Based on everything discussed here, my recommendation would be: 1. Request your Social Security Statement online (if you haven't already) to see your projected benefit amounts at different ages 2. If possible, try to calculate what your ex-spousal benefit might be (approximately 50% of your ex-husband's benefit at his full retirement age, reduced if you claim early) 3. Consider whether you absolutely need the income now or if you can wait 4. Remember that for every year you delay filing between your FRA and age 70, your own benefit increases by about 8% 5. Speak directly with an SSA representative about your specific situation before making your final decision While general advice is helpful, your optimal strategy will depend on your specific benefit amounts, health status, financial needs, and other income sources.

Hi Mateo! I went through a similar decision process a few years ago and wanted to share what I learned. Given your numbers ($1,620 at 63 vs $2,175 at FRA), that's a significant difference - about $555 per month or $6,660 per year. One thing that really helped me was using the SSA's online benefit calculator to run different scenarios. You can create a my Social Security account and see projections for different claiming ages. For the ex-spousal benefit calculation, you'll need an estimate of your ex-husband's benefit at his FRA (not what he'll get at 70). Since he hasn't filed yet and you mentioned he's waiting until 70, you might want to consider this: if your own benefit at FRA ($2,175) is already pretty substantial, the ex-spousal benefit might not add much. The spousal benefit is calculated as the difference between 50% of his FRA benefit and your own benefit amount. Also, I noticed someone mentioned Claimyr - I actually used them too and found it really helpful for getting specific answers about my situation. Sometimes paying a small fee to get through to an actual SSA expert is worth it when you're making a decision that affects thousands of dollars over your lifetime. Have you considered working with a fee-only financial planner who specializes in Social Security optimization? They can run scenarios with your actual numbers.

Update: I finally got through to SSA this morning! The representative confirmed they have the correct start date for my Medicare (August 2022) despite what the letter said. She told me the Medicare reimbursement should come within 6-8 weeks as a separate payment. She also noted that I'll see the reimbursement pending in my MySocialSecurity account before it hits my bank account. Thanks everyone for your help and sharing your experiences. I'll update again when I receive the payment!

Great to see you got through to SSA and got some clarity! That MySocialSecurity account tip is really valuable - I didn't know the reimbursement would show up there first. For others still waiting, it might be worth setting up online access if you haven't already. Having a way to track these things online beats calling and waiting on hold for hours. LunarEclipse, definitely keep us posted when you get that reimbursement - it'll help give the rest of us a realistic timeline to expect.

btw has anyone asked if ur even eligible for SSDI? you need to have worked enough in recent years to qualify - like 5 of last 10 yrs i think?

I'm in a similar boat at 62 - laid off from my engineering job last year and facing the same age discrimination you're describing. It's heartbreaking when you have decades of experience but companies won't even give you a chance. Regarding SSDI, I'd encourage you to at least get a consultation with a disability attorney who offers free case evaluations. They can quickly assess whether your medical conditions are likely to meet SSA's criteria. Many work on contingency, so you only pay if you win. One thing to consider: even if the application process takes a year, you'd still get 2+ years of benefits before FRA, and those benefits are paid retroactively to your application date if approved. Plus, having that steady income might reduce stress on your marriage during this difficult period. The age discrimination is real and infuriating. I've started removing graduation dates from my resume and using a more recent email address, but it only helps so much. Have you considered reaching out to your state's vocational rehabilitation services? Sometimes they have programs specifically for older workers facing employment barriers. Whatever you decide, don't let anyone make you feel like you're "giving up" by considering disability. If you have legitimate medical conditions that affect your ability to work, you've paid into this system for decades and deserve to use it.

One more thing I forgot to mention - when you schedule your phone appointment, request an itemized list of exactly what documents they need for YOUR specific situation. Each case can be different depending on marriage length, whether you were previously married, if you're working, etc. Also, they'll need your banking info for direct deposit, so have that ready during your phone appointment. And keep detailed notes of everyone you speak with (names, dates, confirmation numbers). This has saved me multiple times when dealing with SSA!

I went through this exact same situation 8 months ago when I turned 60. The phone application process definitely works! Here's what I learned: Call the national SSA number (1-800-772-1213) early in the morning - I had better luck getting through around 8:15 AM. When you explain you want to apply for survivor benefits, they'll schedule your phone appointment for on or after your 60th birthday. They mailed me a packet about 2 weeks before my appointment with forms to fill out. During the actual phone call (which took about an hour), the representative was very thorough and walked me through everything step by step. For the marriage certificate, I sent a certified copy via certified mail with return receipt requested. They processed everything and sent it back to me within about 3 weeks. My first payment came exactly 6 weeks after my phone appointment. One thing that really helped was having all my late husband's Social Security info organized beforehand - his SSN, date of death, and our marriage date. The representative appreciated that I was prepared. Don't get discouraged by conflicting information from different reps. The phone application process is absolutely legitimate and much less stressful than going to the office. You've got this!

One important correction to what others have said: When you file at 62 for ex-spousal benefits, you'll receive approximately 32.5% of your ex's PIA (not 35%). This is because spousal/ex-spousal benefits at 62 are reduced by 35% from the full 50% you'd receive at your FRA. I'd recommend creating a my Social Security account online if you haven't already. There you can see your estimated retirement benefit. Then call SSA to find out what your ex-spousal benefit would be. Compare both reduced amounts at 62 and both full amounts at your FRA to make an informed decision.

As someone who went through this process recently, I'd strongly recommend getting both benefit estimates before making any decisions. The "breakeven" analysis is crucial - you need to know at what age the higher monthly payment from waiting would make up for the years of missed payments from filing early. Also, don't forget that if you're still working and file at 62, you'll be subject to the earnings test. For 2024, you lose $1 in benefits for every $2 earned over $22,320. This might make filing early less attractive if you're planning to keep working full-time. One strategy some people use is to file a restricted application at FRA if eligible, but the rules around this changed in 2016 and it's quite complex. Definitely worth discussing with an SSA representative to understand all your options.