Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! I'm going to try to schedule an in-person appointment to file the restricted application for divorced spouse benefits. It sounds like I need to be really clear about what I'm asking for and bring all my documentation. I'm still not 100% certain if my own benefit at FRA would be higher than 50% of my ex's, but it's definitely worth checking. He had a pretty high-paying career, so it might work out in my favor. If I have trouble getting an appointment, I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. I just want to get this process started since I've already missed out on potential benefits for months!

Good luck with your appointment! Just wanted to add one more tip - if you're unsure whether your own benefit at FRA would be higher than 50% of your ex's benefit, you can request a Social Security Statement online at ssa.gov/myaccount to see your estimated benefits. This will help you know ahead of time if the divorced spouse benefit would actually pay you anything. Also, even if the divorced spouse benefit ends up being $0 because your own benefit is higher, filing the restricted application still serves a purpose - it formally establishes that you're NOT claiming your own retirement benefit yet, which protects you from any accidental processing errors that could start your own benefits early. Make sure to ask the rep to show you exactly what they're processing before you sign anything. Some people have had their own retirement benefits accidentally started when they only wanted the divorced spouse benefit. Better to double and triple check everything at the appointment!

One more thing to consider - if you're planning to continue working in some capacity, you might want to wait until your Full Retirement Age to claim survivor benefits. That way you avoid the earnings test completely. The benefit would be 100% of her PIA instead of the reduced 71.5%, AND you wouldn't have any benefit withheld due to earnings. It's always a personal calculation based on your health, financial needs, and employment situation. But many people don't realize how significant the earnings test reduction can be if they're still working substantially.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zane. Losing a spouse so young is devastating, and dealing with Social Security on top of grief is overwhelming. I wanted to add something that might be helpful - there's also a one-time death benefit of $255 that you're entitled to as the surviving spouse. It's not much, but it's something you should claim if you haven't already. Also, regarding your question about the benefit calculation - since your wife was receiving SSDI, that $2,450 is very likely her PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), which is what survivor benefits are based on. The key thing everyone's mentioned about the earnings test is crucial - at $50K income, you'd lose a significant portion of the survivor benefit due to the earnings limit. One strategy I've seen work well is to focus on building up your own retirement benefit by continuing to work until your FRA, then claiming your own higher benefit. Since you mentioned 35+ years of work history, your own benefit at FRA might actually exceed what you'd get from survivor benefits, even at 100%. Definitely get that appointment with SSA to run all the scenarios. They can show you exactly what each option would look like financially.

Just wanted to share my recent experience to hopefully ease some concerns! I applied online last month at age 67 and it was surprisingly smooth. The key things that helped me: 1) I gathered ALL my documents first before starting (birth certificate, marriage certificate, bank info, last year's tax return), 2) I called my local library and they have volunteers who help seniors with online government applications - maybe check if yours does too?, and 3) The "save and continue later" feature was a lifesaver when I got tired halfway through. The whole process from start to finish took about 3 weeks and my first payment came right on schedule. Don't let the technology intimidate you - if I can do it, anyone can! The SSA website is actually pretty user-friendly compared to other government sites I've used.

I just want to echo what others have said about applying online being the way to go! I was in a similar situation last year - worried about the technology aspect and initially planning to visit an office. But the online application really is designed well for people who aren't super tech-savvy. One thing that really helped me was doing a "practice run" first - I went through the application without submitting it just to see what information they were asking for. That way when I did it for real, I knew exactly what to expect and had everything ready. Also, don't worry if you make a mistake - you can go back and edit most sections before you submit. The whole experience was much less stressful than I anticipated!

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! I went through a similar situation when I remarried at 68. The good news is that since you're over 60, your survivor benefits from your first husband will continue unchanged after you remarry. I didn't have any issues when I reported my marriage to SSA - they just updated my file and confirmed my benefits would continue as normal. Just make sure to report the change within 10 days after your wedding. You can do this by phone or by visiting your local SSA office. Don't let the fear of losing benefits stop you from being happy - the law protects seniors in exactly your situation. Wishing you all the best for your new marriage!

As someone who just went through this exact situation last year at age 74, I can confirm what others have said - you absolutely will keep your survivor benefits! I was terrified too, but SSA was actually very reassuring when I called them after my wedding. The agent explained that the rule changed specifically to help widows and widowers find happiness again without financial penalty. I've been receiving the same benefit amount for over a year now with no issues. The only paperwork I had to fill out was a simple marital status update form. Don't let worry overshadow this wonderful time in your life - the law is on your side here!

As a newcomer here, I wanted to add my voice to the chorus confirming that the SSA rep gave you completely wrong information! I'm actually going through a very similar situation right now - I'm 67 and lost my wife last year. I successfully filed for survivor benefits 3 months ago using exactly the strategy you're planning. The key thing that worked for me was being incredibly explicit about what I wanted. I literally said "I am filing ONLY for survivor benefits today. I do NOT want to apply for my own retirement benefits. I understand these are two separate applications and I will file for my own retirement benefits at age 70." I also found it helpful to mention that I was aware of the 2015 law changes but understood those only affected spousal benefits, not survivor benefits. This seemed to signal to the agent that I had done my research. Don't let them discourage you - your strategy is absolutely correct and will save you thousands of dollars over your lifetime compared to taking both benefits now. Just be prepared to politely but firmly correct any misinformation they give you during the call!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to share my perspective since I just helped my sister navigate this exact situation last month. The SSA representative you spoke with is definitely wrong - restricted applications for survivor benefits absolutely still exist and are completely legal. My sister is 65 and was widowed two years ago. She had the same plan as you: take survivor benefits now and switch to her own larger benefit at 70. When she first called SSA, the initial rep told her the same thing - that "restricted applications don't exist anymore." This is a common misconception among frontline staff who confuse the 2015 changes to spousal benefits with survivor benefits. Here's what worked for her: She called back and specifically said "I need to file a restricted application for widow's benefits only. I am NOT filing for my own retirement benefits at this time." When the second rep seemed uncertain, she asked to speak with a technical expert who immediately understood what she needed. The key is being very direct about what you want and not backing down if they seem confused. Your strategy is not only legal but financially smart - don't let misinformed staff derail your plan! Document everything during your call and get the agent's name and extension. If needed, don't hesitate to ask for a supervisor. You've got this! Stay confident in your research because you're absolutely right.