As someone who recently navigated this exact situation, I want to add my voice to confirm what everyone else has said - you absolutely can collect both VA TDIU at 100% and Social Security retirement benefits without any reduction to either. I went through this process about 8 months ago when I turned 65. A couple of things from my experience that might help: **Application timing is crucial** - I applied exactly 3 months before my 65th birthday, but there were still processing delays that pushed my first payment back by about 5 weeks. If you're planning to apply at 65, I'd actually recommend starting the process 4 months early to account for potential delays. **The Medicare decision is more complex than it seems** - When you apply, they'll automatically enroll you in Medicare Part A, but you'll need to actively decide about Part B. Even though VA healthcare covers most things, I ended up enrolling in Part B after talking to other veterans who found it useful as backup. The monthly cost is significant ($175.30 in 2025), but having dual coverage has already paid off when I needed a specialist appointment that had a long VA wait time. **Your work history puts you in great shape** - With 30 years of work before TDIU, you should have an excellent Social Security benefit calculation. I had a similar work history and was pleasantly surprised by my monthly benefit amount. Given your granddaughter's college timeline (sounds like she's still a couple years out), you might want to seriously consider waiting until your FRA at 66 and 2 months. That permanent reduction at 65 really adds up over time, and the extra 14 months of waiting could mean thousands more dollars available during her actual college years when you'll need it most. Best of luck with your decision - having both income streams has been a game-changer for our family's financial security!

I'm new to this community but have been following this thread closely as I'm approaching a similar situation in about 18 months. The consistency of everyone's experiences here is incredibly reassuring - it's clear that you really can receive both VA TDIU and Social Security retirement benefits without any issues. @Giovanni, your situation sounds very well-positioned with that 30-year work history before TDIU. Based on everything I've read here, waiting until your FRA at 66 and 2 months seems like it could be the optimal strategy, especially since your granddaughter's college timeline gives you some flexibility. That extra 14 months of waiting could translate to significantly more money available right when her college expenses hit hardest. The practical tips everyone has shared about applying 3-4 months early, considering Medicare Part B as backup coverage, checking your earnings history online for accuracy, and using local SSA offices for in-person help are exactly the kind of real-world guidance that makes navigating these systems so much easier. One additional thought - since multiple people have mentioned VA education benefits for dependents, you might want to contact your local VA office specifically about educational assistance programs for grandchildren. Sometimes there are lesser-known benefits that could supplement whatever you're able to contribute from your Social Security. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences in this thread. This has been an incredibly educational discussion that will undoubtedly help many veterans facing similar decisions!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm absolutely shocked by how many people have experienced lost mail with SSA! Reading through everyone's stories has been both enlightening and terrifying - I had no idea this was such a widespread problem. The strategies everyone has shared are incredibly valuable though. @dea3190a90ca I'm so glad you were able to get confirmation through fax with just 17 days left! That's cutting it really close but it sounds like you handled it perfectly with the multi-pronged approach. The fax confirmation for immediate peace of mind plus certified mail backup seems like the ideal strategy. I'm definitely taking notes on all these tips - asking for reference numbers, using certified mail for everything important, and knowing that local offices can accept fax submissions for urgent deadlines. It's frustrating that we need all these workarounds in 2025, but this community knowledge is invaluable for those of us just learning to navigate these systems!

As someone completely new to both this community and Social Security processes, this thread has been an absolute goldmine of information! I'm honestly shocked to learn how frequently mail gets lost at SSA - it's terrifying to think that such critical, time-sensitive documents can just disappear without a trace. The fact that so many of you have developed elaborate backup strategies really speaks to how broken the system is. @dea3190a90ca I'm so relieved you were able to get confirmation through your local office's fax option with only 17 days left! Your approach of using multiple methods (fax for immediate confirmation plus certified mail backup) seems like the perfect strategy for peace of mind. I'm taking detailed notes on all the practical advice shared here - the reference number tip for fax submissions, certified mail protocols, visiting local offices for urgent deadlines, and even that Claimyr service recommendation. It's frustrating that we need all these workarounds in 2025, but I'm incredibly grateful this community exists to share these invaluable strategies with newcomers like me!

