I just wanted to update that I called the SSA today and managed to get through after about 45 minutes on hold. The representative said I should definitely come in for an appointment when I retire to compare my own benefit to the widow benefit. She also mentioned something about

Great news! Just so you know, \

totally off topic but does anyone know if they look at your income for the survivors benefit? my aunt is working part time and collecting survivors from my uncle but she's worried about making too much

Just want to add another perspective here - I went through this exact situation 2 years ago. I was getting about $1,700 in survivor benefits and switched to my own retirement benefit at age 70. The switch was seamless - SSA automatically gave me the higher amount (my own benefit) and stopped the survivor payments. One thing nobody mentioned yet is that you should contact SSA about 3 months before you plan to make the switch to start the paperwork. Even though it seems automatic, there's still some processing involved. Also, make sure to keep all your benefit statements and tax documents organized because the transition can affect your tax situation slightly. The waiting strategy really does pay off - my benefit at 70 was about $2,800 compared to what would have been around $2,100 at my FRA. That extra $700/month makes a huge difference in my budget!

Just wanted to follow up - thanks everyone for the engaging discussion! I appreciate all perspectives. For those wondering, I made my choice after reading several SSA publications and creating my own spreadsheet to compare scenarios. While I'm comfortable with my decision, I think the main point is that there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Health status, family situation, other income sources, and even personal values all matter. What worked for me might not work for everyone!

As someone new to this community and approaching retirement decisions myself, this has been incredibly helpful to read through! I'm 59 and starting to think seriously about these choices. The break-even analysis you did makes a lot of sense - it's surprising how the financial advisors don't always present it this way. One thing I'm curious about - for those who took benefits early, how has the reduced monthly amount affected your day-to-day budgeting? I keep going back and forth between wanting the security of higher monthly payments later versus having the flexibility of money now. My biggest worry is whether the early amount will be enough to cover unexpected expenses as I get older, especially healthcare costs that seem to keep rising faster than COLAs. Also really appreciate the clarification on FRA - I was confused about that too! This discussion has given me a lot to think about and some good starting points for my own research.

Dont forget about the $255 death benefit too. Not much but its something.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I work as a benefits counselor and wanted to add a few important points that might help: 1. Since your mom is 82 and past full retirement age, she can receive 100% of your father's benefit if it was higher than hers - there's no reduction for age. 2. The timing is crucial. While you can get up to 6 months of retroactive benefits, the sooner you apply the better. Don't wait for SSA to contact you. 3. If you're having trouble getting through by phone, try calling right at 8 AM when they open - that's usually the best time to reach someone. 4. Make sure to ask about continuing any Medicare supplements or other benefits your father may have had that could transfer to your mother. 5. Keep detailed records of all your calls and interactions with SSA, including dates, times, and who you spoke with. The process can be frustrating, but your mother is likely entitled to the higher benefit amount. Stay persistent and don't give up if the first call doesn't go well.

One more thing! When your wife starts receiving the spousal benefits, they'll be subject to the same taxation rules as other Social Security benefits. Depending on your combined income, up to 85% of Social Security benefits may be taxable. Just something to factor into your retirement budget planning for next year.

Just want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure to keep detailed records of all the payments and adjustments. When my parents went through this process, there was a small error in the calculation that took months to resolve. I'd recommend taking screenshots of your wife's current benefit amount from her MySocialSecurity account before you file, and then monitoring it closely after your benefits start. Also, if for some reason the automatic adjustment doesn't happen within 60 days of your first payment, don't hesitate to contact SSA immediately. Sometimes these things get stuck in the system and need a manual push. The sooner you catch any issues, the easier they are to fix and get any back payments you're owed.