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.

Thank you all for your responses! I'm feeling much better now knowing this delay isn't unusual. I'll give it another couple weeks before following up. It sounds like I should keep checking my online account daily and not just wait for a letter. Really appreciate all the insights!

I'm going through something similar right now! Filed my retirement application in December for benefits starting in March when I turn 67, and it's been stuck at step 2 for about 6 weeks now. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking when you're trying to plan your finances. Reading everyone's experiences here is really helpful - sounds like 6-8 weeks is more realistic than the 30 days they advertise. I've been checking my MySocialSecurity account every few days hoping to see a change. Good luck with yours, Sofia! Hopefully we both get approvals soon.

Since your son is doing well academically, I'd recommend focusing on college preparation rather than Social Security benefits. Many colleges have excellent support services for students with dyslexia, and there are scholarships specifically for students with learning disabilities. Organizations like the National Center for Learning Disabilities and the Learning Disabilities Association of America have resources that might be more relevant to your situation than Social Security.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a similar situation with my daughter who has dyslexia. The advice here is spot on - SSA benefits are extremely difficult to get for learning disabilities alone, especially when the child is performing well academically like your son is. What I found most helpful was connecting with our state's vocational rehabilitation services early on. They can provide career counseling and support services that help students with learning disabilities transition to college and eventually the workforce. Many states also have programs that help with assistive technology and job training. It's a much more practical path than trying to navigate the SSA disability system. Your son sounds like he's already on a great trajectory with his grades and motivation. Keep focusing on building those success strategies - they'll serve him much better in the long run than any potential benefits would.

just wondering did ur ex know u were getting his benefits? my uncle remarried 3 times and his last wife gets his ss now even tho they were only married 10 yrs and 1 day lol she planned it

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - currently receiving SSDI and considering remarriage in the future. Reading through all these responses has been really helpful! A few additional thoughts based on what I've learned: 1. Definitely get everything in writing from SSA - as others mentioned, verbal information can be inconsistent 2. Consider consulting with a benefits attorney who specializes in Social Security if the amounts involved are substantial 3. The timing strategy mentioned about waiting until FRA for widow benefits is really important - that reduction from 100% to 71.5% at age 60 is significant One question I haven't seen addressed: Are there any tax implications to consider when switching from SSDI+survivor benefits to widow-only benefits? I know SSDI has different tax rules than regular Social Security retirement benefits. Congratulations on your engagement! It sounds like you're being very thoughtful about planning ahead, which is smart. The peace of mind from getting official answers will be worth the effort of dealing with SSA's phone system.

I had this EXACT situation last year - retired teacher with SS from other jobs. You've lost 40% of your benefit (keeping 60%). The formula is complex, but here's what happens: 1. Normal SS formula uses 90% of first chunk of your earnings in calculation 2. WEP reduces that 90% to 40% (a 50% reduction) 3. This doesn't mean 50% of your TOTAL benefit, just 50% of that first calculation tier 4. Result is usually a 30-40% reduction of total benefit With 18 qualified years, you should be getting a slight break on the full WEP penalty. Did you verify all 18 years meet the substantial earnings threshold? Each year has a different dollar amount.

I'm a newcomer here but dealing with a similar WEP situation. Reading through all these explanations really helps clarify the confusion! I had the same misunderstanding about the percentages - thinking WEP took a straight 40-60% of my total benefit rather than modifying the calculation formula. One thing I'd add for anyone in this situation: if you're still able to work part-time in Social Security-covered employment, it might be worth trying to accumulate more "substantial earnings" years. Even getting from 16 years to 20 years can make a meaningful difference in your monthly benefit going forward. Also, make sure to request an official WEP calculation worksheet from SSA if you haven't already. It breaks down exactly how they arrived at your reduction amount and can help you verify everything is calculated correctly. I found an error in mine that resulted in an extra $87/month once corrected. The whole system is needlessly complex, but at least understanding the math helps reduce some of the frustration!