i got so confused by all the conflicting advice that i just went to my local ss office and had them explain everything. took half a day but worth it. way better than trying to figure it out online.

Just wanted to add my experience since I was in almost the exact same situation last year. I retired at 65 (my FRA) and was totally confused about whether to start benefits immediately or wait. After talking to a financial planner and doing my own research, I learned that the key thing is understanding that your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) is already locked in based on your work history - it doesn't change whether you're working or not. What DOES change is the delayed retirement credits if you wait past FRA. I ended up starting benefits at FRA because I wanted the peace of mind of getting something rather than gambling on living long enough to make waiting worthwhile. But if you're healthy and have good longevity in your family, those 8% annual increases until age 70 are pretty attractive. The main thing is that you're NOT losing money by delaying just because you stopped working. The SSA website language is confusing but the delayed credits are real regardless of your employment status.

Waiting until my FRA was definitely right for me because I was still earning good money and didn't want the penalty. Plus my husband's benefit was significantly higher than mine would have been so the spousal benefit was worth waiting for. Everyone's situation is different though!

Just wanted to add one clarification that might help with your planning - when you're thinking about survivor benefits, keep in mind that if your husband delays claiming past his FRA (say until age 70), his benefit will grow by about 8% per year due to delayed retirement credits. If he passes away after that, your survivor benefit would be based on that higher amount, not just his original PIA. So his claiming strategy can significantly impact your potential survivor benefits down the road. Also, regarding the earnings test - it's worth noting that even if you claim benefits before your FRA and have earnings that reduce your monthly payments, those "withheld" benefits aren't lost forever. SSA will recalculate your benefit at FRA to give you credit for those months when benefits were reduced due to earnings. But once you hit FRA, it's a clean slate - work as much as you want with zero impact on benefits!

UPDATE: I finally got through to an SSA Technical Expert this morning! Used the Claimyr service that was suggested here and it worked great - I was connected to an agent in about 25 minutes. Once I specifically asked for a Technical Expert who handles disabled adult child cases and mentioned Section 202(b)(1)(B), they transferred me to someone who knew exactly what I was talking about. She confirmed I'm eligible for the CIC benefits and scheduled me for an in-person appointment next week to complete the application. She said to bring: - My ID and Social Security card - Marriage certificate - Documentation of my caregiving (doctor's letter) - My son's medical records (though she said they likely already have them) Thank you all for your help! I'll update again after my appointment.

That's fantastic news! So glad the Claimyr service worked for you and you finally got connected to someone who understood CIC benefits. It's amazing how much of a difference it makes when you reach the right person who actually knows the rules. Your list of documents looks perfect - sounds like the Technical Expert really knew what she was talking about. The fact that she scheduled you for an in-person appointment is also a great sign since those tend to go much smoother for complex cases like yours. Thanks for sharing the update! This whole thread will be really helpful for other parents dealing with similar situations. Looking forward to hearing how your appointment goes next week. Fingers crossed everything gets processed smoothly from here!

One other thing worth mentioning - if your stepdaughter does qualify for survivor benefits, you'll need to determine who should be the payee for her benefits. Since your daughter's biological father is still in the picture and paying child support, this could potentially get complicated. SSA generally prefers the custodial parent (you in this case) to be the representative payee, but sometimes non-custodial parents contest this. Also, just to clarify a technical point - your husband reached his maximum Social Security earnings, which means he had good earnings that would translate to a higher benefit amount. This is different from reaching the maximum benefit amount, which would only happen if he had delayed retirement beyond his full retirement age (which wasn't applicable since he was only 59). Have you gathered your husband's last W-2 or tax return? That will help SSA calculate the benefit amounts more accurately.

I'm so sorry for your loss. As someone who has helped many families navigate this process, I want to reassure you that the $1,720 monthly child support should NOT disqualify your stepdaughter from survivor benefits. The key factors working in your favor: - Your husband was the primary breadwinner covering most household expenses - Your daughter lived with you full-time (crucial for stepchild eligibility) - Housing, utilities, food, and other major expenses were largely covered by his income When SSA calculates the "one-half support" test, they look at TOTAL support costs - not just direct child expenses. If your husband's income covered your mortgage/rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, etc., his contribution to your daughter's support was likely well over 50% despite the child support. Some practical advice: 1. Apply ASAP - benefits can be retroactive but only for a limited time 2. Request a protective filing date on your first contact 3. Gather ALL documentation: bank statements, tax returns, household bills, proof of living arrangements 4. Don't forget about the $255 lump-sum death benefit Even if the child support reduces the benefit amount somewhat, you'll still likely qualify for substantial help. The family maximum benefit will determine the total payout, but partial benefits are still meaningful support during this difficult time. Many families in similar situations with child support income have successfully received survivor benefits. Don't let fear of rejection prevent you from applying - you need and deserve this assistance.

The REAL problem is that the SSA is DELIBERATELY understaffed!! They've closed over 60 field offices since 2010 while the number of beneficiaries has INCREASED by millions! And their phone system is from the stone age! They WANT to make it hard for us to get our benefits because every day you're delayed is money they keep!! I spent THREE MONTHS trying to get my widows benefits straightened out after they miscalculated my payment. THREE MONTHS of calling and getting disconnected! It's not an accident the system is this broken!

Regarding your survivor benefits interview, make sure you understand the rules about the earnings limit if you're still working. For 2025, if you're under Full Retirement Age and earn more than $22,300, they'll deduct $1 from benefits for every $2 you earn above that limit. Also, are you aware that you can apply for survivor benefits online now? They've recently expanded their online services. Might be easier than the phone interview process. And good job being kind to the representative! As someone who worked in government services for years, I can tell you that a little kindness goes a long way when staff are overwhelmed.