As someone new to this community but dealing with similar questions, I wanted to share what I've learned from researching this topic extensively. The key thing that helped me understand spousal benefits is that there are really two main scenarios: **Scenario 1: Your own benefit is higher** - You'll receive your own benefit amount - You won't get any additional spousal benefit **Scenario 2: 50% of your husband's benefit is higher than your own** - You'll receive your own benefit PLUS a spousal "top-up" to reach 50% of his benefit - This only happens after he files for his benefits One strategy some couples use is having the lower-earning spouse claim their own reduced benefit at 62, then when the higher-earning spouse files at 67, they automatically get bumped up to the higher spousal amount if it applies. But like others have mentioned, the earnings test and permanent reductions make this tricky. I'd definitely recommend using the calculators on ssa.gov and maybe even getting a professional consultation. The peace of mind is worth it when you're talking about decisions that affect decades of income! Hope this helps clarify things a bit. This stuff is genuinely confusing even for people who research it extensively!

As a newcomer here, I just wanted to say how helpful this entire thread has been! I'm in a very similar situation to Kevin - my husband is a few years older and we're trying to navigate the best Social Security strategy. One thing I learned from reading everyone's responses is that timing really is everything with these decisions. It sounds like the key factors are: - Your respective earnings histories and benefit amounts - Whether you need income before your husband files - Your health and life expectancy expectations - Whether you'll still be working I'm definitely going to follow the advice about creating a my.ssa.gov account and potentially consulting with a specialist. The point about this potentially being a difference of tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime really hit home. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge - it's clear this community is a great resource for navigating these complex government benefits!

From my experience helping family members through similar situations, telephone appointments can definitely handle complex survivor benefit cases, but preparation is absolutely key. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here is to specifically ask the representative to walk you through the "break-even" analysis - at what age does waiting to claim become more beneficial than claiming early, given your specific benefit amounts. Also, since you mentioned you're considering taking your own retirement at 62, make sure to ask about the interaction between survivor benefits and your own retirement benefits - there are some strategies where you might claim one type first and switch to the other later that could maximize your lifetime benefits. The reps are generally very good at running these calculations during the call if you ask specifically. And definitely take notes during the call or have someone with you to help - there's a lot of information to absorb!

I wanted to share my recent experience with a SSA telephone appointment that might help with your decision. I had a complex survivor benefits consultation last fall after my husband passed, and I was really nervous about doing it over the phone. The representative was incredibly thorough - we spent over an hour going through my entire situation. She calculated my survivor benefits at different ages (60, FRA, and 70), compared them to my own retirement benefits, and even explained how the earnings test would affect me since I'm still working part-time. What really impressed me was that she sent me a detailed benefit estimate in the mail about a week later that included all the scenarios we discussed. My advice: don't worry about the format of the appointment, focus on being prepared. Write down every question, have all your documents ready (death certificate, marriage certificate, both of your Social Security statements), and don't let them rush you. If you feel rushed, politely say "this is a very important financial decision and I need to make sure I understand all my options." Most reps will slow down and give you the time you need. Good luck!

Based on everything in this thread, here's my recommendation: 1. Take your unemployment benefits immediately after separation 2. Don't file for SS until at least your FRA (66+4mo) if you can afford to wait 3. Ensure your severance is properly structured as a lump sum for past service 4. Consider waiting until 70 for SS if financially feasible - that's a 76% higher monthly payment than filing at 64 5. Speak with a tax professional about managing the tax implications Having an exact calculation of your benefit amounts at different ages is crucial for this decision. Get your Social Security statement online at my.ssa.gov or contact SSA directly.

One more thing to consider - if you're eligible for maximum unemployment benefits in Illinois, that's currently $484/week (about $25k annually). Combined with your $38k severance, you'd have roughly $63k to work with for the year. Since you mentioned your wife is already collecting SS, make sure you understand whether she's receiving benefits based on her own work record or spousal benefits. If she's getting spousal benefits based on your (not-yet-filed) record, there could be some complications. Also, don't overlook COBRA for health insurance during this transition period. You'll need coverage until Medicare kicks in at 65, and losing employer coverage is a qualifying event. The premiums might be steep, but it's often better than marketplace plans for comprehensive coverage. Good luck with your decision - sounds like you're being very thoughtful about planning this transition!

