Has anyone else noticed how RIDICULOUS it is that we have to figure all this out ourselves?? The rules are so complicated and then they make it impossible to get help understanding them. My dad paid into the system for 45 years and when mom tried to claim his benefits after he died, it was like pulling teeth to get straight answers from SSA. The whole system needs to be simplified!

This is such valuable information for so many people! I'm a benefits counselor and I see this exact situation come up frequently. One additional tip - when you apply next month, ask specifically about "deemed filing" rules too. Since you'll be under your full retirement age when you apply for survivor benefits, SSA will automatically consider you to be filing for any other benefits you're eligible for (like your own retirement benefit if you're 62+). Make sure they explain how this affects your options, especially given the great strategy advice from NebulaNomad and Javier about potentially switching between benefits later. The SSA representatives don't always volunteer this information, so you have to ask directly. Good luck with your application!

UPDATE: I called SSA again today and spoke with a different representative. She confirmed everything many of you explained! My ex-husband's delayed retirement credits ARE offsetting my early claiming reduction. She explained that because he waited until 70, his benefit had increased by 32% from delayed credits. My early filing reduction (about 28.5%) is being applied to that higher amount, resulting in me still receiving roughly what would be his PIA. She also confirmed I can switch to my own retirement benefit later if it would be higher (though in my case, it likely won't be). I feel so much better now understanding how this works! Thank you all for your helpful insights!

That's wonderful news! I'm so glad you followed up and got the confirmation you needed. Your situation is actually a perfect example of how the Social Security system can work in favor of survivors when the deceased spouse maximized their benefits through delayed retirement credits. It's also great that you now understand your future options regarding switching to your own retirement benefit if circumstances change. Thanks for sharing the update - it will definitely help others who might find themselves in similar situations!

Congratulations on getting approved! This is such a relief to read. I'm in a similar situation - applied in October for a February 2025 start date and have been stuck in Step 2 for about 10 weeks now. Your timeline gives me hope that mine should move soon too. It's so frustrating how SSA keeps us in the dark with no communication, but at least the system seems to work even if it's nerve-wracking. Thanks for updating us with the good news!

Congratulations Olivia! This is such a helpful thread for those of us going through the same process. I'm currently in a similar boat - applied in December for April 2025 benefits and have been stuck in Step 2 for about 8 weeks now. Reading everyone's experiences here really helps ease the anxiety. It's clear that SSA's lack of communication is their biggest weakness, but at least the system seems to work behind the scenes even if we can't see it. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - this community is so valuable for navigating these government processes!

I'm in a similar situation! Applied online in early January for benefits starting in April, and it's been radio silence except for the initial confirmation email. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - sounds like this is just the new normal with SSA processing times. The information about the December systems issue is particularly interesting and explains a lot. I'm going to try the early morning phone call strategy that Amara suggested, but feeling much less anxious knowing that 8-10 weeks seems to be typical now. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I went through this exact same experience last year! Applied in November 2023 for January 2024 benefits and didn't hear anything for almost 9 weeks beyond the initial confirmation. I was convinced something had gone wrong, especially since my mySocialSecurity account just kept showing "processing" with no updates. But then suddenly I got three different letters in one day - approval letter, benefit amount notification, and payment schedule. My first payment was right on time for January as requested, even though the paperwork came so late. The waiting is nerve-wracking but it sounds like you're still well within the normal timeframe, especially with that systems issue Mei mentioned for December applications. Hang in there!

That's an interesting compromise I hadn't considered. Do you feel good about your decision now that you're receiving benefits? Did you calculate a break-even point for the 65 vs 67 comparison too?

I'm facing a similar decision and appreciate everyone's insights here! One thing I've learned from researching this is that the Social Security Administration actually publishes life expectancy tables that show the average 62-year-old today will live to about 84-85. So even with the more complex break-even calculations around age 80, you're still looking at 4-5 years of higher monthly payments if you live an average lifespan. What really helped me was thinking beyond just the break-even point. If you're caring for your mom and don't have immediate income needs, waiting even just to your FRA gives you that extra $1,070/month for life. That's meaningful protection against inflation and potential healthcare costs later. But if you need the income now for caregiving expenses, taking it early makes perfect sense too. Have you considered doing a trial budget to see if you can manage without the early benefits for a few years? Sometimes seeing the actual numbers on paper makes the decision clearer.