This whole thread is making me nervous... I'm turning FRA next month and planned to do exactly what the original poster described (take ex-spouse benefits now, switch to mine at 70). Now I'm worried! I was born in 1953 though, so maybe I'm still ok? Does anyone know for sure?

As someone new to navigating Social Security, this thread has been incredibly educational! It's concerning how much misinformation gets passed around, even from SSA representatives themselves. For anyone else reading this who might be confused: the key takeaway seems to be that the restricted application strategy (taking spousal/ex-spousal benefits while letting your own grow) is ONLY available if you were born on or before January 1, 1954. If you were born after that date, you're subject to "deemed filing" - meaning you automatically get the higher of your two benefits, not both sequentially. Katherine, I'm glad you called back and got the correct information! It's a good reminder that when it comes to something this important financially, it's always worth getting a second opinion from SSA directly. The difference between getting this right vs wrong could literally be tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime. Does anyone know if there's an official SSA publication that clearly explains these birth date cutoffs? It seems like having that documentation handy would help avoid confusion with representatives who might not be up to date on the rules.

Thank you all for the helpful information! After reading everything, I think we'll still proceed with me filing at 65 and my wife filing for spousal benefits at 62. The reduced amount will still help our situation, and with my health concerns, waiting doesn't make sense for us. I've already enrolled in Medicare (did that last month), so we're all set there. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge - this has been really valuable for our planning!

One thing to keep in mind is that your wife's spousal benefit won't automatically start when you file - she needs to submit her own application. The SSA doesn't automatically enroll spouses, even if they're clearly eligible. Also, make sure she applies using Form SSA-2 (Application for Spouse's or Divorced Spouse's Benefits) rather than the regular retirement application. The process is pretty straightforward, but having all your documentation ready (marriage certificate, her birth certificate, your SSN) will help avoid delays. Since you're both filing early, it's smart that you've already done the math on what to expect. Good luck with everything!

wait so if you apply for social security do you HAVE to take medicare too?? I'm turning 65 later this year but still have good insurance through my wifes job. dont want to pay for something i dont need yet

As someone new to navigating Social Security, this whole thread has been incredibly educational! I'm still a few years away from retirement but seeing real experiences like yours helps me understand what to expect. The fact that SSA representatives actually call to discuss complex benefit options is reassuring - I always assumed everything would be done through impersonal letters or online portals. One question for the community: For those who've gone through this process, how far in advance should someone apply? The original poster mentioned applying 6 weeks ago - is that typical timing, or should people apply earlier to avoid any delays in receiving their first payments?

I'm sorry for your loss. This is such a difficult time to be dealing with these complicated benefit calculations. From what I'm reading in the comments, it sounds like you'll face a double reduction - one because your ex claimed early and another because you're claiming before your FRA. That seems really harsh given the circumstances. One thing I'd suggest is requesting a written estimate from SSA showing exactly how they calculated your survivor benefit amount. Sometimes having it in writing helps you understand all the factors they're considering, and it gives you something to reference if you get conflicting information from different representatives. Also, even though this situation is frustrating, it sounds like the strategy of taking survivor benefits now and switching to your own retirement benefit at 70 could still work out well for you financially in the long run. The waiting and uncertainty is terrible, but you're asking all the right questions to make the best decision possible.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Dealing with Social Security paperwork during grief is incredibly difficult. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you're getting solid advice about the dual reductions and the strategy of taking survivor benefits now then switching to your own at 70. One thing I'd add - when you do get through to SSA, ask them to walk you through a "what if" scenario comparing your total lifetime benefits under different claiming strategies. They can run projections showing what you'd receive if you claim survivor benefits at 63 vs waiting until FRA, and how that compares to taking your own benefits at different ages. Also, if you're having trouble getting through by phone, try calling right at 8am when they open - I've had better luck getting through in the first few minutes. And definitely bring a notepad when you finally speak with someone. These calculations are complex and you'll want to write down exactly what they tell you so you can reference it later. You're doing the right thing by researching this thoroughly before making your decision. Take your time - you don't have to rush into anything right now.

I want to thank everyone for their helpful responses. I've decided to: 1. Create a my Social Security account to see current estimates 2. Try calling my local office directly for an appointment 3. If that doesn't work, I'll consider using that Claimyr service someone mentioned Based on what I'm hearing, it sounds like my benefit will still grow with delayed retirement credits even though I stopped working, but probably not as much as those original estimates showed. I'll make sure to get updated calculations before making any decisions about whether to switch from survivor to retirement benefits.

Just wanted to add something important that might help with your decision timing - survivor benefits don't have delayed retirement credits like your own retirement benefits do. Your survivor benefit of $1,950 will only increase with annual COLA adjustments, while your own retirement benefit can grow by 8% per year until age 70. Since you mentioned your FRA benefit was estimated at $2,200, even if that's reduced somewhat due to stopping work in 2021, the delayed credits could still make it worthwhile to wait. But definitely get those updated numbers first! Also, I've had good luck calling the SSA 800 number first thing in the morning right when they open at 7am. The wait times are usually much shorter then.