To clarify some information here: As a disabled surviving divorced spouse, you're eligible since your marriage lasted over 10 years. The benefit calculation will work like this: 1. SSA will calculate your ex-husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) 2. As a disabled widow, you'll receive 71.5% of his PIA if you claim now at age 56 3. This percentage reduction is permanent (unless you switch to retirement benefits later) 4. SSA will compare this amount to your current SSDI 5. You'll receive the higher of the two amounts Since you're already receiving SSDI, there's no 5-month waiting period for survivor benefits. Any increase will be effective from your application date (or up to 6 months retroactively if you request it). Your Medicare will continue unaffected. When you turn full retirement age (FRA), you may want to reassess which benefit to take, as the reduction for early claiming no longer applies at that point.

just wondering did your ex have any kids? my friend told me that can affect the benefit amounts too something about family maximum

What happens to his back pay if he has any? My uncle was on disability and when he died there was some back pay owed to him and I don't think my aunt ever got it...

Thank you all for the helpful information! So it sounds like I would get his benefit instead of mine (which is good since his is higher), but I need to be prepared for a potential gap in payments during the transition. I'll also need to consider how my age affects the percentage I'll receive. This has been really enlightening - the SSA website doesn't explain these specific situations clearly at all. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences.

Just to add some specifics about the potential difference in benefits: Let's say the ex-husband's Full Retirement Age (FRA) benefit on his own record would be $1,500/month, and your cousin's FRA survivor benefit would be $2,200/month. If he takes survivor benefits at 62, he'd get roughly $1,793/month (reduced from $2,200). Then at 70, he could switch to his own retirement, which would be about $1,860/month ($1,500 + 24% delayed credits). The math can get complex and depends on their exact earnings records, but the strategy of taking reduced survivor benefits now and switching to his own at 70 could mean tens of thousands of dollars more over his lifetime compared to other filing strategies. Definitely worth having him talk to SSA about the exact numbers in his case!

When he speaks with SSA, he should specifically request a "survivor benefit estimate based on his deceased ex-wife's record" as well as a "retirement benefit estimate on his own record with delayed credits to age 70." There's no specific form for comparing these scenarios, but a knowledgeable SSA representative should be able to provide both estimates. He should take detailed notes during the call including the representative's name and direct number if possible. Keep in mind that any survivor benefits received before FRA will be subject to the earnings test if he's still working. In 2023, benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above $21,240. Also important: make sure he specifically states he wants to file a "restricted application for survivor benefits only" - this language is key to ensuring they process it correctly.

Another issue nobody's mentioning - SSA would need to REHIRE many retirees temporarily just to handle this workload if it passes. Most current staff don't even understand the WEP/GPO calculations because they're so complicated!!! The institutional knowledge is walking out the door every month with retirements. When they implemented the Bipartisan Budget Act changes a few years back, it was CHAOS for months because they didn't provide enough training or staff. I can't imagine how they'd handle millions of recalculations without a MASSIVE budget increase.

To address a few points raised in this thread: 1. The 5-year phase-in is actually a responsible approach given SSA's current capacity constraints. Without it, the system might face complete gridlock. 2. The Congressional Budget Office estimates implementation would cost approximately $90-100 million in administrative expenses during the first year alone. 3. Funding challenges are significant - SSA's budget has remained relatively flat for years despite workload increases of 20%+. 4. Regarding hiring retired SSA employees - there are actually provisions allowing federal agencies to bring back annuitants in crisis situations without pension offset, which could potentially be utilized here. The fundamental issue remains that benefit policy and administrative capacity must be addressed simultaneously for effective implementation.

this reminds me I need to update my beneficiaries on my 401k... been meaning to do that since my divorce last year

One thing nobody mentioned - be careful with that financial advisor! My dad's advisor tried to get him to move money around after mom died and it turned out he was just trying to generate commissions. Make sure your advisor is a fiduciary (legally obligated to act in your best interest) and not just a salesperson. Some advisors don't understand how SS benefits work at all!

make sure u keep track of ur TWP months!!! i thought i had used 5 but SSA said i used all 9 and suddenly my checks stopped. now im fighting with them to fix it

Thank you all so much for the helpful information! I'm feeling much better about trying to return to work knowing my Medicare will continue for years even if my cash benefits stop. I'll definitely check out Ticket to Work and keep careful records of my work activity. I think I'll also use that Claimyr service to speak with an agent to get everything documented in my file before I start working.

