I got so confused with all this spouse benefit stuff too!! The SSA website is impossible to understand!!! When I finally got through to an agent she told me something completely different than what I read online! And then when I got approved they calculated it yet ANOTHER way! Why can't they just make this simple??

I went through this same situation about 2 years ago when I got approved for SSDI at age 59. My husband was already receiving his benefits and I thought I'd automatically get the spousal top-up, but I was wrong! You definitely have to apply separately - nothing is automatic with SSA unfortunately. What I learned is that even if half your husband's benefit seems higher than yours, the age reduction can really eat into that amount. At 61, you're looking at about a 27% reduction on the spousal portion. So if half his benefit is $1300, after reduction it would be closer to $950, which is actually less than your $1400 SSDI payment. My advice: still apply now to get it on record, but don't expect much additional money until you hit full retirement age. The good news is if you do qualify for even a small amount, you'll get backpay from when you first applied. I used the local SSA office for my application since the online system kept glitching on spousal benefit forms. Good luck!

What nobody has mentioned yet is that you should check whether your ex's PIA of $3,008 has increased since you last saw it 6 years ago! The SSA applies Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) every year, so his PIA is likely higher now, which means your potential spousal benefit would be higher too. Ask about the CURRENT PIA when you talk to them!

Just wanted to add that you should also be prepared for the application process to take some time. When I applied for divorced spouse benefits, it took about 6-8 weeks to process even though I had all the documentation ready. The good news is that if approved, they'll backdate the payments to when you first became eligible. Also, make sure to keep copies of everything you submit - your divorce decree, marriage certificate, and any correspondence with SSA. The system can be slow but you're definitely entitled to these benefits based on what you've described. Good luck with your application!

My mom went thru this exact thing! If ur not a US citizen and never became one, SSA has what they call "alien non-payment provisions" that might affect u. But since u were married to a US citizen for so long u probably qualify for exemptions. Def check with FBU like others said. Also remember SS survivor benefits can start at 60 but retirement is 62, they're different!

Thank you all so much for the helpful information! I feel much more equipped to move forward now. I've made a list of next steps: 1) Contact my ex's sister about his SS records, 2) Make an appointment with the FBU in my country, 3) Look into that Claimyr service if I need to call SSA directly, and 4) Research the tax treaties between my country and the US. I'll start gathering all the documentation mentioned - birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, and his death certificate. I still have 5 years before I turn 60, but I want to understand what I'll be eligible for so I can plan accordingly. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share your knowledge and experiences.

Update: I spoke with HR today and they said they CAN process my PTO payout in December if I submit the request by November 30th! They're sending me a form to fill out. Thank you everyone for your help - you probably saved me from losing some of my Social Security payments next year!

Fantastic outcome! This is such a great example of why it's worth asking HR about these timing issues. Many people don't realize they can often request changes to payout dates for exactly these reasons. Your story will definitely help others in similar situations. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement and congratulations on getting this sorted out before it became a problem!

Thanks again everyone. I was losing sleep over this! One quick follow-up question - I might pick up some part-time work later this year that would put me slightly over the annual limit when combined with my current part-time job. If I do exceed the $22,320 limit, does Social Security take back ALL of my benefits, or just the portion above the limit?

Just wanted to add my experience to help reassure you! I was in a very similar situation two years ago when I sold some inherited property. I was so worried about exceeding the earnings limit that I actually called my local SSA office multiple times. The agent I finally spoke with explained it perfectly: the earnings test ONLY applies to income from working - wages, salary, tips, commissions, bonuses, and net self-employment earnings. Sales of personal property, real estate, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. are all considered "unearned income" and completely exempt from the earnings limit. Your timeshare sale and 401k withdrawals are both safe! The key thing to remember is that SSA cares about whether you're still actively working and earning money from employment, not about one-time asset sales or retirement account distributions.