I'm so sorry for your loss, Jamal. This is definitely one of the most confusing aspects of Social Security, and you're getting good advice here from the community. Just to reinforce what everyone is saying - survivor benefits absolutely do NOT increase after your FRA. I work in elder law and see this confusion constantly. Your financial advisor is incorrect on this point. Here's what I always tell clients in your situation: Think of it as two separate "buckets" of benefits with different rules. Your own retirement benefit bucket has delayed retirement credits until 70, but the survivor benefit bucket maxes out at your FRA - no exceptions. Given that you're 62, the "claim survivor benefits now, switch to your own at 70" strategy often makes the most sense if your own benefit would be substantially higher. You'd get reduced survivor benefits (about 71.5% of full amount) for 8 years, then switch to your maximized retirement benefit. One additional tip: When you call SSA for that comparison calculation, specifically ask them to show you the crossover point - the age where your own delayed retirement benefit would exceed the survivor benefit. This helps you see exactly when switching would pay off. The SSA Publication 05-10084 "Survivors Benefits" has this info in writing if you want official documentation to show your financial advisor.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jamal. This is such a difficult time to have to navigate these complex benefit decisions. Everyone here is absolutely correct - survivor benefits do NOT increase after your full retirement age. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Social Security, and unfortunately even some financial advisors get it wrong. I went through this exact situation three years ago when I lost my wife. Like you, I got conflicting advice and it was incredibly frustrating. What finally helped me was getting the actual numbers from SSA for my specific situation. Here's what I learned: Since you're 62, you can take reduced survivor benefits now (about 71.5% of the full amount) and then switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 if yours would be higher with the delayed retirement credits. This way you're not leaving money on the table while your own benefit grows. The key is getting SSA to run those comparison calculations for you. When you call, ask them to show you both scenarios with actual dollar amounts and the "break-even" point where switching would benefit you long-term. Also, don't feel bad about your financial advisor being wrong on this - it's a very specific rule that even some professionals miss. The important thing is you're getting the right information now before making any irreversible decisions. Take care of yourself during this difficult time, and don't hesitate to ask more questions here. This community really knows their stuff when it comes to Social Security.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I was in a similar situation. The key thing to understand is that SSI disability and SSDI disability have completely different rules for spousal benefits. Since you're on SSI (not SSDI), you're treated more like a regular non-disabled person when it comes to spousal benefits - meaning you have to wait until 62. The good news is that even though your SSI will be reduced dollar-for-dollar (minus the $20 disregard), you'll likely still come out ahead financially. I'd recommend calling SSA and asking them to do a "what if" calculation for you so you know exactly what to expect at 62. Also, make sure to ask about any state supplements you might be eligible for - some states have programs that can help bridge the gap. Hang in there - two more years feels like forever when you're struggling, but you're almost there!

I'm sorry to hear about your difficult financial situation. As others have mentioned, you'll likely need to wait until age 62 to apply for divorced spouse benefits since you're receiving SSI rather than SSDI. However, I'd strongly encourage you to contact SSA directly to verify this, as there can sometimes be special circumstances that aren't immediately obvious. One thing that might help in the meantime - have you looked into whether you qualify for any other assistance programs? Things like SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid if you don't already have it, utility assistance programs, or local food banks can help stretch your SSI further. Many areas also have housing assistance programs specifically for disabled individuals that might help with that high rent burden you mentioned. Also, when you do reach 62 and apply, make sure to file your application the month you turn 62 (not before) to avoid any delays. The SSA representatives should be able to walk you through exactly how the benefit calculation will work with your SSI payments so you know what to expect financially.

I just remembered something else - if your disabled son gets SSI or SSDI himself, that's separate from your benefits! Don't get those confused when your talking to SS people. My nephew gets SSDI payments AND his mom was getting the parent benefits too. Totally different things!

