I'm also navigating a similar situation and wanted to share something that might help. When I called SSA about survivor benefits, they told me I could actually apply online at ssa.gov for the initial application, which saved me from having to wait weeks for an in-person appointment. You still need to provide documents, but at least it gets your claim started in their system faster. They also mentioned that if you're currently receiving SSI, they'll automatically coordinate the transition between benefits so you don't have to worry about accidentally getting overpaid or having gaps in coverage. The online application walks you through exactly what documents you'll need to mail or bring to a follow-up appointment. Might be worth checking out while you're gathering your paperwork!

I'm sorry for your loss, Annabel. Going through this process while grieving is incredibly difficult. I wanted to add something that might give you some peace of mind - many people in your situation actually end up in a better financial position with survivor benefits than they were with SSI. Not only are the payments typically higher, but as others mentioned, you won't have to worry about the strict asset limits and constant reporting requirements that come with SSI. You'll be able to have a normal savings account and won't have to report every small change in your circumstances. The transition might feel overwhelming right now, but once you're receiving survivor benefits, it's generally much simpler to manage. Also, don't hesitate to ask the SSA representative to explain anything you don't understand during your appointment - they're required to help you understand your options, and it's completely normal to need clarification on these complex rules. You've got this!

I'm in a similar situation - turned 62 last month and dealing with reduced hours at work due to company cutbacks. One thing that helped me was creating a spreadsheet comparing different scenarios. For your situation with the knees and physical demands, have you looked into whether you might qualify for disability benefits? Sometimes that can be a bridge until you reach FRA, and disability converts to regular retirement at your full retirement age without the early retirement reduction. Also, regarding the golf course work idea - that sounds perfect for staying under the earnings limit while keeping active. Golf courses often need seasonal help and understand retirees' schedules. Quick tip: You can create a my.ssa.gov account to see your exact benefit estimates at different claiming ages. Much more accurate than the general calculators, and it's free directly from SSA. The asset protection piece is complex, but one simple step is making sure both you and your wife understand what assets are exempt in your state. Primary residence often has some protection, and retirement accounts have different rules than regular savings.

As someone who went through this decision recently, I'd suggest getting your exact benefit calculations from my.ssa.gov before deciding. The difference between $1,850 at 62 vs $2,650 at 67 is significant over time, especially with your wife's reduced SS due to WEP. Since your wife has the teacher's pension providing some stability, you might consider a hybrid approach: file for benefits at 62 but continue working part-time at that golf course you mentioned. The earnings limit for 2025 is around $23,880, so you could supplement your reduced SS benefit while keeping busy and easing the physical strain on your knees. For asset protection, definitely consult an elder law attorney sooner rather than later. With $285k home equity and $430k in retirement accounts, you have assets worth protecting. The 5-year lookback clock starts ticking from when you set up certain trusts, not when you need care. One thing to consider: if you're the higher earner, your claiming decision affects your wife's potential survivor benefits. Since she's dealing with WEP reducing her own SS, your survivor benefit could be crucial for her financial security later. The golf course job sounds perfect - outdoor work, less physical stress, and likely seasonal which gives you flexibility. Much better than those warehouse concrete floors!

Just to add some additional context for anyone who might be wondering - this early payment policy has been in place for decades and is actually written into federal regulations. The SSA payment schedule is published annually and clearly shows all the adjusted dates for holidays. You can find the official 2024 payment calendar on the SSA website under "When to expect your Social Security payment" which lists December 24th for payments that would normally be issued on December 25th. It's really convenient that they handle this automatically so we don't have to worry about it!

This is great information everyone! I'm also new to Social Security and wasn't sure about the holiday payment schedule. It's really helpful to know that SSA has such a reliable system in place for early payments when holidays fall on payment dates. I was worried I'd have to contact them directly, but it sounds like it's all handled automatically. Thanks for sharing your experiences - it makes me feel much more confident about the process!

my aunt got widows benefits even tho she worked and had her own ss. they told her something about FRA and delayed retirement credits? i dont really understand it but maybe theres exceptions?

Just to add some clarity from someone who recently went through this process with my parents - the timing of when you contact Social Security after a death is important. You need to report the death promptly to avoid overpayments that would need to be returned later. Also, if you're currently receiving spousal benefits instead of your own worker benefits (which can happen if your spouse's benefit was higher), the calculation changes. The surviving spouse would then compare their own worker benefit to 100% of the deceased spouse's benefit and take whichever is higher. In your case with identical amounts, you'd definitely want to verify both of you are receiving your own worker benefits rather than spousal benefits, as this could affect the survivor calculation.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses! I've scheduled an appointment for next week using that Claimyr service (which worked amazingly well - took less than 10 minutes to get through to a real person). The agent I spoke with confirmed I should apply now for March benefits and gave me a list of documents to bring. She also explained the earnings limit since I still work part-time. I really appreciate all your advice and support!

Great to see you got everything sorted out! Just wanted to add that when you do go to your appointment, make sure to ask about retroactive benefits. Since survivor benefits can sometimes be paid retroactively up to 6 months before your application date (depending on your situation), it's worth asking if you're eligible for any back payments. Also, if you haven't already, consider setting up a my Social Security account online - it'll make it much easier to track your benefit statements and manage your account once everything is processed. The whole process can feel overwhelming at first, but it sounds like you're handling it perfectly!