Thank you all for your helpful responses! I think I understand my options better now. Since my husband's benefit is so much higher than mine would be, it seems like a good strategy might be to: 1. Take my own reduced benefit at 62 2. If my husband passes away before I reach my FRA, evaluate whether to: - Switch immediately to a reduced survivor benefit (if it's higher than my reduced retirement) - Continue with my own benefit until my FRA, then switch to the full survivor benefit I'm going to try using that Claimyr service to actually speak with SSA to confirm this strategy for my specific situation before I make any decisions. It's frustrating how complicated they make all of this!

As someone who just went through this exact situation, I wanted to share what I learned. My husband was 8 years older and had already been collecting for 5 years when I turned 62. I was so confused about all the rules! Here's what SSA confirmed for me: your early retirement claim does NOT reduce your future survivor benefits. They're calculated completely separately. So you can absolutely take your reduced benefit at 62 and then later switch to his full survivor benefit when you reach your FRA. The key thing to remember is timing - if you become widowed before your FRA, you can choose to take reduced survivor benefits immediately OR wait until your FRA for the full amount. Since his benefit is so much higher than yours ($2,800 vs $1,100), waiting for the full survivor benefit would probably be worth it financially. I'd also suggest asking SSA about "restricted application" strategies since there might be spousal benefit options while he's still living that could be better than your own reduced retirement benefit. Good luck navigating this - it's definitely not simple!

Mason, I'm really glad you found this community and are getting such helpful advice! As someone who went through a similar situation last year, I want to emphasize something that really helped me: when you're filling out the SSDI application, don't just focus on the medical diagnosis (or lack thereof) - focus heavily on your functional limitations. The fact that your legs give out without warning and you can't walk reliably is EXACTLY what they need to understand. Be very specific about how this affects your daily activities - can you stand for more than 10 minutes? Walk more than a block? Carry groceries? Navigate stairs safely? These functional details often matter more than having a specific diagnosis. Also, if you have any witnesses to your falls or mobility issues (coworkers, family, neighbors), ask them to write brief statements describing what they've observed. Third-party observations can be really valuable supporting evidence. You're doing the right thing by not waiting any longer. The retirement benefits will give you that crucial financial lifeline while you build your disability case. Keep us posted on how the applications go - this community is here to support you through the process!

I just wanted to add my support and share something that might help with the application process. When I applied for both retirement and SSDI benefits, I found it extremely helpful to create a timeline document before starting either application. I listed out: - Exact date symptoms began affecting work performance - Date I last worked - All medical appointments with dates and providers - Any workplace accommodations I tried - Specific incidents (falls, inability to complete tasks, etc.) Having this timeline made filling out both applications much faster and more accurate. For the SSDI application especially, they ask for very detailed information about your work history and medical treatment, and it's easy to forget dates when you're stressed and in pain. Also, I want to reinforce what others have said about applying online if you're able. The online retirement application took me about 45 minutes and I got confirmation immediately. For SSDI, the online application is longer (plan for 2-3 hours) but you can save your progress and come back to it if you get tired. Mason, you're making the smart choice by getting the retirement benefits started right away. That income will be a huge relief while you work through the SSDI process. Hang in there!

One important detail I forgot to mention: if you apply for the divorced spouse benefit, make sure you specify you're applying for the "divorced spouse benefit" and not trying to file on your own record again. Sometimes the intake people get confused when you're already receiving SSDI and try to tell you that you've already filed. Be specific that you're filing for the additional benefit based on your ex-spouse's record.

Just wanted to add something that might help with your decision - you can actually request a benefit estimate from SSA before formally applying. This way you'll know exactly what you'd be eligible for on your ex-husband's record versus your current SSDI amount. I did this when I was considering spousal benefits and it saved me from going through the whole application process only to find out I wouldn't get any additional money. The estimate request is much faster than a full application and will give you the concrete numbers you need to decide if it's worth pursuing.

