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my friend did hers online without talking to anyone but idk if that works for everyone. said it was pretty easy but took like 3 months to get approved. maybe depends on ur situation? marriage certificates are annoying, had to order a new copy of mine cuz lost original, took forever. good luck!
Tyrone Hill
•Online applications are available for some survivor situations, but not all. Generally, widows/widowers applying at exactly age 60 need either a phone or in-person interview because there are several factors that need review (earnings test, disability factors, family maximum calculations, etc.). Your friend might have had a different situation or applied at a different age.
One more thing I forgot to mention - when you schedule your phone appointment, request an itemized list of exactly what documents they need for YOUR specific situation. Each case can be different depending on marriage length, whether you were previously married, if you're working, etc. Also, they'll need your banking info for direct deposit, so have that ready during your phone appointment. And keep detailed notes of everyone you speak with (names, dates, confirmation numbers). This has saved me multiple times when dealing with SSA!
Great advice about keeping detailed notes of conversations! I've started a dedicated notebook for this whole process. I've been married only once (to my late husband) for 32 years before he passed, so hopefully that simplifies things a bit. I'll definitely request that itemized document list when I call.
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Amara Eze
One more important thing to consider: If your late husband's benefit amount would be substantially higher than what you'd receive from your boyfriend's record (or your own record), waiting until after 60 to marry could mean tens of thousands of dollars more in lifetime benefits. This is especially true if your late husband was a high earner or had a long work history. At current benefit levels, the difference could easily be $500-$1,000 per month for the rest of your life.
Liam McGuire
•My late husband worked in construction management for almost 30 years with a good salary, while I've worked part-time most of my life. My boyfriend has been on SSDI for about 8 years after an accident. So I'm pretty sure my late husband's benefit would be substantially higher. I really need to get those numbers confirmed though.
Sofia Torres
random question but does anyone know if common law marriage counts for this 60 year rule?? My cousin is in a similar situation in Texas which is a common law state
Yes, common law marriage absolutely counts as marriage for Social Security purposes! If someone establishes a common law marriage in a state that recognizes it (like Texas), SSA will treat it the same as a ceremonial marriage. The widow(er) would need to wait until 60 to enter into a common law marriage to preserve survivor benefits.
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Amara Okafor
One more critical point: Social Security is inflation-adjusted. This is HUGELY valuable and often overlooked. When you delay and get a larger benefit, you're getting a larger inflation-protected annuity, which is extremely expensive to purchase in the private market. With inflation running high in recent years, this protection becomes even more valuable. The 8.7% COLA in 2023 and 3.2% in 2024 meant significant increases for recipients. If you have other retirement assets, many financial planners now recommend spending down your non-inflation-protected assets first, while delaying Social Security to maximize this inflation-protected income stream.
But the COLA is the same percentage no matter when you start benefits! If you get a 3% increase, it's 3% whether your check is $1500 or $2500. The dollar amount is different but the percentage is the same for everyone.
Zoe Stavros
Thank you all for such thoughtful responses! This is exactly the kind of real-world experience I was hoping for. Based on your comments, I think I need to: 1) Call SSA to get my personalized projections for different ages, 2) Consider my family health history more carefully, 3) Think about how my decision affects my spouse if I die first, and 4) Look at our overall retirement assets. I'm leaning more toward waiting now, at least until my FRA, if not 70. The difference in monthly benefits is much larger than I realized, and since my family tends to be long-lived, the math probably works in my favor to wait. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!
Jamal Harris
•Sounds like a solid plan! Just one more tip: SSA allows you to run different scenarios yourself through your my Social Security account online. While calling gives you direct expert insights, the online calculator is available 24/7 without wait times. Best of luck with your decision!
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My birthday is actually january 15 and I turned 70 in 2022 and let me tell you Social Security makes everything so complicated!!!!! I got so confused with all the different dates and ended up applying late and then they gave me 6 months of backpay which was nice but the taxes were a NIGHTMARE the next year so definitely apply early like others are saying!!!!
Oh no, tax complications are something I hadn't even thought about! Did you have to pay a lot more because of the lump sum backpay?
To summarize for anyone who finds this thread later: 1. If you turn 70 on January 30, 2025, request January 2025 as your benefit start month 2. You'll receive your maximum DRCs (Delayed Retirement Credits) as of January 3. The actual payment for January will arrive in February 2025 4. Apply 3-4 months before you want benefits to begin (so September/October 2024) 5. There's no advantage to selecting February - you'd just lose a month of payments This applies to anyone turning 70, regardless of what day of the month your birthday falls on. You're eligible for benefits for the whole month you turn 70, even if your birthday is on the last day of that month.
Jayden Reed
•Thank you for this clear summary! This is exactly what I needed to know. I'll definitely apply in fall 2024 and specifically request January 2025 as my start month.
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my uncle says ssa is going broke anyway better take money now while its still there lol
Your uncle is RIGHT! The trust fund is projected to be depleted by 2034 and then benefits will be CUT by 20%+ for EVERYONE! They don't want us to know this but it's right there in their annual report!!
Diego Flores
•This is a common misconception. Even if the trust fund is depleted, Social Security will still receive ongoing payroll tax revenue that would cover approximately 78-80% of promised benefits. Congress has also historically acted to shore up the program before major shortfalls, as they did in 1983. Taking benefits early solely because of fears the program will disappear isn't supported by the historical evidence or current projections.
