Update: I finally got through to someone at SSA today after trying for three days. The agent explained that they had initially calculated my benefit based on my husband's estimated earnings for his last year of work, but when the actual earnings were processed, it was lower than estimated. They're giving me options to either have reduced payments for 10 months or pay a lump sum (which I can't afford). I'm still going to file for reconsideration because I don't think I should be penalized for their estimation error. Thank you all for your helpful advice and support during this stressful time. The forms and information you suggested really helped me understand what was happening and what my options are.

I'm so glad you were able to get through and get some clarity on what happened! That estimation issue is incredibly frustrating - you're absolutely right that you shouldn't be penalized for their error. When you file your reconsideration, make sure to emphasize that: 1. You relied on SSA's benefit determination in good faith 2. You had no way to verify their earnings estimate was incorrect 3. The overpayment was entirely due to their administrative process, not any action on your part Also consider requesting a waiver alongside the reconsideration. Even if the overpayment stands, you might still qualify for waiver if repayment would cause financial hardship. Many people don't realize you can pursue both options simultaneously. Keep us posted on how the reconsideration goes - your experience could really help others in similar situations!

This is such valuable information, and I really appreciate how thorough everyone has been in explaining the rules. As someone who's been helping folks navigate Social Security for years, I can confirm what others have said - your husband's early filing absolutely will NOT reduce his survivor benefits. One thing I'd add that might be helpful: if your husband does become a survivor, he'll want to understand his timing options. Since his own benefit will be permanently reduced due to early filing, but your survivor benefit would be based on your full amount, he might benefit from what's called a "restricted application" strategy where he could potentially switch between benefits at different times to maximize his total lifetime benefits. Also, just a heads up - when the time comes (hopefully many years from now), make sure to apply for survivor benefits promptly. Unlike retirement benefits, survivor benefits can't be paid retroactively for more than 6 months, so timing matters for maximizing the total amount received. You're doing great by planning ahead and getting the facts straight!

As someone who went through this exact scenario with my parents, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - your husband's early filing won't affect his survivor benefits at all. My dad filed at 62 and my mom waited until her FRA of 66. When mom passed away two years ago, dad was able to switch to her full benefit amount without any reduction due to his early filing. One thing that really helped us was creating a simple one-page summary of all the key facts - both of their Social Security numbers, their projected benefit amounts, and the key rules about survivor benefits. We kept copies in multiple places so it would be easy to find when needed. The SSA office actually commented on how organized we were and it made the whole process much smoother during an already difficult time. Your planning ahead like this will really pay off if your husband ever needs to navigate this situation. The peace of mind alone is worth it!

Just want to add another perspective as someone who started benefits at FRA while still working. The key thing that helped me was getting everything in writing from SSA. When I called, I asked the agent to send me a written confirmation of how the earnings test would apply to my specific situation. This way I had documentation if there were any issues later. Also, don't forget that once you start receiving benefits, you'll need to report your estimated earnings for the following year on Form SSA-777. Since you're planning to continue working full-time through 2025, you'll want to be prepared for that. But again, since there's no earnings limit after FRA, it's really just for their records and won't affect your benefit amount. The peace of mind of having everything documented upfront was worth the extra step for me!

As someone who just went through this process myself (reached FRA last month), I can confirm what others are saying is correct. The earnings limit only applies BEFORE you reach FRA, and even then, in the year you reach FRA, they use a higher limit and only count earnings from months before your FRA month. One tip I'd add: when you do call SSA, have your estimated monthly earnings ready to share with them. They can run the exact calculation for your situation and tell you definitively whether you'd be over the limit for January-August 2025. With your $86K salary, you're probably fine, but it's worth confirming. Also, I'd recommend applying about 3 months before your FRA date (so around June) to ensure everything gets processed in time. The application process can take a while, and you want your first payment to start the month after you reach FRA without any delays. Don't let the complexity scare you off - you've earned those benefits and there's no reason to leave money on the table by waiting until 2026 if you don't need to!

One thing I wanted to mention - when I was applying for survivor benefits, my friend gave me a tip to specifically request an appointment with a claims specialist who handles survivor benefits. Not all reps are equally knowledgeable about all benefit types. It made a huge difference in my case because the specialist caught something that would have reduced my benefit that the previous person I spoke with missed completely.

This is such valuable information - thank you all for sharing your experiences! I'm a widow myself (husband passed 2 years ago) and I've been trying to navigate this maze of decisions. @PaulineW your tip about requesting a specialist is gold - I had no idea you could do that. @Josef Tearle the earnings test info is crucial too since I'm also considering some part-time work. It sounds like the key takeaway is that yes, the survivor benefit strategy can work, but there are so many variables (reduced benefits if taken early, earnings limits, whether your spouse reached FRA, etc.) that really require getting personalized advice from SSA. I think I'll use that Claimyr service @Charity Cohan mentioned to actually get through to someone knowledgeable. Has anyone else used services like that to get past the long hold times?

this happened to my neighbor too!!! her son was disabled and when her husband died the checks stayed the same. when she finally figured it out like 5 years later they gave her back pay but only for like 1 year not the whole 5 years. fight for all the back pay!!!!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it sounds incredibly stressful to discover there might have been an error for so many years. Based on what others have shared here, it really does sound like your son should have been automatically converted to survivor benefits when his father passed away in 2012. The good news is that if SSA made an error, they are generally required to correct it and provide back payments. However, I'd suggest being prepared for the possibility that they might initially pushback or claim there's a time limit on corrections. Don't let them discourage you - if this was their administrative error, you have strong grounds to fight for full retroactive payment. When you call, also ask them to provide you with a written explanation of your son's current benefit type and calculation. Having everything in writing will be important if you need to escalate the issue or file an appeal. Document every conversation you have with them, including dates, times, and the names of representatives you speak with. Good luck - I really hope you're able to get this resolved and get your son the benefits he's entitled to!