Thanks for all the helpful responses! I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. Sounds like calling is my best option, but I'll try that service if I can't get through. I'll make sure to verify the suspension took effect by checking my online account afterward. And I'll definitely set up separate Medicare premium payments right away so there's no gap in coverage. Thanks again!

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're working and earning income while collecting Social Security, suspending your benefits might actually save you from the earnings test complications too. Even though the earnings test doesn't apply after FRA, some people don't realize they're still subject to it in the year they reach FRA for months before their birthday month. Also, since you mentioned your financial situation changed and you don't need the income right now, consider whether you might want to do some Roth conversions during the suspension period while your taxable income is lower. The delayed retirement credits are guaranteed, but having more tax-free income in retirement through Roth accounts could be another nice benefit of this strategy. Good luck with the process!

Thank you all for the helpful information! To summarize what I've learned: 1. I need to wait until I'm 62 (not 60) to apply for divorced spouse benefits 2. My ex needs to be at least 62 but doesn't need to be collecting benefits yet 3. I won't get both SSDI and divorced spouse benefits - just the higher amount 4. Filing at 62 means a permanent reduction compared to waiting until my full retirement age 5. My ex won't be notified if I apply for benefits on his record 6. I can call SSA directly to get an estimate of what I might receive I'll definitely look into calling SSA when I get closer to 62 to see if it's worth applying. I appreciate all your help!

Great summary! You've got all the key points down. One additional thing to keep in mind - since you mentioned having a progressive neurological condition, if your health situation changes significantly, that could potentially affect your disability status and benefits down the road. It might be worth discussing with SSA how transitioning from SSDI to retirement benefits (which happens automatically at your FRA) could interact with any future divorced spouse benefits you might claim. Also, make sure to keep records of your marriage duration and divorce decree - you'll need those documents when you do apply. Best of luck navigating this system!

That's helpful advice - thank you! I have a folder with all those documents that I keep for situations like this. I'll make sure to bring everything.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ezra. I went through a very similar situation when my wife passed away two years ago. I was 58, on SSDI for multiple sclerosis, and getting reduced survivor benefits. The good news is that yes, your benefits should automatically increase to 100% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount when you reach your FRA at 67. Since your husband hadn't started collecting his benefits yet, you won't have to deal with the RIB-LIM reduction that others mentioned. However, I want to stress what others have said about being proactive. My benefits didn't adjust automatically - I had to contact them twice before it got sorted out. I'd recommend reaching out about 3 months before you turn 67 to make sure everything is set up correctly in their system. One practical tip that helped me: I found the best time to call SSA is Tuesday or Wednesday morning right at 8 AM when they open. The wait times are usually shorter then compared to Mondays or Fridays. Also, if you do decide to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned, just be aware there's a fee involved - but it might be worth it given your mobility challenges. The financial relief when the full benefit kicks in should help significantly with those medical costs. Hang in there - you're asking all the right questions and planning ahead, which puts you in a much better position than many people in similar situations.

One important thing to consider - you mentioned you're 66 now. Depending on your exact birth year, your Full Retirement Age might be 66 plus a few months. If you're not quite at your FRA yet, you might want to wait until then to apply for the survivor benefit to get the full 100%. Or if your own retirement benefit is significantly lower, you could apply for your own reduced retirement benefit now and then switch to the survivor benefit at your FRA. The SSA can calculate which strategy would give you the highest lifetime benefits.

Since you were born in 1956, your Full Retirement Age is indeed 66 and 4 months (July 2022 if you turned 66 in March). You're making a smart move by gathering all your documents first. Just a heads up - when you call SSA, they'll likely want to verify your deceased husband's Social Security number and his work history to confirm he earned enough credits for survivor benefits. If you don't have his SSN memorized, try to locate any old tax returns or documents that might have it. Also, be prepared for them to ask detailed questions about the marriage dates to verify the 9+ month requirement. Good luck with your call tomorrow!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Luca. This is such a difficult situation to navigate both emotionally and financially. I went through something very similar when I lost my husband at 57. Based on what others have shared here, I'd strongly recommend getting that my.ssa.gov account set up first so you can see your actual numbers - it really makes a difference when you can compare your potential survivor benefit to your own retirement benefit projections. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier is that you can always change your mind about working levels later. If you find the earnings limit is taking too much of your benefit, you could reduce your hours temporarily, or if you need to work more, you can update your earnings estimate with SSA so they don't overwithhold. The most important thing right now is that you're already 2+ months into 2025 without any survivor benefits coming in while you're struggling financially. Sometimes the "good enough" decision made now is better than the "perfect" decision made months from now when you've missed out on help you desperately need. Hang in there - it does get easier to navigate once you get started with the process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Luca. What a difficult situation to be in during an already challenging time. From everything shared here, it sounds like you have some really good options to consider. The strategy of taking survivor benefits now while working and potentially switching to your own retirement benefit later seems promising if your work record is strong. One practical tip that helped me when I was navigating Social Security - when you do call or visit the office, write down your questions beforehand and ask them to walk through specific dollar amounts with your actual earnings. Sometimes the general rules sound scarier than they are when you see your real numbers. Also, don't feel pressured to make a final decision in that first appointment - you can always ask them to mail you a written estimate to review at home. The community here has given you excellent advice about the my.ssa.gov account and being specific about applying for survivor benefits only. You've got this, and remember that getting some financial relief now while you figure out the longer-term strategy is completely valid. Take care of yourself during this process.