One thing I wanted to mention - when I was applying for survivor benefits, my friend gave me a tip to specifically request an appointment with a claims specialist who handles survivor benefits. Not all reps are equally knowledgeable about all benefit types. It made a huge difference in my case because the specialist caught something that would have reduced my benefit that the previous person I spoke with missed completely.

This is such valuable information - thank you all for sharing your experiences! I'm a widow myself (husband passed 2 years ago) and I've been trying to navigate this maze of decisions. @PaulineW your tip about requesting a specialist is gold - I had no idea you could do that. @Josef Tearle the earnings test info is crucial too since I'm also considering some part-time work. It sounds like the key takeaway is that yes, the survivor benefit strategy can work, but there are so many variables (reduced benefits if taken early, earnings limits, whether your spouse reached FRA, etc.) that really require getting personalized advice from SSA. I think I'll use that Claimyr service @Charity Cohan mentioned to actually get through to someone knowledgeable. Has anyone else used services like that to get past the long hold times?

I went through this exact same confusion when I started dealing with Social Security last year! One resource that really saved me was the SSA's "Understanding the Benefits" booklet (Publication No. 05-10024) - it's written in much plainer language than their website and includes a glossary at the back that explains acronyms in context rather than just giving definitions. Also, since you mentioned WEP specifically - that one tripped me up for months! Here's what I wish someone had told me: WEP only applies if you worked in a job where you DIDN'T pay Social Security taxes but still earned a pension (like some government or teaching positions). If you paid SS taxes your whole career, WEP won't affect you at all. The SSA website makes it sound like it could apply to anyone with any pension, which isn't true. One more tip: when you call SSA, ask them to send you a written summary of anything they explain over the phone. I learned this the hard way after forgetting half of what an agent told me. They can mail or email you personalized explanations that you can refer back to later when you inevitably encounter more acronyms! Hang in there - it really does get easier once you learn the ones that actually apply to your situation!

I totally understand your frustration! I went through this same acronym maze when my mom was applying for Social Security a few years ago. What helped us the most was starting with the basics and building up from there. Here's my suggestion: focus on learning just the acronyms that apply to YOUR specific situation first, rather than trying to memorize everything at once. Since you mentioned WEP and retirement planning, start with: • FRA (Full Retirement Age) - when you can get full benefits • PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) - your base benefit amount • WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) - only matters if you have a pension from non-SS covered work • DRC (Delayed Retirement Credits) - extra money for waiting past your FRA One thing that really helped us was calling the SSA and specifically asking them to "please explain this in non-acronym terms" whenever they used jargon. Most agents will switch to plain English if you ask directly. Also, don't feel bad about not knowing this stuff - Social Security has been around for decades and they've just kept adding more and more technical terms without updating their communication style. It's designed by bureaucrats for bureaucrats, not for regular people trying to plan their retirement! You've got plenty of time to learn what you need to know before next year. Take it one acronym at a time and you'll get there!

Since we're talking about strategies, here's a thorough approach based on your situation: 1) Speak with your doctor about potentially reducing your hours for medical reasons (documented medical necessity) 2) Check with your HR department about: - Whether reduced hours would maintain your health insurance - If you qualify for short-term or long-term disability through your employer - Whether FMLA might apply to give you protected time for surgeries/recovery 3) Create your my Social Security account to verify your SSDI estimate 4) Consult with a disability attorney about timing your application 5) Ensure all your medical records explicitly document: - Functional limitations (how long you can sit, stand, walk) - Failed treatments you've already tried - Pain levels and frequency - How symptoms affect your ability to work Many people make the mistake of applying too early without sufficient medical documentation or too late after struggling unnecessarily. Finding the right timing is key.

I'm dealing with similar spinal issues and wanted to share something that might help with your decision-making process. Since you mentioned your boss is starting to notice productivity issues, have you considered talking to HR about requesting reasonable accommodations under the ADA before making any major employment decisions? Things like a sit/stand desk, more frequent breaks, or even working from home a few days a week could help you maintain your job longer while you're going through the disability application process. This creates a paper trail showing you tried to continue working with accommodations, which can actually strengthen your SSDI case by demonstrating that even with workplace modifications, your conditions prevent you from maintaining substantial gainful activity. Also, given your upcoming laminectomy, make sure your surgeon documents in detail your current functional limitations and expected recovery timeline. Post-surgical complications or incomplete recovery can be significant factors in disability determinations, especially when you're already dealing with multiple conditions affecting different body systems. The fact that you're 59 with 35 years of work history puts you in a strong position under the medical-vocational guidelines if your conditions prevent you from doing any work you've done in the past 15 years. Don't lose hope - the process is daunting but your situation sounds like it has merit.

my mom claimed at 62 and totally regrets it now shes 81 and struggles every month cuz her check is so small...just sayin

I'm in a similar situation and found that creating a simple spreadsheet really helped clarify things. I made columns for each claiming age (62, 67, 70) and calculated cumulative benefits received at different future ages (75, 80, 85, 90). What really opened my eyes was including a "health span" factor - not just life expectancy, but how many years I might realistically enjoy the money. Also, don't underestimate the psychological factor. My neighbor claimed at 62 and says the peace of mind of having guaranteed income (even if smaller) has been worth more than any break-even calculation. On the flip side, my dad waited until 70 and feels great about his larger checks, but he was fortunate to have other income sources during the wait. Have you considered doing a "test run" where you calculate your monthly budget needs at different benefit levels? Sometimes seeing the actual dollar impact on your lifestyle makes the decision clearer than abstract break-even ages.

Something else to consider - if she was receiving benefits as a widow or from a divorced spouse, that might affect how you need to request the documents. Be super specific with SSA about what tax documents you need, or you might end up with incomplete information. Also, while you're at it, check if there's any possibility of survivor benefits for eligible family members if anyone qualified.

I'm sorry for your loss. I went through something similar when my grandmother passed last year. One thing I learned is that you should also request a "Benefits Verification Letter" from SSA in addition to the 1099. This document shows the total annual benefits and can be helpful for your accountant when preparing the final returns, especially if there are any discrepancies. Also, keep detailed records of all communications with SSA - dates, times, representative names if you get them. The process can be slow and having a paper trail helps if you need to escalate or if documents get lost in the mail. I'd recommend sending any written requests via certified mail with return receipt requested. One more tip: if your mother had direct deposit, make sure the bank account remains open until you receive and cash any final benefit checks or refunds. Some trustees make the mistake of closing accounts too quickly, which can complicate the process.