im in kinda the same boat. divorce after 11 years and ex makes way more than me. but i heard you need to be married 10 years to get anything from their record. is that true?????

Thank you all SO much for the helpful responses! I've scheduled an in-person appointment for next Tuesday morning. I'm bringing ALL my documents - marriage certificate, divorce decree, birth certificate, current benefit statement, and I even managed to find his SSN in some old tax returns. I'm going to specifically ask about "independently entitled divorced spouse benefits" and make sure they understand I've been divorced over 2 years and we were married over 10 years. I'm feeling hopeful for the first time in years! If they try to tell me I don't qualify because he's still working, I'll politely ask them to check the rules again. If I hit another brick wall, I might try that Claimyr service to reach someone who actually knows these specific rules. I'll update after my appointment to let everyone know how it went. Crossing my fingers!

Just wondering - has anyone tried calling the SSA lately? Is it still super hard to get through? My mom waited 3 hours on hold last month before giving up!

As someone who works with seniors on benefit issues, I want to emphasize that you absolutely should pursue this! At 76, you have every right to apply for survivor benefits, and there's no time limit on when you can make this switch. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - when you do get through to SSA, ask them to explain the "deemed filing" rules that were in effect when your husband passed in 2012. Depending on when you first applied for your own benefits, there might have been automatic considerations for survivor benefits that weren't properly processed. Also, don't be discouraged if the first representative you speak with seems uncertain about your situation. Survivor benefit calculations for cases like yours (where significant time has passed) can be complex, and sometimes you need to speak with a specialist or supervisor to get the full picture. The potential extra $550/month you mentioned could really add up over time, so this is definitely worth pursuing. Good luck!

One question nobody's asked - have you made sure the $390 increase calculation is correct? Remember that spousal benefit is 50% of your FRA amount (not your age 70 amount) minus her full retirement benefit. A lot of people get confused and think it's 50% of whatever you're actually receiving.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this process recently. My husband filed for his delayed retirement benefits at 70 last year, and I was already receiving my own SS. Here's what actually happened: When he filed online, there was a specific section asking about spouse information and whether the spouse was already receiving benefits. He made sure to fill that out completely. About 6 weeks after his benefits started, I received a letter from SSA explaining that they had reviewed my eligibility for spousal benefits and would be increasing my monthly payment. The key thing that worked for us was being very thorough on his initial application - he included all my information and specifically noted in the comments section that we wanted spousal benefits reviewed. We didn't have to make a separate trip or application. That said, I'd still recommend following up after a month or two just to be safe. Better to be proactive than miss out on money you're entitled to!

Thank you all for the amazingly helpful responses! I'm leaning toward claiming at 62 based on our specific situation with the age gap and eventual spousal boost. I'll make sure to discuss with my husband about him possibly delaying until 70 for the survivor benefit protection. I'm going to try contacting SSA directly before making my final decision - hopefully I can get through without hours of waiting (thanks for the Claimyr suggestion). The earnings test information was also really valuable since I do plan to continue part-time work. I'll need to keep an eye on those limits.This has been incredibly helpful - I feel much more confident about making this decision now!

Welcome to the community! As a newcomer here, I've been reading through all these responses and they're incredibly thorough. One thing I'd add from my recent experience - when you do contact SSA, ask them to run scenarios for both claiming at 62 vs waiting until FRA using your actual earnings record. Sometimes the online calculators don't capture everything, especially if you have gaps in earnings or pension offsets that could affect your benefits. Also, since you mentioned potentially working part-time, make sure to understand how the earnings test works in practice - some people get surprised when their checks are reduced temporarily. The community here seems really knowledgeable and supportive for navigating these complex decisions!

Another thing to consider - if you're eligible for both your own retirement benefit and a survivor benefit, you can choose which one to take first. This can be a powerful strategy. For example, you could take the survivor benefit at 60 (at a reduced rate) and let your own benefit grow until age 70, then switch. Or take your own reduced benefit at 62 and switch to the full survivor benefit at your FRA. Run the numbers on both scenarios to see which gives you more lifetime benefits. The best strategy depends on your own work record compared to your late husband's benefit amount.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - widow at 58, married for 12 years before my husband passed. One thing I'd add that helped me tremendously was creating a Social Security account online at ssa.gov. You can see your estimated benefits and your late spouse's earnings record (if you were married when he passed). This gave me a clearer picture of what to expect before I even contacted them. Also, for those worried about the reduced benefit at 60 - remember that you're getting 7 years of payments that you wouldn't get if you waited until FRA. Sometimes the total lifetime benefit works out to be similar, especially if you invest those early payments. It really depends on your health, other income, and financial needs. One last tip: if you do decide to claim early, make sure you understand how it affects Medicare eligibility. You don't automatically get Medicare at 60 just because you're getting Social Security survivor benefits - you still have to wait until 65 (unless you qualify for disability). This caught me off guard in my planning!