We didn't need the agreement notarized - just signed by both parties with the date. As for taxes, my accountant had me report it as rental income, but there were offsetting expenses (utilities, home repairs, etc.) so it didn't affect our tax situation much. Your mom should probably consult with a tax professional about her specific situation, though.

Good luck with your appointment! I went through something similar with my dad's SSI when he moved in with us after his stroke. One thing that really helped was bringing a calculator to the meeting to show exactly how we split expenses. We calculated total monthly costs (property tax ÷ 12, average utilities, groceries, etc.) and divided by the number of adults in the household. Having those numbers ready made the conversation go much smoother. Also, don't let them intimidate you - you have the right to ask questions and get clear explanations of their decisions. The caseworker we dealt with was actually pretty helpful once we showed we were serious about following the rules properly.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, the 10-year marriage requirement is strictly enforced by SSA with very few exceptions. However, I'd recommend double-checking a few things when you call SSA: 1) Make sure they have the correct marriage and divorce dates on file - sometimes there are discrepancies that could work in your favor, 2) Ask specifically about any credits you might have earned during your marriage that could boost your own future benefits, and 3) Inquire about whether you might qualify for any disability benefits if you have health issues. Also, don't forget that you may still be eligible for benefits on your own work record, and at 53 you have time to increase those future benefits through continued employment. Good luck with your call to SSA!

I'm really sorry for your loss and the difficult situation you're facing. While the 10-year rule is unfortunately very strict, I wanted to mention a couple of things that might be worth exploring when you call SSA. First, make absolutely certain they have your correct marriage and divorce dates - even a few days difference could matter if there's any discrepancy in their records. Second, since your ex-husband never remarried, you might want to ask about any potential one-time death benefit (though this is typically only $255 and goes to surviving spouses or children). Most importantly, use this as motivation to maximize your own Social Security earnings record over the next 14 years before your full retirement age. Every year of higher earnings can replace lower-earning years in your benefit calculation. I know it's not the answer you were hoping for, but focusing on what you can control moving forward will serve you well.

my husband died last year and Im still fighting with them to get my survivors benefits! they keep saying im missing paperwork but wont tell me what! this retirement stuff seems so much easier than what im going through!!! consider yourself lucky!!!

As someone who just went through this process myself (applied in November for February start), I can completely relate to that anxiety! The waiting is the worst part. I had the exact same two-bar situation for what felt like forever, and then suddenly around mid-January the third bar filled and I got my award letter within a week. Your timeline is actually really good - applying in December for April gives SSA plenty of time. I've learned that retirement applications are much more straightforward than other types of claims since they mainly just need to verify your work history and age, both of which are already in their system. One tip that helped my peace of mind: set up Informed Delivery with USPS if you haven't already. That way you'll know immediately when your award letter is coming in the mail. The letter will have your exact benefit amount and payment schedule, which really helps with the budget planning you mentioned. Try not to check your account more than once a week - I was obsessively checking daily and it just made the anxiety worse! You're going to be fine.

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I feel much more confident about my plan now. I'm going to try to reach SSA to start my retirement benefit now, and then make sure to contact them 3 months before my FRA to initiate the switch to survivor benefits. I'll also be sure to document everything carefully along the way. I appreciate all your suggestions and experiences - it's made this whole process much less intimidating!

One more tip that might help - when you call SSA, try calling right when they open (usually 8 AM local time) or later in the afternoon around 4-5 PM. Those tend to be less busy times. Also, if you get disconnected, don't give up! The system is frustrating but your strategy is solid and will save you money in the long run. I've seen too many people give up on legitimate benefit increases because the process was difficult. You've got this!

Just wanted to add that sometimes the SSA makes mistakes in these calculations. My aunt applied for spousal benefits last year and they initially calculated it wrong. She had to appeal and it took 4 months to fix. Make sure you understand how they calculate your amount and check their math!

Just wanted to share my recent experience - I was in almost the identical situation as you! My husband filed at 70 last month and I've been collecting since 62. I successfully applied for spousal benefits online using the method Aisha described, but I had to be really persistent. The key was logging into my Social Security account first, then going to "Apply for Benefits" and making sure to select "spouse's benefits" when prompted. The whole process took about 20 minutes once I figured out the right path. They approved my application within 2 weeks and I'm getting an extra $180/month starting this month - not huge but definitely helpful! The agent I spoke with during the follow-up call confirmed that it would have been automatic if I hadn't already been collecting my own benefits, but since I was, the separate application was required. One tip: make sure you have your husband's Social Security number handy and the exact date his benefits started. Good luck!