As you're planning for the future, remember that when your husband eventually files, you'll need to contact Social Security to ensure they process your spousal benefit properly. While it should happen automatically, sometimes there are delays if you don't initiate the process. Also, when you receive the spousal add-on, it will be effective from the month your husband begins receiving benefits, not retroactive to when you started receiving your own benefits. Make sure to mark your calendar to contact SSA as soon as he files.

I'm in a very similar situation! I'm 64 and took my benefits at 62, and my husband is 66 but still working. He keeps saying he wants to wait until 70 to maximize his benefits, but I've been wondering if there's any way I can get spousal benefits sooner. Reading through all these responses, it's clear that I'm in the same boat as you - we both have to wait until our husbands actually file. It's frustrating but at least we're getting something now. Have you calculated roughly what your spousal benefit might be once he does file? I'm trying to figure out if it will be worth the wait for us financially.

One last thing to consider: since you're 68 and already past your Full Retirement Age, when you do eventually qualify for spousal benefits, you won't face any reductions for early filing on your end. You'll be eligible for the maximum spousal benefit (up to 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount). However, since it sounds like your own benefit is already established, you'll only receive the difference if the spousal amount is higher. I'd recommend scheduling an appointment with SSA when your husband gets closer to 62 to review all your options at that time.

I just wanted to add one more perspective as someone who worked in Social Security disability advocacy for years. While everyone here is correct about the basic rules, I'd strongly suggest you consider consulting with a Social Security attorney or certified representative before making any major decisions about divorce vs. staying married. The financial implications can be complex - for example, if your husband has a much higher earnings record, staying married might eventually give you better survivor benefits if he passes away first (you'd get 100% of his benefit instead of the 50% spousal rate). An attorney can run the numbers on both scenarios and help you make the most financially beneficial choice for your specific situation. Many offer free consultations for Social Security matters.

Thank you all for the incredibly helpful responses. I clearly need to reconsider my plan. The points about survivor benefits for my wife and the tax implications of our combined income are especially eye-opening. It sounds like with our money market interest, we'd definitely be in the 85% taxable range for SS benefits. I'm going to sit down and run some more detailed calculations on the long-term impact of waiting vs. taking benefits early. And thanks to whoever mentioned Claimyr - I've been trying to reach SSA for weeks with no luck, so I'll check that out too.

Great discussion here! As someone who went through this exact decision process last year, I wanted to add a few practical considerations that might help: 1. **Tax planning opportunity**: Since your wife is the higher earner and delaying until 70, you might actually benefit from taking SS at 63 if you can manage the tax burden strategically. Consider doing Roth conversions during the gap years before her benefits kick in - you'll have lower combined income during that window. 2. **Sequence of returns risk**: Your brother-in-law's investment strategy assumes you can consistently beat that 8% guaranteed return from delaying benefits. But what if we hit a bear market right after you start taking benefits? You'd be selling investments at a loss to supplement the reduced SS payments. 3. **Medicare considerations**: Don't forget that you'll be eligible for Medicare at 65 regardless of when you take SS. Factor those premiums into your calculations. 4. **State taxes**: Depending on your state, SS benefits might be tax-free at the state level even if federally taxable. This could affect your overall tax strategy. The survivor benefit impact others mentioned is HUGE - if you pass first, your wife would be stuck with your reduced benefit amount for life. With her being the higher earner, this could significantly impact her financial security. Have you considered splitting the difference and waiting until your FRA at least? That eliminates the permanent reduction while still getting benefits earlier than 70.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation at 63 and have been nervous about even considering part-time work while on SSDI. Reading everyone's experiences, especially those who've successfully managed to work while keeping their benefits, gives me hope. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - I recently discovered that some local disability resource centers offer free one-on-one counseling about work incentives. I found mine through the state vocational rehabilitation office, and the counselor walked me through scenarios specific to my situation without the long wait times mentioned for WIPA services. Also, for anyone worried about overpayments, I learned that you can request a "waiver" if SSA determines you weren't at fault for the overpayment and paying it back would cause financial hardship. It's not automatic, but it's an option that exists. @Yara, your plan to start small and document everything sounds perfect. The peace of mind of keeping your Medicare alone makes the cautious approach worth it. Wishing you success with your part-time work search!

I've been following this discussion and wanted to share some additional resources that have been helpful for me while navigating SSDI work rules. First, the SSA Red Book (available free online) is incredibly detailed about all work incentives and rules - it's technical but comprehensive. Second, many states have "Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach" (BPAO) programs that are different from WIPA and sometimes have shorter wait times. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA) provision. If you try working but have to stop within 6 months due to your disability or because work accommodations weren't adequate, those earnings might not count against you. It's worth knowing about as a safety net. Also, for tax purposes, remember that SSDI benefits may become taxable if your combined income (including work earnings) exceeds certain thresholds - something to factor into your financial planning. @Yara, your cautious approach is wise. The extra documentation and slow start will serve you well. Many of us have successfully balanced part-time work with SSDI - it just takes patience and careful record-keeping!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zara. The confusion you're experiencing is unfortunately very common with SSA representatives, but the community here has given you excellent guidance. To add one more resource that might help: the Social Security Administration's official website has a detailed publication called "Survivors Benefits" (Publication No. 05-10084) that specifically addresses your situation. It clearly states that when a worker dies before claiming benefits, survivor benefits are calculated based on the worker's unreduced PIA at full retirement age, not age 62. You can download this publication directly from ssa.gov and bring it with you to your next appointment or reference it during your phone call. Having the official SSA publication in hand makes it much harder for representatives to give you incorrect information. Also, when you do get the correct calculation, ask them to send you a written benefit estimate. This way you'll have documentation of the proper calculation method and amount for your future planning. The estimate should show your husband's FRA PIA as the base amount, then any reductions applied based on when you choose to claim. Stay strong and keep advocating for yourself - you deserve accurate information to make informed decisions about your financial future.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zara. What you're experiencing with contradictory information from SSA is sadly very common, but you're absolutely right to question what you were told. The representative who said they use your husband's age 62 PIA was incorrect. Since your husband passed away at 59 without ever claiming Social Security benefits, they will use his Primary Insurance Amount at his Full Retirement Age (67) as the baseline for calculating your survivor benefits - not his age 62 amount. Here's how it actually works: They take his PIA at age 67 as the starting point (100% benefit), then apply reductions based on YOUR age when you claim the survivor benefit. If you wait until your own FRA to claim, you'll get 100% of his age 67 PIA. If you claim earlier (starting at age 60), they'll reduce that amount, but it will never go below 71.5% of his FRA amount even if you claim at the earliest possible age. The $640 monthly difference you mentioned is significant, so I'd strongly recommend calling back and specifically asking to speak with a "survivor benefits specialist" or requesting an appointment with a Technical Expert at your local office. When you call, reference SSA Publication No. 05-10084 "Survivors Benefits" which clearly explains this calculation method. Also ask them to document the correct calculation in your file and provide you with a written benefit estimate. Don't give up until you get consistent, accurate information - this is too important for your financial planning to accept wrong answers!