I'm so sorry for your brother-in-law's loss. Losing a spouse is devastating, and dealing with financial stress on top of grief is incredibly difficult. Just to add one more perspective to the excellent advice already given - your brother-in-law might want to consider meeting with a fee-only financial planner who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies. Given the complexity of his situation (the earnings test, potential permanent reduction from early filing, comparing survivor benefits to his own future retirement benefit), having a professional run the numbers could be worth the consultation fee. Also, regarding those medical bills - he should look into whether any qualify for charity care or payment plans through the hospital's financial assistance programs. Many people don't realize hospitals are required to offer these programs, and they can significantly reduce the burden while he figures out the best Social Security strategy. The community here has given him a solid roadmap, but professional guidance could help him make the most informed decision for his specific circumstances.

I'm really sorry for your family's loss. This is such a difficult time to have to navigate these complex decisions. One thing I want to emphasize that others have touched on - the earnings test isn't necessarily a complete loss. Any benefits that get withheld due to the earnings test before Full Retirement Age will result in a recalculation at FRA that increases his monthly benefit going forward. So while he won't receive those payments now, it's not like that money completely disappears. Also, given that he's 61 and his FRA is likely 67, that's 6 years of potential survivor benefits he'd be giving up by waiting. Even with the earnings test reducing payments significantly, there might still be some monthly amount he'd receive. Sometimes getting even a reduced benefit can help with cash flow during a crisis. My suggestion would be to have him contact SSA (or use that Claimyr service someone mentioned to actually get through) to get the exact numbers for his situation. They can tell him: - What his monthly survivor benefit would be at 61 vs 67 - Exactly how much would be withheld due to his current earnings - How his own retirement benefit at 70 compares to the survivor benefit With those concrete numbers, he can make an informed decision about whether the reduced amount he'd actually receive now is worth it for his financial situation, or if waiting makes more sense long-term.

I'm so sorry you're facing this situation - it's truly shocking that someone could remove you from payroll without your knowledge after decades of work. One avenue that hasn't been mentioned yet is checking with your state's Workers' Compensation board or Unemployment Insurance office. These agencies sometimes maintain employment records that are separate from what SSA has, and they might show you as an employee during those missing years. Also, if your family business had any contracts, licenses, or permits during that time period, try to get copies. Sometimes these documents list all the people authorized to act on behalf of the business, which could help establish your role. For the SSA interview, I'd suggest asking specifically about the "good cause" exceptions to the normal time limits for correcting earnings records. Given that your removal from payroll was done without your knowledge, this could potentially qualify as fraud or manifest injustice. One more thought - if you had any business insurance policies (liability, property, etc.) during those years, the applications often list all the business owners or key employees. Insurance companies keep records for a long time, so it might be worth checking with your old insurance agent. Don't lose hope. Even if it's an uphill battle, the potential impact on your retirement security makes it worth fighting for every possible avenue.

I'm heartbroken reading your story - this is such an unconscionable betrayal by someone who was supposed to protect your interests. The fact that you discovered this so close to retirement makes it even more devastating. One thing that might help your case is requesting your complete SSA file through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Sometimes there are internal notes or correspondence that could shed light on when/how your earnings record was modified. You can file this online at ssa.gov. Also, have you considered checking with your local Small Business Administration (SBA) office? If your family business ever applied for any SBA loans or programs, those applications often require detailed information about all business owners and key employees. The SBA keeps extensive records that could help establish your role in the company. Another avenue: if you filed any business tax returns jointly (Form 1065 partnerships or 1120S S-corp returns), the IRS should have copies going back many years. These returns often show profit/loss distributions to partners or shareholders, which could help prove your ownership stake even if payroll records are missing. The "fraud or manifest injustice" exception that others mentioned is real - the key is building a compelling case with whatever documentation you can gather. Your ex's deliberate removal of you from payroll without your knowledge during a marriage could absolutely qualify as fraud. Don't let anyone tell you this is hopeless. Thirty years of work deserves to be recognized in your Social Security record.