Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! I feel much more confident now about my plan to take survivor benefits at 64 and then switch to my own retirement benefit at 70. Just to summarize what I've learned from all of you: 1) The two benefits are calculated independently 2) Taking survivor benefits early will reduce THOSE benefits, but not my future retirement benefit 3) I need to be very clear when applying that I'm ONLY applying for survivor benefits 4) I should contact the SSA about 3 months before I want to switch to my own benefit 5) If the phones are impossible, there are services that can help get through This forum has been so much more helpful than the official information! Thanks again.

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.

Just wanted to add my recent experience - I applied for divorced spouse benefits 3 months ago and yes, they absolutely required a birth certificate. I tried to use my passport initially, but the SSA office said it was expired by just 2 months so they wouldn't accept it. Had to get a certified birth certificate copy from my state's vital records office online. The whole process took about 3 weeks from ordering to getting my benefits approved. One tip - when you order online, make sure to get the "long form" birth certificate if your state offers different versions, as SSA sometimes rejects the shorter abstract versions. Also, if you're planning to file online through my.ssa.gov, have all your documents ready to scan/upload because the system times out if you take too long between pages. Good luck with your application!

I work at a local SSA field office and can confirm what others have said - you definitely need either a birth certificate OR a valid unexpired passport for divorced spouse benefits. The REAL ID alone won't work because we need specific age verification documentation for benefit calculations. Since you don't have a passport, I'd strongly recommend ordering a certified copy of your birth certificate online from your birth state's vital records website rather than waiting for your sister to mail yours. Most states have this service now and it usually takes 1-2 weeks. Make sure to request the "certified" or "official" copy with the raised seal - photocopies or regular copies won't be accepted. Also, since you mentioned you're 66, you're smart to file now at your full retirement age to get the maximum divorced spouse benefit amount. The online application at ssa.gov is usually the fastest way to apply once you have all your documents ready to upload.

So glad you were able to get this resolved! It's frustrating that the system flagged your payment because of the previous fraud incident - you'd think they'd have better ways to verify without causing stress to beneficiaries who are already victims. The separate bank account idea is brilliant too. Thanks for updating us on what happened - this thread will be really helpful for others who run into similar issues.

This whole situation highlights a major problem with SSA's fraud prevention system - it seems like once you've been a victim of fraud, you're more likely to have future payments flagged and delayed. It's almost like they're punishing you for being victimized in the first place! I'm glad you got it sorted out with the Claimyr service, but it shouldn't take a third-party service to get basic answers about your own benefits. The fact that they can flag payments for "verification" without any notification to the beneficiary is really concerning, especially for people who depend on that money for basic living expenses.

Just to answer your original question again - stopping work and starting Social Security are completely independent. You can stop working in September 2025 and wait until December 2025 (or even later) to start your benefits with absolutely no problems or penalties. The only thing that matters for your benefit calculation is your age when you start collecting.

One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - make sure to notify your employer well in advance about your September departure plans. Some companies have specific policies about retirement notices, and you'll want to understand how your benefits (like health insurance, 401k contributions, etc.) will be handled during your final months. Also, if you have any unused vacation time, find out if that gets paid out or if you need to use it before leaving. Planning these details now will make your transition much smoother when September comes around!

That's great news! I'm so glad you got through to someone at SSA who could give you the clarity you needed. It sounds like you're in a really good position with your timing and earnings projections. Just wanted to add one more tip - when you do file in February 2026, make sure to give them your best estimate of your January-June earnings on the application. Even though you'll likely be under the limit, being upfront about your expected earnings helps avoid any surprises later. And definitely keep good records of your actual monthly earnings just in case they need verification down the road. Congratulations on getting your retirement planning sorted out!

This has been such an informative discussion! As someone approaching my own retirement decisions, I've learned so much from reading through everyone's experiences. A few key takeaways that might help others in similar situations: 1. The Claimyr service mentioned seems like a game-changer for actually reaching SSA by phone - I've had the same frustrating experience with long hold times and disconnections. 2. The distinction between the regular earnings limit and the higher limit in your FRA year is crucial - I didn't realize there were two different thresholds. 3. The advice about being proactive with earnings estimates when filing is excellent - transparency upfront seems much better than dealing with overpayments later. For anyone else navigating this transition, it sounds like the key is getting official confirmation from SSA rather than trying to piece together information from multiple sources. The rules are complex enough that even well-meaning advice can sometimes miss important nuances. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - communities like this are invaluable for navigating these complicated government programs!