My neighbor's kid got approved for benefits continuation by enrolling in a program that combined GED prep with vocational training. It was technically a "transition program" for students with special needs. Maybe look into whether your county has something similar? Sometimes they're run through the school district or county services.

To summarize what appears to be causing confusion: 1. You WILL receive any DRCs your husband earned between his FRA and his death at 66. 2. You will NOT receive additional DRCs he might have earned had he lived longer (up to age 70). 3. Since you mentioned he died at 66, which was likely very close to his FRA, there may be very few DRCs involved (possibly just a few months' worth). 4. Given your still-working status and the fact that your own benefit at 70 would be less than the widow's benefit, waiting until your widow's FRA (66+8mo) appears to be the optimal strategy in your case. 5. Once you stop working or reach your FRA, don't forget to inquire about the possible 6 months of retroactive benefits that may be available if you file after your FRA.

Just wanted to add one more important point that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand the difference between "deemed filing" and survivor benefits timing. Since you're 62 now, if you were to file for any Social Security benefits before your widow's FRA, you'd be subject to deemed filing rules that could permanently reduce your benefits. Also, I'd strongly recommend getting a personalized benefit estimate from SSA that shows your projected widow's benefit amount. This will help you make the most informed decision about timing. You can request this when you call SSA or visit a local office. Given your situation (still working full-time with good income, widow's benefit higher than your own), waiting until your widow's FRA definitely seems like the right strategy. Just make sure to apply a few months before you want benefits to start to avoid any processing delays!

My advice after 30+ years dealing with SSA: always be proactive. Their systems are backlogged and understaffed. I'd recommend both calling AND visiting your local office with marriage certificate in hand. For calling, try exactly at opening time (usually 7am) on Wednesdays or Thursdays when call volumes tend to be lower based on my experience. Don't count on them figuring things out automatically.

I went through this exact situation last year! My advice is to definitely bring your marriage certificate to the office, but call ahead first to see if you can schedule an appointment. Walking in without an appointment at most SSA offices means you'll be waiting 2-4 hours easily. When I finally got through by phone, they told me they had been waiting for my marriage certificate for weeks but never sent a request letter. Brought it in the next day and my spousal benefit was processed within 10 days. Also, make sure you bring a certified copy, not just a photocopy - they're particular about that. The extra $300/month I got was definitely worth the hassle!

While the system is certainly complex, SSA does provide decision tools and calculators on their website to help with these choices. That said, you make a valid point that many people don't receive optimal benefits because they don't understand all their options. This is why it's crucial to speak with a Technical Expert at SSA who specializes in retirement and survivors benefits, rather than relying solely on the information provided by the first representative you reach.

I'm new to this community but facing a very similar situation, so thank you all for sharing your experiences! I'm 61 and recently started receiving SSDI after a workplace injury. My husband passed away last year, and I'm trying to understand when I should apply for survivor benefits and how that interacts with my disability benefits. Reading through this thread has been incredibly helpful - especially learning about the SGA limits and the importance of asking for a Technical Expert rather than just any representative. One question I have: if I'm already on SSDI, do I need to separately apply for survivor benefits, or will SSA automatically consider me for both? Also, has anyone here used the SSA's online calculators that were mentioned? Are they reliable for planning purposes, or should I only rely on what a Technical Expert tells me in person?

Your strategy sounds solid. The only thing I'd add is that talking directly with SSA probably won't give you the strategic advice you're looking for - they'll explain the rules but typically don't provide planning strategies. A financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies might be more helpful. As for verification, the SSA.gov website has good information on survivor benefits if you want to confirm. Look under "If You Are The Survivor" section.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might also want to consider the "restricted application" strategy if either of you is eligible. Since you're both born before 1954, you may have some additional claiming options that younger folks don't have access to anymore. Also, just a heads up - when you do eventually need to apply for survivor benefits (hopefully many years from now), make sure you have all the necessary documents ready. You'll need things like the death certificate, marriage certificate, and both of your Social Security numbers. Having these organized ahead of time can help speed up what is already a lengthy process during a difficult time. Your overall strategy sounds very reasonable given your financial situation and the benefit amounts you described. The flexibility to switch between benefits really does make this approach work well for many couples.