Just wanted to add some clarification on timing - you mentioned you're 61 now and divorced in 2004 after 13 years of marriage, so you definitely meet the 10-year requirement. One important point: you CAN apply for divorced spouse benefits as soon as you turn 62, but if you're still working, be very careful about the earnings test. In 2025, if you earn more than $22,320 while collecting benefits before your FRA, they'll reduce your payments. Also, consider this strategy: you could potentially file a "restricted application" at your FRA to claim only the divorced spouse benefit while letting your own benefit grow with delayed retirement credits until age 70. This might maximize your total lifetime benefits depending on your situation. Definitely worth discussing this option with an SSA representative when you call!

I want to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you have your marriage certificate and divorce decree ready when you apply! SSA will need proof of your marriage duration and that it's officially ended. Also, since your divorce was in 2004, double-check that you have certified copies since older documents sometimes fade or get damaged over time. You can usually get certified copies from the county clerk where you were married/divorced if needed. Having all your documentation ready will make the application process much smoother and avoid delays in processing your claim.

Thank you all for the helpful information! I spoke with SSA this morning (after trying for days) and learned that my situation is primarily affected by: 1) the early retirement reduction since I'm only 57, and 2) a modified WEP calculation because of my husband's mixed career. The agent confirmed there is a special WEP provision that limits the reduction for survivors, which might mean I'm eligible for an adjustment. They're sending me a detailed explanation of the calculation by mail and scheduled a follow-up with a Technical Expert. I'll update once I know more in case it helps anyone else navigating this complicated situation.

This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with mixed government/Social Security careers! I'm currently helping my sister navigate a similar situation after her husband (a postal worker for 10 years, then private sector for 18 years) passed last year. The SSA reps we've spoken with have given conflicting information about WEP vs GPO, and it's been incredibly frustrating. Your experience confirms what I suspected - that there are special protections for survivors that aren't well-known or consistently explained. I'm definitely going to have her specifically ask about the WEP limitation for survivors and request a Technical Expert appointment. Thank you for taking the time to share your journey and promise to update - it really helps those of us trying to figure out these complex rules!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Logan. I went through this exact decision process about 3 years ago and wanted to share what I learned. Based on your numbers, waiting until December 2025 seems like the smart move. With your $80K income, if you applied now (before your FRA year), you'd face the stricter earnings limit of around $22,320 for 2024, meaning you'd be over by about $57,680. That's a reduction of roughly $28,840 in benefits - potentially wiping out most or all of your survivor benefit for the year. Even in your FRA year (2025), you'd still face some withholding until you actually reach FRA in December. But once you hit that December 2025 date, no more earnings limits ever. One thing to consider: you can always apply now and request that benefits start in December 2025 when you reach FRA. This locks in your application date but delays the start of payments until the earnings test no longer applies. Some people find this gives them peace of mind that everything is processed and ready to go. Also, definitely compare your own retirement benefit projection to the survivor benefit amount to make sure you're choosing the optimal strategy. The SSA.gov retirement estimator can help with this. Hang in there - the paperwork and decisions are overwhelming during an already difficult time, but you're asking all the right questions.

I'm really sorry for your loss, Logan. This is such a complex situation and you're smart to think through all the angles before making a decision. From what I've learned helping others navigate this, waiting until your FRA in December 2025 would likely save you thousands of dollars. With your $80K salary, you'd be way over any earnings limit if you start benefits early, and those reductions can really add up. One thing I'd suggest is calling SSA back and asking them to run the exact numbers for your situation - what your survivor benefit would be if you start now versus waiting, and what the earnings test impact would be with your specific income. Sometimes seeing the actual dollar amounts makes the decision clearer. Also keep in mind that survivor benefits are generally not taxable if that's your only income, but with your work income you'll likely owe taxes on a portion of the benefits. That's another factor in the math. The fact that you're keeping your job for health insurance is huge - that removes one of the main reasons people sometimes take benefits early. Ten more months probably feels like forever when you're grieving, but financially it sounds like it would be worth the wait. You might also want to check if your employer offers any grief counseling or financial planning resources through EAP - sometimes they have specialists who understand Social Security rules better than the general financial advisors.

I just remembered something else - if your disabled son gets SSI or SSDI himself, that's separate from your benefits! Don't get those confused when your talking to SS people. My nephew gets SSDI payments AND his mom was getting the parent benefits too. Totally different things!

I'm dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what I learned from my experience. I turned 62 last year while receiving child-in-care benefits for my disabled daughter. Here's what actually happened: SSA sent me a letter about 2 months before my 62nd birthday explaining that I was becoming eligible for retirement benefits, but it clearly stated this was informational only - not a requirement to switch. They automatically did the benefit comparison that others mentioned, and since my CIC benefit was higher than my reduced retirement would be, they kept me on the child-in-care benefits. The key thing I discovered: make sure your son's disability status is current in their system! They had to reverify his condition as part of the process, which delayed things by a few weeks. If his disability determination is old or needs updating, start that process now. Also, I found it helpful to create a my Social Security account online if you don't already have one. You can see your benefit estimates there and track any changes to your case. Much easier than trying to get through on the phone for basic information. You're in a good position since your CIC benefit is higher than your potential early retirement benefit. Just stay on top of the paperwork and don't let anything lapse!

I went through this exact situation two years ago at 63 after my third heart attack. The dual approach is definitely the right strategy - I filed for early retirement first to get immediate income, then applied for SSDI about a month later. A few things that really helped my case: 1. I kept a daily symptoms diary for about 6 weeks before applying - noting chest pain episodes, fatigue levels, how far I could walk without getting winded, etc. The SSDI examiner specifically mentioned this helped them understand my functional limitations. 2. My cardiologist filled out a detailed RFC (Residual Functional Capacity) form that SSA provides. This was crucial - it spelled out exactly what I couldn't do (lift over 10 lbs, work in high-stress environments, stand for more than 20 minutes at a time). 3. I was approved on initial application in about 6 months, which my attorney said was faster than usual for cardiac cases. The key was having comprehensive medical records that clearly showed my limitations weren't going to improve significantly. The financial difference has been life-changing - I'm getting about $2,180/month with SSDI versus the $1,490 I would have gotten with early retirement alone. Plus I got about $8,000 in backpay once approved. Don't let anyone pressure you to "try going back to work first" if your doctor says it's dangerous. Your health is more important than SSA's preference for people to attempt work. You've got strong medical evidence - trust the process and be patient with the timeline.

I'm so glad you found this thread and are getting such helpful advice! As someone who went through a very similar situation at 60 after my bypass surgery, I want to echo what others have said about the dual approach being absolutely the right strategy. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much - when you're gathering your medical documentation, don't just focus on the major cardiac events. Include records of any ongoing treatments, medication adjustments, follow-up appointments, and especially any notes about exercise restrictions or activity limitations. My cardiologist's notes about restricting me to "light activity only" and "avoid stress" were apparently very important in my approval. Also, if you have any records from cardiac rehab (if you did that) or stress tests that show limitations, those can be really valuable. They provide objective evidence of your functional capacity that goes beyond just the clinical measures. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but having that early retirement income while you wait for SSDI really does make it manageable. I was approved after about 9 months and the backpay plus the higher monthly amount made such a difference. You're doing everything right by starting this process now and getting organized. With multiple cardiac events and clear medical documentation that returning to high-stress work is dangerous, you have a very strong case. Don't let the statistics about denials discourage you - cardiac cases with solid documentation like yours often have much better success rates. Hang in there and trust the process!