My sister had to call like 6 or 7 times before she got someone who actually knew how to calculate survivor benefits. Not all the reps are trained on all the different benefits I guess. So frustrating!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and it's incredibly frustrating! What finally worked for me was going to a different SSA office - apparently some locations have more experienced staff than others. The first office I went to couldn't help at all, but the second office had someone who knew exactly how to pull up survivor benefit calculations. Also, try asking them to print out your husband's earnings record (Form SSA-7004). Even if they can't calculate your exact survivor benefit on the spot, having his complete earnings history can help you or a financial advisor estimate what you should expect. The survivor benefit is typically based on what he was receiving (or would have received at FRA), so that earnings record is key. One more tip - bring a notebook and write down the name of whoever helps you. If you get conflicting information later, you can reference who told you what. I learned this the hard way after getting three different benefit estimates from three different reps!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact decision last year. I was born in 1959 (FRA 66 and 10 months) and filed right at my FRA in October 2023. The SSA representative really pushed the 6-month retroactive option, emphasizing the "free money" aspect of getting $18,000+ upfront. I'm so glad I did my homework first and declined it! Even though my FRA meant I wouldn't have faced an early filing reduction, I realized that taking those 6 months retroactively would have still reduced my monthly benefit because it effectively moved my filing date back. What really helped me decide was calculating the crossover point - I would need to live about 14 years just to break even, and anything beyond that would be pure loss. Given that I'm in good health and my mother lived to 94, it was a no-brainer to skip the retroactive payment. Victoria, it sounds like you've already done the math and made the smart choice. The only thing I'd add is to make sure when you do file, you're very clear about NOT wanting retroactive benefits - apparently some SSA reps default to offering it and you have to specifically decline.

As someone who recently went through this same decision process, I can confirm what others have shared - the retroactive payment option is definitely a trade-off you need to carefully consider. I was in a similar situation last year (born in 1961, so FRA of 67) and ultimately decided against the retroactive payment after running the numbers. The key insight for me was realizing that even though SSA presents it as "getting money you're entitled to," you're actually trading higher lifetime benefits for a lump sum now. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also consider the tax implications. That retroactive lump sum will be added to your taxable income for the year you receive it, which could potentially bump you into a higher tax bracket or affect other income-based benefits like Medicare premiums. For someone with your birth year (1960), the math is pretty clear - if you're in decent health and don't have an immediate financial emergency, skipping the retroactive payment will almost certainly leave you better off in the long run. The reduction might seem small on a monthly basis, but it compounds significantly over a 20+ year retirement. Good luck with your decision! It sounds like you're doing your research, which puts you ahead of many people who just take whatever SSA offers without understanding the long-term implications.

One more important thing to know: when you apply for the divorced spouse benefit, SSA won't tell your ex-husband. Some people worry about this, but your application won't affect his benefit amount or generate any notification to him. Also, if your ex-husband has remarried, it doesn't affect your eligibility for benefits on his record. When you do apply, be prepared for SSA to request: - Proof of your SSDI entitlement (they should have this already) - Marriage certificate - Final divorce decree - Your ex's Social Security number (helpful but not required) Good luck with your application!

I went through this exact situation about two years ago! I was on SSDI and discovered I could get divorced spouse benefits on my ex's record. Here's what I learned from the process: The math is straightforward - if 50% of your ex's PIA is higher than your current SSDI amount, you get the difference. In your case with $1,420 SSDI, your ex would need at least $2,841 for you to get even $1 extra. A few practical tips from my experience: - Apply as soon as possible if you think you qualify - they can backdate up to 6 months - Make certified copies of ALL documents (marriage cert, divorce decree) before sending anything - When your SSDI converts to retirement at FRA, the divorced spouse calculation stays exactly the same The hardest part was actually getting through to SSA! I ended up going to my local office in person after multiple phone failures. Brought all my paperwork and was approved within about 6 weeks. One thing that surprised me - they calculated his PIA based on when he COULD have filed at FRA, not what he's actually collecting now (in case he filed early or delayed). So even if his current check is reduced, you might still qualify. Don't give up on trying to reach them - this benefit can make a real difference!

Just want to add one important point that hasn't been mentioned yet - if your husband passes away before you, having him delay his benefits until age 70 (if possible) could significantly increase your survivor benefit. As the surviving spouse, you'd be eligible for 100% of his benefit amount (including any delayed retirement credits he earned by waiting past his FRA). So even though you likely won't get a spousal top-up based on your numbers, the strategy of you taking your benefit at FRA while he delays his could still pay off in the long run through a higher potential survivor benefit. Something to factor into your decision!

One thing I'd like to add as someone who works with retirement planning - make sure you get an official Social Security statement that shows your exact PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) rather than relying on estimates. The online calculators and estimates can sometimes be off, and knowing your precise PIA will help you determine if there's any potential spousal benefit. Also, when your husband does file (whether at FRA or later), I'd recommend calling SSA within 30 days to specifically ask about spousal benefits rather than assuming they'll automatically calculate it. The process has gotten more streamlined in recent years, but it's still worth being proactive. Given that you're already thinking strategically about timing, you're ahead of many people - just make sure you're working with the most accurate numbers possible!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation as my wife (also German) and I are considering moving back to Europe after she retires. One thing that really helped us was getting a consultation with an immigration attorney who specializes in both citizenship and Social Security issues - they were able to explain how the timing of everything works together. What I learned that might help you: you can actually start your citizenship application even before applying for survivor benefits. The USCIS processing times have been pretty consistent lately at around 10-12 months, and having that citizenship certificate in hand before you make any moves abroad gives you complete peace of mind. Also, regarding the GPO reduction - I was told by an SSA Technical Expert that the reduction is calculated using the U.S. dollar equivalent of your foreign pension at the time you start receiving it, not when you first report it. So exchange rate fluctuations could affect the exact amount of reduction. The most important thing I learned: document EVERYTHING. Every phone call, every visit to the SSA office, every piece of advice you get. Keep detailed records with dates and names because if there are any issues later, you'll have a paper trail to refer back to.

I'm a naturalization attorney who frequently works with clients in similar situations, and I want to emphasize something that hasn't been fully addressed here: the importance of maintaining your green card status WHILE pursuing citizenship. If you're planning to leave the US for an extended period before your citizenship is finalized, you'll need to apply for a re-entry permit (Form I-131) BEFORE you leave. This allows you to stay abroad for up to 2 years without abandoning your permanent residency. Without this, leaving for 6+ months could indeed jeopardize both your green card AND your pending citizenship application. Regarding the naturalization process for someone in your situation: at 60, you may qualify for certain accommodations during the civics test if you have difficulty with English due to age and length of permanent residency. Also, make sure you maintain continuous residence requirements - generally you can't be outside the US for more than 6 months during the citizenship application process without risking denial. The timing sequence I'd recommend: 1) Apply for citizenship now, 2) Apply for re-entry permit if you plan to travel, 3) Apply for survivor benefits, 4) Only make permanent relocation plans after citizenship is secured. This protects all your options. Your SSA benefits strategy is sound, but don't let the citizenship process get derailed by premature travel plans. Both processes can work together if properly coordinated.