Great question! Just to add one more perspective - I work as a benefits counselor and see this situation frequently. Your wife will indeed get the spousal benefit to bring her total up to $1,500, but I always recommend calling SSA about 30 days after you start receiving your benefits if you don't see the automatic adjustment. Sometimes the computer systems don't communicate properly between spouses' accounts. Also, make sure you both keep copies of your marriage certificate handy - occasionally they'll ask for verification even if they have it on file. The retroactive payment Omar mentioned can sometimes be substantial if there are processing delays, so definitely keep track of when you first filed!

I just wanted to share my own experience with this exact situation! My husband and I went through this last year when he filed at 66. I was already receiving my own benefit of around $900, and his was about $2,800. The spousal benefit did kick in automatically after about 6 weeks, bringing my total up to $1,400 (half of his PIA). The key thing I learned is that you really do need to monitor both of your online accounts closely - there was actually a glitch initially where they applied the wrong spousal amount, and I had to call to get it corrected. Also, keep detailed records of when your husband files because if there are any delays, you'll want to be able to show SSA exactly when the spousal benefits should have started for any retroactive payments. Good luck with everything!

I'm currently going through my second CDR (first one was about 4 years ago) and wanted to share some perspective for anyone feeling anxious about the process. My first CDR took about 5 months total and resulted in continued benefits with no issues. This time around, I'm about 3 months in and just had my consultative exam last week. One thing I learned from my first experience is to treat the CE seriously - dress appropriately, arrive on time, and be honest about your limitations during the exam. The doctor asked me to do various movements and activities, and I made sure to explain when something caused pain or difficulty rather than just pushing through it. Also, I'd recommend requesting a copy of the CE report afterward (you can do this through your local SSA office). During my first CDR, I found an error in the report and was able to submit a correction, which I think helped my case. For anyone just starting the process - try not to panic. The vast majority of CDRs result in continued benefits, especially if your condition hasn't significantly improved. Focus on being thorough and accurate in your paperwork, and remember that they're looking at whether you can maintain substantial gainful activity, not whether you have some good days mixed in with the bad ones. Hang in there - the waiting is definitely stressful, but most of us get through it just fine!

I'm currently about 8 weeks into my CDR process and wanted to add my experience to this helpful thread. Got my initial notice in late January, completed all the disability report forms about 3 weeks ago, and now I'm in the waiting phase to see if they'll schedule a consultative exam. One thing I've found really helpful is keeping a detailed symptom log while going through this process - not just for the forms, but also to have concrete examples ready if they call with follow-up questions or if I need to appeal. I track things like how many hours I can concentrate, what household tasks I can/can't complete, sleep quality, and pain levels on a 1-10 scale. My local SSA field office told me that my state's DDS is currently running about 4-5 months for CDR decisions, which seems pretty consistent with what others have shared here. They also mentioned that if they need a CE, they typically schedule it around month 3-4 of the process. For anyone just starting - definitely echo what others have said about being thorough on those forms. I probably spent 2-3 hours on each section really thinking through how to accurately describe my functional limitations. The waiting is nerve-wracking, but reading everyone's experiences here has really helped manage my anxiety about it. Thanks to everyone who's shared their timelines and advice!

Thank you everyone for the helpful information! I had no idea there was such a big difference between taking widow benefits at 62 versus waiting until my full retirement age. I've made an appointment with SSA next month, and I'm going to specifically ask for a written comparison of what I'd receive at different ages. I'll make sure they understand I'm currently on CIC benefits too. It sounds like waiting until my FRA could mean several hundred more dollars each month for the rest of my life, which would make a huge difference for us. I'll update this thread after my appointment in case it helps anyone else in a similar situation.

As someone who recently navigated this exact situation, I want to emphasize how important it is to understand the timing. I was also receiving CIC benefits while caring for my disabled adult child, and when I turned 62, I was initially told by an SSA representative that I should switch to widow benefits immediately. Fortunately, I did more research first and discovered that waiting until my Full Retirement Age (which was 66 and 8 months for me) would give me the full 100% of my late husband's benefit instead of just 82.5% at age 62. That difference was about $350 per month for life! One thing I'd add that others haven't mentioned - make sure you ask about any potential Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) that might apply to your husband's benefit record between now and when you switch. These can slightly increase the base amount your widow benefits will be calculated from. Also, keep detailed records of all your communications with SSA. I had to correct errors in my file twice during the process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Angel. Losing a child is unimaginable, and it's heartwarming to see how you're stepping up to help your grandchildren during this devastating time. As a newcomer here, I wanted to add one practical tip that might help your ex-daughter-in-law when she applies: she should ask the SSA representative about getting a "receipt" or confirmation number for the application. Sometimes applications can get lost in the system, and having that reference number makes it much easier to follow up on the status. Also, I've heard that some SSA offices are still experiencing staffing shortages, so if the local office seems overwhelmed or unhelpful, don't hesitate to try a different location if there's another one within reasonable distance. The quality of service can vary significantly between offices. One last thing - make sure your ex-daughter-in-law knows that she can appeal if the initial application is denied for any reason. Sometimes there are administrative errors or missing documentation that can be corrected on appeal. The children deserve these benefits, and persistence often pays off. You're being an incredible support system for your grandchildren during the worst time of their lives. They're lucky to have you advocating for them.

I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your son, Angel. As someone new to this community, I want to echo what others have said about acting quickly - the sooner your ex-daughter-in-law applies, the better. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that she should bring multiple copies of all documents to the SSA appointment. Sometimes they need to keep originals or make their own copies, and having extras can prevent delays or additional trips. Also, if your son had any military service, even briefly, that could potentially affect the benefit calculations or provide access to additional survivor benefits through the VA. I'd also suggest that your ex-daughter-in-law write down a list of questions beforehand, including asking about when the first payment might arrive and what to do if payments are delayed. Grief can make it hard to remember everything during these appointments. The fact that your son worked steadily for 15 years is really important - that should definitely qualify the children for benefits. These benefits can make such a difference for your grandchildren's future, helping ensure they have stability during this unimaginably difficult time.

Great to hear you got your instructions! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread - I went through the same process about 6 months ago and found the Pay.gov electronic option was really convenient. You get instant confirmation of payment and it processes faster than mailing a check. Also, make sure to save that reference number they gave you - you'll need it if you have any questions about your payment later. The whole process from repayment to final confirmation took about 6 weeks total for me. Sounds like you handled this perfectly by being patient and waiting for the official instructions rather than trying to send payment early.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm actually considering withdrawing my application too since I just got offered a position that would significantly increase my future earning potential. Reading through everyone's experiences really helps me understand the timeline and process better. For those who have been through this - did you find that withdrawing and reapplying later at full retirement age was worth the hassle financially? I'm 62 and trying to decide if it makes sense to go through this process or just suspend my benefits instead. The job would likely last 3-4 years, and I'm trying to figure out the break-even point between paying back early benefits versus accepting the permanently reduced rate. Thanks for sharing all these details - it's so much more helpful than the vague information on the SSA website!