I'm so sorry for your loss, Miguel. I went through this exact situation when my ex-husband passed away 3 years ago with kids who were 15 and 17 at the time. Your children should definitely see an increase - mine went from receiving about $800 each to around $1,200 each per month when they converted from dependent to survivor benefits. A few things that helped me navigate this process: 1. Don't wait for the death certificate to arrive - call SSA and report the death immediately. They can start the process and you can submit the certificate later. 2. The conversion isn't automatic despite what some offices might tell you. You absolutely need to contact them and request the survivor benefits. 3. Keep detailed records of when you call and who you speak with. I had to call back multiple times because information got lost between representatives. 4. If possible, try to get an in-person appointment even if it's weeks out - sometimes they can process things faster when you're there with all your documents. The whole process took about 2 months for us, but we received backpay to the date of death. Your kids should be able to keep receiving benefits until they graduate high school or turn 19. Hang in there - the financial help will come!

I'm sorry for your loss, Miguel. I went through something similar when my brother passed away and left behind two teenagers. One thing I want to add that others haven't mentioned - make sure you ask SSA about any potential underpayments when you call. Sometimes there can be a gap between when the parent dies and when survivor benefits are processed, and you might be entitled to additional payments for that period. Also, if your ex-husband had any delayed retirement credits (since he was 67 when he passed), those would factor into the survivor benefit calculation and could mean even higher amounts for your children. The whole process can feel overwhelming when you're grieving, but the financial support really does help. Keep pushing through the phone calls - it's worth it for your kids' future.

Congratulations on getting through and getting this sorted out! This is such a common issue and your experience will definitely help others who find themselves in the same situation. One thing I'd add - when you submit those forms (CMS-L564 and CMS-1763), consider sending them via certified mail so you have proof of delivery. I've heard stories of paperwork getting "lost" in the system. Also, if you haven't already, you might want to ask Medicare for a written confirmation that your husband's Part B coverage will be terminated and that he won't face penalties when he needs to enroll later. Having that documentation could save headaches down the road. Best of luck with the process!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm approaching 65 next year and was completely confused about how Medicare Part B works with employer coverage. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly educational. It sounds like the key things to remember are: 1) You CAN decline Part B if you have qualifying employer coverage (20+ employees), 2) You need specific forms (CMS-L564 and CMS-1763) to properly disenroll, and 3) Keep detailed records of everything. I'm bookmarking this discussion for when I need to navigate this myself. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to decipher the official government websites!

I work as a disability advocate and wanted to add a few practical tips that might help with your daughter's case: 1. **Document functional limitations**: Keep a daily diary of how her condition affects specific activities - getting dressed, attending school, concentrating on homework, participating in social activities. SSA needs to see concrete examples of how the disability impacts her daily functioning. 2. **Get supportive statements**: Ask teachers, counselors, therapists, and even family friends to write statements describing the limitations they've observed. These third-party observations carry weight. 3. **Request consultative exam strategically**: If SSA schedules a consultative exam (which they often do), prepare your daughter for what to expect. These exams are brief and the doctors may not be familiar with her specific condition. Bring a summary of her symptoms and limitations. 4. **Income/asset planning**: Since you mentioned medical bills have been crushing, be aware that SSA will count your household income and assets. If you're close to the income limits, consider timing the application strategically or consulting with a benefits planner about asset protection. The 2-year delay in diagnosis actually works in your favor for establishing onset date, even though SSI doesn't provide retroactive benefits. It shows a clear timeline of when symptoms began affecting her functioning. Good luck with the process!

