I'm currently going through the exact same process - turning 67 next month and planning to file for both my own retirement benefits and divorced spouse benefits. After reading all these responses, I'm definitely leaning toward the phone route now, especially after learning about services like Claimyr that can help avoid the long hold times. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - I called SSA last week just to ask some preliminary questions, and the representative mentioned that they can actually do a "benefit estimate" over the phone to help you understand what you'd receive from each option before you formally apply. This might be worth doing first so you know whether the divorced spouse benefit would actually increase your monthly payment. Also, regarding the marriage certificate - I was in the same boat and couldn't find mine after 20+ years. I was able to order a certified copy online from the county clerk's office where we got married for about $15, and it arrived in less than a week. Much easier than I expected! Good luck with your application process!

I'm in a very similar situation - just turned 67 last month and was married to my ex-husband for 15 years. After reading through all these responses, I decided to go with the phone route and it worked out really well! A few things that might help you: 1) I used Claimyr to avoid the hold time - totally worth the small fee! Got connected to an SSA rep in about 20 minutes instead of waiting hours. 2) The rep was able to do a quick benefit estimate right on the call. Turns out my ex's benefit was high enough that I'll get about $200 more per month than just my own benefit alone. 3) They started my application over the phone and gave me a protective filing date, then mailed me forms to complete and return with my documents. This felt much less stressful than trying to do everything online. 4) The rep specifically told me that divorced spouse benefits are one of the most error-prone applications when done online because people often misunderstand the questions or enter dates incorrectly. One tip - even if you don't have your ex's SSN, they can still process your claim. I only had his name and approximate birth year, and they found his record just fine. The whole process took about 45 minutes on the phone and now I'm just waiting for my first payment next month. Much smoother than I expected!

This is incredibly helpful information! I had no idea there were so many different layers of protection available. I think I'll start with just the Electronic Access Block since I already have my credit frozen. Really appreciate everyone's advice here!

Just wanted to add another security tip that's worked well for me - consider setting up account alerts with the Social Security Administration if you do keep online access, or make sure to regularly check your Social Security Statement (Form SSA-1099) when it comes in the mail each year. I caught a discrepancy in my earnings record this way that turned out to be someone using my SSN for employment. Even with all these blocks in place, it's still good to periodically verify that your actual benefits and earnings history look correct. The earlier you catch these issues, the easier they are to resolve!

I'm dealing with a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I wanted to add one more resource that really helped me understand my options: the Social Security Administration has a retirement estimator tool on their website that can help you project different benefit amounts. What I learned from using it is that you can actually model different claiming scenarios - like taking SSDI now, switching to survivor benefits at 60, or waiting until FRA. It helped me visualize the financial impact of each choice over my expected lifetime. Also, I found that writing down specific questions before calling SSA made a huge difference. Instead of asking "what are my options," I'd ask things like "Can I switch from SSDI to survivor benefits at age 60 even though I'm currently receiving SSDI?" The more specific your questions, the better answers you tend to get. Good luck with your planning - you're asking all the right questions now to maximize your benefits later!

I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this whole discussion has been! As someone who's been navigating the SSA system for years due to my own disability issues, I can confirm that getting consistent information is like pulling teeth. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're planning to make any major decisions about switching benefits in the future, consider getting a written statement from SSA about your projected benefit amounts. I learned this the hard way when my verbal estimates turned out to be way off from what I actually received. You can request a detailed benefit statement that shows your survivor benefit amount at different ages (60, FRA, etc.) compared to your SSDI/retirement benefit projections. Also, @Aisha Abdullah, since you mentioned your husband never filed for Social Security before he passed, his benefit calculation might be more complex. Make sure any SSA representative you work with understands they need to calculate his "deemed" retirement benefit based on what he would have received at his FRA. This is different from cases where someone was already receiving benefits when they died. The fact that you're thinking about this now at 52 puts you way ahead of most people. You have 8 years to get all the right information and make an informed decision!

