When you apply for retirement benefits, the SSA will ask if you've ever been married and if any spouse has died. Be honest about this, but you can explain that you want to apply for your own benefits now and potentially survivor benefits later. They'll make a note in your record. Just be clear about your intention, and they'll process your retirement claim without waiting for the survivor documentation.

Just wanted to add a practical tip from my own experience - when you do apply for your retirement benefits, ask the SSA representative to put a note in your file about your potential future survivor benefit claim. This can help streamline the process later when you're ready to apply for survivor benefits, since they'll already have context about your situation. Also, since your husband worked mostly in state government jobs, you might want to check if he had a state pension that could affect your survivor benefits through the Government Pension Offset. Even if the survivor benefit ends up being small, having all the information will help you make the best decision when the time comes. Good luck with your application process!

I just called SSA and you all were right - I do need to return the January payment. They said they'll send me instructions on how to repay it. The representative also helped me apply for the $255 death benefit and start my survivor benefits application. I'm 62 so she said I could start reduced benefits now or wait until later for a higher amount. So much to think about! But at least I know I won't be getting a 1099 for that January payment since I'm returning it. Thank you all for your help during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Dallas. Losing a spouse is incredibly difficult, and dealing with all the administrative details on top of grief is overwhelming. I'm glad you were able to get through to SSA and get clear answers about returning the January payment and starting your survivor benefits process. Since you mentioned you're 62, just wanted to add that you have some flexibility with timing on survivor benefits. If your husband had a higher earning record than you, you might consider taking reduced survivor benefits now and then switching to your own retirement benefits at 70 when they'd be at maximum value (or vice versa if your record is higher). There are online calculators that can help you model different scenarios when you're ready to think about that. For now, focus on getting through the immediate tasks. And definitely keep copies of everything when you return that payment - send it certified mail or get tracking confirmation. You're doing great navigating this difficult situation.

For remote healthcare consulting opportunities, I'd suggest looking into several areas that have really expanded post-COVID: telehealth platforms like Teladoc, MDLive, and Amwell often need experienced healthcare professionals for consulting roles; medical writing and case review work for insurance companies or healthcare tech companies; remote utilization review positions; and clinical advisory roles for healthcare startups. Many of these can be done completely on your schedule. LinkedIn has become a great resource for these types of flexible healthcare positions - search for "remote healthcare consultant," "telehealth," or "clinical advisor" roles. You might also reach out to former colleagues who've made similar transitions - the healthcare network is often the best source for finding these opportunities. Given your 35 years of experience, you'd likely be very competitive for these positions, and many pay well enough that working just 15-20 hours per week could easily keep you under that $22,320 earnings test threshold while meaningfully improving your PIA calculation. The key is finding something that leverages your expertise without the physical and emotional demands of direct patient care.

I've been following this discussion with great interest as I'm facing a similar decision in a few years. What strikes me about your situation is that you have several advantages - good longevity genes, recent high earnings, and valuable healthcare expertise that could translate well to consulting work. One additional consideration I haven't seen mentioned: have you looked into whether your current employer offers any phased retirement options? Some healthcare systems now offer reduced-hour positions or emeritus consulting roles for experienced professionals. This could be an easier transition than starting completely fresh with new employers while still helping you replace those zero years. Also, regarding the break-even analysis, don't forget to factor in the investment potential of early benefits. If you claim at 62 and invest those payments conservatively, that could change your break-even calculations compared to just comparing raw benefit amounts. The remote healthcare consulting market really has exploded - I know several retired nurses and physicians who are doing very well with telehealth and clinical review work. Your 35 years of experience is exactly what these companies value most.

I'm new to this community and wanted to share some additional considerations that might help with your planning. One thing I learned while researching DAC benefits is that the "switching" between records isn't always automatic - you may need to specifically request the higher benefit when your husband begins collecting. It's worth noting this in your calendar to follow up with SSA when the time comes, rather than assuming they'll handle it automatically. Also, regarding your concern about the gap between when you file at 62 and when your husband reaches FRA - have you considered whether your husband might be eligible to file for benefits earlier than his FRA? While his benefit would be reduced, if your son could access the higher amount on his record sooner, it might be worth running those numbers. Sometimes filing at 62 vs FRA isn't a huge difference when you factor in years of additional benefits. Another strategic consideration: once your son is established on DAC benefits, he may also become eligible for certain state Medicaid waiver programs that have different income rules than regular Medicaid. These programs can provide additional support services and might have asset limits that work better for your family's situation. The documentation advice from others here is spot-on. I'd also suggest getting a letter from your son's current doctor specifically addressing his ability to work - not just his diagnosis, but a clear statement about why his condition prevents substantial gainful activity. This type of functional assessment carries a lot of weight with SSA.

I'm new to this community and wanted to add something that might help with your DAC application strategy. One thing I discovered while researching for my own family situation is that you can actually submit a "protective filing" for DAC benefits up to 6 months before you're eligible to receive your own retirement benefits. This establishes your son's application date and can help ensure there's no delay in benefits starting when you do file for retirement at 62. Also, regarding the medical documentation everyone's mentioned - I found that SSA gives significant weight to "Activities of Daily Living" assessments. If your son's doctors haven't already completed one of these formal evaluations, it might be worth requesting. These assessments specifically measure things like ability to manage personal care, handle money, use public transportation, etc. - all directly relevant to determining work capacity. One more consideration for your timing strategy: if you file for retirement at 62 and your son begins receiving DAC benefits on your record, but then your husband experiences a qualifying disability before his planned FRA, your son could potentially switch to his record even earlier than you're currently planning for. While nobody wants to think about disability scenarios, it's worth knowing this flexibility exists within the system. Your approach of starting benefits at 62 rather than waiting 19 years really does make the most sense given your family's circumstances. The certainty of getting some benefits flowing now versus the uncertainty of what might happen over nearly two decades seems like sound financial planning.

I went through this exact same situation last year when I turned 70! Can confirm what others have said - the SSA statement shows current dollar amounts without future COLA increases. When I actually started receiving benefits in 2024, my monthly payment was higher than the estimate because it included the COLA adjustment. One tip: when you file in March, make sure to ask them to confirm your exact benefit amount including any COLA adjustments. I also recommend setting up direct deposit and creating your my Social Security online account if you haven't already - it makes tracking everything much easier than waiting for paper statements.

I'm in a similar situation - turning 70 next year and trying to figure out the COLA timing. Based on what everyone's saying here, it sounds like I should budget for my statement amount PLUS whatever the 2025 COLA ends up being. Does anyone know when SSA typically announces the official COLA percentage? I want to update my retirement budget as soon as the real number comes out rather than guessing.