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Avery Flores
One crucial point that hasn't been mentioned: while claiming divorced spouse benefits doesn't require your ex to be receiving benefits, he does need to be age-eligible (at least 62). Since you mentioned he's 66, this requirement is already met. Even though your own benefit will be higher, it's still important to mention your eligible divorced spouse status when you apply. This ensures the SSA does the proper calculations and comparison. Given your substantial benefit amount ($2,950), I strongly recommend waiting until your Full Retirement Age to avoid permanent reductions. If your financial situation allows, waiting until 70 would increase your benefit by approximately 32% to around $3,900 per month for the rest of your life.
Caden Nguyen
•Thank you for this additional information. I wasn't aware of the age requirement for the ex-spouse, but good to know he meets that criteria. I'll definitely mention the marriage when I apply, even though it sounds like my own benefit will be higher. The idea of waiting until 70 is tempting, but I'm concerned about the break-even point. At what age would I need to live to in order to make delaying until 70 worthwhile?
Zoe Gonzalez
To answer your question about the break-even point for delaying benefits from FRA to age 70: Generally, you'd need to live until approximately 82-83 years old to break even. Every month you live beyond that age, you're coming out ahead by having delayed. With women's average life expectancy now in the mid-80s and continuing to increase, delaying benefits is often a smart financial decision, especially for women with family histories of longevity. It's essentially longevity insurance. Delaying also maximizes potential survivor benefits should you remarry. Something to consider in your overall planning.
This break-even analysis is so important and not enough people consider it! My financial advisor showed me that with current life expectancies for women, something like 80% of women would be better off waiting until 70 to claim. It's basically betting that you'll live beyond 83, which statistically, most women who reach 65 will do. I wish I had waited.
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Fiona Sand
my mom got $200 more a month when my dad died because she started getting his benefit instead of hers. she said the funeral home reported his death and social security contacted her. she had to bring his death certificate to the office tho
That's good to know they might contact you! When my grandfather died, no one told my grandmother she could get his higher benefit. She spent 3 years getting less money than she should have before someone at church mentioned it to her! She did eventually get backpay but it was such a hassle.
Ellie Kim
Just want to add one more thing about taxation that no one's mentioned yet. If you're worried about inflation in your later years, remember that survivor benefits are taxed the same way as regular Social Security benefits. Up to 85% could be taxable depending on your other income. So as you tap into 401ks/IRAs, be mindful of how that impacts the taxation of your benefits. Sometimes it makes sense to draw from Roth accounts to keep your taxable income lower once you're receiving Social Security.
Kaitlyn Otto
•That's a great point about taxation that I hadn't considered! We do have a mix of traditional and Roth accounts, so we'll need to be strategic about which ones we draw from once Social Security benefits start. I'll make sure to discuss this with our financial advisor. Thanks for bringing this up!
Social Security spousal benefits: Will waiting until 70 increase my combined benefit above 50% of husband's PIA?
I've been trying to understand how spousal benefits work with my own record, but all the examples online are confusing me. Can someone explain using actual numbers?So I was primarily raising our kids for about 20 years, while working part-time here and there. Because of this, my earnings record is pretty sparse. Based on my SS statement, my PIA at full retirement age would be about $1240. My husband has consistently earned more and his PIA is estimated at $3750.If we both claim at our FRA (which is 67 for both of us), am I correct that I'd get my own $1240 benefit PLUS an additional $635 spousal benefit (to reach 50% of his PIA, which is $1875)?My big question: If I delay claiming until 70, my own benefit might grow to around $1540. Would my spousal top-up then decrease to only $335 (to still total $1875)? Or would delaying give me no advantage since I'd still be capped at the 50% spousal amount?I'm trying to decide if there's ANY benefit to me waiting beyond my FRA. Thanks for helping me understand!
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Jamal Carter
Thank you everyone for all these helpful responses! I've learned so much. Based on what I'm hearing, it makes the most sense for me to claim at my FRA since delaying won't increase my total benefit beyond the 50% spousal benefit cap. And it's good to know that my husband delaying until 70 will increase the survivor benefit I'd receive if he passes away first.I appreciate all of you taking the time to explain this to me with actual numbers!
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Wait so what happens if you suspend your benefits at 67? Do the kids benefits stop too?? This happened to my cousin and he had NO idea the kids payments would stop when he suspended to get the 8% per year increases!
This is an important point! Yes, if you suspend your retirement benefits at FRA, all benefits paid on your record (including to dependents) are also suspended. Your children would stop receiving payments if you suspend your benefit. This is definitely something to factor into your planning.
Thank you all for the helpful insights! I think I need to weigh the immediate benefit for the twins against my long-term retirement security. Since I'd lose the kids' benefits if I suspend at 67, and my early filing permanently reduces my spousal amount, I'm now leaning toward waiting a couple more years before filing. Maybe I can work part-time a bit longer and file when they're 15 to minimize the early filing reduction while still getting them some benefits before they finish high school. I'll definitely use that Claimyr service to talk with SSA and go through my specific numbers before making the final decision.
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Logan Chiang
One more thing - since you mentioned your late husband's pension ending when you reach FRA - if he worked for the government and didn't pay into Social Security (like some state or federal jobs), you should ask specifically about the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision during your call. It could affect your survivor benefits if applicable, though it sounds like this was a regular private pension so probably not an issue.
Fortunately this shouldn't be an issue - he worked for a private company his entire career and paid into Social Security the whole time. The pension was just structured with a limited time period rather than lifetime payments (higher monthly amount but for a fixed term). But I appreciate you mentioning it - there are so many special rules and exceptions!
