I was in a somewhat similar situation last year. I found that the local Social Security office was actually more helpful than trying to call. I made an appointment (still had to wait a few weeks) but the in-person meeting was so much more productive than trying to get answers on the phone or online. The rep pulled up both my record and my ex's and showed me exactly what I'd get under different scenarios. Just sharing in case that's an option for you. The online appointment system was relatively painless compared to the phone nightmare.

Welcome to the community! I've been following Social Security topics here for a while and wanted to share something that might help with your decision-making process. One thing I don't see mentioned yet is that you should also ask SSA about the "restricted application" rules that might still apply in certain situations, even though most of those strategies were eliminated. Since you're dealing with divorced spouse benefits and you were born before 1954, there might be some nuances worth exploring. Also, when you do get your benefit estimates, make sure to ask them to run the numbers assuming your ex-husband claims at different ages (62, FRA, age 70) if he hasn't filed yet. His claiming decision won't affect your divorced spouse benefit amount, but it's good to understand the full picture. One more tip from my own experience: when you call or visit SSA, have all your documentation ready - marriage certificate, divorce decree, your Social Security statement, etc. It speeds up the process significantly and helps ensure they can give you the most accurate estimates possible. Good luck with your decision! The fact that you're taking time to research and ask questions shows you're approaching this thoughtfully.

Quick update for anyone following this thread - got my official award letter in my SSA account message center today! So the timeline was: - Applied online in August 2025 for November 2025 benefits - Stuck at "processing" for about 3 months - Called and got application completed yesterday - Status changed to approved same day - Award letter received next day (today) So relieved to have this wrapped up before the holidays. Now I can finalize my retirement budget knowing exactly what we'll receive.

This is such helpful information, thank you for sharing! I'm currently in month 2 of waiting for my application to process (filed in September for January 2026 benefits) and was starting to panic seeing no movement. Your explanation about them prioritizing by payment date makes total sense - I wish SSA would communicate this better on their website. One question: when you called and got transferred to your local processing office, did you have to provide any specific information to get that transfer? I've called twice and both times they just told me to wait, but maybe I didn't ask the right way. Going to try the callback option next week and specifically request a transfer to the local office. Fingers crossed I have similar luck! Also really appreciate everyone's comments about the WEP/GPO provisions - had no idea about those and definitely need to look into whether they might affect my situation.

I wonder if applying right after FRA makes a difference in processing time versus exactly at FRA? I'm turning 67 in August (my FRA is 67) and debating whether to apply 3 months early as recommended or wait until my birthday month. Anyone have experiences with this timing question?

Wow, congratulations on such a smooth experience! This gives me hope as someone who's planning to apply later this year. I've been dreading the process after hearing so many delay horror stories, but your timeline sounds amazing. Quick question - did you have to submit any additional documents after filing the initial online application, or was everything processed based on just the application itself? I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row beforehand to hopefully have a similar experience. Also, did you get any interim notifications between filing and approval, or did the approval email just show up out of the blue after 20 days?

I work as a benefits advocate and see this exact situation frequently. The key issue is that SSA's computer systems for SSI and survivor benefits don't communicate well with each other, even though they're both SSA programs. Here's what typically happens: survivor benefits are processed through one system while SSI adjustments require manual intervention from a different department. I strongly recommend going to your local office with printed documentation of both benefit amounts and asking to speak with a supervisor who can manually initiate a "concurrent benefit review." Don't just report it - ask them to create a case note that you're requesting immediate processing due to potential overpayment concerns. Also, request they provide you with a written acknowledgment that you reported the change. This paper trail is absolutely critical if they later try to collect an overpayment from you. The fact that you've called multiple times already shows good faith on your part.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation with my son who has autism! He started getting survivor benefits 3 months ago and SSI is still paying the full amount. I've been so worried about the overpayment issue. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - I had no idea about asking for a concurrent claims specialist or the SSA-8150 form. I'm definitely going to set up an in-person appointment this week and bring all the documentation everyone mentioned. It's so frustrating that their systems don't talk to each other when it's the same agency! Has anyone had success getting the overpayment waived if you can prove you reported it multiple times?

Thank you all so much for these responses! I have a much clearer picture now of how this works. My takeaways:1. His early claiming WOULD reduce potential survivor benefits if he passes away2. But there's that 82.5% minimum rule that might help offset some of the reduction3. I can strategically switch between my own benefits and survivor benefits to maximize my total lifetime payout4. I should definitely consult with an expert on Social Security claiming strategies given all the complexitiesIt's definitely more complicated than I initially thought, but I feel much better equipped to have an informed conversation with a financial advisor now. Thanks again for all your help!

You're absolutely right to get clarity on this before making any major decisions! One additional thing to consider that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand the timing rules around when you can actually claim these different benefits. For divorced spouse benefits, you generally need to wait until age 62, but for survivor benefits, you might be eligible as early as age 60 (or even earlier in certain circumstances). The age at which you claim can significantly impact the benefit amount, so factor that into your overall strategy too. Good luck with your planning!