I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this extensively. One thing I discovered that might help: you can actually get a rough estimate of your ex-spouse benefit by using the SSA's online benefit calculator if you know your ex's work history. It's not perfect, but it can give you a ballpark figure to compare against your own benefit estimate from your my Social Security account. Also, I found that calling right at 8 AM on weekdays (when they open) or sometimes around lunchtime (12-1 PM) tends to have shorter hold times. Avoid Mondays and the first few days after holidays if possible. One more tip: if your local SSA office offers "express interviews" for simple questions, that might be faster than a full appointment. Some offices do these on certain days for people who just need benefit estimates rather than filing applications. Worth calling to ask!

I went through this exact situation 6 months ago at age 67! Here's what I learned the hard way: The online application absolutely will NOT show you both amounts - it's designed to just process your application, not help you compare options. I made the mistake of starting online first and got frustrated when I couldn't see the comparison. What finally worked: I called the 800 number at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday (as others suggested) and got through in about 20 minutes. The rep was able to pull up both my own benefit amount AND my divorced spouse benefit from my ex-husband's record immediately - no waiting for calculations. Key things to have ready when you call: - Your ex's full name and date of birth - Your marriage date and divorce date - Your own SSN (obviously) One surprise: My ex also filed early at 62, but like others mentioned, this didn't hurt my potential divorced spouse benefit at all. It's based on his full retirement age amount, not what he's actually receiving. In my case, my own benefit was slightly higher, so that's what I went with. But I'm so glad I checked both because it could have easily gone the other way. Don't skip this step - the difference could be significant over your lifetime! The whole phone call took about 45 minutes total, and I walked away with exact dollar amounts for both options. Much better than guessing or starting an application blindly.

This is such valuable information everyone is sharing! As someone new to navigating survivor benefits, I'm learning so much from reading about your experiences. One thing I'd add - I've heard that it's really important to apply for survivor benefits in person at a local SSA office rather than online, especially for complex situations like switching strategies. The online system apparently doesn't handle the nuances well, and you need an experienced representative who can walk through all the scenarios with you. Also, @Zadie Patel, you might want to consider getting a written benefit estimate for both scenarios before making your final decision. That way you have documentation of what SSA calculated and can refer back to it if there are any issues later. The stories about people missing out on thousands because they weren't told about all their options are really concerning. It seems like you really have to advocate for yourself and ask specifically about switching strategies.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zadie. This is exactly the kind of complex situation where getting the right information upfront can make a huge difference over your lifetime. From everything shared here, it sounds like the survivor-first strategy could work well for you. Taking survivor benefits at 60 (around $2,038/month based on the calculation above) gives you income when you need it, then switching to your own benefit at 70 maximizes those delayed retirement credits. One thing I'd strongly recommend - before making any decisions, schedule an appointment at your local SSA office and ask them to run a detailed "what-if" analysis for BOTH scenarios: 1. Survivor benefits at 60, switch to your own at 70 2. Wait until FRA for full survivor benefits Get those calculations in writing! As others mentioned, representatives sometimes give different answers, so having documentation protects you. Also ask specifically about: - Exact reduction percentages for early survivor benefits - How the earnings test applies if you're working - The process for switching between benefit types - Any potential impacts on Medicare eligibility timing The break-even analysis Emma provided is really helpful, but getting official SSA numbers for your specific situation will give you the confidence to move forward with the best strategy for your circumstances.

The original poster has outlined the correct approach in their last comment. To summarize this thread with accurate information: 1. Due to the deemed filing rules for those born after 1954, you can't file a restricted application to claim ex-spouse benefits first, then switch to your own later. 2. When you apply for benefits, SSA will calculate both your own retirement benefit and your ex-spouse benefit (50% of their PIA), and pay you the higher of the two amounts. 3. If you claim any benefits before your full retirement age (67), they will be permanently reduced. 4. Working while collecting benefits before FRA will subject you to the earnings test, which may temporarily reduce your benefits. 5. The mathematically optimal strategy (if you can afford it) is usually to wait until 70 to claim the higher of the two benefits, especially if you expect to live beyond approximately age 82.

One more thing to keep in mind - since your ex is on SSDI, his disability benefits will automatically convert to retirement benefits when he reaches his full retirement age (probably 66 or 67 depending on his birth year). The amount stays the same, but this conversion might affect how SSA calculates your potential ex-spouse benefit. When you call them, make sure to mention that he's currently receiving disability benefits rather than retirement benefits. Also, just to be extra clear - you don't need to be in contact with your ex or get his permission. SSA has all the records they need to determine your eligibility and benefit amounts. Good luck with your decision!

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand how Social Security defines "earnings" for the earnings test. They count gross wages and net self-employment income, but there are some nuances that might affect your planning. For example, if you get a bonus or commission payment in 2025 for work you did in 2024, Social Security counts that toward your 2025 earnings limit even though the work was done in a previous year. Similarly, if you have any deferred compensation or salary that gets paid out, that typically counts too. On the flip side, things like employer contributions to your 401(k), health insurance premiums paid by your employer, and certain fringe benefits don't count toward the earnings limit. Since you mentioned your boss wants you to take on more hours and you're trying to plan carefully, it might be worth asking about the structure of any additional compensation - whether it's straight hourly wages, includes bonuses, has any deferred components, etc. This could help you be more precise in your calculations for those crucial January-May months. The SSA publication "How Work Affects Your Benefits" (Publication No. 05-10069) has all the detailed rules if you want to dive deeper into what counts and what doesn't.

This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding the earnings limits! I'm in a similar situation (turning FRA next year) and had no idea about some of these nuances. A few additional points that might help others: 1. If you're married and file jointly, make sure your spouse understands that only YOUR earnings count toward the limit - their income doesn't affect your Social Security benefits under the earnings test. 2. For those who are self-employed, the calculation can be trickier since you need to use net self-employment income rather than gross wages. Make sure you're tracking business expenses carefully. 3. I learned the hard way that if you do go over the limit, Social Security will ask you to estimate your earnings for the following year too. They want to avoid future overpayments, so be prepared for that conversation. The advice about reporting expected earnings in advance through the SSA website is gold - I wish I had known about that option earlier. It really does help smooth out the process and avoid those dreaded overpayment notices. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially the practical tips about pay timing and bonus structures!

One more important thing to consider: while benefits are reduced if you earn over the limit before FRA, you actually get those reduced benefits back later. SSA recalculates your benefit amount when you reach FRA to account for months when benefits were withheld. So you're not permanently losing that money - it's more like a delay in receiving it. This is called the Adjustment to the Reduction Factor (ARF). The information in section 202(x) of the Social Security Handbook explains this recalculation. Your monthly benefit will increase starting at FRA to account for those months when you received reduced or no benefits due to excess earnings.

Just wanted to add from my own experience - make sure you understand the timing of when SSA actually processes these changes. When I retired mid-year, it took them several months to adjust my benefits for the monthly earnings test. I had to call multiple times to get it sorted out, and they had to do retroactive adjustments. The system isn't always quick to recognize when you've actually stopped working, so keep detailed records of your last day of work and be prepared to provide documentation if needed. Also, if you're planning to do any consulting or part-time work after you "retire," make sure you understand how that income gets counted too!