I'm dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what I learned from my experience. I turned 62 last year while receiving child-in-care benefits for my disabled daughter. Here's what actually happened: SSA sent me a letter about 2 months before my 62nd birthday explaining that I was becoming eligible for retirement benefits, but it clearly stated this was informational only - not a requirement to switch. They automatically did the benefit comparison that others mentioned, and since my CIC benefit was higher than my reduced retirement would be, they kept me on the child-in-care benefits. The key thing I discovered: make sure your son's disability status is current in their system! They had to reverify his condition as part of the process, which delayed things by a few weeks. If his disability determination is old or needs updating, start that process now. Also, I found it helpful to create a my Social Security account online if you don't already have one. You can see your benefit estimates there and track any changes to your case. Much easier than trying to get through on the phone for basic information. You're in a good position since your CIC benefit is higher than your potential early retirement benefit. Just stay on top of the paperwork and don't let anything lapse!

This is such a common source of confusion! I went through the same panic when I first started collecting early benefits while still working. What really helped me was understanding that there are basically three separate "buckets" to think about: 1. **Earnings Test**: Only wages/self-employment income count. SS benefits and IRA withdrawals are ignored completely. 2. **Income Taxes**: IRA withdrawals + other income can make more of your SS benefits taxable (but this is totally separate from the earnings test). 3. **Medicare Premiums**: If your income gets really high, you might pay higher Medicare premiums (IRMAA), and IRA withdrawals DO count for this. The key is that these are three completely different calculations! Your financial planner was probably thinking about the tax implications while your brother-in-law was focused on the earnings test. Both can be "right" about their specific piece but wrong about the others. I'd suggest getting clarity from your financial planner about which specific issue they were addressing.

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through something similar last year. I was 64, taking early SS benefits, and working part-time at a retail job. I was SO worried about the earnings limit that I actually turned down extra shifts during the holidays! Turns out I was being way too conservative - I could have earned up to that $22,320 limit from my JOB without any issues. My SS payments themselves don't count at all toward that limit. Also took some money from my 401k for home repairs and that didn't affect the earnings test either. The key thing I learned is to keep really good records of your work income throughout the year so you know exactly where you stand. Don't leave money on the table like I did by being overly cautious!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly thorough and helpful this entire thread has been! I'm not dealing with this exact issue right now, but I can already see that I'll likely need this type of documentation in the future for various applications. What strikes me most is how many different names there are for essentially the same document - "Payment History Statement with Medicare deductions," "Benefit Rate and Medicare Premium Notice," "Medicare Premium Payment Statement," and even "BPQY." It's no wonder people get frustrated trying to navigate the SSA system when the terminology isn't standardized or clearly explained on their website. I'm definitely saving this thread as a reference guide. The step-by-step approaches everyone has shared, especially the 8:05 AM calling strategy and having backup options ready, seem like they'd work for so many different situations beyond just housing applications. Laura, I hope one of these solutions works out for your application deadline! This community has really come through with practical, tested advice.

As a new member of this community, I just want to say how incredibly valuable this entire discussion has been! I'm currently helping my elderly neighbor navigate a similar situation for her subsidized housing renewal, and this thread is like finding gold. What really stands out to me is how this showcases a major gap in the SSA's online services. It's 2025, and people still can't easily access a basic document showing their net Social Security payment with Medicare deductions itemized. This should be a standard report available in everyone's MySocialSecurity dashboard, not something that requires multiple phone calls, office visits, or knowing secret terminology. For anyone dealing with this issue, based on all the excellent advice here, I'd suggest this prioritized approach: 1. Try calling at 8:05 AM sharp with the specific terminology mentioned 2. Have the backup plan ready (benefit letter + bank statements) 3. Consider the appointment scheduling option Geoff mentioned if you need to go in person Laura, I really hope you got this sorted out for your application! And thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread should honestly be sent to SSA as feedback on how to improve their services. The fact that so many people struggle with this same issue shows it's a systemic problem that needs addressing.