I wanted to add something that might help streamline your process - when you gather your documents, also try to find any old Social Security statements from during your marriage if you still have them. These annual statements sometimes show estimated benefits for spouses, which could give you a rough idea of what to expect. Also, regarding the phone system issues everyone mentioned - I've found that using the SSA's online "my Social Security" portal can sometimes be more efficient than calling. You can't file for divorced spouse benefits online, but you can review your own earnings record and sometimes get benefit estimates that might help you prepare for your appointment. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that if you're approved for divorced spouse benefits, you may also want to ask about Medicare implications. Since you're already on SSDI, you probably have Medicare, but sometimes changes in benefit amounts can affect Medicare premiums or eligibility for programs like Extra Help with prescription drug costs. Given everything you've shared - the 23-year marriage, his IT management career, and your current financial struggles - I really think this is worth pursuing. The worst case scenario is you find out you're not eligible for more money, but the potential upside could significantly improve your quality of life. Best of luck with your appointment!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said and add my own encouragement - definitely pursue this! I went through a very similar situation about 3 years ago. I was also on SSDI (due to a back injury) and had been divorced for over 2 years from my ex who was in a high-earning profession. The process was honestly easier than I expected once I got past the initial phone call hurdle. I ended up getting an extra $380/month, which has made such a difference in my ability to cover basic expenses. What really surprised me was that I qualified for about 8 months of retroactive payments since I had been eligible but just didn't know about it. One thing I'd suggest is to go into your appointment with realistic expectations but also don't be afraid to advocate for yourself. The first SSA representative I spoke with seemed to be discouraging me from applying, almost like it wasn't worth the paperwork. But I persisted and I'm so glad I did. Also, don't let anyone make you feel guilty about claiming benefits on your ex's record. You paid into the system during your marriage just like he did, and you're entitled to these benefits. It doesn't take anything away from him and he'll never even know unless you tell him. Good luck - I have a really good feeling this is going to work out well for you!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really grateful to have found this thread! I'm in a somewhat similar situation with my adopted granddaughter (age 9) who receives survivor benefits from her mother. My husband and I are considering early retirement next year, so reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly valuable. One thing I wanted to add that might help - when we first started navigating SSA with our granddaughter's benefits, we discovered that keeping a detailed log of every interaction was crucial. I created a simple notebook where I record the date, time, representative's name/ID, phone number or office location, and exactly what was discussed or decided. This has been invaluable when following up on previous conversations or when getting conflicting information. Also, I noticed several people mentioned the importance of bringing multiple documents. In our experience, SSA sometimes requests additional documentation that you might not expect. Along with the adoption decree and birth certificates that others mentioned, consider bringing school enrollment records, medical records, and any court documents related to guardianship. Having everything with you can prevent additional trips. @Zara Ahmed - your proactive approach to researching this before the adoption is finalized is so smart! Based on what everyone has shared, it sounds like your grandson will be well-protected financially. The complexity can seem overwhelming, but this community has shown there are people who've successfully navigated these exact waters. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is going to be a great resource for families in similar situations!

As someone new to this community, I'm really touched by how supportive and knowledgeable everyone has been in helping @Zara Ahmed navigate this complex situation. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational! I wanted to add one perspective that might be helpful - I work as a paralegal at a firm that handles family law cases, including adoptions, and we often coordinate with families on Social Security benefit transitions. One thing we always recommend is creating what we call a "benefit transition binder" that includes not just the documents others have mentioned, but also a one-page summary sheet that clearly outlines: - Current benefit amounts and sources - Key dates (when benefits started, guardianship date, expected adoption finalization) - Your retirement timeline - Questions you need answered Having this summary sheet as the first page helps SSA representatives quickly understand your situation without having to dig through all the paperwork. We've found it significantly reduces confusion and speeds up the process. Also, consider asking your adoption attorney if they have any experience with Social Security benefit transitions. Some attorneys who frequently handle these cases have established relationships with local SSA offices and can provide valuable insights about which representatives are most knowledgeable about complex cases. The level of care and preparation you're showing for your grandson's future is truly admirable. Best wishes with both the adoption finalization and the benefit transition process!