I'm in a very similar situation and have been researching this for months! From what I've learned, you can definitely get the spousal supplement but you need to be prepared for the application process. A few tips that might help: 1) Try calling SSA at exactly 8am when they open - I finally got through after trying this approach, 2) Have your husband's Social Security number and his monthly benefit amount ready (if he's already receiving benefits), 3) Consider visiting your local SSA office in person if phone calls aren't working - you can often walk in for certain services or schedule an appointment online. The key thing to remember is that you're not "switching" benefits but rather adding a spousal supplement to what you're already receiving. Since your husband is 79 and already receiving benefits, this should be pretty straightforward once you get someone on the phone. Don't give up - you're entitled to this additional amount if half of his benefit is higher than what you're currently receiving!

I actually went through this exact same process about 8 months ago! Like you, I started taking my own benefits early (at 62) and then realized my husband's benefit was much higher. Here's what worked for me: I used the SSA's online appointment scheduler to book an in-person appointment at my local office - much easier than trying to get through on the phone. The whole process took about 45 minutes and the representative was really helpful in explaining everything. You'll definitely get the spousal supplement since half of your husband's benefit is higher than your current amount. Just make sure to bring your marriage certificate, both of your Social Security cards, and your husband's benefit statement if he has one. They processed mine in about 6 weeks and backdated it to the month I applied. Don't let the phone system discourage you - there are other ways to get this done!

I went through this exact same decision process about a year ago when my wife passed. The key thing I learned is that you absolutely CAN apply in March but request benefits to start in May - this is called a "protective filing date" and it's a standard option they offer. Here's what I'd recommend: Keep your March appointment (trust me, getting another one is a nightmare) but tell them you want benefits to start in May when you turn 63. This gives you the best of both worlds - you secure your application date AND get the higher percentage. The monthly increase is about 0.396% per month, so waiting from March to May would give you roughly 0.8% more of your husband's full benefit amount. On a $2,000 benefit, that's about $16 more per month, which adds up to nearly $200 extra per year. Also make sure you have ALL your documents ready - marriage certificate, death certificate, your husband's Social Security number, and your own work history if you have one. They'll walk you through whether survivor benefits or your own retirement benefits (taken later) would be better long-term. Good luck with your appointment - you're making a smart choice by thinking this through carefully.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Charlotte. I went through something very similar when my husband passed two years ago, and I understand how overwhelming all these decisions can feel when you're still grieving. Based on my experience and what others have shared here, I'd definitely recommend keeping your March appointment but requesting benefits to start in May. The SSA representatives are used to this request - it's actually quite common for people in your exact situation. One thing I wish someone had told me: bring a notebook to your appointment and don't be afraid to ask them to repeat information or explain things twice. There's a lot to process, and the representative should be patient with you. Also, if your first rep isn't helpful, you can always call back and speak with someone else. The monthly increase might seem small, but as others mentioned, it really does add up over time. Every little bit helps, especially with how expensive everything has gotten. You're being smart to think this through carefully rather than just rushing into it. Wishing you all the best with your appointment - you've got this!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really grateful for Emma sharing her complete experience with this spousal benefits denial situation. Reading through this thread has been incredibly educational about the complexities of applying for benefits during major legislative transitions. What strikes me most is how the WEP/GPO repeal timing created such confusion in SSA's processing system. It's concerning that their systems aren't equipped to properly handle applications that bridge implementation dates of new laws, but Emma's persistence in calling repeatedly really paid off in getting the real explanation. The advice throughout this thread about being very explicit with SSA agents about timing, considering in-person applications for complex cases, and applying closer to actual benefit start dates is invaluable. As someone who will eventually need to navigate this system myself, I'm taking notes on all these insights. Thanks to Emma for sharing the full journey and resolution, and to all the experienced community members who provided such detailed explanations. This kind of real-world guidance makes the Social Security system much less intimidating to understand!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm finding Emma's experience both incredibly educational and somewhat concerning. The fact that SSA's systems aren't properly equipped to handle applications that span major legislative implementation dates like the WEP/GPO repeal is frustrating but unfortunately not surprising given how slowly government systems adapt. What really stands out to me is how Emma's persistence in repeatedly calling SSA was absolutely crucial to getting the real explanation. It's a good reminder that sometimes the first answer isn't the correct one, especially during periods of significant rule changes. The distinction between current vs. future-dated claims that caused the confusion makes perfect sense in hindsight but highlights how important it is to be extremely clear about timing when communicating with SSA. I'm taking notes on all the practical advice shared here - applying closer to the actual benefit start date, being explicit about WEP/GPO repeal timing, and considering in-person applications for complex cases. This kind of real-world insight is invaluable for those of us who will eventually need to navigate this system. Thanks Emma for sharing your complete journey and persistence in getting answers. And thanks to all the knowledgeable community members who provided such detailed explanations - this thread is an excellent example of how helpful this community can be for understanding complex Social Security situations!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ava. I went through something similar when my wife passed three years ago. Here's what I learned about getting survivor benefit estimates before age 60: The online account won't show survivor benefits until you're closer to claiming age, so you definitely need to contact SSA directly. I found the best approach was to visit the local office in person with all your documents (death certificate, marriage certificate, both SSNs, and your ID). One tip that helped me: call first thing Monday morning at 8:00 AM sharp when they open - I had better luck getting through then. When you do get someone on the phone, ask specifically for a "survivor benefit estimate" and mention you're planning financially for the future. Also, don't forget that you might be eligible for Medicare at 65 based on your husband's record even if you haven't claimed survivor benefits yet - that's separate from the cash benefits and can be really helpful for healthcare planning. The waiting is frustrating, but getting those numbers will really help with your financial planning. Hang in there!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ava. I went through something similar when my wife passed three years ago. Here's what I learned about getting survivor benefit estimates before age 60: The online account won't show survivor benefits until you're closer to claiming age, so you definitely need to contact SSA directly. I found the best approach was to visit the local office in person with all your documents (death certificate, marriage certificate, both SSNs, and your ID). One tip that helped me: call first thing Monday morning at 8:00 AM sharp when they open - I had better luck getting through then. When you do get someone on the phone, ask specifically for a "survivor benefit estimate" and mention you're planning financially for the future. Also, don't forget that you might be eligible for Medicare at 65 based on your husband's record even if you haven't claimed survivor benefits yet - that's separate from the cash benefits and can be really helpful for healthcare planning. The waiting is frustrating, but getting those numbers will really help with your financial planning. Hang in there!

