You've got a solid plan! One additional tip - when you do switch to your own retirement benefit at 70, make sure to keep records of all your communications with SSA. Sometimes there can be delays in processing the switch, and having documentation helps if you need to follow up. Also, consider doing a benefits estimate on the SSA website (ssa.gov/myaccount) to double-check your projected amounts before making the switch. The online calculator can show you exactly what your retirement benefit would be at different claiming ages, which helps confirm your strategy is maximizing your lifetime benefits.

I went through this exact same decision process about 6 months ago and can confirm what others have said - the benefits are calculated completely separately! I was also 63 when my husband passed and decided to take survivor benefits at 64. The SSA representative I worked with was very clear that my future retirement benefit wouldn't be affected at all by taking survivor benefits early. One thing I'd add is to get everything in writing when you apply. I asked for a written explanation of my benefit amounts and how they were calculated, which has been helpful to reference. Also, don't be surprised if different SSA representatives give you slightly different information - I talked to three different people and got three slightly different explanations, but the core message was always the same: the benefits don't affect each other's calculations. Your strategy sounds really smart, especially if your own benefit at 70 will be significantly higher than the reduced survivor benefit. Good luck with everything!

I want to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - you should also consider the impact on your own future benefits if you continue working until 67. Every year you work and pay into Social Security, your benefit calculation gets updated if that year's earnings are higher than one of the 35 years currently being used in your calculation. Since you're still working full-time, you're likely earning more now than you did earlier in your career (due to inflation and career progression). This means delaying your claim until 67 isn't just avoiding the early filing reduction - you're also potentially increasing your benefit amount through continued earnings. Also, I'd suggest getting a copy of your Social Security Statement online at ssa.gov to see your projected benefits at different claiming ages. This will help you run the numbers and see exactly how much you'd lose by claiming early versus waiting. One more thing - make sure you understand what happens to your child's benefits if you do eventually claim on your own record. Sometimes families assume the child will automatically get switched to the higher-earning parent's record, but that's not always automatic and may require a separate application.

I've been following this thread closely because I'm in a somewhat similar situation, and I wanted to add a few thoughts based on my own research and experience navigating SSA. First, regarding the conflicting information you've gotten from SSA representatives - this is unfortunately very common with complex scenarios like yours. The rules around divorced spousal benefits, child-in-care provisions, and deemed filing are intricate, and not all phone representatives are equally knowledgeable about these nuances. I'd strongly recommend requesting to speak with a supervisor or scheduling an in-person appointment at your local SSA office where you can bring documentation and get more detailed assistance. Second, while everyone's correctly pointed out the deemed filing issue, I want to emphasize something that might give you some hope: the earnings test is only temporary. If you did decide to file for benefits now (despite the reduction), once you reach full retirement age at 67, SSA will recalculate your benefits to remove the reduction caused by the earnings test (though not the early filing reduction). This is called the "adjustment of reduction factor." Finally, don't overlook the possibility of appealing or requesting reconsideration if you receive information from SSA that doesn't seem right. Given how many different answers you've gotten, it might be worth getting a formal written determination that you can review carefully or have an attorney look at. The system is complicated, but you're asking all the right questions. Keep advocating for yourself and your child!

I've been working in disability advocacy for over 15 years and this thread is absolutely incredible - so much accurate, detailed information! I just wanted to add one more resource that many families don't know about: the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. These are federally funded programs that provide free benefits counseling specifically for people with disabilities who are transitioning between different benefit programs. Your local WIPA provider can help model exactly how your brother's benefits will change with different DAC amounts, and they often have direct relationships with state Medicaid offices to help facilitate the Section 1634(c) continuation. They can also help with the SNAP and housing assistance notifications that were mentioned earlier. To find your local WIPA program, you can search on the Social Security Administration's "Ticket to Work" website or call 1-866-968-7842. Having a benefits counselor who specializes in these transitions can be invaluable, especially since they're typically more up-to-date on the complex rules than general SSA staff. Also, I want to emphasize what others have said about documentation - when you do speak with SSA about the DAC application, ask them to send you a written summary of what benefits your brother will receive and when they'll start. Having that documentation will be crucial when working with the Medicaid office to ensure continuous coverage. You're doing such a great job advocating for your brother! The fact that you're researching all of this ahead of time puts you way ahead of most families who don't discover these protections until after problems arise.