I've been in a very similar situation and can share what I learned through my own experience with SSA. The key distinction that matters here is whether you're truly self-employed (running your own business with clients, business expenses, significant control over operations) versus being an independent contractor who just receives 1099s from companies you work for. From your description - working on projects for other companies who assign you work - you sound more like an independent contractor than a business owner. In that case, the 45-hour monthly rule typically doesn't apply the same way it would to someone running their own consulting firm or retail business. During your "grace year" (usually the first year you receive Social Security), there can be monthly earnings limits, but since you stayed well under the annual limit of $22,320, you should be fine. After the grace year, only the annual earnings limit matters regardless of how you distribute those earnings throughout the year. I'd still recommend calling SSA to get official confirmation for your specific situation, but based on what you've described, I think you're likely worrying unnecessarily. When you call, be clear that you're doing contract work for other companies rather than running your own business. That distinction is crucial for how they apply these rules. The whole system is definitely confusing, but it sounds like you've been very responsible about tracking your earnings and staying compliant!

I've been working as an independent contractor while receiving Social Security benefits for about 8 months now, and I went through a very similar concern when I first started. The confusion around these rules is completely understandable! From what I learned through my own experience and conversations with SSA, the 45-hour monthly limit primarily applies to people who own and operate their own businesses - not independent contractors who receive 1099s from other companies. The key factors SSA looks at for "substantial services" include whether you have your own clients, significant business investment, employees, or substantial control over business operations. Since you mentioned you're doing contract work for two different companies (they assign you projects), this sounds much more like independent contractor work than running your own business. In that case, as long as you stay under the annual earnings limit (which you have), you should be fine. That said, I'd definitely recommend calling SSA to get official confirmation for your specific situation. When you call, emphasize that you're an independent contractor working for other companies, not a business owner. Also mention that you've stayed well under the annual earnings limit. Even if there were an issue (which seems unlikely based on your description), any penalty would only apply to that single month, not your entire benefits. But honestly, from everything you've shared, I think you're probably overthinking this situation. The fact that you've been so careful about staying under the annual limit shows you're handling this responsibly!

Connor, I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing your husband at such a young age must have been devastating, and dealing with Social Security rules on top of grief is incredibly challenging. Everyone here has given you excellent advice, but I wanted to add one more perspective that might be helpful. Since you're 53 and have 7 years to plan, consider this an opportunity to really optimize your strategy. You mentioned earning a decent salary now - this could actually work in your favor. If you continue working and earning good income for the next 7 years, you'll be building up your own Social Security record. This means when you turn 60, you'll have a clearer picture of whether your own eventual retirement benefit (especially if you delay it to age 70) might exceed the survivor benefit amount. The key is to get those benefit estimates as others suggested, then you can model different scenarios. For example: - Survivor benefits at 60 while working (factoring in earnings test) - Survivor benefits at your FRA - Your own benefits at various claiming ages I work in financial planning and see this situation often. The people who fare best are those who, like you, start planning early and get all the facts before making decisions. You're already ahead of the game by asking these questions now rather than scrambling when you turn 60. Hang in there - you've got time and you're asking all the right questions.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Connor. What you're going through is incredibly difficult, and it's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed by all the Social Security rules and options. You've received some fantastic advice here from people who've been through similar situations. I just wanted to add that you might also want to consider reaching out to your local Area Agency on Aging when you're ready to start the application process. Many of them offer free counseling services specifically for Social Security and Medicare questions, and they can sometimes help you navigate the system without the frustration of trying to get through to SSA directly. Also, since you mentioned this is all overwhelming, don't feel like you need to become an expert on every rule and scenario right now. Focus on the basics first - getting your own Social Security statement online, understanding your general eligibility for survivor benefits at 60, and knowing that you have options to optimize your claiming strategy when the time comes. You're being really smart by planning ahead with 7 years to go. That's plenty of time to make informed decisions without the pressure of needing to figure everything out immediately. Take it one step at a time, and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it.