One thing that might be worth considering is getting your wife's earnings record from SSA to understand exactly what her benefit would have been at full retirement age. Since survivor benefits are calculated based on what she would have received at FRA (not her reduced amount), knowing that number will help you better plan. You can request a Social Security Statement online at ssa.gov/myaccount or by calling SSA. This will show her complete earnings history and projected benefits at different claiming ages. Having these concrete numbers will make it much easier when you eventually speak with an SSA representative about your options. Also, since you mentioned you're both previously married, make sure SSA has accurate records of all marriage dates and any divorces. Sometimes there can be discrepancies in their system that could affect benefit eligibility, and it's better to sort those out well in advance rather than during an already stressful time.

I'm so glad to see this thorough discussion! As someone who recently went through the survivor benefits process myself, I wanted to add a few practical points that might help with your planning: First, when you do eventually need to apply for survivor benefits, you can actually start the application process online at ssa.gov, which can save time compared to trying to get through on the phone or scheduling an in-person appointment. You'll still need to provide documentation, but starting online gets the process moving faster. Second, regarding the earnings test - SSA actually has a pretty helpful online tool called the "Retirement Earnings Test Calculator" that can help you estimate how much might be withheld based on your specific income. It's worth playing around with different scenarios to see how various income levels would affect your benefits. Finally, I'd suggest documenting all of this information in a place where your wife can easily find it too. While you're the one asking about survivor benefits, she might also benefit from understanding these rules in case she ends up being the survivor. Having a shared understanding of your Social Security strategy can be really valuable for both of you. The fact that you're planning ahead shows great foresight. Most people don't think about these details until they're in the middle of a crisis, which makes everything much harder to navigate.

I just wanted to update everyone. I finally got through to a supervisor at SSA who confirmed that YES, I can take ONLY survivor benefits at my FRA without taking my own retirement benefits. She explained I need to be very explicit when applying that I'm only applying for widow's benefits. Thank you all for your help and advice - it gave me the confidence to keep pushing for a clear answer!

I'm so sorry for your loss and glad you were able to get a clear answer from SSA! Your story really highlights how important it is to be persistent and ask for supervisors when needed. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation - I went through this process myself 18 months ago and found it helpful to bring a printed copy of SSA's Program Operations Manual (POMS) section RS 00615.001 which specifically covers survivor benefit applications. Having the official policy in writing seemed to help clarify things with the representative. Also, when you do apply, consider doing it in person at your local office rather than online or by phone - you can review everything before signing and make sure they understand exactly what you're requesting. Best of luck with your application!

Going back to the COLA question - the increases have been pretty significant lately! 5.9% in 2022, 8.7% in 2023, 3.2% in 2024. So that $2750 could be quite a bit higher in 4 years if inflation stays high. Just wanted to add some optimism to the thread!

I'm sorry for your loss, Steven. As someone new to this community, I wanted to share what I learned when helping my aunt navigate similar decisions. The SSA website has a benefit calculator tool that might help you estimate your future survivor benefits with projected COLAs included. Also, if you haven't already, consider scheduling an appointment at your local SSA office about 6 months before you plan to apply - they can walk you through the entire process and help you understand all your options. Sometimes having that face-to-face conversation can clarify things that seem confusing online. The folks here have given you excellent advice about keeping documentation and double-checking calculations. Wishing you the best as you plan ahead.

make sure you know how much ur getting!!! i thought id be getting 2600/mo on my husbands record but it was actually only 2165 because of some weird calculation about his benefit and my earnings?? big shock when that first payment came in! definitely ask them to calculate the exact amount before you decide

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you do apply in October 2025, consider asking for a "protective filing date." This means if there are any delays in processing your application, your benefits will still be backdated to your intended start date of January 1, 2026. I've seen cases where processing delays pushed back people's start dates by a month or two, which can cost you hundreds of dollars. Also, if you're working part-time, make sure to discuss the earnings test with them - survivor benefits are subject to the same annual earnings limits as retirement benefits if you're under your FRA when you start receiving them. Since you'll be 66 (at FRA) when you start, this shouldn't be an issue, but it's worth confirming. Good luck with your application!

To summarize the correct information for you: 1. Taking spousal benefits early will NOT affect your survivor benefits 2. Your future survivor benefit will be based on your husband's benefit amount 3. Since he claimed at 62, his benefit (and consequently your future survivor benefit) is permanently reduced 4. You can claim spousal now and later switch to survivor benefits when applicable 5. To maximize your survivor benefits, you would need to wait until your FRA to claim them when the time comes Given that you're turning 64 next month, taking spousal benefits now means approximately a 13.3% reduction from what you'd get at your FRA. Only you can decide if getting payments now is worth this permanent reduction to your spousal benefits.

Just wanted to add one more consideration that might be helpful - since you mentioned you have less than 40 work credits, make sure to also ask SSA about any potential benefits you might qualify for based on your own work history, even if it's minimal. Sometimes people are surprised to find they have more credits than they thought, or there might be other benefit options available. Also, keep all your documentation from when you do file for spousal benefits - it will make the transition to survivor benefits much smoother later on. The consensus here seems clear that your spousal decision won't hurt your survivor benefits, so that's one less thing to worry about!