You might want to still apply anyway because there's no harm in trying. My aunt was in a similar situation and they initially denied her but then she found out that some of her husband's benefits were based on a different calculation and she ended up getting a small amount monthly. Every case is different!

I'm so sorry for your loss and the frustrating situation you're dealing with. As others have mentioned, the GPO rules haven't changed - you're still looking at a 2/3 reduction ($2,800) from your $4,200 pension that would be applied against any survivor benefit. However, I'd encourage you to apply anyway for a few reasons: 1) You'll get an official determination letter with exact calculations for your records, 2) Sometimes there are nuances in individual cases that aren't immediately obvious, and 3) If anything changes with the pending Social Security Fairness Act legislation, having a recent application on file could be helpful. Also, keep in mind that if your pension amount ever decreases in the future (cost of living adjustments work both ways), the GPO calculation would change accordingly. It's worth staying informed about your rights even if the current situation isn't favorable.

I've been following this thread as someone who went through SSDI approval at 63, and there's one important detail I want to emphasize that could save you headaches later. When you call your spouse's insurance about creditable coverage, make sure to ask specifically about their "Medicare Secondary Payer" rules. Some employer plans will automatically make Medicare primary (meaning they expect you to have it) once you become eligible through SSDI - even if you haven't actually enrolled yet. This happened to a friend of mine and caused billing nightmares. Also, since your spouse might retire soon as you mentioned, find out what happens to your coverage in that scenario. COBRA might not count as creditable coverage depending on the circumstances. The timing of your spouse's retirement relative to your 65th birthday could really impact your Medicare decisions. Better to know all the "what-if" scenarios now while you have time to plan!

As someone who navigated this same situation recently, I wanted to add one more perspective that might be helpful. While everyone's focused on the timing (which is correct - you'll get Medicare at 65 through the normal age route), don't overlook the fact that being on SSDI might actually give you some advantages when you do enroll in Medicare. For instance, you'll have a guaranteed issue right for Medicare Supplement policies, and you might qualify for certain low-income programs like MSP (Medicare Savings Programs) or Extra Help for prescription costs depending on your income level. Since you have about 8-9 months before turning 65, it's worth looking into whether your SSDI income level might make you eligible for these programs. Also, when you do enroll at 65, make sure to mention that you're receiving SSDI benefits - it can sometimes speed up the enrollment process and ensures you get all the protections you're entitled to. The SSA and Medicare systems are more connected than many people realize, so your SSDI status should automatically trigger certain considerations for your Medicare enrollment even though you're getting it through the age route rather than the disability route.

As someone who's been through this process, I wanted to add that you should also be aware of the timing considerations. If you're planning to claim ex-spouse benefits at your FRA (which sounds smart based on the advice here), make sure you apply about 3-4 months before you want your benefits to start. The application process can take some time, and you don't want any delays in receiving your first payment. Also, regarding finding out your benefit amount - in addition to calling SSA directly, you can create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. While it won't show your ex-spouse benefit estimate initially, once you're within a few months of eligibility, you can use their online benefit calculators and retirement estimator tools. Just another option to consider alongside calling them directly. The key takeaway from everyone's responses is that yes, there are caps, but they're based on the maximum possible Social Security benefit, not arbitrary limits. Your ex's wealth beyond his Social Security-covered earnings won't help you, but if he consistently maxed out his SS contributions, you could still receive a decent benefit at 50% of his PIA.

I went through this exact situation about 3 years ago! A few additional points that might help: First, when you do call SSA, ask them to run scenarios for claiming at different ages (62, FRA, 70) so you can see how the timing affects your benefit amount. The reduction for early claiming on ex-spouse benefits is permanent, so it's worth seeing the numbers. Second, keep in mind that if you're still working when you claim before FRA, the earnings test might reduce your benefits temporarily. But this doesn't apply once you reach FRA. One thing that surprised me was that SSA was actually very helpful and discreet about the whole process. The representative I spoke with explained everything clearly and assured me multiple times that my ex would have no knowledge of my inquiry or eventual claim. It really put my mind at ease about the privacy aspect. Also, make sure to ask about Medicare coordination when you're getting close to 65, as that's a separate but related consideration for your overall retirement planning.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Noah. What a relief that you were able to get that earlier appointment! The wait times have been absolutely brutal lately. Just wanted to add one more thing to your already excellent preparation list - if you have any direct deposit set up currently (like for other benefits or a pension), have that account information ready even if you want to use a different account for survivor benefits. Sometimes they ask about existing direct deposits to verify your identity. Also, if your husband was receiving Social Security benefits when he passed away, they may ask you about when his last payment was received. This helps them coordinate the survivor benefits properly and avoid any overpayments that would need to be returned later. You're being incredibly thorough and organized during such a difficult time. That November 14th call is going to go smoothly with all the preparation you're doing. The SSA staff really are more patient and helpful with survivor benefit cases - they understand what you're going through. Sending you strength as you navigate this process. This community has given you fantastic advice, and you're in much better shape than most people going into their survivor benefits interview.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Noah. It's heartening to see how this community has come together to help you navigate such a difficult process during an already challenging time. As someone who works in benefits advocacy, I wanted to add one important point that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you have any minor children or disabled adult children who were dependent on your husband, they may also be eligible for survivor benefits. These are separate from your widow's benefits and can provide additional financial support. Even if your children are away at college (under 19 and full-time students), they might qualify. Also, regarding your MySocialSecurity account - while others mentioned it doesn't always update well for survivor benefits, it will be crucial for managing your benefits once they're established. You'll be able to get benefit statements, change direct deposit information, and request replacement benefit letters through the portal. One last tip for your November 14th call: if the representative seems rushed or you feel like you're not getting clear answers, don't hesitate to politely ask to speak with a supervisor. Survivor benefits are complex, and you deserve to have all your questions answered thoroughly. You're entitled to this benefit - you've earned it through your husband's work history. Best of luck with your appointment, and please do update us afterward. Your experience could help other community members facing similar situations.

I wanted to add one more important point: If you're eligible for both your own retirement benefit and the ex-spouse benefit, SSA will pay your own benefit first, and then supplement it with the ex-spouse benefit if that would result in a higher total. This is called the "deemed filing" rule. So if your own benefit at 62 would be $800, and the ex-spouse benefit would be $1000, you'd receive your $800 plus an additional $200 to reach the higher amount. It's also worth noting that claiming early permanently reduces both your own retirement benefit and the ex-spouse benefit. The reduction factors are slightly different, but both are significant at age 62.

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact situation two years ago. My ex-husband was also on SSDI when I applied for ex-spouse benefits at 62. The process took about 6 weeks from application to first payment, and you're right that his SSDI counts the same as retirement benefits for your calculation. One thing I wish someone had told me - even though you can't contact your ex directly, SSA can tell you during your appointment approximately what your benefit would be before you commit to filing. They won't tell you his exact amount, but they can give you a good estimate of what you'd receive. This helped me decide whether to file immediately or wait. Also, definitely try visiting your local SSA office in person if the phones aren't working. I had much better luck just walking in with all my documents. They were able to answer all my questions and process my application the same day. Good luck with your decision!