Tell them to set up a my social security account online NOW too if they haven't!!! Makes everything easier later!!!

As someone who worked in social services for years, I want to emphasize one crucial point that hasn't been mentioned - make sure they have a certified English translation of their Thai marriage certificate if they don't already. SSA will require this for the survivor benefit application. Also, since she's been his full-time caregiver, document this relationship thoroughly with medical records, insurance forms, etc. This helps establish the legitimacy of their marriage. One more thing - if your uncle has any adult children from previous relationships, they should be aware that survivor benefits don't reduce what a surviving spouse receives, so there shouldn't be any family conflicts over benefits.

To directly answer your original question: yes, you have the basic concept correct. You need to be receiving less than 50% of your husband's PIA at his FRA to qualify for a spousal top-up, and he needs to be collecting his own benefits (which he is). The next step is determining if your $2,150 benefit is less than 50% of his PIA. This may require contacting SSA directly as others have suggested.

Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - when you do call SSA, ask them to calculate the exact spousal benefit amount you'd be entitled to and have them explain how they arrived at that number. Sometimes the representatives give different answers, so getting the specific calculation helps you verify if the information is consistent. Also, if you're eligible for any spousal benefits, ask about the effective date - whether it starts from your FRA or from when you apply. The timing can make a difference in whether you get any back pay. Good luck navigating this process!

As someone who just went through this process last year, I can confirm that SSA definitely uses your gross wages before any deductions. I learned this the hard way when I got an overpayment notice even though my Social Security taxable wages (Box 3 on W-2) were under the limit. What helped me was setting up a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov where you can report your expected annual earnings. This way they can adjust your monthly payments throughout the year instead of you having to pay back a lump sum later. Also, keep detailed records of your pay stubs - you'll need them if there are any discrepancies when they do their annual reconciliation. The good news is that once you hit your full retirement age, none of this matters anymore and you can earn as much as you want without any benefit reductions!

I work as a benefits counselor and can confirm what others have said - SSA absolutely uses your gross wages before ANY deductions for the earnings test. This includes health insurance, 401k contributions, HSA contributions, etc. The $8,750 difference you mentioned is actually pretty typical when someone has good benefits! A few practical tips: First, definitely report your expected earnings to SSA proactively using your my Social Security account online. Second, if you're close to the limit, consider asking your employer about unpaid time off in December to stay under - even a week or two can make a difference. Third, remember that the earnings test only applies to WAGES from employment, not other income like pensions, rental income, or investment gains. One silver lining - any months where your benefits are reduced due to the earnings test will result in a permanent increase to your monthly benefit amount once you reach full retirement age. It's not lost money, just deferred!

As someone who just went through this process earlier this year, I can confirm what others are saying - don't wait until December! I applied in early November for a January 1st start date and it worked perfectly. My first payment arrived in February as expected. The key things that helped me: 1. Applied online (it was faster than trying to get an in-person appointment) 2. Clearly specified "January 2025" as my benefit start month on the application 3. Had all my documents ready (W-2s, birth certificate, etc.) One thing I learned: even though you'll be at FRA in December and the earnings test won't apply to you anyway, starting benefits in January vs December can still affect your annual benefit calculation if you have any complex work situations. But honestly, at FRA it's mostly a non-issue. My recommendation: apply by early November at the latest. That gives SSA plenty of time to process everything and you won't be stressed about potential delays. The peace of mind is worth it!

I'm in a very similar situation and really appreciate everyone's experiences here! I'm 65 and 8 months, planning to file for benefits to start January 1st. After reading all these responses, I'm definitely not going to wait until December - that seems like playing with fire based on what happened to others. One question I have: when you apply online and specify January 2025 as your start month, does the system automatically calculate that your first payment will be in February? Or do you need to specify that somewhere? I want to make sure I'm not accidentally requesting something that would cause delays. Also, for those who applied online successfully - did you get any confirmation about your requested start date, or do you just have to trust that they processed it correctly? I'm planning to apply next week after reading all this. Better to be 3 months early than 3 weeks late!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Micah. Going through this while grieving is incredibly overwhelming. I wanted to add one more important detail that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you're receiving spousal child-in-care benefits, there are earnings limits you need to be aware of. For 2025, if you're under full retirement age, you can earn up to $23,400 before your benefits start getting reduced. They reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn over that limit. This is different from your children's benefits - their benefits aren't affected by your earnings, only yours are. It's worth factoring this into your work planning, especially since everyone's emphasizing how important it is to keep working. The SSA website has a calculator that can help you figure out how much you can earn without affecting your benefits. Just another layer of complexity in an already confusing system, but important to know about.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Micah. I went through this same confusion when my husband passed 3 years ago, leaving me with two kids. The terminology is absolutely maddening! Here's the simplest way I can explain it: Think of it as two separate benefit "buckets." Bucket 1: Your CHILDREN each get their own individual benefit (Child's Insurance Benefit) - this lasts until they're 18/19. Bucket 2: YOU get a benefit (Mother's/Father's Insurance Benefit) for taking care of kids under 16 - yours stops when your youngest hits 16. The reason SSA calls them both "child-in-care" benefits is because they're both triggered by having eligible children, but they're completely separate payments with different rules. What really helped me was getting a written breakdown from SSA showing exactly what each person in my family was getting and when each benefit would end. Don't be afraid to ask for this in writing - it makes planning so much easier than trying to remember verbal explanations. You're doing great navigating this impossible system while dealing with such a huge loss.