Thank you all for the helpful responses! I think I'll try the online application first since my case is straightforward, but I'll leave plenty of time before my 70th birthday in case something goes wrong and I need to reach a real person. Having that Claimyr service as a backup option is reassuring too if I can't get through. I really appreciate all the different perspectives - it's given me a much clearer picture of what to expect!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact transition 18 months ago. I successfully switched from survivor benefits to my own retirement benefit at 70 using the online system. The key things that helped me: 1. I applied exactly 3 months before my 70th birthday as recommended 2. Had all my documents ready (even though they already had them on file) 3. Double-checked that I selected "I am currently receiving Social Security benefits" when prompted 4. Made sure to print the confirmation page with my receipt number The transition was seamless - my survivor benefits stopped automatically the month my retirement benefits began, with no gap in payments. My first retirement payment was about $1,100 more than my survivor benefit, so waiting until 70 was definitely worth it. One tip: after you submit, you can check the status of your application online through your mySocialSecurity account. I checked mine weekly just for peace of mind. The whole process took about 6 weeks from application to first retirement payment. Good luck with your switch - it sounds like you've done your homework and will see a nice increase in your monthly benefit!

when you call ssa make sure you write down EVERYTHING they tell you!!! my aunt got different answers from 3 different people! also they backdate survivor benefits to the month of death if you file within 6 months

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is actually a perfect example of why it's crucial to understand all your Social Security options - you're in an ideal position to maximize your benefits using the survivor strategy everyone's mentioned. Since you haven't filed for your own retirement benefits yet, you have complete flexibility. At 67, you're past the survivor FRA (66 and 8 months for your birth year), so you can claim 100% of your ex-husband's benefit immediately with no reduction. Then let your own retirement benefit grow those delayed retirement credits until age 70. One thing I'd add - when you call SSA, if the first person seems confused about this strategy, politely end the call and try again. Unfortunately, not all representatives are familiar with the survivor benefit rules, and you don't want to get locked into the wrong benefit by accident. The magic phrase is "I want to file a restricted application for survivor benefits only." Also, gather all your documents first: death certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, and your birth certificate. Having everything ready will make the process smoother. Good luck navigating this - you're making a smart financial move during what I'm sure is a difficult time.

I just went through this process last fall and wanted to share my experience! I initially planned to apply online but ended up scheduling a phone appointment after reading about the spousal benefit complications, and I'm so glad I did. The SSA representative was incredibly helpful - she not only processed my retirement application but also helped us figure out that my husband would indeed benefit from filing for spousal benefits (he had been receiving his own small benefit for a few years). She was able to get his spousal benefit application submitted during the same call, which saved us weeks of back-and-forth. One thing I learned: even though spousal benefits can be backdated up to 6 months, it's much smoother if you coordinate both applications at the same time. The rep told me she sees a lot of people miss this coordination step when they apply online. To answer your original question - I'd definitely recommend the phone appointment route given your wife's situation. Yes, it might take a bit longer to get scheduled, but having an expert walk you through both applications simultaneously is worth it. Plus, you'll have documentation of exactly what was discussed and when applications were submitted.

I'm approaching my FRA in a few months too and have been researching this exact question! Based on everything I've read here and elsewhere, it really sounds like the phone appointment is the way to go when spousal benefits are involved. What I've learned from similar situations: the online application is great for straightforward cases, but when you have coordination between spouses, having a real person walk you through both applications simultaneously prevents a lot of potential issues down the line. One thing I'd add - make sure you ask the SSA rep to confirm the effective dates for both your retirement benefit and your wife's potential spousal benefit increase during the call. I've seen cases where there were delays or confusion about when payments should start, and having everything documented in one conversation seems to help avoid those problems. Also, regarding the math on whether your wife will benefit - the SSA rep should be able to calculate this for you on the spot if you have both of your benefit estimates handy. Don't stress too much about doing the calculations yourself beforehand. Good luck with your application! It's exciting to finally reach this milestone after all the planning.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Applied in early February for my retirement benefits to start in May when I turn 70, and my application has been stuck at step 2 for about 5 weeks. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring - I was starting to panic that something was wrong with my application, but it's clear that 6-10 weeks is much more realistic than the advertised 30 days. Like everyone else here, I've been obsessively checking MySocialSecurity multiple times a day hoping to see it change to approved. The financial planning stress is so real when you've carefully mapped out your retirement based on these benefits starting on time. What's been most helpful from reading these stories is learning that step 2 seems to cover almost the entire processing period, and that even with significant delays, everyone's payments eventually came through correctly with proper backdating. I'm going to try to be more patient and maybe limit myself to checking the portal just once a day (we'll see how that goes!). Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines - this thread has been a lifesaver for managing my anxiety about the wait!

I'm new to this community but found this thread because I'm dealing with the exact same situation! I filed my retirement application in early February for benefits to start in June when I turn 66 and 4 months (my FRA), and it's been stuck at step 2 for about 4 weeks now. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful and reassuring - I was starting to worry that something was wrong with my application or that I had made some mistake in the process. Like so many others here, I've been obsessively checking MySocialSecurity multiple times a day hoping to see it change to approved. The 30-day processing time they advertise is clearly very optimistic! Based on all the stories shared here, it sounds like 6-10 weeks is much more realistic, which actually makes me feel better about where I am in the timeline. The financial planning aspect is definitely stressful - I've already made some major decisions about my work schedule and budget based on these benefits starting on time. But hearing from people like Yara and Savannah that even with longer delays, everything got backdated properly and payments came on schedule is really reassuring. Thank you Sofia for starting this conversation, and thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences. This community support is exactly what I needed to help manage my anxiety about the waiting process!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful and supportive this entire thread has been! I'm in a similar situation with my daughter who has dysgraphia, and I was also wondering about potential Social Security benefits. Reading through everyone's responses has really clarified things for me. What strikes me most is how the conversation evolved from "what benefits might be available" to "what opportunities can we pursue" - that's such a powerful shift in perspective. The suggestions about vocational rehabilitation services, assistive technology programs, college disability support services, and scholarships for students with learning differences have given me a whole new roadmap to explore. It's also reassuring to see so many parents and professionals emphasizing that academic success with a learning disability is actually a strength to build upon, not a barrier to support. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise - this has been incredibly valuable for those of us navigating similar situations!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to echo what others have shared about focusing on your son's strengths rather than pursuing SSA benefits. His academic success with dyslexia is truly remarkable and shows he's developing the exact skills he'll need for future success. One resource I haven't seen mentioned yet is the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - they have excellent information about workplace accommodations for people with dyslexia. While that's still years away for your son, understanding what's possible in the workplace can help with long-term planning and career exploration. Also, many high schools now offer transition planning services for students with IEPs that focus on post-secondary goals. If your son's school doesn't already include this, it might be worth requesting it be added to his IEP as he gets closer to graduation. These services can help bridge the gap between high school supports and college/career preparation. Your proactive approach to understanding all available options shows what great advocacy your son has in you. Keep building on that academic momentum - it's clearly working!