Update: I finally got through to SSA this morning! I took the advice about calling right when they open (7 AM in my time zone) and only waited about 20 minutes. The representative confirmed I'm not too late for January benefits and helped me submit my application. She did transfer me to a specialist for my WEP/GPO questions, and I learned my survivor benefit will be reduced by about $570 due to my husband's government pension. Not great news, but at least I know what to expect now. Thank you all for your help and suggestions! What a relief to have this submitted finally.

Congratulations on getting through, Laura! That's such a relief after all the frustration you've been dealing with. The early morning call strategy really does work - I've had success with that approach too. Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread: if you're dealing with WEP/GPO calculations, it's worth double-checking the math when you get your award letter. The government pension offset can be complex, especially when there are multiple pension sources or if the pension amount changes over time. Also, keep copies of everything related to your husband's pension records - SSA sometimes requests additional documentation months later to verify the offset calculations. Having it ready can save you from delays in your payments. Great job persisting through this process! January will be here before you know it.

One final important point: You mentioned you're 58 now. If your current husband passes away while you're still under age 60, and you decide to claim survivor benefits from either husband, be aware that remarrying before age 60 would make you ineligible for survivor benefits from either previous husband. However, if you wait until after age 60 to remarry, you preserve your right to survivor benefits from previous marriages. Just something to keep in mind for future planning.

Just wanted to add one more resource that might help with your planning. The SSA website has a retirement estimator tool where you can get an estimate of your own future benefits, and you can also request a Social Security Statement that shows your complete earnings history. This can help you compare what your own retirement benefit might be versus potential survivor benefits. Also, since you're 58, you're getting close to the age where these decisions become more concrete. I'd recommend keeping detailed records of both your marriages (dates, locations, etc.) and your ex-husband's and current husband's Social Security numbers if you have them. This will make the application process much smoother when the time comes. The fact that you're thinking about this now while you have time to plan is really smart. Many people don't realize they have these options until they're already dealing with loss and grief.

wait so if you apply for social security do you HAVE to take medicare too?? I'm turning 65 later this year but still have good insurance through my wifes job. dont want to pay for something i dont need yet

As someone new to navigating Social Security, this whole thread has been incredibly educational! I'm still a few years away from retirement but seeing real experiences like yours helps me understand what to expect. The fact that SSA representatives actually call to discuss complex benefit options is reassuring - I always assumed everything would be done through impersonal letters or online portals. One question for the community: For those who've gone through this process, how far in advance should someone apply? The original poster mentioned applying 6 weeks ago - is that typical timing, or should people apply earlier to avoid any delays in receiving their first payments?

I forgot to mention!!! Make sure you ask them about any back benefits too. You might be eligible for retroactive survivor benefits for a few months. When I filed, they gave me benefits going back several months from when my ex passed away, even though I didn't apply right away. Not sure if that's always the case but worth asking!

I'm sorry for your loss. This is such a difficult time to be dealing with these complicated benefit calculations. From what I'm reading in the comments, it sounds like you'll face a double reduction - one because your ex claimed early and another because you're claiming before your FRA. That seems really harsh given the circumstances. One thing I'd suggest is requesting a written estimate from SSA showing exactly how they calculated your survivor benefit amount. Sometimes having it in writing helps you understand all the factors they're considering, and it gives you something to reference if you get conflicting information from different representatives. Also, even though this situation is frustrating, it sounds like the strategy of taking survivor benefits now and switching to your own retirement benefit at 70 could still work out well for you financially in the long run. The waiting and uncertainty is terrible, but you're asking all the right questions to make the best decision possible.

I want to thank everyone for their helpful responses. I've decided to: 1. Create a my Social Security account to see current estimates 2. Try calling my local office directly for an appointment 3. If that doesn't work, I'll consider using that Claimyr service someone mentioned Based on what I'm hearing, it sounds like my benefit will still grow with delayed retirement credits even though I stopped working, but probably not as much as those original estimates showed. I'll make sure to get updated calculations before making any decisions about whether to switch from survivor to retirement benefits.

Just wanted to add something important that might help with your decision timing - survivor benefits don't have delayed retirement credits like your own retirement benefits do. Your survivor benefit of $1,950 will only increase with annual COLA adjustments, while your own retirement benefit can grow by 8% per year until age 70. Since you mentioned your FRA benefit was estimated at $2,200, even if that's reduced somewhat due to stopping work in 2021, the delayed credits could still make it worthwhile to wait. But definitely get those updated numbers first! Also, I've had good luck calling the SSA 800 number first thing in the morning right when they open at 7am. The wait times are usually much shorter then.