I called my local SSA office today after getting advice here, and they confirmed that for an April 2025 start date, I should apply in January 2025. They also mentioned that since I'm turning 67 in May (my FRA), taking benefits just one month early in April will only reduce my monthly amount by less than 1%. I've decided to go ahead with that plan. Thanks everyone for your helpful advice!

Great to hear you got official confirmation from SSA! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread - make sure you have all your documents ready before you apply in January. You'll need your birth certificate, Social Security card, W-2 forms or tax returns from the previous year, and bank account information for direct deposit. Having everything organized beforehand will make the online application process much smoother. Good luck with your retirement!

I wanted to add one more important point: If you're eligible for both your own retirement benefit and the ex-spouse benefit, SSA will pay your own benefit first, and then supplement it with the ex-spouse benefit if that would result in a higher total. This is called the "deemed filing" rule. So if your own benefit at 62 would be $800, and the ex-spouse benefit would be $1000, you'd receive your $800 plus an additional $200 to reach the higher amount. It's also worth noting that claiming early permanently reduces both your own retirement benefit and the ex-spouse benefit. The reduction factors are slightly different, but both are significant at age 62.

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact situation two years ago. My ex-husband was also on SSDI when I applied for ex-spouse benefits at 62. The process took about 6 weeks from application to first payment, and you're right that his SSDI counts the same as retirement benefits for your calculation. One thing I wish someone had told me - even though you can't contact your ex directly, SSA can tell you during your appointment approximately what your benefit would be before you commit to filing. They won't tell you his exact amount, but they can give you a good estimate of what you'd receive. This helped me decide whether to file immediately or wait. Also, definitely try visiting your local SSA office in person if the phones aren't working. I had much better luck just walking in with all my documents. They were able to answer all my questions and process my application the same day. Good luck with your decision!

Anyone else notice how they ALWAYS want to do ANOTHER medical review even when you've been approved for years?? My brother has been disabled since birth (literally) and they STILL make him do reviews every 3 years like he's suddenly going to be cured!! The whole system is designed to wear you down so you give up!!

Welcome to the community! I'm new here but dealing with a similar situation. Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the different medical standards for disabled widow(er) benefits versus regular SSDI. One thing I'm curious about that hasn't been mentioned - does anyone know if there are any income limits or earnings test restrictions that apply differently to the survivor benefit portion versus the SSDI portion? I'm thinking about maybe doing some part-time work in the future and want to make sure I understand all the rules before I make any decisions. Also, Katherine, thank you for asking these questions! The remarriage rules are so confusing and it's great to see the community come together with such detailed explanations.

btw the COLA is rumored to be around 2.5% this year. not great but better than nothing!!

One important clarification: The COLA being announced this week will be effective for payments received in January 2025. Since Social Security pays benefits in the month following the month for which they are due, your February 2025 payment (which is for January 2025) will indeed include the COLA increase. You should receive a notice called "Your New Benefit Amount" in December that will show: 1. Your current benefit amount 2. The new benefit amount after COLA 3. The date the new amount takes effect This is sent automatically to all beneficiaries - no need to request it.

As a newcomer to this community, I want to add my thanks to everyone who has contributed to this incredibly informative discussion! I'm 62 and have been agonizing over this exact question for months. My husband is 68 and already collecting his full Social Security benefits while still working part-time as a contractor, earning about $30,000 annually. I was convinced that his continued earnings would somehow impact my benefits when I decide to file. Reading through all these detailed explanations has been such a huge relief! It's now crystal clear that the earnings test applies only to the individual earning the income, not their spouse. I can't believe I spent so much time worrying about this when the answer is actually straightforward once it's properly explained. What really impressed me is how patient and thorough everyone has been in addressing not just the original question, but all the follow-up concerns and misconceptions that came up in the thread. The clarification about business structure not mattering (sole proprietorship vs LLC) and the distinction between the earnings test and benefit taxation were particularly helpful. I'm definitely going to explore that my.ssa.gov account suggestion and maybe even look into that Claimyr service if I need to speak with SSA directly. Thank you all for creating such a supportive environment for people trying to navigate these complex Social Security rules!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to express my gratitude for this incredibly thorough and reassuring discussion! I'm 63 and my husband is 69, already collecting his full Social Security benefits while continuing to earn income from his small accounting practice. Like so many others here, I was genuinely worried that his business earnings might somehow reduce my benefits when I file next year. This thread has been absolutely eye-opening! The consistent message from everyone that the earnings test applies individually to each spouse has completely put my fears to rest. I had no idea that married couples are treated as completely separate individuals for Social Security earnings purposes - I just assumed there would be some kind of household income consideration. I'm particularly grateful for the detailed explanation about how temporarily withheld benefits get recalculated at FRA rather than being permanently lost. That's such an important distinction that I hadn't understood before. The recommendation to set up a my.ssa.gov account to review projected benefits is also incredibly practical advice that I'm going to act on immediately. What strikes me most is how patient and knowledgeable this community is. Every question and concern that came up was addressed with real-world experience and clear explanations. Thank you all for creating such a supportive environment for those of us trying to navigate these complex Social Security decisions!