My sister went through this exact same thing! She was so worried but then when January came they only took like 10% each month which was WAYYYY better than losing a whole check at once. But yes you def have to CALL THEM and tell them what's happening. Don't just rely on their systems figuring it out correctly lol that's asking for trouble!! Good luck with it all!!

One more thing to consider - have you looked into whether an Adjustment to the Monthly Earnings Test might help in your situation? If your earnings were concentrated in those months when you had to cover for your coworker, and you don't expect to earn over the monthly limit in the remaining months of the year, you might qualify for full benefits in those later months. For example, if you earned $5,000 per month for 3 months (well over the monthly limit) but then earn under the monthly limit for the rest of the year, SSA might only withhold benefits for those 3 months rather than reducing benefits based on the annual total. This is a bit complex to navigate, but worth discussing when you call SSA. Many representatives aren't familiar with this provision, so you might need to specifically ask about the "monthly earnings test" or speak with a technical expert.

ur neighbor is lying about how much they get. no way they getting that much on 40k salary. people always exaggerate what they get from ss. my brother in law kept saying he was gettin 2200 but my sister told me it was really only like 1700

To summarize what several people have mentioned: 1. Your neighbor is almost certainly receiving survivor benefits from her deceased husband on top of her own retirement benefit. 2. Your 31 years of work versus the required 35 is reducing your benefit by approximately 11-13%. 3. The $5K difference in salary ($35K vs $40K) would account for about a 14% difference in benefits. Combined, these factors could easily explain a $600 difference. I strongly recommend: - Create a my Social Security account if you haven't already - Check your earnings record for accuracy (missing earnings is a common problem) - Look at your personalized benefit estimates at different claiming ages - Consider scheduling an appointment with an SSA representative to review your specific situation

Bless her heart, I know EXACTLY how she feels!!! I was widowed at 49 and it was so scary trying to figure all this out. I started taking my survivors benefits at 60 while still working part time at Walmart. Here's what I learned the hard way: 1) They reduce your check if you make over the yearly limit (its around $22K now I think) 2) You have to report your expected income every year 3) If you mess up and don't report correctly they come after you for every penny! But even with all that, it was worth it for me to get those survivors checks while working. Just tell her to be super careful about reporting her income and maybe keep her hours down if possible. When I turned full retirement age (mine was 66) all those earning limits went away and I could work as much as I wanted without any reductions.

Your coworker has several options to consider: 1. She can claim survivor benefits now at 62, which would be approximately 71.5% of her husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The exact percentage depends on her exact birth year. 2. If she works full-time, she needs to be aware of the 2025 earnings limit of $22,600 for those under Full Retirement Age (FRA). Exceeding this means SSA will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 above the limit. 3. She might want to consider a strategic approach: claim survivors benefits now (even with the reduction and earnings limit), then switch to her own retirement benefit later if it would be higher. 4. Alternatively, if her own benefit would be higher, she could claim her reduced retirement benefit now and switch to survivors benefits at her FRA when they would not be reduced. The best approach depends on a comparison between her own work record and her late husband's. She should create an account at my.ssa.gov to see her estimates and contact SSA for a complete benefits analysis before deciding.

my 2 cents - enjoy life NOW. my sister waited to retire "to get maximum SS" and passed at 67 before ever collecting a dime! with your family history, retiring at 60 sounds smart. the financial difference over time might not be as big as people think when u factor in actually GETTING the money for more years.

One more important point: once you reach your Full Retirement Age, the earnings limit no longer applies. Before FRA, if you work and earn above certain limits ($21,240 in 2025), your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. If your husband plans to continue working while collecting, this could impact his benefits until he reaches FRA. And since spousal benefits are tied to when he files, this becomes part of your calculation too. For the most precise information, create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to see your exact benefit estimates at various claiming ages.