Just wanted to follow up - thanks everyone for the engaging discussion! I appreciate all perspectives. For those wondering, I made my choice after reading several SSA publications and creating my own spreadsheet to compare scenarios. While I'm comfortable with my decision, I think the main point is that there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Health status, family situation, other income sources, and even personal values all matter. What worked for me might not work for everyone!
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i dont understand why ur waiting till 70 for ur own benefits? thats forever away! why not just take everything now and be done with it? my brother waited and then passed away before he ever got to collect the higher amount. just my 2 cents
This is actually a sophisticated strategy that can result in significantly more lifetime benefits. Since the original poster was born before 1954, they qualify for a special rule allowing them to collect survivor benefits now while their own retirement benefit continues growing by 8% annually until age 70. For many people, this results in tens of thousands of additional dollars over their lifetime, especially if they have a normal or better life expectancy. It's not the right choice for everyone, but it's financially optimal in many cases.
UPDATE: I was able to get through by utilizing the phone number of my local office! I called as soon as they opened at 9am and was connected within 10 minutes. They've scheduled my appointment for next Tuesday, and I've already completed my Medicare enrollment online. Thank you everyone for your suggestions and support!
yay! so glad it worked out!! good luck with your appointment!
Will my Social Security benefit at 70 be accurate if I stop working at 68? SS.gov projections confusing me
I've been working non-stop for decades and finally decided I'm hanging up my work boots at 68 next year. I plan to delay claiming Social Security until I turn 70 to maximize my benefit. Yesterday I called the SSA to verify that what I'm seeing on my SS.gov account is correct, but now I'm second-guessing the information I received. My account shows projected benefits at age 70 of $3,780/month. When I asked the rep if this was accurate EVEN IF I stop working completely at 68, she hesitated and sounded unsure before saying yes. The projection has a note saying it assumes my current earnings will continue until retirement age. Since I'll have ZERO income from 68-70, will this significantly change what I actually get at 70? Or can I trust what the SS.gov calculator is showing? The difference in monthly income would seriously impact my retirement plans. Has anyone dealt with this specific situation?
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Marcus Marsh
cant u just go to ss office and ask? thats what i did and they printed out exactly what id get. online stuff is confusing af
The offices near me require appointments weeks in advance, and the last time I went in person, I got a different answer than what I was told on the phone! But you're right, I should probably just make an appointment and get this sorted out in person.
After reading all the comments, I think you should: 1. Download your complete earnings history from SS.gov 2. Identify your 35 highest-earning years after indexing for inflation 3. See if zero earnings at ages 68-69 would replace any of those 35 years 4. Use the detailed calculator on SS.gov that allows you to input future earnings as zero For most people with 40+ year work histories, two years of zeros won't significantly impact benefits. But it does depend on your specific earnings pattern. The delayed retirement credits (8% per year after FRA until 70) apply regardless of whether you're working. The SSA representative was likely correct that your benefit will be close to what's projected, but it's always best to verify with the detailed calculator.
This seems like the most comprehensive approach. I'll get my earnings history and work through this step by step. Thanks for breaking it down like this!
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one thing nobody mentioned is that youre on survivor benefits not regular retirement so theres different rules sometimes. but at your age it doesnt matter youre good to work
Ruby Knight
•That's a good point about the different benefit types, but in this specific case the earnings test works the same way for both retirement and survivor benefits. Once you're past FRA, there's no limit for either type.
To summarize what everyone has said: 1) At 67, you're past FRA so there's NO earnings limit 2) You will keep 100% of your survivor benefits no matter how much you earn 3) Working could potentially make some of your benefits taxable if your total income exceeds certain thresholds 4) Working now might actually increase your benefit slightly if you replace lower-earning years in your calculation. Sounds like taking that bookstore job is a good move for you!
Thank you so much for this clear summary! I feel much more confident now about accepting the bookstore position. I really appreciate everyone's help - this has been weighing on my mind for weeks!
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Lilly Curtis
my wife's friend said if you work after getting benefits they can make you pay some back if you earn too much??
That only applies if you're collecting benefits BEFORE your Full Retirement Age (FRA). Once you reach your FRA (66-67 depending on birth year), there's no earnings limit - you can make as much as you want with no penalty or payback. Since the original poster mentioned her husband is 67, he's past his FRA, so no worries about earning too much.
Thanks everyone for the helpful answers! I feel much better knowing the money isn't just disappearing. I'll watch for any potential increase around October, though I won't expect much since his current job pays way less than his career. And definitely appreciate the warning about tax implications - we'll talk to our tax person to avoid surprises!
Sofia Ramirez
UPDATE: I went to my local SSA office yesterday (had to make an appointment 3 weeks in advance). The rep confirmed that yes, my grandson can qualify for benefits on my record once I retire! She said we'll need to bring: the custody order, his birth certificate, school records showing my address, proof that I provide over 50% support (they'll look at household expenses, food, clothing, etc.), and a statement about the parents' absence. She said it helps that I've had him for 6+ years already. Thank you everyone for your help! Now I feel much better about our financial future.
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Ava Rodriguez
•awesome!! glad u got answers. make sure u keep ALL those documents together so ur ready when its time to apply!
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Yara Haddad
IS THIS ONLY FOR RETIREMENT??? My grandson lives with me too but I'm on SSDI. Would he qualify for benefits now or do I have to wait till retirement age??
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QuantumQuest
•If you're receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), your dependent grandchild may qualify for benefits now - you don't need to wait until retirement age. The same requirements apply regarding legal custody/adoption, providing support, etc. Contact SSA to check your specific situation, as the documentation requirements are similar.
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