This is exactly the kind of detailed, helpful information this community needs! As someone who's been navigating Social Security benefits for my aging parents, I can't stress enough how important it is to get multiple opinions and do your own research. The RIB-LIM rule is so obscure that even I hadn't heard of it until reading your post, despite spending months researching survivor benefits. It's shocking that a rule with such significant financial implications isn't better explained or more widely known. Your persistence at the SSA office was admirable - I know it's uncomfortable to push back when you feel like you're being difficult, but $21,000 is absolutely worth advocating for yourself! The fact that they suddenly found a "technical specialist" when you mentioned calling your Representative's office says everything about how the system works. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation: document everything. Keep notes of what each SSA rep tells you, including their names and the date. If you get conflicting information, ask them to put their recommendation in writing. This creates a paper trail that can be helpful if you need to escalate or if there are errors that need to be corrected later. Thank you for sharing this experience and potentially saving other widows and widowers from making costly mistakes!

As someone who works in financial planning, I can't emphasize enough how critical this story is for anyone dealing with survivor benefits. The RIB-LIM rule is one of those "hidden" provisions that can literally make or break someone's retirement security, yet it's rarely discussed in general Social Security education materials. What's particularly concerning is that this isn't just about one misinformed representative - it reflects a systemic issue where front-line SSA staff often aren't trained on the more complex optimization scenarios. They're taught the basic rules but may not understand how different provisions interact with each other. For anyone reading this thread: if you're dealing with survivor benefits, divorced spouse benefits, or any situation involving multiple benefit types, please get a second opinion before filing. The difference between optimal and suboptimal timing can easily be $20,000-$50,000+ over your lifetime. Ally, thank you for being persistent and sharing this experience. Your willingness to stand your ground potentially saved not just yourself but countless others who will read this story. This is exactly the kind of real-world advocacy that forces the system to work properly.