I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation! As others have mentioned, the SSA rep was absolutely wrong. You CAN file a restricted application for widow's benefits at your FRA while letting your own retirement benefit grow until 70. I had a similar experience last year - the first person I spoke with insisted it wasn't possible, but I persisted and eventually got someone who understood the rules. What helped me was being very specific about the language: I said "I want to file a restricted application for widow's benefits ONLY, and I am NOT applying for my own retirement benefits at this time." When your local office calls back, if they give you the same incorrect information, don't hesitate to ask for a supervisor or Technical Expert. You might also want to mention that this is allowed under current law and that the 2015 changes to deemed filing rules do NOT apply to survivor benefits. Your previous mother's/father's benefits from 15 years ago are completely separate and won't affect your widow's benefits now. Stay strong and don't let them discourage you - you're entitled to this benefit strategy!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! I'm 66 and 8 months old, so almost at my FRA, and I've been researching this exact strategy. From everything I've read, you are absolutely correct that you should be able to file for widow's benefits while letting your own retirement grow until 70. One thing that might help when they call you back is to be very clear about the terminology. I've seen advice to say something like "I want to file an application that is restricted in scope to widow's benefits only" rather than just saying "restricted application" since that phrase sometimes confuses reps who think of the old spousal benefit restrictions. Also, if it helps, I found a reference in the Social Security Handbook (section 1724) that specifically talks about how you can choose to receive only one type of benefit when you're eligible for multiple types. The key is that you haven't filed for your own retirement yet. Don't let them discourage you - this is a legitimate strategy that can save you thousands of dollars over the years. I'm planning to use your experience as a learning opportunity for when I file in a few months!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - just started receiving benefits this year and trying to navigate the IRMAA maze. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: I discovered that your state's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors are often really knowledgeable about Medicare and IRMAA calculations. They provide free counseling and many of them understand the connection between Social Security taxation and IRMAA better than the actual SSA representatives. I found my local SHIP counselor through the Medicare.gov website, and she walked me through a mock calculation using my specific numbers. It was incredibly valuable and didn't cost me anything. She also helped me understand that even though the IRMAA lookback seems unfair, there are strategic moves you can make in advance - like the Roth conversion ladders some people mentioned, or timing large expenses in years when you know your income will be higher anyway. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by all this (like I was!), I'd really recommend starting with a SHIP counselor before paying for professional help. They can at least help you understand the basics so you know what questions to ask if you do decide to hire a tax professional later.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and want to share what I learned after months of research and confusion! The key breakthrough for me was understanding that it's not just a simple percentage - the amount of your Social Security that counts toward IRMAA depends on your total income picture. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: 1. **The magic numbers for 2024**: If your combined income (AGI + tax-exempt interest + half your SS) is under $25k, none of your SS is taxable. Between $25k-$34k, up to 50% becomes taxable. Over $34k, up to 85% can be taxable. 2. **IRMAA timing is crucial**: They use your tax return from 2 years ago, so 2025 IRMAA is based on your 2023 return. Since you just started receiving benefits this year, your 2023 return probably didn't include SS, which means you have time to plan! 3. **The cliff effect**: IRMAA brackets are harsh - even $1 over the threshold triggers the full surcharge for the entire year. The first bracket for individuals in 2024 is $103,000 MAGI. For your IRA planning, I'd suggest calculating your expected MAGI without the withdrawal first, then see how much room you have before hitting $103k. Don't forget that as your other income increases, more of your SS becomes taxable too - it's not just additive. I ended up working with a CPA who specializes in retirement planning, and it was worth every penny to avoid those surprise Medicare surcharges!

I'm so sorry for your loss, StarSailor. The 30-60 day timeline is unfortunately very standard for survivor benefits processing. When I applied after my grandmother passed away last year, it took about 52 days from submission to receiving the award letter, which felt like an eternity when I was worried about her final medical bills. One thing that really helped me during the wait was creating a simple checklist of all the documents I had submitted, along with the confirmation numbers from my local SSA office. It gave me something concrete to reference when I called for updates, and the representatives seemed more responsive when I could quickly provide those details. Since your husband worked in the private sector, your case should be relatively straightforward without any government pension complications that can cause delays. The retroactive payments will definitely help once everything processes - you'll receive benefits back to your eligibility date. While you're waiting, I'd strongly encourage reaching out to local community resources. I was hesitant at first, but calling 211 connected me with a local organization that provided a one-time utility assistance grant specifically for people waiting on survivor benefits. It was such a relief to have that immediate pressure lifted. The waiting is incredibly stressful when you're already dealing with grief and financial uncertainty, but the benefits will come through. Try to take it one day at a time, and don't hesitate to lean on whatever support systems are available to you during this difficult period.

