I'm in a very similar situation! I started collecting my benefits at 63 (needed the income after losing my job) and just turned 74. My ex and I were married for 16 years, and I never remarried either. Reading through these responses has been so helpful - I had no idea I might be eligible for divorced spouse benefits even though I'm already collecting my own reduced benefits. One thing I'm wondering about that I haven't seen mentioned yet - does anyone know if there's a time limit on how long after your divorce you can apply for these benefits? We've been divorced for almost 20 years now, and I'm worried I might have waited too long to look into this option. Also, for those who have successfully switched or supplemented their benefits - how long did the whole process take from application to receiving the increased payments? I'm hoping it's not a months-long wait since I'm living pretty tight on my current benefit amount. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here - this community is such a valuable resource!

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - took early retirement benefits at 64 and wondering about divorced spouse benefits now. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational! One thing I'd like to add for anyone considering this: make sure you gather ALL your paperwork before contacting SSA. I learned this the hard way when dealing with disability paperwork years ago. Having your marriage certificate, divorce decree, and any other relevant documents organized beforehand can really speed up the process. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you speak with isn't fully knowledgeable about divorced spouse benefits - as several people mentioned, the rules are complex and not all representatives are equally informed. Be prepared to explain your situation clearly and don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor or specialist if needed. Sophia, I really hope this works out for you! Even a modest increase can make such a difference in monthly budgeting. Keep us posted on how it goes - your experience could help others in similar situations.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Honorah. I know this process feels overwhelming right now, but you're asking all the right questions. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - if your husband was in the military or worked for the government, there might be additional survivor benefits available through those programs that work alongside Social Security. Also, some employers offer life insurance or pension survivor benefits that you should check into if you haven't already. The Social Security CIC benefits everyone has explained are definitely your priority right now, but don't forget to also contact his former employer's HR department to ask about any other survivor benefits you might be entitled to. Sometimes these additional benefits can really help bridge the gap, especially during that period when your CIC benefits stop at 16 but before you're eligible for widow benefits at 60. Take care of yourself during this difficult time - the paperwork and applications will get sorted out, but make sure you're getting the emotional support you need too.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Honorah. I wanted to share something that might help with the application process - if you're comfortable with technology, you can actually create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov and start some of the paperwork there. It won't replace the need to speak with someone for survivor benefits, but it can help you get organized and familiar with the system. Also, I've found that Tuesday through Thursday mornings tend to have shorter wait times than Mondays or Fridays when calling SSA. And if you do get disconnected (which happens unfortunately), don't give up - the system is frustrating but the benefits are absolutely worth it. One more thing - when you do speak with a representative, ask them to send you a written summary of what benefits you've applied for and the timeline for processing. This gives you something to reference later and helps ensure nothing falls through the cracks. You're being so strong advocating for yourself and your children during such a difficult time. The CIC benefits will provide some financial stability while you're navigating this new chapter. Take it one day at a time.

Good plan. Make sure to specifically ask them to calculate both amounts for you before making a final decision. Sometimes the difference can be very small, and it's worth understanding exactly what you'll receive. Best of luck with your appointment!

One thing to add that might help with your planning - if you're still working and earning income, be aware of the earnings test rules even though you're at FRA. Since you've reached your full retirement age, there's no earnings limit that would reduce your Social Security benefits, so you can work and collect your full benefit amount without any penalties. This is different from people who claim benefits before their FRA. Also, when you do file, make sure to ask SSA to provide you with a written breakdown showing exactly how they calculated both your own retirement benefit and the ex-spouse benefit amount. Having this documentation can be really helpful for your records and future planning. The whole process can feel overwhelming, but you're asking all the right questions!

Thank you all for your helpful responses! I didn't realize this was so complicated. I'm going to try to reach the SSA to get the exact calculation based on our specific situation. It sounds like I might get a small increase but probably not as much as I was hoping for. I'll update when I find out more information!

I went through this exact same situation two years ago! I was 65, on SSDI for 6 years, and my husband was already collecting his Social Security. The key thing to understand is that you're not really "switching" - you're applying for what's called "auxiliary benefits" on your husband's record. SSA will pay you whichever amount is higher: your SSDI or the spousal benefit. In my case, I ended up getting about $300 more per month, which has been a huge help with rising costs. The process took about 6 weeks once I finally got through to them. One tip: try calling SSA first thing in the morning right when they open - I had much better luck getting through that way. Also, have all your documents ready including your marriage certificate and both of your Social Security numbers. Good luck!

I'm a newcomer to this community but wanted to share what I learned when helping my uncle with a similar situation last year. One thing that really helped us was downloading the SSA-11 form ahead of time from the Social Security website and filling it out completely before going to the office. This saved us a lot of time and the SSA staff seemed to appreciate that we came prepared. Also, I'd suggest asking the nursing home for a written statement explaining exactly how much they expect to receive monthly and how they'll handle the personal needs allowance. Having this documentation helped us when we met with the SSA representative - they wanted to see that we understood the financial arrangement. The whole process felt overwhelming at first, but breaking it down into steps made it manageable: 1) Get all documents together, 2) Fill out the form, 3) Visit SSA office, 4) Coordinate with nursing home. Don't hesitate to ask questions at each step - everyone we worked with was more helpful once they saw we were actively trying to do things correctly.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since I just went through this exact process with my grandmother three months ago. The nursing home staff kept using confusing terminology that made everything sound more complicated than it needed to be. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: You're essentially becoming your sister's "financial representative" for Social Security purposes, which is separate from your POA. Think of it as SSA's own version of power of attorney specifically for benefits. A few practical tips that saved me time: - Bring a medical statement from your sister's doctor confirming she cannot manage her own affairs (this speeds up approval) - Get the nursing home's exact banking information in writing before your SSA appointment - Ask specifically about your state's personal needs allowance amount so you know what to expect The nursing home social worker should be helping you with this transition - if they're not being helpful, ask to speak with their financial coordinator or administrator. This is literally part of their job since they handle Medicaid residents regularly. Don't let them rush you, but also don't delay too long. Most facilities are understanding if they see you're actively working on the process. You're doing everything right by seeking information and asking questions!