This has been such an incredibly helpful and comprehensive discussion! As someone who's new to this community and just starting to think seriously about Social Security planning, I'm amazed at how much I've learned from everyone's contributions. What started as Ana's specific question about her ex-spouse has turned into a masterclass on Social Security rules, ex-spousal benefits, remarriage implications, and filing strategies. The collective knowledge shared here - from former SSA employees to people who've navigated these situations personally - is invaluable. A few key takeaways that really stood out to me: - SSA doesn't automatically check or notify people about potential benefit increases - Remarriage completely changes ex-spousal benefit eligibility - Early filing creates permanent reductions through "deemed filing" rules - There are so many interconnected factors beyond just your own earnings record I'm particularly grateful for all the practical tips about contacting SSA, the resource recommendations, and the real-world examples everyone shared. This is exactly the kind of community-driven knowledge sharing that helps people make informed decisions about such important financial matters. Ana, I hope you'll follow up after your SSA consultation - even though your original question is resolved, I'm sure there will be insights about your own filing strategy that could benefit others. Thanks for starting such a valuable discussion!

As someone new to this community, I've been following this entire discussion and it's been incredibly enlightening! The level of detail and real-world experience shared here is exactly what I was hoping to find when I joined. What really stands out to me is how Ana's seemingly straightforward question revealed so many layers of complexity in the Social Security system. The remarriage factor completely changing the equation, the deemed filing rules, the fact that SSA doesn't automatically notify people about potential increases - these are all crucial details that aren't immediately obvious when you first start researching benefits. I'm particularly grateful for the practical tips everyone shared about actually contacting SSA (the Claimyr service, timing calls for shorter waits, scheduling in-person consultations). As someone who will need to navigate this system in the coming years, knowing these workarounds for the notorious phone wait times is invaluable. The emphasis on keeping good documentation and understanding all your options before filing really resonates with me too. It's clear that these decisions have long-term consequences and there's often no going back to optimize later. Thanks to everyone who contributed their expertise and experiences - this thread is going to be such a helpful resource for anyone dealing with similar ex-spousal benefit questions or Social Security planning in general!

This is such valuable information, thank you for sharing! As someone who recently started receiving Social Security disability benefits, I can absolutely relate to the frustration of getting conflicting information from different representatives. What really helped me was keeping a detailed log of every conversation - date, time, representative's name (when they'd give it), and exactly what was discussed. I also started asking representatives to email me a summary of what we discussed, which many were willing to do through the secure messaging system. One thing I learned is that you can also request to speak with a "Technical Expert" if you're dealing with complex eligibility questions. These are typically more experienced staff who specialize in specific benefit programs. It might save others from having to go through multiple representatives like you did. I'm so glad you trusted your instincts and got the correct information! That $14,500 difference really shows how crucial it is to advocate for ourselves, especially during already difficult times. Your experience will definitely help others who read this know they have the right to question information and ask for supervisors when something doesn't sound right.

This is absolutely infuriating but so important to share! I'm going through something similar right now with my late husband's benefits. The first representative told me I had to choose between my own retirement benefits OR widow's benefits, but couldn't receive both. That didn't sound right to me based on what I'd researched online. When I called back and got a different rep, they explained that I can actually receive widow's benefits now and then switch to my own higher retirement benefits later if they're larger. The difference in my monthly income would be significant! It's scary how confident these representatives sound even when they're completely wrong. I'm learning to always ask "Can you point me to the specific regulation or publication that covers this?" and to request they document their answer in my file. Thank you for encouraging others to push back - it really can make a life-changing financial difference.

One more consideration: Social Security at any age (62, FRA, or 70) counts toward your provisional income that determines Medicare IRMAA surcharges (those extra premium amounts for Parts B and D if your income is above certain thresholds). So if you're approaching 65, factor in how your total income including Social Security might affect your Medicare premiums too.

As a newcomer to retirement planning, this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm 58 and was under the impression that delaying Social Security would somehow reduce my tax burden, but clearly that's not the case. What I'm taking away is that the decision should focus on longevity and financial need rather than tax optimization. One question though - for those who mentioned quarterly estimated payments, how do you calculate what to pay when your SS benefits start? Do you just estimate based on your expected annual benefit amount and use the worksheets, or is there a simpler way to avoid that end-of-year tax shock that Carlos mentioned?