Just wanted to add my experience - I successfully applied online for ex-spouse benefits last fall! The key is having all your documents ready as PDFs before you start. You'll need your divorce decree, marriage certificate, and if possible your ex's SSN (though name and DOB can work). The online application took me about 45 minutes and I was approved within 3 weeks. Make sure to save your progress frequently - the system does time out after periods of inactivity. One tip: if you run into technical issues, try using Chrome browser and disable any ad blockers. Also, don't let the reduction scare you too much - getting 75% of your benefit at 62 might still be the right choice depending on your situation. You know your finances better than anyone else. Good luck!

I went through this exact same situation two years ago! The phone wait times are absolutely brutal - I feel your pain. I ended up successfully applying online for ex-spouse benefits and it was much easier than I expected. Here's what worked for me: Go to ssa.gov and start the retirement application. When it asks about previous marriages, select yes and provide your ex's information (name, DOB, and SSN if you have it - but name and DOB should work). The system will automatically consider both your own record and spousal benefits and pay whichever is higher. For the documents, I scanned my marriage certificate and divorce decree as clear PDFs and uploaded them during the application. You don't need every page of the divorce decree - just the pages that show the marriage dates, divorce date, and final judgment. One thing that really helped me was doing the application late at night (around 10-11 PM) when their servers seemed less busy. The whole process took about an hour including uploading documents. I got confirmation within a week and my first payment about a month later. Don't stress too much about the early filing reduction - sometimes getting money now is more important than maximizing future payments. You're the only one who knows your situation best!

One last piece of advice - after you submit your application, create a my Social Security account on ssa.gov if you haven't already. You can track your application status there, and once you're receiving benefits, you can get benefit verification letters, change your address, set up or change direct deposit, and get your 1099 at tax time. It's super convenient and saves you from having to call or visit the office for routine things.

Just went through this process myself 6 months ago! You're smart to be proactive about it. One thing I wish someone had told me - when you fill out the online application, it will ask if you want to apply for Medicare Part B if you're not already enrolled. Since you mentioned you're already on Medicare, you can skip that section, but read it carefully because the wording can be confusing. Also, don't stress too much about the work history section - they already have most of your earnings records from your tax filings over the years. The system will pre-populate a lot of information and you just need to verify it's correct. Good luck with your retirement!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. This clarifies a lot for our retirement planning. I'll definitely look into speaking with SSA directly about our specific situation, but it's good to know I have options if the unfortunate happens. The strategy of taking survivor benefits while letting my own continue to grow until 70 makes a lot of sense financially.

This is such valuable information for retirement planning. I'm in a similar boat - reached FRA but haven't claimed yet, and my spouse is a few years younger. The ability to claim survivor benefits while letting your own retirement benefits grow with delayed retirement credits until age 70 is a strategy I hadn't fully understood before reading this thread. It's reassuring to know there's flexibility in these difficult situations, even though nobody wants to think about losing their spouse. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here.

To summarize your options: 1. You can apply for ex-spousal benefits at 62, but you'll only get about 32.5% of his full benefit amount, and only the difference between that and your current SSDI if it's higher. 2. You could wait until your Full Retirement Age (67) when you'd be eligible for 50% of his full benefit amount, potentially resulting in a higher payment. 3. Your Medicare will not be affected either way. The best approach depends on your financial needs now versus potentially getting more later. If you need additional income immediately, applying at 62 makes sense. If you can wait, doing so might be financially advantageous in the long run. When you do apply, be prepared with your marriage certificate, divorce decree, and as much information about your ex as possible (even without his SSN).

One thing I'd suggest is to also ask SSA about getting an estimate of what your ex-spouse benefits would be at different ages. They can run the numbers for you so you can make an informed decision about timing. Also, since you mentioned having COPD and thyroid cancer history, don't forget that any additional income might affect other benefits you receive (like food stamps or Medicaid if you have those) - though it sounds like you're primarily concerned about Medicare which won't be impacted. The peace of mind of knowing your exact numbers will be worth the phone call hassle!

Protip: If you're changing your name cuz of marriage, do it ASAP after the wedding. I waited like a year and it was such a pain to track down all the docs I needed 😫

Just wanted to add - if you're doing this for marriage, make sure your marriage certificate is certified! I made the mistake of bringing a regular copy and they wouldn't accept it. Had to go back to the courthouse to get a certified one. Also, if you have any questions about what counts as "certified," call ahead - some offices are pickier than others. The whole process is definitely a hassle but you'll get through it! 💪