This is such valuable information! I had no idea that divorced spouses could potentially receive benefits while on SSDI. I'm in a somewhat similar situation - I've been on SSDI for fibromyalgia for about 18 months, and my ex-husband will be eligible for retirement benefits in a couple of years. We were married for 14 years before divorcing. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like I should start preparing now by gathering my documents (marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.) so I'm ready when the time comes. One thing I'm still unclear on - if my SSDI amount is higher than what I'd get from his divorced spouse benefits, would there be any point in applying? Or do they always supplement to bring you up to the higher amount regardless of which benefit is larger?

I want to add something important that might help others in this thread - make sure you understand the difference between divorced spouse benefits and divorced survivor benefits. While we're all talking about divorced spouse benefits (which you can get while your ex is alive and receiving/eligible for retirement), divorced survivor benefits are typically much higher and available if your ex passes away. The survivor benefit can be up to 100% of what your ex was receiving, compared to divorced spouse benefits which max out at 50% of their benefit. Just wanted to mention this since several people are in similar long-term situations where this distinction could matter down the road. Also, for those having trouble getting through to SSA - try calling right when they open at 7 AM local time. I've had much better luck getting through early in the morning before the phone lines get overwhelmed.

Thank you all for the helpful information! I feel much more confident about my options now. I'm planning to call SSA to confirm everything directly, but having this knowledge beforehand will help me ask the right questions. It seems like taking my reduced benefit at 62 and then switching to the full survivor benefit at 67 (if needed) would be the best financial strategy in my situation. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and expertise.

I just wanted to add that you might also want to consider consulting with a fee-only financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning before making your final decision. While the strategy you're considering (claiming your own benefit at 62 and switching to survivor benefits at FRA) sounds solid based on what others have shared, every situation is unique. An advisor can run detailed calculations considering factors like your life expectancy, current health, other retirement income sources, and tax implications. Some advisors even offer Social Security-only consultations for a few hundred dollars, which could be money well spent given the long-term financial impact of this decision. The peace of mind alone might be worth it!

As someone who works with Social Security disability cases, I want to emphasize something that several people have touched on but bears repeating: make sure you get everything in writing from SSA. When you call to set up your restricted application for survivor benefits, ask them to send you a written confirmation of what benefits you'll be receiving and confirmation that your son's DAC benefits will remain unchanged. I've seen too many cases where verbal assurances from SSA representatives didn't match what actually happened in their system. Having that written documentation becomes crucial if there are any processing errors down the line. Also, keep copies of your son's current benefit statements and your own earnings record. If any issues arise later, you'll have baseline documentation to reference. The strategy you're planning is absolutely valid and should work exactly as others have described, but SSA's computer systems sometimes flag changes that shouldn't affect other beneficiaries, so having your paperwork organized ahead of time can save you months of headaches if something goes wrong.

I'm going through a very similar situation right now! My 29-year-old son has autism and receives DAC benefits from his father who passed away 5 years ago. I was terrified about how my own benefit decisions would affect his payments, but after working with a Social Security advocate and going through the process myself, I can confirm what others have said - these benefits are completely independent. What really helped me was creating a simple timeline document before calling SSA. I wrote down: 1) What benefits my son currently receives and from which record, 2) What I wanted to apply for and when, and 3) What I expected to happen to each benefit over time. Having this organized made the conversation with the SSA rep much clearer and helped ensure we were on the same page. One small tip that made a huge difference: when I called, I started the conversation by saying "I need to discuss a restricted application for survivor benefits that should not affect my son's existing DAC benefits." Leading with that framework seemed to immediately put me in touch with representatives who understood the nuances better. Your strategy is exactly what financial planners recommend for people in our situation - maximize your own benefits while protecting your child's existing income stream. You're making the right choice!

To add some clarity here - the living arrangement question serves several purposes: 1) It helps SSA determine if there might be multiple potential claimants, 2) It identifies if there might be issues with the validity of the marriage, and 3) It helps with determining household expenses for certain calculations. As long as you were legally married and there's no question about the validity of the marriage, separation without a legal separation agreement should not impact eligibility for survivor benefits. The key facts from your situation: legally married, no divorce filed, no legal separation agreement. These are what matter for your survivor benefits eligibility. Your strategy of waiting until FRA for survivors while letting your own benefit grow is generally sound, but you might want to run calculations for different scenarios once you get accurate benefit amounts.

I'm sorry for your loss, Kevin. Based on what you've shared, your separated status should not affect your eligibility for survivor benefits since you remained legally married. The SSA's question about living together is mainly for administrative purposes - they need to document circumstances but it doesn't disqualify legally married spouses. However, I'd recommend being proactive about documentation. When you apply, bring your marriage certificate, his death certificate, and any records showing you maintained separate households for work/personal reasons rather than marital discord. This can help avoid delays if you encounter a caseworker who needs extra clarification. Your strategy of waiting until FRA for survivor benefits while letting your own grow until 70 is smart if you can financially manage the gap years. You might also want to create a my Social Security account online to get benefit estimates - it's much easier than dealing with phone calls or office visits, and you can run different scenarios to optimize your claiming strategy.

what about the max family benefit thing? isn't there a limit on how much one family can get from one worker's record? might be something to check into

I'm a case worker at a disability advocacy organization, and I see families in your situation frequently. A few additional points that might help: 1. **Documentation is everything** - Start gathering comprehensive medical records NOW, including any IEPs or 504 plans from school, therapy records, and psychiatric evaluations. The more complete your file, the smoother the process. 2. **Consider getting a disability attorney consultation** - Many work on contingency (they only get paid if you win), and they can help navigate the appeals process if needed. For DAC cases, they're often worth it given the complexity. 3. **Timeline is critical** - As others mentioned, apply 3-4 months before his 18th birthday. But also be aware that if there's ANY gap in benefits, it can create complications. The goal is seamless transition from childhood survivor benefits to DAC benefits. 4. **Work activity matters** - Your son CAN work part-time while on DAC benefits, but keep detailed records of hours and earnings. The SGA limit for 2025 is $1,550/month, but there are work incentives that allow him to earn more in some situations. 5. **College accommodations help your case** - If he needs disability services at college, that documentation actually SUPPORTS his disability claim rather than hurting it. The system is frustrating, but don't give up! Most families eventually get approved with persistence.