I'm a social worker who specializes in disability benefits and wanted to share one more crucial timing consideration that could save your family a lot of stress. When your dad files for Social Security retirement, there's often a 2-3 month processing delay before your brother's DAC benefits actually start being paid, even though he'll be entitled from your dad's benefit start date. During this gap period, your brother should continue receiving his full SSI payments since his DAC hasn't actually started yet. However, once the DAC benefits begin and SSI stops, there can be another delay before the Medicaid office processes the Section 1634(c) continuation. I've seen families go weeks or even months with Medicaid showing as "terminated" in the system while the continuation gets sorted out. During this time, pharmacies and doctors might show your brother as having no coverage. My recommendation: Contact your brother's pharmacy and key medical providers BEFORE this transition begins. Explain the situation and ask about their policies for covering prescriptions/services during benefit transitions. Many have hardship programs or will work with you if they know a Medicaid continuation is pending. Some will even accept a letter from you explaining the Section 1634(c) protection while the official Medicaid update is being processed. Also, if your brother takes expensive medications, ask his doctor about getting a 90-day supply filled right before the transition to avoid any gaps in medication access. Being proactive with healthcare providers has saved many families from dangerous interruptions in medical care during these transitions.

Just wanted to add something that helped me when I went through this same situation - you can actually check your benefit adjustments online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Under "View Benefit Details" it shows your current benefit amount and any pending adjustments. This helped me track when my benefit was restored after I reported lower earnings. Also, if you're planning to work part-time for several more years before FRA, consider setting up automatic notifications when you're getting close to the earnings limit. I use a simple spreadsheet to track my monthly earnings so I don't accidentally go over again. It's much easier to manage your hours proactively than deal with the benefit reduction and restoration process!

I went through this exact scenario a couple years ago! Yes, the benefit reductions are definitely NOT permanent - they recalculate annually based on your actual earnings. When my hours got cut and I fell back under the earnings limit, SSA restored my full benefit amount within about 6-8 weeks after I reported the change. The key thing is to report your new earnings estimate as soon as you know your income will be lower. Don't wait until the end of the year! You can do this online through your ssa.gov account or by calling (though good luck getting through - the wait times are brutal). One tip that saved me a lot of hassle: when you report the change, ask them to confirm the effective date when your full benefits will resume. Get that in writing if possible. I had mine restored retroactively to the month I reported the change, but I know others who had delays in processing. Also keep in mind that even if they reduce your benefits now, you'll get credit for those withheld months when you reach your FRA. So in the long run, you're not really "losing" that money - just getting it redistributed over time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Kristin. I lost my wife 18 months ago and had to navigate this same process. Based on everyone's helpful responses here, I want to add one more practical tip that really helped me: when you do schedule your appointment (online is definitely the way to go), ask the representative if your local SSA office has specific "quiet hours" or less busy times for appointments. Some offices have discovered that scheduling appointments during mid-week, mid-morning slots (like Tuesday-Thursday between 10-11 AM) tend to be calmer and less crowded, which can make the experience less overwhelming when you're already dealing with grief. The representative who helped me specifically mentioned this, and it made a real difference in my comfort level. Also, many offices now offer the option to complete some preliminary paperwork digitally before your appointment, which can shorten the time you need to spend discussing details. Don't hesitate to ask about this when you schedule. You're handling a lot right now, and it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed by these administrative tasks while you're grieving. Take it one step at a time, and remember that the SSA representatives are generally understanding when working with people in your situation.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Kristin. I went through this process about a year ago when my husband passed away, and I want to share what worked for me to hopefully make this easier for you. You're right to be hesitant about sitting in the SSA office for hours - I felt the same way. The good news is that while you can't complete the entire survivor benefits application online, you absolutely can schedule your appointment online through ssa.gov, which saves you from the phone hold nightmare that others have mentioned. Here's what I learned: Most offices now offer phone appointments for survivor benefits, which was perfect for me since I wasn't ready to handle crowded public spaces while grieving. During my phone appointment, the representative walked me through everything I needed and arranged for me to mail in certified copies of my documents (which they returned to me). A few things that helped me prepare: - I gathered all documents beforehand (death certificate, marriage certificate, both SSNs, my birth certificate, his last W-2, and bank info) - I scheduled the appointment for a Tuesday morning, which the rep said tends to be less hectic - I had my daughter with me during the phone call to help me stay focused - grief brain is real The whole process from appointment to first payment took about 3 weeks. At 58, you'll get reduced benefits, but sometimes that's still the right choice depending on your financial needs. Take care of yourself through this process. You don't have to handle everything at once.