I'm so sorry for your loss, Seraphina. I went through something very similar when my spouse passed away 2 years ago. Based on my experience and what others have shared here, you're definitely on the right track with this strategy. One additional tip that helped me: when you call SSA, try calling right when they open at 8 AM or during lunch hours (around 12-1 PM) - I found those times had shorter wait times. Also, if you get a representative who seems unsure about the survivor-to-retirement benefit switch, politely ask to speak with a supervisor or someone who specializes in survivor benefits. The folks here are right about being very specific with your language. I actually wrote down exactly what I wanted to say before I called: "I am applying for survivor benefits only at this time, and I want to restrict the scope of my application to survivor benefits. I plan to switch to my own retirement benefit at age 70." The process took about 2 months from application to first payment for me, so don't be discouraged if it seems slow. Keep all your paperwork and get confirmation numbers for everything. You've got this!

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I want to echo what others have said - you absolutely CAN do this strategy! I work as a benefits counselor and see this situation frequently. A few practical points to add to the excellent advice already given: 1. When you call SSA, ask for the "survivor benefits specialist" - they tend to be more knowledgeable about these specific rules than general representatives. 2. Consider applying in person at your local SSA office if possible. Sometimes face-to-face interactions help ensure they process everything correctly, and you can get documentation of exactly what you're applying for. 3. The survivor benefit amount you mentioned ($2,790) - make sure that's the actual survivor benefit and not just what your husband was receiving. Survivor benefits are calculated differently and could be higher than his retirement benefit was. 4. Document everything! Get the representative's name, the date you applied, and ask for written confirmation of what benefits you're receiving and when you plan to switch. Your strategy is sound - collecting $2,790 now versus waiting and potentially losing out on 3+ years of payments just to get an extra $85/month doesn't make financial sense. You're making the right choice!

does anyone no if the earnings limit changes every year? my nephew is on disabilty and his wife works, they told them theres a limit for her to.

I work for a nonprofit that helps people navigate Social Security issues, and I can confirm the other commenters are absolutely right - the rep gave you incorrect information. Employment income (wages, salary, bonuses) definitely counts toward the annual earnings test for ALL Social Security benefits when you're under full retirement age, including survivor benefits. The $22,320 limit for 2025 is correct, and yes, they'll withhold $1 for every $2 you earn over that amount. Since you mentioned a $20,000 increase, this could significantly impact your benefits if it puts you over the limit. Here's my advice: When you call back, ask to speak with a "Technical Expert" or request to be transferred to someone who specializes in survivor benefits and the earnings test. Regular customer service reps sometimes mix up the rules between different types of income. Also, have your expected 2025 earnings amount ready - they'll need to know your total anticipated wages for the year to properly adjust your benefits going forward. Don't wait on this - it's much easier to have them adjust your monthly benefit amount now than to deal with an overpayment situation later!

One more thing to know - you can check your mySocialSecurity account online to see your payment schedule and any notices. Sometimes they post information there before sending letters in the mail. The website has been much more reliable for me than trying to call.

I'm glad you got this sorted out! This is actually a really common source of confusion for Social Security recipients. The weekend/holiday payment schedule isn't well publicized, so many people panic when they see an "early" deposit. For future reference, you can also check the SSA's official payment calendar on their website - it shows all the adjusted payment dates for the year when regular dates fall on weekends or holidays. It might help you plan ahead so you're not caught off guard next time this happens!

Based on the benefit amounts you shared ($3,100 for your own at 70 vs $2,400 for survivor at FRA), I can confirm your advisor's strategy makes sense. Taking survivor benefits now and switching to your own at 70 would maximize your lifetime benefits. Just one more important point: since you haven't received any payments yet, your withdrawal should be processed without requiring any repayment. Make sure you submit both the withdrawal form AND a new application for survivor benefits at the same time to minimize any gap in processing. And don't worry - this type of correction is exactly why the withdrawal provision exists. You haven't made any permanent mistake here.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also consider calling ahead to your local SSA office to schedule an appointment rather than just mailing in the forms. When I helped my sister navigate a similar situation, the in-person appointment made a huge difference - the representative was able to process both the withdrawal and new survivor benefit application on the same day, which eliminated the processing gap entirely. Also, bring documentation of your husband's death certificate and your marriage certificate to the appointment, even though they likely already have this information. Having everything in one place can speed up the process significantly. The fact that you caught this before receiving any payments puts you in the best possible position to make this correction smoothly!

Thank you all for the helpful responses. I'm going to try contacting SSA directly to get a definitive answer for our situation. The Claimyr service someone mentioned sounds helpful since I've had trouble getting through on the phone before. I appreciate the clarification about Colorado recognizing common-law marriage, but it sounds like that alone won't help with the grandchildren's eligibility. Neither child has disabilities that would qualify for SSI, so that's unfortunately not an option either. I'll update this thread if I learn anything that might help others in similar situations.

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I work in family law and see situations like this frequently. While the adoption route seems daunting with teenagers, it's actually not uncommon and can still provide benefits. Colorado has a streamlined process for stepparent adoption when there's been long-term care, and since you have conservatorship already, that demonstrates the legal relationship. Even if your partner adopts them at 14 and 16, they could still qualify for student benefits through age 19 if they're in high school, which could help with college costs. The adoption might also help with other things like medical decisions, inheritance, and family medical leave. It's worth consulting with a family attorney who specializes in these situations - many offer free consultations and can walk you through the process and timeline.