Hey just wondering - does anyone know if the OP could have done something different? Like if he had waited until Full Retirement Age instead of taking benefits at 65? I'm trying to figure out what to do with my own situation and don't want to make the same mistake!

I'm sorry to hear about your financial struggles, Natalie. This is unfortunately a common misunderstanding about Social Security benefits. The key thing to remember is that you always receive the HIGHER of either your own benefit OR the spousal/ex-spousal benefit - never both combined. Since you're already receiving $1,425 monthly on your own record, your ex-wife would need a Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) of at least $2,850 for you to qualify for any additional ex-spouse benefit. That's because the maximum ex-spouse benefit is 50% of her PIA. While you can't change your past filing decision, I'd recommend looking into other assistance programs that might help with your financial situation. Your local Area Agency on Aging can help you find programs for utilities assistance, food support, prescription drug help, and other resources specifically designed for seniors facing financial hardship.

my aunt had same thing happen and got a big backpay check! def ask about it

I went through a similar situation when my spouse passed away two years ago. The key thing to remember is that survivor benefits and your own retirement benefits are completely separate calculations. Since you waited until after your FRA to apply for survivor benefits, you should receive the full 100% of your husband's benefit amount if it's higher than your current reduced benefit. The fact that you took your own retirement 5 months early doesn't impact the survivor benefit calculation at all - they're independent of each other. I'd recommend getting everything in writing from SSA when they process your claim, and don't hesitate to ask them to explain exactly how they calculated your new benefit amount. Sometimes the representatives aren't fully clear on these rules, so persistence helps. My condolences on your loss, and I hope this gets resolved smoothly for you.

Just to provide a complete answer: The SSA automatically processes survivor benefits in situations where: 1. Both spouses were receiving benefits 2. The marriage is properly documented in SSA records 3. The death is reported through official channels (funeral homes, vital records) The process includes: - Payment of the one-time $255 death benefit - Adjustment to the higher of the two benefit amounts You should verify that your new monthly amount equals what your wife was receiving. If her benefit was higher than yours, you'll now receive that amount instead of your own benefit. The only reason you might need to contact SSA is if: - Your new benefit amount seems incorrect - You have eligible dependents who might qualify for survivor benefits - You need to update other information (banking, address, etc.) Otherwise, the automatic processing you experienced is working as designed and is becoming more common as SSA improves their systems.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like everything processed correctly for you, which is wonderful during such a difficult time. The automatic processing happens when SSA has all the necessary information on file - your marriage records, both of your benefit amounts, etc. One thing I'd recommend is creating or logging into your mySocialSecurity account online if you haven't already. This will let you verify your current benefit amount and see the official records of the changes. It's good to have documentation showing the transition happened properly, just for your own peace of mind. You're right to trust the system when it works this smoothly. The people insisting you need to visit an office likely had different circumstances or are thinking of how things used to work years ago when more manual processing was required.

They change these rules all the time tho. You should double check with SS directly. I wouldn't trust internet advice for something this important. My brother got wrong info from his friend and it cost him thousands.

I went through this exact same confusion when I turned 70 last year! The misinformation about earnings limits is everywhere, and it's so frustrating. Your daughter is absolutely right - there is NO earnings limit once you reach full retirement age. Since you're 70 and already collecting benefits, you can work as much as you want without any reduction to your Social Security payments. I now work seasonal tax prep and make around $2,000 a month during busy season, plus my husband and I do some consulting work. Our benefits have never been reduced. The only thing to keep in mind is that your additional income might affect your taxes (potentially making more of your SS benefits taxable) and could impact Medicare premiums if your income gets high enough, but it won't touch your actual Social Security benefit amount. Enjoy the freedom to work without worry! It's one of the few perks of getting older.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation! As others have confirmed, the 10-year marriage requirement is unfortunately non-negotiable for divorced spouse benefits. However, don't give up hope on your own benefits yet! Even with a "spotty" work history, you might be surprised at what you've earned. The SSA only needs your highest 35 years of earnings, and years with no earnings count as zeros - so if you worked even part-time for many years while raising kids, those earnings still count toward your benefit calculation. Also, if you're caring for a child under 16 or disabled who receives benefits on your ex's record, there might be other options to explore. Definitely worth getting a current benefit estimate and maybe speaking with a local SSA office about all possible programs you might qualify for.

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation! Everyone here has given you the correct information - the 10-year marriage requirement is absolutely firm for divorced spouse benefits, no exceptions. But don't lose hope about your own benefits! I went through something similar and was pleasantly surprised when I finally got my official estimate. The Social Security formula is actually designed to help people with lower lifetime earnings - it replaces a higher percentage of pre-retirement income for lower earners. Even if you only worked part-time or had gaps, those years of contributions add up. I'd strongly recommend scheduling an appointment at your local SSA office (or using that Claimyr service someone mentioned if you can't get through by phone) to go over all your options. They can also help you understand if working a few more years before claiming might significantly boost your benefit amount. Sometimes just a couple more years of even part-time work can make a real difference in your monthly payment!