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!

Just to clarify for everyone: The online application allows you to specify a benefit start date up to 4 months in the future. So if the original poster applies now (October 2024), they can specify January 2025 as their start month, and their first payment would arrive in February 2025. There's really no advantage to waiting until December to apply. Applying earlier gives SSA more processing time and reduces the risk of delays pushing the start date beyond January. Also, as others have correctly pointed out, once you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), the earnings test no longer applies at all. You can earn unlimited amounts without any benefit reduction.

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've been through this exact situation and it's a complete mess to understand! Here's what my experience was: I got mother's benefits (aka spousal child-in-care) until my youngest hit 16, then BOOM - nothing for me until I hit retirement age. Each child got their own benefit until 18 (19 if still in high school). The WORST thing is that they don't warn you about the cliff when the youngest turns 16! Start planning NOW for that income drop. My family's finances took a major hit because I didn't understand this would happen.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Micah. Losing a spouse while caring for young children is incredibly difficult. I went through something similar 4 years ago and the Social Security terminology was absolutely bewildering at first. Here's what I wish someone had explained to me clearly: You'll receive TWO separate benefit streams. First, each of your three children gets their own "Child's Insurance Benefit" (the child-in-care benefits) - this continues until they turn 18, or 19 if still in high school. Second, YOU get a "Mother's Insurance Benefit" (the spousal child-in-care benefit) because you're caring for children under 16. Your benefit stops when your youngest turns 16 - that's 10 years from now for you. The confusing part is SSA sometimes calls both types "child-in-care" benefits, but they're completely different. One key thing to remember: there's a family maximum that caps your total household benefits, so the amounts might be less than the individual percentages would suggest. Also, definitely keep working if you can manage it - you'll need your own earnings record for when your spousal benefit ends. Feel free to ask if you need clarification on anything!

Regarding the inflation question - Social Security benefits receive annual Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) whether you've claimed benefits yet or not. Your calculated benefit at FRA includes all COLAs that occurred since you turned 62, even if you haven't started receiving benefits yet. So inflation doesn't reduce the advantage of waiting. The break-even analysis (when the total benefits received by waiting equals what you'd get by filing early) typically occurs in your early 80s. If your family has longevity as you mentioned, waiting is statistically advantageous.

I'm glad to see so many helpful responses here! Just wanted to add one practical tip - you can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to see your estimated benefits at different claiming ages. It will show you exactly how much you'd get at 63 vs your FRA vs age 70. This can help you make a more informed decision based on your actual numbers rather than general percentages. The account also shows your complete earnings history so you can verify that your 37 years of work are properly recorded. Good luck with your decision!