I went through this exact situation two years ago at 63 after my third heart attack. The dual approach is definitely the right strategy - I filed for early retirement first to get immediate income, then applied for SSDI about a month later. A few things that really helped my case: 1. I kept a daily symptoms diary for about 6 weeks before applying - noting chest pain episodes, fatigue levels, how far I could walk without getting winded, etc. The SSDI examiner specifically mentioned this helped them understand my functional limitations. 2. My cardiologist filled out a detailed RFC (Residual Functional Capacity) form that SSA provides. This was crucial - it spelled out exactly what I couldn't do (lift over 10 lbs, work in high-stress environments, stand for more than 20 minutes at a time). 3. I was approved on initial application in about 6 months, which my attorney said was faster than usual for cardiac cases. The key was having comprehensive medical records that clearly showed my limitations weren't going to improve significantly. The financial difference has been life-changing - I'm getting about $2,180/month with SSDI versus the $1,490 I would have gotten with early retirement alone. Plus I got about $8,000 in backpay once approved. Don't let anyone pressure you to "try going back to work first" if your doctor says it's dangerous. Your health is more important than SSA's preference for people to attempt work. You've got strong medical evidence - trust the process and be patient with the timeline.

I'm so glad you found this thread and are getting such helpful advice! As someone who went through a very similar situation at 60 after my bypass surgery, I want to echo what others have said about the dual approach being absolutely the right strategy. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much - when you're gathering your medical documentation, don't just focus on the major cardiac events. Include records of any ongoing treatments, medication adjustments, follow-up appointments, and especially any notes about exercise restrictions or activity limitations. My cardiologist's notes about restricting me to "light activity only" and "avoid stress" were apparently very important in my approval. Also, if you have any records from cardiac rehab (if you did that) or stress tests that show limitations, those can be really valuable. They provide objective evidence of your functional capacity that goes beyond just the clinical measures. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but having that early retirement income while you wait for SSDI really does make it manageable. I was approved after about 9 months and the backpay plus the higher monthly amount made such a difference. You're doing everything right by starting this process now and getting organized. With multiple cardiac events and clear medical documentation that returning to high-stress work is dangerous, you have a very strong case. Don't let the statistics about denials discourage you - cardiac cases with solid documentation like yours often have much better success rates. Hang in there and trust the process!

my cousin works for ssa and told me they NEVER automatically give you spousal benefits you have to ask for them specifically!!!! the computer doesn't just figure it out. when i applied i told them i wanted to compare my benefit to my husbands spousal amount and the difference was only $31 more for spousal but still that adds up over time!!!

Just went through this exact situation myself last year! One thing I learned that might help - you can actually create estimates on the SSA website using both scenarios before you apply. Go to ssa.gov and log into your mySocialSecurity account, then use their benefit calculators to get rough estimates of your own benefit vs what 50% of your wife's would be. But here's the key thing everyone's mentioned - your wife absolutely MUST file for her own benefits first before you can claim spousal benefits on her record. That notification she did online is just for planning, not an actual application. Also, consider this timing strategy: if your wife's benefit is higher and she's already 2 years older, she could file at her FRA to start receiving benefits, then when you reach your FRA you could file for whichever is higher (your own or spousal). Just don't file early unless you absolutely need the money, because any reduction is permanent. The online calculators won't be perfect, but they'll give you a ballpark idea of which direction to lean before you deal with trying to get someone on the phone at SSA!

Great news! Just so you know, \

I'm glad you were able to get through to SSA! It sounds like you're on the right track. Just to add another perspective - I work with retirees in my role as a benefits coordinator, and I've seen many cases where people assume their widow benefits are automatically the highest amount they can receive. The delayed retirement credits you've earned by working until 68 could make a significant difference in your monthly payment. Also, don't forget to ask about the Medicare Part D penalty when you meet with them - if you're losing employer drug coverage when you retire, you'll want to enroll in Part D during your Special Enrollment Period to avoid future penalties. Looking forward to hearing how your appointment goes!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Diego. Losing your spouse after so many years together is incredibly difficult, and having to figure out Social Security benefits on top of everything else must feel overwhelming. You've received excellent advice from this community, and I want to reinforce that you're making the absolutely right financial decision. Your strategy of taking survivor benefits now while letting your own retirement benefit grow until 70 is textbook optimal planning. One thing I'd like to add that might help with your long-term planning: once you do switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 (if it's higher), that higher monthly amount will be your base for any future cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). So not only will you get the maximum benefit from delayed retirement credits, but all future increases will be calculated on that higher amount too. Also, I know you mentioned the SSA website being confusing - you might find it helpful to use the retirement estimator tool on ssa.gov. It can give you a rough projection of what your benefit would be at 70, which will help you compare it to your current survivor benefit amount. Hang in there, and don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions as you approach 70. This community is really supportive and knowledgeable.

I'm so deeply sorry for your loss, Diego. Losing your husband after 44 years of marriage is heartbreaking, and trying to navigate these complex Social Security rules while grieving just adds another layer of difficulty to an already overwhelming time. You've received absolutely excellent advice from this community, and I want to echo what everyone has said - you're making the optimal financial decision with your current strategy. The disappointment about not being able to collect both benefits is completely understandable, as this is one of the most common misconceptions about Social Security. I wanted to add one practical tip that might help as you continue working until 70: consider requesting a Social Security Statement annually to track how your continued earnings are affecting your projected benefit. Since Social Security calculates your benefit based on your highest 35 years of indexed earnings, these final working years could potentially replace some lower-earning years from earlier in your career, further increasing your eventual benefit at 70. Also, when you do reach 70, I'd recommend contacting SSA about 60 days before your birthday rather than waiting until the month of. This gives them time to process the review and ensures there's no delay in implementing the higher benefit amount if your retirement benefit exceeds your survivor benefit. You're handling this incredibly difficult situation with such wisdom and strength. This community will continue to be here to support you through this journey.

I'm in a very similar situation - turned 62 recently and have been collecting survivor benefits for about 2 years now. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful, especially hearing from people who actually went through this transition. One question I have that I haven't seen addressed: does anyone know if there are any health considerations I should factor into the decision of when to switch? I'm generally healthy now, but my family history has some concerns. I keep going back and forth between taking my own benefit at FRA (67) versus waiting until 70 for the maximum amount. The extra money would be great, but I also worry about the "what if" scenarios. Also, has anyone used the SSA's online benefit estimator tools? Are they pretty accurate for planning purposes, or should I try to get an actual consultation somehow?

I'm currently facing this same decision at 63, collecting survivor benefits while waiting to claim my own retirement benefit. One thing I learned from my financial advisor that might help others here is to also consider your overall retirement income picture, not just Social Security. For example, if you have other retirement accounts (401k, IRA, etc.), the timing of when you switch to your own SS benefit can affect your tax bracket and Medicare premiums. The higher your total income, the more you might pay in Medicare Part B and D premiums due to IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount). Also, I've found that creating a simple spreadsheet comparing total lifetime benefits under different claiming scenarios really helps visualize the decision. You can factor in your estimated lifespan, other income sources, and even inflation to see which strategy works best for your specific situation. The break-even analysis someone mentioned is crucial - but don't forget that Social Security benefits are inflation-adjusted for life, so that higher monthly amount from waiting becomes even more valuable over time compared to other fixed income sources.