare after his 24-month waiting period on DAC benefits, it might be worth researching Medicare Supplement plans now so you're prepared for that transition. The combination of Medicare and potentially Medicaid could provide excellent coverage for his ongoing needs. You're being incredibly proactive in planning for his future - that preparation will serve you both well when application time comes.

Just a heads up - after you submit the SSA-521 form, you might still receive another payment or two while they're processing your request. Don't spend this money! You'll need to return these payments as well. When I did my withdrawal, I got an extra payment deposited even after submitting my form, and it created confusion with the total amount I needed to repay.

I went through this exact process about 18 months ago and want to share some practical tips. First, call SSA early in the morning (8am EST) for the best chance of getting through - I found Tuesday mornings worked best. When you submit Form SSA-521, also include a brief cover letter explaining your situation and your intent to reapply at FRA. One thing to watch out for: they'll send you a "Notice of Overpayment" after processing your withdrawal - don't panic! This is normal and just confirms the repayment amount. Also, if you're currently having taxes withheld from your SS benefits, make sure to adjust your tax planning since you'll get that money back when you file your return next year. The whole process took about 6-8 weeks for me, and restarting benefits at my FRA was seamless. Definitely worth it for the higher monthly payment!

Just want to add one more thing that might be helpful - when you go to your SSA appointment, ask them to print out the benefit calculation worksheet for you. They don't always offer this automatically, but it shows exactly how they arrived at the family maximum and individual benefit amounts. Having that document was really useful for me when I needed to explain the benefits to my bank when setting up the representative payee accounts. Also, if you have any life insurance policies or other benefits through your employer that might be affected by your early retirement, make sure to coordinate the timing. I almost lost out on some employer benefits because I didn't realize there was a specific order I needed to file things in. The process really isn't as scary as it seems once you get started - just make sure you have all your documents organized and be prepared for it to take a bit longer than you initially expect. The peace of mind knowing your kids will have that financial support makes all the paperwork worth it!

I'm a case worker who helps families navigate Social Security benefits, and I wanted to add a few professional insights to this excellent discussion. First, regarding timing - I always recommend applying 3-4 months before you want benefits to start, especially with dependent children involved. The processing can be slower when multiple beneficiaries are on one record, and any missing documentation can add weeks to the timeline. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet: if any of your adopted children have disabilities or special needs, they may be eligible for different benefit calculations or extended benefits beyond age 18/19. Make sure to mention any disabilities during your appointment, as this could significantly impact their long-term benefit eligibility. Also, keep in mind that if you remarry after starting benefits, it generally won't affect your children's benefits, but it's something to be aware of for future planning. The representative payee reporting isn't as scary as it sounds - SSA mainly wants to see that funds are used appropriately for the children's needs (housing, food, clothing, education, medical care). Keep receipts for major purchases, but you don't need to account for every dollar spent. Best of luck with your retirement planning! Your children are fortunate to have someone thinking so carefully about their financial future.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm 64 and in a somewhat similar situation, though my husband and I have closer benefit amounts. Reading through everyone's experiences, I wanted to add one important point that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you're considering the strategy of taking survivor benefits early and switching to your own retirement benefit later, make sure you understand how delayed retirement credits work. If you wait until age 70 to claim your own retirement benefit, you can earn delayed retirement credits that increase your benefit by 8% per year from your FRA to age 70. So in your case, if your estimated benefit is $1,375 at FRA (let's say that's age 67), waiting until 70 could increase it to around $1,705. This might impact which switching strategy makes the most sense. Also, I second the recommendation about getting professional advice. The Social Security rules are so complex, and one wrong move can cost you thousands over your lifetime. The RSSA certification that Katherine mentioned is definitely something to look for in an advisor.

Welcome to everyone who's new to this discussion! This has been such an informative thread. I wanted to add one more important consideration that might help with your planning: the impact of working while receiving benefits. If you're planning to continue working after claiming Social Security (whether retirement or survivor benefits), be aware of the earnings test if you haven't reached your Full Retirement Age yet. For 2024, if you're under FRA, you can earn up to $22,320 without any benefit reduction. Above that, they reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn over the limit. However, this is particularly relevant to survivor benefit strategy because if you take survivor benefits early (say at 60) and continue working, the earnings test could significantly reduce or even eliminate your benefits temporarily. The good news is that once you reach FRA, there's no earnings limit, and they'll recalculate your benefit to give you credit for any months that were reduced due to the earnings test. This is another reason why the timing of when to claim which benefit becomes so strategic, especially if you're still working. It might make sense to delay claiming if you're earning above the threshold, or to time your claim with when you plan to reduce your work hours. Just wanted to make sure this factor was part of everyone's planning considerations!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! Based on all your advice, we're going to have my wife call SSA to set up an appointment. From what you're all saying, it sounds like she can technically apply now, but it might be easier to wait until a bit closer to January. Regarding the reduction for claiming early - we've calculated that and are okay with it. Even with the reduction, the extra income will help us more now than waiting for the full amount later. One last question - does anyone know if they'll need my information during her application process? Should I plan to be there with her for the appointment?

Great question about the timing! I went through this with my husband's benefits last year. Your wife can definitely apply now - the SSA agent told me they actually prefer to have spousal applications submitted at least 2-3 months before the benefits are supposed to start. This gives them time to process everything and catch any potential issues. When I applied for my spousal benefits, they had me bring: - Marriage certificate (certified copy) - My husband's SSN and claim number - My own birth certificate and ID - Last year's tax return The appointment took about 45 minutes and the agent was really thorough in explaining how the "deemed filing" rules work. Since your wife is under her FRA, she'll be required to file for both her own benefit AND the spousal benefit at the same time - she can't choose to delay one or the other. One tip: when she calls for the appointment, specifically mention it's for a "spousal benefit application" - they'll know to schedule extra time and have the right forms ready.