I'm in a similar boat - 64 and trying to figure out the best strategy before I hit FRA. From what I've gathered reading through these responses, it sounds like the online application will process whatever you choose, but it won't actively advise you on the optimal strategy. @Zoe Papadakis - based on the numbers you shared ($1,640 own benefit vs your husband's $2,800), your spousal benefit would indeed be around $1,400, so your own benefit is clearly higher. The real question seems to be whether you should file now at FRA or delay until 70 for the 8% annual increases. One thing that hasn't been mentioned - if you're still working, make sure you understand how the earnings test works even at FRA. And if you have any ex-spouses you were married to for 10+ years, that could open up additional options an agent would know about. I'm leaning toward trying to get through to an agent myself after reading all this. The peace of mind seems worth the effort, especially when we're talking about decisions that affect the rest of our lives.

I went through this exact situation last year and ended up doing both - I applied online initially but then called the SSA customer service line repeatedly until I got through (took about 2 weeks of trying). The agent was able to review my online application before it was processed and caught an issue I hadn't considered. In your case, with your own benefit at $1,640 vs. the spousal benefit around $1,400 (50% of your husband's PIA), your own benefit is definitely higher. However, the agent helped me understand the timing implications better. Since you're at FRA now, you could start collecting immediately, or you could delay and earn delayed retirement credits of 8% per year until age 70. The online system will let you choose either option, but it won't run scenarios for you like "if you wait until 70, you'd get $2,050/month, but you'd miss out on 4 years of payments totaling about $78,720." An agent can help you think through your health, other income sources, and family longevity to make that decision. My advice: try the online application to see all the questions they ask, but don't submit it yet. That way you'll be better prepared when you do get through to an agent. The application stays in draft form for 30 days, so you have time to get professional guidance before finalizing.

I think everyone's missing something important here. If your own benefit at 70 will be higher than your husband's, you should look at whether your own reduced benefit now would be higher than the survivor benefit at 91.86%. It's complicated math, but if your own benefit at FRA is significantly higher than your deceased husband's, then your own benefit reduced at age 65 might still be better than the survivor benefit. Have you checked what your own benefit would be if you claimed right now vs. the survivor benefit amount?

I'm in a somewhat similar situation and found it really helpful to use the Social Security website's benefit estimator to run different scenarios. You can create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount and see estimates for both your survivor benefits and your own retirement benefits at different ages. One thing that might be worth considering - since you're unemployed right now, this could actually be a good time to claim the survivor benefits even if they're reduced. You won't have to worry about the earnings test while you're job hunting, and if you do find work later, you can always reassess whether it makes sense to continue or pause the benefits depending on your new salary. Also, don't forget that any benefits withheld due to the earnings test aren't lost forever - SSA will recalculate and give you credit for those months once you reach FRA. So even if you go over the limit later, it's not as bad as it initially seems. The key thing is you've got the right strategy of preserving your own benefit until 70 if it will be higher. That 8% per year growth is hard to beat!

I'm in a very similar situation with my Italian pension! Just wanted to add another perspective from someone who went through this process recently. With your 29 years of substantial US earnings, you're in much better shape than most people facing WEP - the reduction should be minimal as others have mentioned (around $60-70/month). One thing I learned that might help: when you do contact SSA, specifically ask them to run a "totalization calculation" alongside the standard WEP calculation. Sometimes the totalization method can result in a higher benefit than the WEP-reduced amount, and SSA is supposed to give you whichever calculation is more favorable. Not all representatives know about this, so you might need to ask specifically. Also, regarding the remote work idea that others mentioned - I was able to structure some freelance work through a US payroll company while living in Italy, which allowed me to pay into Social Security. It's definitely worth exploring if you can get that 30th year! The paperwork was a bit complex but completely eliminated WEP for me. Good luck with everything - the international benefit coordination is confusing but you're asking all the right questions!

I went through almost exactly the same situation with my Swiss pension and US Social Security! With 29 years of substantial US earnings, you're actually in a really good position - the WEP reduction will be minimal (around $60-70/month as others have mentioned). The totalization agreement between US and Germany helps ensure you qualify for both benefits, but it doesn't eliminate WEP entirely. Here's what I wish I had known earlier: definitely verify all 29 years actually meet the substantial earnings threshold by requesting Form SSA-7050, and seriously consider that remote work angle to get your 30th year. I ended up doing consulting work for a US company while abroad, paid Social Security taxes on it, and completely eliminated WEP. It was absolutely worth the effort! Also, when you contact SSA, ask them to run both the standard WEP calculation AND the totalization calculation - they're supposed to give you whichever is more favorable. Not all reps know this, so be specific. Get everything in writing since phone reps often give conflicting info on international cases. You're asking all the right questions - this process is confusing but very manageable with the right information!

they never sent me ANYTHING about increases and Ive been working part time for 3 years since I got my ss!!!!

Just wanted to add my experience here - I've been in a similar situation for the past two years. Started collecting at FRA in 2022 and continued working as a freelance graphic designer. My earnings in 2023 were about $78K, which was higher than several of my earlier career years. I did get an automatic recalculation that showed up in January 2024, but like others mentioned, the increase was modest - about $41/month. What I found helpful was creating an account on ssa.gov and checking my earnings record regularly to make sure everything was posted correctly. One thing I noticed is that it can take quite a while for self-employment earnings to show up in their system compared to W-2 earnings, probably because of how SE taxes are processed. So don't panic if you don't see changes right away after filing your return. The increase is definitely worth it even if it seems small - that's an extra $492 per year, and it compounds over time with cost-of-living adjustments. Plus you're still building your earnings record which could help with future recalculations too.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Natasha. My heart goes out to you during this incredibly difficult time. Having to navigate Social Security bureaucracy while grieving is just overwhelming. I wanted to add one more practical tip that helped me when I went through something similar with my late father's benefits: If you end up having trouble getting through to SSA by phone (which seems to be a common frustration based on what others have shared), try calling first thing in the morning right when they open at 8 AM local time, or late in the day around 4-5 PM. I found those times had shorter wait times. Also, when you do get your appointment scheduled, ask the representative to give you a written summary of what was discussed and the benefit amounts calculated. I learned the hard way that having everything documented prevents confusion later when the payments actually start. The advice everyone has given you here is spot-on - applying for the reduced survivor benefit now makes the most financial sense in your situation. That extra $900+ per month will provide real security and peace of mind, which is exactly what you need right now as you adjust to this major life change. Wishing you strength as you work through all of this. You're handling a very complicated situation with grace.

My deepest condolences on the loss of your husband, Natasha. Having been through a similar situation myself about three years ago, I understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate these benefit decisions while grieving. Everyone here has given you excellent advice, and I want to reinforce that your decision to apply for survivor benefits now is absolutely the right one. The financial analysis is clear - you'll be significantly better off taking the reduced survivor benefit immediately rather than waiting. One thing I'd like to add from my own experience: when you go to your SSA appointment, ask them about the "deemed filing" rules. Sometimes people think they have to choose between their own retirement benefit OR survivor benefits, but actually you can be receiving both simultaneously - you just get paid the higher of the two amounts. The SSA will automatically pay you whichever benefit is larger each month. Also, make sure to ask about Medicare implications if you're not already enrolled. When your income increases from the higher survivor benefit, it might affect your Medicare premiums down the road, though this is usually a minor consideration compared to the substantial monthly increase you'll receive. The community support you've received here is wonderful, and I hope it helps ease some of the stress of this difficult transition. Your husband would want you to have this financial security.