This thread has been really informative. I'm approaching retirement age myself and had no idea about these rules regarding divorced spouse benefits. Does anyone know if there are other benefit combinations I should be aware of? I was married for 22 years before divorcing, and my ex is still alive but already collecting Social Security.

This is such valuable information! I had no idea about surviving divorced spouse benefits either. I'm 67 and my ex-husband passed away two years ago - we were married for 15 years before divorcing in the early 2000s. I've been getting my own Social Security retirement benefits, but after reading this thread I'm wondering if I might be eligible for additional benefits too. Does anyone know if there's a time limit on when you can apply for these surviving divorced spouse benefits? I'm kicking myself for not knowing about this sooner, but better late than never I suppose!

As someone who just started learning about retirement planning, this thread has been incredibly educational! I'm still decades away from retirement, but seeing how Roth IRAs provide such flexibility with Social Security is making me seriously consider prioritizing Roth contributions over traditional 401k contributions at work. The fact that Roth withdrawals don't count toward the earnings test, don't affect IRMAA thresholds, AND don't make Social Security benefits taxable seems like a huge advantage. Are there any downsides to Roth accounts that I should be aware of as I'm planning for the long term? It almost seems too good to be true that you can access this money tax-free without affecting other retirement benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to decode government websites!

As someone who's been helping family members navigate Social Security for years, I can confirm what others have said - Roth IRA withdrawals absolutely do NOT count toward the earnings test at any age. The confusion often comes from mixing up different types of retirement income and their various tax implications. Here's the simple breakdown: The Social Security earnings test ONLY looks at wages from employment and self-employment income. It completely ignores investment income, pensions, and retirement account distributions - including both traditional and Roth IRAs. Since you're hitting FRA (67) next year, the earnings test won't even apply to you regardless. But even if you were younger, those Roth withdrawals still wouldn't count. This is actually one of the biggest advantages of Roth accounts for early retirees who want to bridge income until Social Security kicks in. One tip: When you do call SSA (if needed), specifically ask about "earnings test" vs "taxability of benefits" - they're two completely different things and some reps mix them up. Good luck with your retirement planning!

So glad you got this resolved! This is exactly why I always tell people to be proactive with SSA - that "benefit type review" note could have definitely led to an automatic switch if you hadn't called. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, here are the key takeaways: 1) Medicare enrollment at 65 is separate from benefit switching, 2) You can stay on survivor benefits even after 65 if they're higher than your own retirement benefit, 3) Always ask SSA to put notes in your file about your preferences, and 4) Keep detailed records of all your conversations with them. Thanks for updating us with the resolution - it'll help other people who find this thread!

Wow, what a journey! This thread is incredibly helpful for anyone dealing with the maze that is Social Security benefits. I'm actually approaching 62 and starting to think about all these decisions, and reading about your experience with the "benefit type review" note is both scary and educational. It sounds like SSA systems are set up to potentially make automatic changes that aren't always in the beneficiary's best interest, which is why being proactive like you were is so crucial. The fact that Claimyr helped you get through quickly is also a great tip - I've heard horror stories about people waiting hours on hold or weeks for callbacks. Thanks for sharing both the problem and the solution - this is exactly the kind of real-world experience that helps the rest of us navigate these complex systems!

This is such a great discussion! I'm in a similar situation and have been wrestling with the same decision. One additional consideration I'd add is to make sure you and your wife both understand the "deemed filing" rules that might apply if she claims benefits before her FRA while you're still alive. If she files for her own retirement benefit before reaching her FRA and you're already collecting, she would be required to also file for spousal benefits at the same time (if eligible), and both would be permanently reduced. This could affect the timing strategy some couples use. Also, have you considered using the Social Security calculators on ssa.gov to run different scenarios? They can help you see the break-even points for different claiming strategies. Given your family's longevity and the significant benefit difference, delaying to 70 really does seem like the smart move for maximizing lifetime household benefits.

As someone who works with retirement planning, I want to emphasize that your strategy is excellent and add one more consideration: make sure to keep detailed records of your Social Security decisions and the reasoning behind them. When your wife eventually needs to claim survivor benefits, having documentation about when you claimed, what your benefit amount was, and any relevant dates can make the process much smoother for her. The SSA keeps records, but having your own documentation can be helpful. Also, consider discussing this plan with a fee-only financial advisor who can help you coordinate your Social Security strategy with your other retirement accounts (401k, IRA, etc.). Sometimes the optimal Social Security claiming strategy affects how you should draw down other retirement assets for tax efficiency. Your plan to delay until 70 is textbook perfect for your situation - higher earner with longevity and a spouse with significantly lower benefits. You're setting both of you up for maximum lifetime benefits.

Wait I'm still confused about one thing - if she takes her own benefit now at 62 ($850) and then her husband files at his FRA when she's 64, will her spousal benefit be based on her being 62 or 64? Does she get penalized based on when she first filed for ANY benefit or based on her age when she becomes eligible for spousal?

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and after months of research, I think I can help clarify a few things. You're absolutely right that you cannot get spousal benefits until your husband actually files - there's no way around this rule anymore since they eliminated file-and-suspend. However, I want to make sure you understand exactly what happens with the "spousal top-up" when you file early. If you take your $850 at 62, your spousal benefit later won't simply be 50% of his benefit minus your $850. Instead, it's calculated based on the difference between your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA - what you'd get at full retirement age) and 50% of his PIA, then that difference gets reduced because you filed early. So if your PIA is around $1,200 (which would be reduced to $850 at 62), and his PIA is $3,200, then 50% of his would be $1,600. The spousal top-up would be based on $1,600 - $1,200 = $400, but that $400 would be reduced for early filing. You might only get an additional $300 or so when he files. I'd strongly suggest getting your exact PIA numbers from SSA before making the final decision. The math can be surprising either way!