You can find the exact reduction percentages on the SSA website here: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/agereduction.html For spousal benefits, the reduction is 25/36 of 1% for each month before FRA (up to 36 months) and 5/12 of 1% for each additional month. If you need help with this calculation, you can also call SSA directly or use their retirement calculator on the website.

I'm going through a similar situation and wanted to share what I learned from my SSA appointment last week. The representative explained that even though your husband's current benefit is reduced because he claimed early, your spousal benefit calculation starts with his full PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) - what he would have gotten at full retirement age. So you might actually get more than half of his current $2,150! However, the timing of when YOU claim matters a lot. I'm 64 now and was considering claiming early, but after seeing the reduction calculations, I'm planning to wait until my FRA at 67. The difference is substantial - we're talking about potentially $300-400 less per month for the rest of your life if you claim at 62 versus waiting. One tip: ask SSA for a written estimate showing your benefit amount at different claiming ages. It really helps with the decision-making process!

This thread has been really helpful! I'm in a similar situation - divorced after 22 years, ex is 3 years older and already collecting. One thing I wanted to add that might be useful for Carmen and others: you can actually create a my Social Security account online and periodically check your benefit estimates. While it won't tell you about your ex's status, it can help you stay on top of your own benefit amounts and any changes. Also, some people maintain very loose contact with their ex's family members (like siblings or adult children) on social media - not for personal reasons, but just so they might hear about major life events. It's a delicate balance, but it could be one way to eventually learn about a passing without having to actively search obituaries regularly.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who works in retirement planning - you're making a smart move by waiting until 70 to claim your own benefits! The delayed retirement credits really do make a significant difference in your monthly payment. Regarding the survivor benefits, everything others have said is correct. One additional tip: when you do eventually need to apply for survivor benefits (hopefully many years from now), try to gather as much documentation as possible about your ex-husband's Social Security history. If you know his Social Security number, that can speed up the process, but it's not required - SSA can look him up using his full name and date of birth. Also, don't worry too much about the "monitoring" aspect right now. Focus on enjoying your retirement when it starts next month. The survivor benefit option will be there if and when you need it, and there are usually multiple ways to eventually learn about someone's passing through mutual connections, even years after a divorce. Congratulations on reaching this milestone and making such a well-planned decision about when to claim!

I'm going through this exact same situation with my wife who was a state employee for 30 years! We applied for her spousal benefits in January and got a number that made no sense to us either. After reading all these responses, I think I understand better now - we weren't aware of the phased implementation at all. The SSA representative we spoke with just said "this is what you qualify for" without any explanation of the transition period or how they calculated it. I'm definitely going to request that detailed benefit calculation that several people mentioned here. It's frustrating that they don't automatically provide this breakdown when the rules are so complex during this transition period. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and explanations - this thread has been more helpful than our actual conversation with SSA!

I'm dealing with this exact confusion too! My husband was a postal worker for 35 years and we just got his spousal benefit determination last week. The amount was about 40% less than what we calculated based on the "new rules." After reading through all these explanations, I now understand we're still in the transition period where only 2/3 of the GPO reduction has been eliminated so far. What's really frustrating is that the SSA notice we received didn't mention the phase-in schedule at all - it just stated the benefit amount with no context. I'm going to follow the advice here and request a detailed calculation breakdown. Has anyone had success getting SSA to provide a written explanation that shows exactly how they applied the 2025 phase-in percentages to your specific case? I want to make sure they're using the right formulas before we get to the final phase in 2026.

This is absolutely heartbreaking and unfortunately way too common. I work as a disability advocate and see these survivor benefit delays constantly - it's one of the most broken parts of the SSA system. A few additional suggestions that have worked for my clients: 1. If she can afford it, consider hiring a Social Security attorney who specializes in survivor benefits. Many work on contingency (they only get paid if she wins) and can often cut through the red tape faster than individuals can. 2. File a complaint with the SSA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) online at oig.ssa.gov. This creates an official record and sometimes triggers faster action. 3. Contact your local legal aid organization - many have SSA advocates who can help for free or low cost. 4. Document her financial hardship thoroughly - utility shutoff notices, mortgage default letters, medical bills she can't pay. This strengthens her case for expedited processing. The fact that she hasn't even received the $255 death benefit suggests her application may have never been properly entered into their system. This is more common than people realize. Your friend is entitled to receive benefits retroactive to her application date, so she will eventually get that 7-month lump sum. Don't let them tell her otherwise. Stay strong and keep fighting - the system is designed to wear people down, but she has every right to these benefits.

I'm so sorry your friend is going through this nightmare on top of grieving her husband's loss. Seven months without survivor benefits is completely unacceptable, especially when she's facing foreclosure. Based on what others have shared here, I'd strongly recommend she tries multiple approaches simultaneously: 1. Use that Claimyr service mentioned earlier to actually get through to a human at SSA without waiting hours 2. Contact her congressperson's office immediately - they have special liaisons who can expedite SSA cases 3. Request an "urgent critical need" appointment using the exact language Victoria provided 4. File complaints with both the SSA Office of Inspector General AND Office of Public Inquiries The fact that she hasn't received even the automatic $255 death benefit is a huge red flag that something went seriously wrong with her initial application. It may have never been properly processed at all. She should also gather documentation of her financial hardship (past due mortgage notices, utility bills, etc.) to strengthen her case for emergency processing. And definitely keep copies of EVERYTHING she submits going forward. This system is broken and it's designed to wear people down, but she has every legal right to these benefits. Don't let them make her feel like she's asking for charity - her husband paid into this system his entire working life specifically so she would be protected if something happened to him. Sending strength to both of you during this difficult time. Please update us on what works!

I've been doing some more research, and it seems like I have two main options: 1) File at my FRA so my wife can get spousal benefits, even though they'll be reduced, or 2) Wait until I stop working to file, which means delaying her spousal benefits too. If I go with option 1, would I be able to earn delayed retirement credits between my FRA and age 70 while still having filed for benefits?

I'm facing a very similar situation with my husband turning 67 next year and me being 4 years younger. From what I've learned through my own research and talking to SSA, here are some key points that might help: 1. The spousal benefit reduction at 63 is significant - you're looking at about 32.5-35% instead of the full 50%. That's a permanent reduction for spousal benefits. 2. One thing to consider is the "break-even" analysis. If you file at FRA so your wife can get reduced spousal benefits, versus waiting until you both reach optimal ages, when does the earlier income stream make up for the lower monthly amounts? 3. For survivor benefits, I was told by an SSA representative that if you delay your own benefits until 70, your wife's potential survivor benefit would also be higher since it's based on what you were receiving (including delayed credits). This could be substantial extra income for potentially 20+ years. 4. Have you considered getting estimates from SSA for different scenarios? They can run projections showing total lifetime benefits under different filing strategies, which really helps visualize the trade-offs. The decision really comes down to your financial needs now versus maximizing long-term benefits. If you need the income, filing earlier makes sense. If you can afford to wait, the math often favors delaying.