I'm so sorry for your loss, StarSailor. The 30-60 day timeline is unfortunately very standard for survivor benefits processing, though I know that doesn't make the waiting any less stressful when you're dealing with immediate financial pressures. I went through this process when my mother passed away two years ago, and it took about 46 days from application to receiving my first payment. What helped me most during that anxious period was setting up a simple tracking system - I wrote down my application date, created reminders to call for updates every 2-3 weeks, and kept all my paperwork organized in one place with confirmation numbers easily accessible. Since your husband worked in the private sector his entire career, your case should process relatively smoothly without government pension complications that can cause delays. The retroactive payment will cover you back to your eligibility date, so you won't lose any benefits due to the processing time. While you wait, I'd strongly encourage calling 211 - it's a helpline that connects you with local assistance programs. Many communities have emergency funds specifically for surviving spouses waiting on benefits. I was hesitant to ask for help at first, but they connected me with a program that helped cover one month's rent, which was a huge relief during that difficult transition. Also, don't hesitate to contact your creditors and utility companies directly to explain your situation. Many have specific policies for people waiting on survivor benefits and may offer temporary payment deferrals. Hang in there - I know the waiting feels endless when you're already dealing with grief and financial stress, but the benefits will come through. You're stronger than you know, and there are resources available to help you through this difficult period.

As someone brand new to this community and just starting to research the retirement application process, this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm planning to apply in the next few weeks and was honestly pretty intimidated by the whole process until I found this discussion. What's been most helpful is understanding how much individual circumstances can affect processing times. I had no idea that factors like multiple employers, non-covered employment, seasonal application volume, or even address issues could create such variation in timelines. I've worked for about 12 different companies over my 38-year career, plus had some freelance consulting work, so based on everyone's experiences here, I should definitely plan for the 6-8 week range rather than expecting a quick turnaround. The practical tips shared throughout this thread are gold - I'm definitely going to implement the daily screenshot tracking, verify my address is current, and bookmark that 7 AM calling strategy in case I need it. It's so much better to go into this process with realistic expectations and a concrete action plan rather than just hoping for the best. What gives me the most confidence is hearing from people like @Connor O'Neill and others who experienced longer processing times but still received full approval with back pay. Knowing that the system ultimately works, even if it takes longer than hoped, really helps with the anxiety about this major financial transition. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and advice - this community support makes approaching retirement so much less overwhelming!

As someone completely new to this community and about to start my own retirement application journey, this thread has been incredibly enlightening and reassuring! I'm 66 and planning to apply next month at my full retirement age, but I was getting really anxious about the process after hearing mixed timelines from friends and online resources. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has helped me understand that processing times really do vary significantly based on individual circumstances. I've had about 14 different employers over my 43-year career, including some government contractor work and a few small businesses that may not exist anymore, so based on what I'm learning here, I should definitely expect the 6-8 week timeline rather than hoping for a quick approval. What I find most valuable is how this community has shared not just timelines but also practical strategies for managing the waiting period. I'm definitely going to implement the daily screenshot tracking of my MySocialSecurity account, double-check that all my address information is current, and keep that 7 AM calling tip in my back pocket if I need to get status updates. The reassurance about back pay covering any delays has been huge for my peace of mind. It's one thing to know theoretically that Social Security will work out, but hearing from real people who experienced 8+ week processing times and still received everything they were owed makes me feel so much more confident about moving forward. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and advice. This kind of community support makes navigating such a major life transition so much less overwhelming!

As someone who just started receiving Social Security benefits and joined this community, this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I was experiencing the exact same contradictory messages in my online account - showing "active" status while also saying "not currently receiving payments" - and it was causing me so much anxiety. Reading Gabriel's original post felt like he was describing my exact situation, and then seeing his follow-up confirming it was just a display glitch after calling SSA has been such a relief. It's incredible how widespread these website issues seem to be among beneficiaries. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about calling early in the morning on weekdays if I need to reach someone at SSA, and I'll focus on what's actually depositing in my bank account rather than getting stressed about the confusing online displays. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and practical solutions - this is exactly the kind of community knowledge that helps newcomers like me navigate these government systems with confidence!

As someone who's completely new to both this community and Social Security benefits, this entire thread has been such an eye-opener! I was actually dealing with almost identical confusing messages in my online account - the same "active" status paired with "not currently receiving payments" contradiction that Gabriel described. It was really starting to worry me, especially as someone who's still learning how all these systems work. Reading through everyone's experiences, and especially Gabriel's follow-up confirming it was just a display glitch after calling SSA, has been incredibly reassuring. It's both concerning and comforting to see how widespread these website issues are - concerning that such an important system has these problems, but comforting to know I'm not the only one dealing with this confusion. I'm definitely taking all the great advice shared here about calling early morning on weekdays and focusing on actual bank deposits rather than the contradictory online messages. Thank you to everyone who contributed their experiences and solutions - this is exactly the kind of community knowledge that helps newcomers like me feel more confident navigating these government benefit systems!