anybody know if this effects SSI too? my cousin gets SSI and is getting married next month

So to summarize for everyone: the "claim spousal at FRA, then switch to your own at 70" strategy (restricted application) only works if you were born before January 2, 1954. For everyone else, once you file, you get the higher of either benefit and can't switch later. It's frustrating how many outdated articles are still out there!

wait wait wait i think you guys are cofusing SSA rules. isnt there still something he can do with a 'deemed filing' exception? My friend did something like that recently. Maybe ask about that specificaly?

Thank you all for your helpful responses! It seems clear now that my husband can't collect on my record while delaying his own benefits since he was born after January 1954. We'll stick with our plan to have him wait until 70 to maximize his benefit (and my potential survivor benefit). I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this - Social Security rules can be so confusing!

Hiya! I just went through this whole thing last year. For me, I was confused between Medicare and SS retirement - they're totally different! Signed up for Medicare at 65 (do this!!!) but I'm waiting till 69 probably for the SS payments. My husband's still working so we don't need the money yet. When I called they said I can just call whenever I'm ready to start. No paperwork needed now. Also my neighbor said be careful about working while collecting before FRA, apparently there's some complicated earnings limit but after FRA you can earn whatever you want?

Wow, I'm blown away by all the helpful responses! Thank you everyone. So to summarize what I've learned: 1. I don't need to notify SSA about delaying retirement benefits 2. I SHOULD apply for Medicare now (will do that this week) 3. When I decide to collect (probably at 70), I just apply then 4. There's an earnings limit before FRA but not after 5. I need to be aware of the 6-month retroactivity limit This forum has been so much more helpful than the official SSA website! I feel much better informed now.

my dad was on ssdi for like 20 yrs and when he hit 67 last yr nothing changed with his payments so yea ur stuck with what u got

Just to provide a bit more context on why this system exists this way: The intention of SSDI is to provide income to those who cannot work due to disability, essentially replacing the income you would have earned until retirement age. The intention of delayed retirement credits is to compensate people for delaying the start of their benefits. Since SSDI recipients already receive benefits early, the system doesn't allow for both advantages (early receipt and delayed credits). There's no way to "pause" SSDI at FRA and then restart as retirement at 70 with increases.

just wondering, how old r u and ur husband? cause that matters for the benefits i think

Based on your ages (68 and 72), you're both at Full Retirement Age, which simplifies things considerably. Since you're already at FRA, if your husband were to pass away, you would be eligible to receive 100% of his benefit amount immediately with no reduction. And since you're not working, there would be no earnings test to worry about. Just ensure both of you have created MySocialSecurity accounts online. This will make it easier to track benefits and provide you with benefit verification letters that might be needed during the survivor benefit application process.

I want to emphasize what was said above about the Date Last Insured (DLI) - this is absolutely worth investigating. MS cases can be particularly complex because the onset is often gradual, but she should focus on documenting when the condition first prevented her from working at a substantial level (what SSA calls Substantial Gainful Activity or SGA). Additionally, regarding spousal benefits - your sister would need to wait until age 62 for reduced spousal retirement benefits, or full retirement age (67 for her) for unreduced spousal benefits. If she pursues the SSDI route based on her own record with the DLI approach, she should gather: 1. All medical records documenting her MS progression, especially from 8 years ago 2. Employment records showing when she reduced hours or stopped working 3. Statements from former employers or coworkers about how her condition affected her work 4. A detailed written statement about how her symptoms progressed This documentation will be crucial if she needs to prove she became disabled before her DLI expired.

Just wondering has she tried applying for state disability programs? Some states have their own disability benefits that aren't as strict as SSDI with the work credits thing.

does anyone know if theres a form you can fill out for this instead of calling?? i hate talking on the phone lol

OP - just checking in. Were you able to get this resolved? Any updates to share with the group?

When my wife passed, they actually deposited an extra month's payment that I had to return. The rule is simple: the person must be alive for ALL days of the month to receive that month's benefit. Your father was alive all of January, so the January payment is correct to keep. He wasn't alive all of February, so they correctly reclaimed February's payment. One thing to note: if your father was receiving Social Security, you may be eligible for a one-time death benefit of $255 if you're his spouse or dependent child. Be sure to apply for that if you qualify.

sorry about your dad but count yourself lucky they only took back one month!! when my grandpa died they somehow took back 3 MONTHS of payments and said he wasnt eligible!! took my aunt almost a year to get it fixed and by then we had already paid all his bills from our own money! the whole system is a mess.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help. I called SSA yesterday (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned - definitely worked!) and they confirmed what you all said. Since I was born after 1954, I can't do the restricted application strategy. The agent ran the numbers and said my own benefit at 70 would be about $3,450 while the spousal benefit would be around $2,200 at my FRA. So waiting makes sense for me if I can manage financially until then. Really appreciate all the advice!

Yes, they said my own benefit at FRA would be about $2,650. So the ex-spousal benefit would be less than my own even at FRA. And waiting until 70 gives me an extra $800/month for potentially decades. Since I'm still working part-time and have some savings, I think I can make it work financially until 70.

YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THE SSA MAKES MISTAKES ALL THE TIME!!! When my husband died, they calculated my survivor benefit WRONG and I had to fight for MONTHS to get it fixed!!! Make sure your husband gets everything in writing and checks their math! Also make sure all your earnings are correctly recorded in the system NOW while you can still correct any mistakes. Print out everything and keep copies of EVERYTHING they send you!! The bureaucracy is a NIGHTMARE especially when you're grieving. I hope you beat your cancer but planning ahead is smart.

I just wanted to update and thank everyone for the helpful responses. I've created an account on ssa.gov to verify my earnings history (thankfully it's accurate). We've decided my husband will hold off claiming his own benefits for now. If I pass away before he reaches his FRA, he'll apply for survivor benefits even though they'll be reduced, then switch to his own benefits at 70 when they'll be maximized. The percentage chart was especially helpful in understanding how this works. I'm also going to suggest we meet with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning to make sure we're making the best choices for our specific situation.