I'm so sorry you're going through this with your daughter. As a parent who navigated this process recently, I wanted to share a few things that might help: First, definitely apply for SSI as others mentioned - not SSDI. The process can feel overwhelming, but you're not alone in this. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: start documenting EVERYTHING now, even before you get the official diagnosis. Keep records of missed school days, activities she can't participate in, how her symptoms affect daily tasks like homework or chores. This creates a clear picture of functional limitations. Also, don't wait for the "perfect" moment to apply. Some parents think they need to wait until they have every single medical record organized, but you can start the application process and provide additional documentation as you get it. SSA will request records directly from doctors too. Regarding the 2+ years of symptoms - while you can't get retroactive SSI payments for that time, having that documented timeline actually strengthens your case by showing the progression and persistence of her condition. The financial stress is real, and I know the uncertainty about her future is scary. But getting SSI can provide not just monthly income support, but also Medicaid coverage which can help tremendously with ongoing medical costs. Take it one step at a time. Call SSA this week to start the process, and don't get discouraged if it takes time. You're advocating for your daughter's future, and that matters.

One other tax consideration: Filing status for income taxes will change if they marry, which could result in either a marriage penalty or bonus depending on their income levels. If both have significant income besides Social Security, they might want to consult with a tax professional to see how marriage would affect their tax situation. Also, if estate planning is a concern, marriage provides certain legal advantages for inheritance purposes beyond just Social Security benefits. In many states, a spouse has automatic inheritance rights that a non-married partner doesn't have, even with a will in place. For the most personalized advice, they might want to consult with both a financial advisor who specializes in retirement planning and an elder law attorney who can advise on the broader implications for their specific situation.

As someone new to this community, I wanted to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful information! This thread has been incredibly educational. One thing I'd add based on what I've learned from my own family's experience - it might be worth having your aunt and her partner sit down together and make a list of all their current benefits, assets, and potential liabilities before making the marriage decision. Things like Medicare supplemental insurance, any pensions, property ownership, etc. Sometimes marriage can affect things you don't initially think about. Also, since they're in Florida, they might want to check if there are any state-specific considerations for married couples regarding things like homestead exemptions or Medicaid asset protection that could factor into their decision. The timeline pressure mentioned by others is real though - at 75, waiting too long could be risky if the goal is to secure those survivor benefits. Wishing your aunt the best with this important decision!

I'm so sorry for your loss, AstroAce. Going through this while grieving is incredibly difficult. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you have some important decisions to make about timing. Given that you're earning significantly more than the $23,920 limit and plan to work 2-5 more years, you might want to ask SSA during your appointment about the pros and cons of waiting to apply. As StarStrider mentioned, applying now would lock in the 71.5% rate permanently, even if you receive $0 due to earnings. However, if you wait until closer to your FRA to apply for survivor benefits, you'd get a higher percentage. And since your own earnings history sounds strong, your personal retirement benefit at 70 might exceed the survivor benefit anyway. Key questions for your SSA appointment: - What would your survivor benefit be at different claiming ages? - What's your projected retirement benefit at 62, FRA, and 70? - Would a "claim survivor benefits later, switch to own benefit at 70" strategy work better? - If you reduce hours in 1-2 years, how would that affect your options? Document everything they tell you and get their employee ID. You're asking all the right questions - don't let them rush you into a decision during that call.

I'm so sorry for your loss, AstroAce. Having gone through something similar myself a few years ago, I know how overwhelming all of this can feel when you're already dealing with grief. From reading through all the excellent advice here, it sounds like you're in a position where waiting might actually be beneficial. Since you're earning well above the earnings limit and planning to work several more years, applying now would lock you into that 71.5% rate permanently while potentially giving you $0 in actual benefits. One thing I didn't see mentioned - make sure to ask SSA about "protective filing." This allows you to establish an application date while giving you time to gather information and make a final decision. It can be helpful if you're unsure about timing. Also, given your strong earnings history, definitely ask them to run projections showing your own retirement benefit at different ages compared to the survivor benefit. Many people don't realize that their own benefit might end up being higher, especially if they've had a long, well-paying career. Take notes during your call, and don't feel pressured to make any immediate decisions. You have options, and the right choice depends on your specific numbers and circumstances. You're asking all the right questions - that's the hardest part.