This is all really helpful information. I'm going to call SSA tomorrow to schedule my application. From what everyone's saying, it sounds like I'll get the full 50% of my husband's current benefit (which includes all the COLAs since 2020), not just 50% of what he was getting back then. Since I'm already past my FRA, I shouldn't have any reductions either. That's a nice relief! Thanks everyone for your help explaining this.

Just wanted to add one more point that might be helpful - if you're eligible for benefits on your own work record as well, make sure to ask SSA to check if your own benefit would be higher than the spousal benefit. They should automatically do this comparison, but it's worth confirming. Sometimes people are surprised to find their own benefit is actually better, especially with all the recent COLAs applied to their own earnings record too. The SSA will pay you whichever amount is higher, so you want to make sure they're checking both options when you file.

I'm sorry for your loss. This is such a challenging situation to navigate while grieving and caring for your children. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should definitely contact SSA to see if you currently qualify for father's benefits while caring for your children under 16. Since your youngest is 10, you could potentially receive these benefits until they turn 16 - that's about 6 years of additional support during this difficult time. Also, regarding the earnings limit for your children's future employment - you can actually report their wages to SSA throughout the year rather than waiting for the annual reconciliation. Call them when your kids start working and ask about voluntary monthly reporting. This helps avoid those surprise overpayment notices that others mentioned. For the blackout period planning, consider setting up automatic transfers from any survivor benefits you're currently receiving into a separate savings account specifically for those gap years. Even $100-200 per month now could make a significant difference when that time comes. Finally, create your mySocialSecurity account ASAP if you haven't already. You'll be able to see projections of your own benefits at different claiming ages, which will help you make informed decisions about survivor benefits versus your own retirement benefits later on. The system is complex and often feels unfair, but understanding these rules now puts you in a much better position than many people who discover them too late.

I'm sorry for your loss. Reading through all these responses really highlights how complex and sometimes harsh the Social Security system can be for surviving spouses. One additional resource that might help - many local AARP offices offer free Social Security counseling sessions where volunteers (often retired SSA employees) can walk through your specific situation. They're usually more patient than trying to get through on the phone and can help you understand all the timing considerations. Also, if your younger child has ongoing health issues that require significant care, you might want to look into whether they could qualify for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) based on disability. This is separate from survivor benefits and has different rules. If they qualify before age 22, they could potentially continue receiving benefits as an adult disabled child even after survivor benefits end. The documentation and planning everyone is suggesting is spot-on. Keep detailed records of everything - your work history, your wife's earnings record, any disability documentation for your child, and definitely track any future earnings your kids might have from jobs. It's overwhelming now, but you're asking the right questions at the right time. That puts you ahead of many people who discover these gaps too late to plan effectively.

I'm in a very similar situation - born in 1958 and still working full-time while approaching my FRA. One thing I learned from my HR department that might be helpful: if your employer offers a 401k match, make sure you're still maximizing that while you're collecting Social Security. Some people get focused on the SS decision and forget they're still earning free money from their employer match. Also, since you mentioned your health isn't the greatest, you might want to check if you qualify for any disability benefits before your FRA. Sometimes people don't realize they could have been collecting earlier if they had certain qualifying conditions. The SSA disability office is separate from retirement benefits but it's worth a quick check. Good luck with your decision! Sounds like you have a solid plan forming.

As someone who works in retirement planning, I want to add one more consideration that hasn't been fully addressed - the impact of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your retirement accounts. Since you're planning to work until 70, you'll likely hit age 73 (when RMDs kick in) while still earning a full salary AND collecting Social Security. This could create a perfect storm for taxes in your early 70s. You might want to consider doing some Roth conversions in the gap years between when you start SS at FRA and when RMDs begin, especially if you have traditional 401k/IRA balances. The years between 67-72 could be a sweet spot for managing your tax brackets more strategically. Also, don't forget about the Social Security "do-over" rule - if you change your mind within 12 months of filing, you can withdraw your application, pay back what you received, and reapply later. It's like a one-time reset button, though most people don't need it.

Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience as a rep payee - when you go to set up those separate accounts, ask the bank about their "representative payee" account options specifically. Some banks have special account types designed for this purpose that make the annual reporting easier by automatically categorizing transactions. Also, if you're worried about keeping track of everything, most banks now offer free monthly statements via email, and you can even set up automatic transfers from the kids' accounts to your main account for their share of household expenses like rent and groceries. This creates a clear paper trail that SSA likes to see. The whole process really isn't as scary as it sounds - you're already taking care of your kids financially, this just formalizes it a bit. Good luck with everything!

I've been a representative payee for my disabled adult child for over 10 years, and while the situation is a bit different, the core responsibilities are the same. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here is to take photos of any major purchases you make for the kids using their benefits - things like school clothes, computer for schoolwork, medical expenses, etc. It's not required, but having visual documentation has been helpful when filling out those annual reports, especially when you're trying to remember what you spent months ago. Also, if either of your teenagers has any special needs or medical expenses, make sure to keep detailed records of those - SSA considers medical care a priority use of benefits. The learning curve is real, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. Just remember that as their parent, you're already making decisions in their best interest - being a rep payee just means documenting it a bit more formally.

Just to clarify something important that might not be obvious from the other responses - when you do eventually claim survivor benefits, you'll need to apply for them. Social Security doesn't automatically switch you over or start paying them when your husband passes away. You'll need to contact SSA (or visit a local office) with the death certificate, marriage certificate, and other documentation to start the process. Also, survivor benefits can be paid retroactively for up to 6 months from the date you apply, so don't worry if there's a delay in getting the paperwork together during what's already a difficult time. The key is to apply as soon as you reasonably can after the loss.

I just want to echo what others have said about the importance of planning ahead and having those conversations with SSA. My situation is similar to yours - I'm 61 and my husband is 64, and his estimated benefit is quite a bit higher than mine too. One thing I learned when I called SSA last month is that they can actually run hypothetical scenarios for you over the phone. They were able to tell me exactly what my survivor benefit would be at different claiming ages, and how it would compare to my own retirement benefit if I delayed claiming. It really helped me understand my options better than just trying to figure it out from the website. The representative I spoke with was very patient and walked me through several "what if" scenarios. If you do call, I'd suggest having both of your Social Security statements handy so they can give you the most accurate information for your specific situation.