I've been helping people navigate Social Security for years, and I want to emphasize something important that hasn't been fully addressed: when your ex-husband is receiving SSDI, his benefit amount is calculated differently than regular retirement benefits. His SSDI is based on his Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) at the time he became disabled, not what he would receive at full retirement age. This can actually work in your favor sometimes, especially if he became disabled at a younger age when his earnings were lower, because the SSDI formula can be more generous. However, your ex-spouse benefit will still be calculated as up to 50% of his Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), reduced for early filing at 62. The key thing is that his current SSDI payment amount and your potential ex-spouse benefit are calculated from the same base (his PIA), so you're not getting shortchanged because it's disability versus retirement. Just make sure when you apply that they specifically look at both your record and his disability record to give you the higher amount.

I went through this exact situation about 3 years ago! My ex-husband was on SSDI and I applied for divorced spouse benefits at 62. Here's what I learned that might help you: First, yes you absolutely can get benefits based on his SSDI record since you were married over 10 years and haven't remarried. The amount will be based on his Primary Insurance Amount (the same number his SSDI is calculated from), so you're not penalized because it's disability vs retirement. However, filing at 62 means you'll get about 32.5% of his PIA instead of the full 50% you'd get at your full retirement age. In my case, this ended up being around $850/month. Also, make sure to apply online or by phone rather than going to the office - the online application lets you provide all your info upfront and seemed to process faster. They'll need your marriage certificate, divorce decree, and his Social Security number. The whole process took about 6 weeks for me. One last tip: if you're still working, definitely factor in the earnings test that others mentioned. I had to reduce my hours because I was losing $1 in benefits for every $2 I earned over the limit. Good luck!

Thank you all for the great information! I've helped my sister make an appointment with SSA. We'll make sure to bring documentation about her son's disability status and her caregiving role. It sounds like she should be eligible for the full 50% without reduction, minus any adjustment for her part-time earnings. One last question - will she need her ex's SSN for the application or can SSA find that information based on her son's existing benefit?

Great job helping your sister navigate this complex situation! Just wanted to add one more important detail - make sure she asks specifically about the "child-in-care" provision when she goes to her appointment. Sometimes SSA representatives aren't immediately familiar with this rule and might initially tell her she'll get reduced benefits at 62. If she gets pushback, she can reference POMS RS 00615.201 which covers divorced spouse benefits with child in care. Also, bring a copy of the child's current benefit award letter showing he's receiving benefits on his father's record - this helps establish the connection quickly. Good luck with the appointment!

I'm sorry for your loss, Angel. I went through something similar when my mother passed last year. The $255 death benefit was supposed to be deposited on a Tuesday, but didn't show up until the following Monday - nearly a week late. When I called SSA about it, they explained that the death benefit payments often get caught up in additional verification processes that regular monthly benefits don't go through. What I learned is that even though they give you a specific deposit date, it's really just their target date. The actual payment can be delayed by weekend processing, bank holidays, or SSA's own internal reviews. The agent I spoke with said 3-10 business days beyond the stated date is considered normal for death benefits. Since you mentioned you applied for survivor benefits in person, you're already ahead of the game. Those monthly payments are much more reliable once they start because they go through the regular benefit payment system. The death benefit uses a different processing queue entirely, so don't let this delay make you worry about your ongoing survivor benefits. I'd give it until early next week before calling, and when you do call, have your husband's SSN and death certificate information ready. The wait times are long, but they can usually tell you exactly where the payment is in their system.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Angel. I went through this exact situation when my grandmother passed away last spring. The SSA told us the $255 would be deposited on the 8th, but it didn't actually arrive until the 17th - over a week late! What I found helpful was calling my bank directly to ask if they had received any pending government deposits. Sometimes the funds are received by the bank but take an extra day or two to show up in your account balance. My bank was able to see the incoming ACH transfer before it posted to my available balance. The delay with the death benefit definitely doesn't mean there are issues with your survivor benefits application. Those are processed by completely different departments within SSA. Since you applied in person with all your documentation, you should be in good shape for the monthly survivor benefits when those start. If you don't see the deposit by Friday, I'd recommend calling SSA's main number early in the morning (right at 8 AM) when wait times are typically shorter. Have your husband's Social Security number and the date from your original notification letter ready. They can usually tell you exactly where the payment is in their processing system. Hang in there - this delay is frustrating but very common with the lump-sum death benefit.

As someone who just went through this process myself, I can confirm everything others have said about the October AERO timing. One thing I'd add - when you get your adjustment letter, keep it for your records! The letter will break down exactly how your new benefit was calculated and show which year got replaced in your earnings record. It's really helpful to understand how SSA determines your benefit amount. Also, don't be surprised if the retroactive payment takes a few extra weeks to arrive after your regular benefit gets adjusted - they process them separately.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this process twice now. The October AERO adjustment is definitely real and automatic, but I'd recommend being patient while also staying informed. In my experience, the adjustment happened right on schedule in October, and I received both the letter explaining the change and the retroactive payment within about 3 weeks of each other. The retroactive payment came as a direct deposit (same method as my regular benefits) and was clearly labeled as "RETRO" on my bank statement. One tip - if you have a my Social Security account online, you can actually see your updated payment history there before you get the official letter, which helped ease my anxiety about whether it was really happening!

That's an option, but many SSA offices still have long wait times for appointments - sometimes 1-2 months out. If you're comfortable enough to try online with some guidance, it's usually faster. But an in-person appointment is definitely valid if technology is a major barrier!

I completely understand your frustration with the online application process! As someone who helps seniors navigate these systems, I'd recommend starting with a few preparatory steps before diving back in. First, create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov if you haven't already - this will give you access to your complete earnings history and benefit estimates. Print this out to have as reference during your application. Here's a practical approach: gather everything in one sitting first. You'll need your Social Security card, birth certificate, bank routing/account numbers for direct deposit, and if married/divorced, those certificates too. For employment history, focus on jobs from the last 2-3 years with exact dates and employer addresses. The application has about 8-10 main sections and you can save your progress at any point. Don't rush - many people take 2-3 sessions to complete it thoughtfully. The most critical decision is your benefit start date, so read those screens very carefully as others have mentioned. If you get truly stuck, consider calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 during off-peak hours (mid-week, mid-morning) for guidance. You've got this!