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!

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.

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!

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.

I'm also navigating this transition with my daughter who has autism and will be 18 soon. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful! I wanted to add that when I spoke with our disability advocate last month, she mentioned that it's really important to emphasize the *functional limitations* rather than just the diagnoses when filling out the forms. For autism specifically, they want to see how it impacts her ability to work, interact socially, handle changes in routine, manage personal care, etc. Even if your daughter seems "high functioning" in some areas, document everything she struggles with - executive functioning issues, sensory processing problems, difficulty with transitions, need for prompting or supervision. Also, if she's ever had any work experiences (like supported employment or volunteer work), make sure to document what accommodations or supports were needed. This can actually strengthen the case by showing she tried to work but needed significant assistance. The whole process is overwhelming but this community has given me so much confidence that we can get through it. Sending support to all the families dealing with this transition!

I'm a case worker who helps families navigate SSA transitions, and I want to emphasize something crucial that others have touched on but bears repeating: the medical evidence requirements for DAC benefits are often more stringent than what was needed for childhood SSI. Even though your daughter previously qualified for SSI, SSA will evaluate her under adult disability standards when she turns 18. This means they'll assess whether her conditions prevent her from performing "substantial gainful activity" - essentially any work that pays more than about $1,470/month in 2024. For autism spectrum disorder, they'll specifically look at: - Social interaction deficits that would interfere with workplace relationships - Communication limitations affecting job performance - Repetitive behaviors or fixated interests that impact work ability - Difficulties with change/transitions that workplace demands would create I'd strongly recommend getting a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation if you haven't had one recently. These evaluations provide detailed functional assessments that SSA finds very helpful. Also, if she's had any vocational assessments or work trials through school, include those results as they demonstrate real-world work limitations. The good news is that with proper documentation and early application, most families I work with successfully transition to DAC benefits. You're doing everything right by starting this process now!