One thing I learned during my own benefits journey is that survivor benefits are uniquely flexible compared to retirement benefits. You can actually switch between them! For example, you could take reduced survivor benefits at 60, then switch to your own retirement benefit later if it would be higher (especially if you wait until 70 to maximize your own benefit). And something else important - the earnings limit changes in the year you reach FRA. During the months of that year before your birthday, the limit is much higher (around $59,520 for 2025) and they only withhold $1 for every $3 above the limit. After you reach FRA, there's no earnings limit at all! It's definitely worth making an appointment with SSA to discuss your specific options. They can run calculations based on your work record to help you make the best decision.

As someone who recently navigated this exact situation, I wanted to share my experience to help ease your concerns. I'm 62 and claimed my survivor benefits at 60 while receiving both VA spousal benefits ($1,200/month) and a pension from my nursing career ($2,100/month). The good news is that VA benefits are completely separate from Social Security - they don't count as income for any SSA calculations. Your pension also won't affect your survivor benefits since you paid Social Security taxes on those earnings throughout your career. The key thing I learned is that the "earnings test" only applies to wages from active work, not pensions or VA benefits. Once you retire completely, you won't have to worry about any income limits reducing your survivor benefits. I'd strongly recommend getting your Social Security statement online to see what your own retirement benefit would be at various claiming ages. In my case, my own benefit at 70 would have been higher than the survivor benefit, so I took the reduced survivor benefit at 60 and plan to switch to my own maximized benefit at 70. This strategy might work for you too, depending on your earnings history. The hardest part was actually getting through to SSA to discuss my options, but once I did, they were very helpful in running the numbers for different scenarios. Don't let the complexity scare you - you have more options than you might think!

As someone new to this community and just starting to navigate the Social Security system, this thread has been absolutely eye-opening! I'm still a few years away from Medicare eligibility, but reading about these discrepancies between the online MySocialSecurity portal and what representatives can actually see is both concerning and helpful to know in advance. Carmen, thank you so much for sharing your complete journey and especially that final update - it really demonstrates how persistence pays off when dealing with government systems. The Claimyr service recommendation that several people mentioned sounds like a lifesaver for avoiding those brutal hold times. It's honestly shocking that in 2025 we're still dealing with database synchronization issues for something as critical as healthcare benefits, but at least now I understand that phone representatives have access to the most current information. This discussion has given me a roadmap for when I eventually need to verify my own quarters of coverage. What an incredibly knowledgeable and supportive community - I'm so grateful to have found this resource as I start planning for my future benefits!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to echo what so many others have said - this thread has been incredibly valuable! I'm 63 and was honestly dreading having to deal with SSA when my time comes, but reading Carmen's experience has given me a real roadmap for what to expect. The fact that so many people have experienced these same discrepancies between the online portal and what representatives can see really highlights that this is a widespread system issue, not individual cases. What really impressed me was how Carmen kept us updated through the whole process, including the final resolution with the Claimyr service. I had never heard of services like that before, but given how many people struggle with those impossible hold times, it seems like a practical solution. It's disappointing that SSA's technology is so outdated in 2025, but knowing that phone reps have access to current data while the online system lags behind by months is crucial information. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating government benefits so much less intimidating!

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - make sure to keep detailed records of EVERYTHING during this process! I work in benefits administration and I always tell people to make copies of all forms before submitting, keep tracking numbers if you mail anything, and document every phone call or visit with names, dates, and what was discussed. The SSA processes thousands of these withdrawals, but for you it's a one-time deal that involves thousands of dollars. Having good documentation will save you headaches if there are any issues or delays. Also, consider submitting your Form SSA-521 via certified mail so you have proof of delivery. Good luck with your decision!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also consider how this withdrawal might affect any spousal or dependent benefits. If your spouse is receiving benefits based on your record, they would also need to consent to the withdrawal and their benefits would stop too. This could be a significant factor in your decision, especially if your spouse is older or has health issues. Also, if you have minor children receiving benefits on your record, that adds another layer of complexity. Just something to keep in mind as you're weighing all your options!

I went through this exact situation with my mother's estate last year. A few things that might help: First, definitely go with the SSA-1724 form that AstroAce mentioned - they're spot on about that being the correct form for underpayments. Second, when you go to the SSA office, try to get there early in the morning (like right when they open) - the wait times are usually much shorter. Third, make sure you have your letters of testamentary or whatever court documents show you're the executor, because some offices are stricter about this than others. The whole process took me about 3 weeks from start to finish once I got the appointment, and they were actually pretty helpful once I got to speak with someone in person. The phone system is absolutely useless, but the in-person staff generally know what they're doing. Good luck!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my late mother's estate. One additional thing to consider - if your father had any automatic bill payments coming out of his Social Security, those companies might have tried to process payments after his death and received returned payment notices. I discovered this when going through my mom's mail and found several "payment returned" notices from her utility companies. It's worth checking his mail for a few months after you resolve the uncashed check issue, just to make sure there aren't any other financial loose ends. Also, some banks will hold returned direct deposits for a certain period before sending them back to SSA, so there might be a delay in when those show up in their system. The SSA office should be able to tell you about any returned payments when you go in for your appointment.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Mei. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm learning so much about Social Security rules I never knew existed! The RIB-LIM explanation finally makes sense of why your benefit amount was lower than expected. One thing I wanted to add that might help others in similar situations: when you do speak with SSA, ask them to mail you a copy of the "Notice of Award" that shows the step-by-step calculation. This is different from your regular award letter and breaks down each component of how they arrived at your benefit amount. It should clearly show if RIB-LIM was applied. Also, I've found that calling SSA first thing in the morning (right when they open at 7 AM) often results in shorter wait times than calling later in the day. If you're still having trouble getting through by phone, that timing might help before you try the Claimyr service or schedule an in-person appointment. Your strategy to wait until 70 for your own retirement benefit is really smart - those delayed retirement credits are valuable! Even though this initial amount was confusing, it sounds like you're making all the right financial decisions during a very difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Mei. This has been such an educational thread about the RIB-LIM rule! As someone who's also navigating Social Security benefits as a widow, I wanted to share another tip that helped me. When you do get through to SSA, ask them to explain the "deemed filing" rules too. Since you're 64 and taking survivors benefits, you want to make sure they didn't accidentally deem you to have filed for your own retirement benefit as well (which would prevent it from growing until 70). This is a separate issue from RIB-LIM, but it's another one of those complex rules that can trip people up. Also, if you have any of your husband's old Social Security statements, bring those to your appointment. They can help verify that his earnings history was recorded correctly, which affects the PIA calculation that RIB-LIM is applied to. You're doing everything right by taking survivors benefits now and planning to switch at 70. Even with the RIB-LIM reduction, this strategy will maximize your lifetime benefits. Hang in there - dealing with SSA is frustrating under the best of circumstances, but you're asking all the right questions!