Great questions! I'll try to help based on what I learned when my mom went through this process: 1. There isn't a specific form to fill out beforehand - it's all handled during the phone appointment. The SSA rep will gather all the info and process the application during that call. They'll send any paperwork that needs signatures by mail. 2. For documents, definitely have ready: marriage certificate, death certificate, birth certificates (yours and spouse's), Social Security cards, last few years of tax returns, bank account info for direct deposit, and any military discharge papers if applicable. Also helpful to have your spouse's W-2s or self-employment records to verify earnings history. 3. You absolutely need to ask them to verify the delayed retirement credits calculation! Don't assume they'll get it right automatically. My mom had to specifically ask them to walk through the math showing how they calculated her benefit amount. The first rep got it wrong and we had to call back to get it corrected. I'd also suggest creating a simple one-page summary with all your key info (SSNs, dates of birth, marriage date, etc.) so your wife doesn't have to hunt for details during an already stressful call. The more organized and prepared she is, the smoother the process will go. The SSA website really doesn't prepare you for the reality of dealing with their system. These real-world experiences are invaluable!

As someone who just went through the survivor benefits process 6 months ago, I can confirm that bringing someone with you is EXTREMELY helpful. My sister came with me to the SSA office and it made all the difference. She took notes while I focused on answering questions, and she caught several things the rep glossed over quickly. A few additional tips from my experience: - Write down the rep's name and direct number if they give one - Ask for a written summary of what benefits you'll receive and when - If they say you're not eligible for something, ask them to explain exactly why in writing - Don't leave without a clear timeline of when your first payment will arrive One thing that really helped was that my husband had written a simple letter before he passed explaining our situation and what benefits I should be entitled to. When the SSA rep tried to shortchange me on the delayed retirement credits calculation, I was able to reference his notes and push back confidently. The rep "suddenly" found the error and corrected it. The whole system is unfortunately designed to wear you down, but being prepared and having support makes it manageable. Document everything and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add some perspective on the documentation process that might be helpful. I just completed my Social Security retirement application last month at age 62 and successfully applied for my 16-year-old daughter's benefits simultaneously. Beyond the basic documents others mentioned (birth certificate, Social Security card), I found it helpful to bring a copy of my most recent tax return showing my daughter as a dependent, and her school enrollment verification. The SSA representative said this helped streamline the process since it clearly established both the relationship and her student status. One thing that surprised me was that they were able to provide a detailed breakdown of the family maximum calculation right there in the office. Since you mentioned having just one child and no ex-spouse collecting benefits, you're likely in a very favorable position - I was told that single-child families rarely hit the actual family maximum limits. The representative also explained that child benefits automatically stop the month your child turns 18 (or graduates high school if still under 19), so that's built into their calculations when they show you the projected benefit amounts. This timing consideration might be important for your college planning since benefits could potentially stop before or during your daughter's freshman year depending on her birthday and graduation timing. I'd definitely recommend calling ahead to schedule an appointment rather than walking in - the wait times have been much better with scheduled appointments, and they can dedicate more time to walking through all the scenarios and calculations with you.

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to share some insights that might help with your decision-making process. I recently helped my brother navigate a very similar situation when he was considering early retirement at 62 with a 14-year-old son. One thing we discovered that hasn't been fully discussed here is the impact of your daughter's age on the total benefit period. Since she's currently 13 and you're planning to retire at 62 next summer, she would potentially receive benefits for about 4-5 years (until she turns 18 or graduates high school). This relatively short benefit period is important when weighing the FAFSA implications that others have mentioned. We found it helpful to create a spreadsheet comparing scenarios: taking early retirement now with child benefits versus waiting until full retirement age. While waiting would increase both your benefit and hers, you'd lose several years of actual payments. In my brother's case, the math actually favored taking early retirement because the cumulative benefits over those extra years outweighed the higher monthly amounts from waiting. Another consideration is that if you're planning to work part-time or have any earnings after claiming at 62, there are earnings limits that could reduce your benefits (and consequently your daughter's). For 2025, if you're under full retirement age, you can earn up to $23,400 without any reduction in benefits. I'd recommend getting that written estimate from SSA and then perhaps consulting with a fee-only financial advisor who can help you model out the long-term financial impact, including college costs and aid implications. This decision involves too many variables to make without running the actual numbers for your specific situation.

Thank you all for the incredibly helpful advice! I'm definitely going to wait until January 2025 to start my benefits, but I'll apply in November 2024 to get the ball rolling. I'm relieved to understand that my 2024 earnings won't affect my 2025 benefits as long as I start in January. And I'll look into that Claimyr service to speak with an SSA agent about the specifics of my situation. For my wife, we'll need to compare her own benefit at 62 versus the reduced spousal benefit to see which would be higher. Looks like we have some calculations to do! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain everything so clearly. This stuff is complicated and it's easy to make costly mistakes when you don't fully understand the rules.

Great thread with lots of solid advice! Just want to add one thing about Medicare enrollment since you mentioned turning 65 in January 2025 - make sure you sign up for Medicare Part A and B during your Initial Enrollment Period (3 months before your 65th birthday through 3 months after). Even though you're retiring early, you'll need Medicare coverage starting at 65. Also, if you have employer health insurance through COBRA or retiree benefits, you'll want to coordinate the timing so there's no gap in coverage. Medicare and Social Security enrollment are separate processes, so don't assume applying for one automatically handles the other. The January 2025 start date for Social Security benefits that everyone's recommending is definitely the smart financial move given your 2024 earnings!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. This clarifies a lot for our retirement planning. I'll definitely look into speaking with SSA directly about our specific situation, but it's good to know I have options if the unfortunate happens. The strategy of taking survivor benefits while letting my own continue to grow until 70 makes a lot of sense financially.

This is such valuable information for retirement planning. I'm in a similar boat - reached FRA but haven't claimed yet, and my spouse is a few years younger. The ability to claim survivor benefits while letting your own retirement benefits grow with delayed retirement credits until age 70 is a strategy I hadn't fully understood before reading this thread. It's reassuring to know there's flexibility in these difficult situations, even though nobody wants to think about losing their spouse. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here.

Update: I decided to apply online last night after reading everyone's advice. It took about 45 minutes total. The questions were pretty straightforward, though I did have to dig through some files for exact dates. I'll post again when I hear something from SSA. Thanks everyone for your help - I feel much less stressed now knowing I'm still within the timeframe!

Congratulations on getting your application submitted! That's a huge relief. I just wanted to add one more tip for anyone else in a similar situation - make sure to keep checking your my Social Security account regularly over the next few weeks. Sometimes they'll request additional documentation or clarification, and responding quickly can prevent delays. Also, if you don't hear anything within 2-3 weeks, don't hesitate to follow up. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, especially with government agencies. Best of luck with your January start date!