Isla Fischer
Don't forget about the family maximum limit! That can really mess up your expectations if multiple people are collecting on one record. Ask the rep specifically if the family maximum applies in your case.
Ruby Blake
•The family maximum typically won't be an issue for a widow with no dependent children also collecting benefits. Since the OP appears to be the only one collecting on her late husband's record, she should receive the full survivor benefit amount without reduction due to family maximum provisions.
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Just an update on the rules here since there seems to be some confusion: 1. Social Security benefits are not payable for the month of death, regardless of what day the person died. This is federal law. 2. The 1099-SSA (or SSA-1099) should only show benefits that were actually received and not reclaimed. If a payment was taken back, it should not appear on the form. 3. SSA can issue a corrected 1099-SSA, but you need to specifically request this correction. It won't always happen automatically. 4. The fastest resolution is usually through an in-person appointment at your local SSA office, bringing documentation of the reclaimed payment. 5. The survivor (spouse) may be eligible for a one-time death benefit of $255 and possibly ongoing survivor benefits, which is a separate issue from the reclaimed payment.
Amara Eze
•Thank you for that clear summary! I've scheduled an appointment for next week through the online portal, and I'm gathering all my documentation. I did apply for the $255 death benefit already, but need to discuss my survivor benefit options at the appointment too.
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my grandma said her friend lost benefits after FRA but turns out she was actually on SSI not retirement benefits!! thats different rules cuz its need-based. if ur talking about regular retirement benefits ur good after FRA
That makes sense and might explain some of the confusion. I'm definitely talking about regular retirement benefits, not SSI. Thanks for pointing that out!
To summarize the correct information for you: 1. After reaching Full Retirement Age (FRA), there is NO earnings limit for Social Security retirement benefits. You can earn unlimited income without any reduction to your monthly benefit amount. 2. This applies specifically to retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits. SSI has different rules since it's a needs-based program. 3. The earnings test only applies BEFORE you reach FRA. In 2025, if you're under FRA for the full year, $1 in benefits is withheld for every $2 you earn above $22,320. In the year you reach FRA, $1 in benefits is withheld for every $3 you earn above $59,520 in the months before your birthday month. 4. Taxation is separate from the earnings test. Regardless of age, your benefits may be subject to federal income tax if your combined income exceeds certain thresholds. I hope this clears up any confusion on the matter!
Thank you so much for this clear summary! I'll save this for reference and share it with my neighbor too. It's exactly what I needed to know!
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Lena Müller
To give you the most accurate information: The Social Security Administration typically sends COLA notification letters throughout December. The exact mailing schedule varies by beneficiary. However, for your specific situation, there are three options you can pursue immediately: 1. Your mother can get a benefit verification letter showing her 2025 amount through her my Social Security account online starting in early December (usually before paper notices mail). 2. Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and request an exception for an early benefit verification letter, explaining it's required for housing assistance with a firm deadline. 3. Contact your mother's assisted living facility administrator and ask if they'll accept an interim document. Many housing providers are familiar with SSA's timeline and may accept a current benefit letter with a note about the announced COLA percentage (once officially announced in October). I recommend pursuing all three options simultaneously to ensure you meet the December 10th deadline.
Thank you for these detailed options! I'm definitely going to try all three approaches. I hadn't thought about asking the facility if they'd accept an interim document with the current letter plus the COLA percentage - that's a great idea if all else fails.
Ava Williams
WAIT!! If you have a mySSA account you can get the updated benefit letter online in early December!! Thats what I did last year after waiting FOREVER for the paper letter!!! Go to ssa.gov and make an account if you dont have one!
Several people have mentioned this now - I definitely need to set this up! I have her POA so hopefully I can manage it for her. This sounds like the most reliable solution by far.
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Quick update on what I said earlier - I just remembered something important. If you're really close to the appeal deadline and still don't have the medical records situation sorted out, you can request an extension of time for the appeal. Submit form SSA-795 (Statement of Claimant) and specifically request additional time due to difficulties obtaining medical evidence and representation issues. While extensions aren't automatically granted, they're often approved when there are legitimate obstacles like what you're experiencing. Also, when you go to the SSA office, ask specifically for a Technical Expert (TE) as they have more authority to help with complex situations than the regular Claims Representatives.
Emma Davis
•I didn't know extensions were possible! That takes some pressure off. I'll definitely ask for a Technical Expert - do I need to make an appointment specifically with them or can I just request one when I arrive?
You can request one when you arrive, but it might help to call ahead (if you can get through) and specifically ask for an appointment with a Technical Expert for a complex disability appeal situation. TEs usually don't work the front desk, so they need to know in advance that their expertise is needed.
Emily Nguyen-Smith
BUT YOUR STILL PAYING SOCIAL SECURITY TAX ON YOUR EARNINGS!! even if your already collecting! double taxation if you ask me!!!
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Mia Green
•Yes, you're correct that you continue paying Social Security taxes on your earnings even after you start collecting benefits. However, those continued earnings might actually increase your benefit amount through recalculations. SSA periodically reviews your earnings record, and if your recent earnings replace lower-earning years in your top 35, your benefit can increase. So while you are paying the taxes, you may also be increasing your benefit amount.
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James Johnson
So wait im confused does the earnings limit apply to regular social security retirement or just SSDI? I get mixed up with all these different programs
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Joshua Hellan
•The earnings limits we're discussing here apply to regular Social Security retirement benefits if you're claiming before reaching your Full Retirement Age. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) has completely different rules - it has a much lower earnings threshold called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), which is around $1,550/month in 2025. Earning above that amount on SSDI can cause you to lose benefits entirely. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) has yet another set of rules where nearly all income can reduce benefits. These are three separate programs with very different rules about working.
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