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!

Just wanted to add a few practical tips from my recent experience with this process: 1. **Best time to call SSA**: Try calling right at 8am when they open - I got through in about 15 minutes vs. hours later in the day 2. **What to have ready**: Your SSN, confirmation that you want to "suspend" (not terminate) benefits, and the month you want suspension to start 3. **Ask for confirmation**: Request the representative's name/ID and ask them to note in your file exactly what was discussed I suspended mine 6 months ago and it's been smooth sailing. The delayed retirement credits really do add up - my projected benefit at 70 will be about 24% higher than what I was getting at 67. One other tip: if you have a my Social Security account online, bookmark the page that shows your payment history. It's helpful to check that your payments actually stopped when expected, and later you can see when they resume at the higher amount.

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!

One more thing to consider - if you're currently receiving Medicare due to your SSDI, you'll want to understand how any change in your benefit amount might affect your Medicare Part B premiums. Sometimes people don't realize that Medicare premiums can be income-adjusted (IRMAA), so if your divorced spouse benefits significantly increase your total income, you might end up paying higher Medicare premiums. It's probably worth asking SSA about this when you call for your estimate, especially since you mentioned wanting to increase your monthly income. You want to make sure the net benefit after any premium increases is still worthwhile!

I'm really sorry for your loss, Ezra. Losing a spouse is incredibly difficult, especially when you're also dealing with health challenges. From what I understand about SSA rules, your survivor benefits should automatically increase to 100% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount when you reach your Full Retirement Age of 67, since he hadn't started collecting benefits yet. However, given all the stories here about SSA's systems not always working perfectly, I'd definitely recommend being proactive about it. The advice about contacting them 2-3 months before you turn 67 is spot on. You might also want to document everything - keep records of your current benefit amounts and any communications with SSA. This will help if you need to follow up later. The online my Social Security account is also a great tool for sending secure messages when phone waits are impossible. Take care of yourself, and don't hesitate to lean on family or friends for help navigating this process.

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.

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 glad to see everyone helping you navigate this process! As someone who works with Social Security cases regularly, I wanted to add that having that old tax return with his SSN is going to make your application much smoother. One thing I'd suggest - when you call tomorrow, ask them to also check what his Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) was at the time of his death. Since it's been 26 years, they may need to do some calculations to determine your potential survivor benefit amount. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to seems unsure about the 9+ month rule - ask to speak with a claims specialist if needed. You've got all the right documentation and it sounds like you clearly meet the requirements. Wishing you the best of luck with your call!

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.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Luca. This thread has been incredibly helpful - so many people sharing their real experiences. One thing I wanted to add that might give you some peace of mind: when I was going through this decision process, my local SSA office let me do a "what if" calculation appointment before I actually filed. They showed me exactly what my monthly benefit would be with my current earnings, what would happen if I reduced my work hours, and what my break-even point would be compared to waiting. It was really eye-opening and helped me feel confident in my decision. Also, I've found that once you start receiving benefits, the quarterly earnings reports they send make it much easier to track how the earnings limit is affecting you - it's not as mysterious as it seems beforehand. Given everything you've shared about your financial struggles, starting the survivor benefits while continuing to work part-time sounds like a reasonable path forward. You can always reassess as your situation changes. Wishing you the best as you navigate this difficult time.