I'm sorry for your loss. This is such a difficult time to be dealing with these complicated benefit calculations. From what I'm reading in the comments, it sounds like you'll face a double reduction - one because your ex claimed early and another because you're claiming before your FRA. That seems really harsh given the circumstances. One thing I'd suggest is requesting a written estimate from SSA showing exactly how they calculated your survivor benefit amount. Sometimes having it in writing helps you understand all the factors they're considering, and it gives you something to reference if you get conflicting information from different representatives. Also, even though this situation is frustrating, it sounds like the strategy of taking survivor benefits now and switching to your own retirement benefit at 70 could still work out well for you financially in the long run. The waiting and uncertainty is terrible, but you're asking all the right questions to make the best decision possible.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Dealing with Social Security paperwork during grief is incredibly difficult. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you're getting solid advice about the dual reductions and the strategy of taking survivor benefits now then switching to your own at 70. One thing I'd add - when you do get through to SSA, ask them to walk you through a "what if" scenario comparing your total lifetime benefits under different claiming strategies. They can run projections showing what you'd receive if you claim survivor benefits at 63 vs waiting until FRA, and how that compares to taking your own benefits at different ages. Also, if you're having trouble getting through by phone, try calling right at 8am when they open - I've had better luck getting through in the first few minutes. And definitely bring a notepad when you finally speak with someone. These calculations are complex and you'll want to write down exactly what they tell you so you can reference it later. You're doing the right thing by researching this thoroughly before making your decision. Take your time - you don't have to rush into anything right now.

Just to wrap things up for you: 1. You can take your own retirement at 63 (reduced amount) 2. If your husband passes away, you can switch to survivor benefits 3. Those survivor benefits would be based on what your husband was receiving (which is slightly reduced since he filed at 64.5) 4. BUT, your survivor benefit would also be reduced if you take it before your FRA (67) 5. If you wait until your FRA to take survivor benefits, you'd get 100% of what your husband was receiving The key is to look at both benefits as separate decisions. The optimal strategy usually involves taking the smaller benefit first and the larger one later. In most cases, waiting until FRA for survivor benefits makes financial sense if you can afford to do so.

I'm glad to see this got sorted out for you! Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful for others reading this thread - there's also something called a "restricted application" strategy that used to be available, but it was phased out for people born after January 1, 1954. Since you mentioned you're turning 63, you likely don't qualify for this option, but it's worth mentioning that Social Security rules have changed over the years. Also, if you haven't already, consider creating a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. You can see your benefit estimates there and even get personalized projections for different claiming ages. It's really helpful for planning purposes and much easier than trying to get through on the phone! Best of luck with your retirement decision - sounds like you've got a good handle on things now.

I want to thank everyone for their helpful responses. I've decided to: 1. Create a my Social Security account to see current estimates 2. Try calling my local office directly for an appointment 3. If that doesn't work, I'll consider using that Claimyr service someone mentioned Based on what I'm hearing, it sounds like my benefit will still grow with delayed retirement credits even though I stopped working, but probably not as much as those original estimates showed. I'll make sure to get updated calculations before making any decisions about whether to switch from survivor to retirement benefits.

Just wanted to add something important that might help with your decision timing - survivor benefits don't have delayed retirement credits like your own retirement benefits do. Your survivor benefit of $1,950 will only increase with annual COLA adjustments, while your own retirement benefit can grow by 8% per year until age 70. Since you mentioned your FRA benefit was estimated at $2,200, even if that's reduced somewhat due to stopping work in 2021, the delayed credits could still make it worthwhile to wait. But definitely get those updated numbers first! Also, I've had good luck calling the SSA 800 number first thing in the morning right when they open at 7am. The wait times are usually much shorter then.

Thank you all so much for the helpful information! I've taken notes on everything to share with my sister. She'll be relieved to know her benefits will remain at 50% even after divorce, and it's interesting to learn about the survivor benefits possibility in the future. I'll definitely warn her about keeping documentation and the potential challenges dealing with SSA during the transition. This community has been incredibly helpful!

Just wanted to add one more important point that might help your sister - she should also be aware that if she's currently receiving Medicare through her husband's work history, that coverage may be affected by the divorce. She'll want to check with Medicare about her coverage options post-divorce to make sure there are no gaps. Sometimes people focus on the Social Security benefits and forget about the healthcare coverage aspects. Good luck to her navigating this difficult situation!

I'm sorry for your loss, Kristian. I just went through this process last year when my father passed away. One thing I wanted to mention that I didn't see covered yet - if you're mailing the Form 1724, I'd strongly recommend sending it via certified mail with return receipt requested. It gives you proof that SSA received your application and a tracking number to reference if there are any issues. I learned this the hard way when my first application seemed to disappear into the void for weeks before I could prove I had actually submitted it. Also, keep photocopies of everything you send for your own records. The whole process can take months, so having your own complete file helps when you need to reference dates or details later. Hope this helps!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Kristian. I went through a very similar situation when my mom passed away last year, including dealing with a reluctant executor sibling. You're absolutely right that you can file Form 1724 yourself - any eligible child can apply for survivor benefits regardless of who the executor is. For the name change section, I simply wrote on a separate sheet: "Jane Doe was born Jane Smith and changed her name upon marriage to John Doe on [date]" for each affected sibling. SSA accepted this without requesting marriage certificates upfront, though I kept copies handy just in case. One thing to double-check: make sure your 19-year-old sister is still in high school, as college students aren't eligible for survivor benefits (that changed back in the 1980s). If she's graduated high school, she unfortunately won't qualify unless she has a qualifying disability. The processing time can be lengthy (mine took about 4 months), so definitely send everything certified mail with tracking. Good luck, and feel free to ask if you have more questions!