Thank you all so much for these responses! I have a much clearer picture now of how this works. My takeaways:1. His early claiming WOULD reduce potential survivor benefits if he passes away2. But there's that 82.5% minimum rule that might help offset some of the reduction3. I can strategically switch between my own benefits and survivor benefits to maximize my total lifetime payout4. I should definitely consult with an expert on Social Security claiming strategies given all the complexitiesIt's definitely more complicated than I initially thought, but I feel much better equipped to have an informed conversation with a financial advisor now. Thanks again for all your help!

You're absolutely right to get clarity on this before making any major decisions! One additional thing to consider that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand the timing rules around when you can actually claim these different benefits. For divorced spouse benefits, you generally need to wait until age 62, but for survivor benefits, you might be eligible as early as age 60 (or even earlier in certain circumstances). The age at which you claim can significantly impact the benefit amount, so factor that into your overall strategy too. Good luck with your planning!

Quick follow-up from my earlier comment - since you mentioned the rep confirmed both amounts on the phone, it's worth calling again to verify everything is in order. While the timing delay I mentioned is normal, occasionally there can be a coding error in how they set up the spousal benefit. When you call, specifically ask them to check if the spousal benefit is properly "established but suspended pending processing" or if there's any issue with how it was coded. If there is an actual error (rather than just normal processing time), catching it early can prevent further delays.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The timing issue you mentioned is definitely the culprit here. When applications are submitted so close together (like your 2-week gap), SSA's system basically puts the spousal benefit calculation "on hold" until your primary record is completely finalized. Here's what helped me get clarity: when I called back, I asked the rep to read me the exact status codes on both claims. They should be able to tell you if the spousal benefit is "pending" versus if there's an actual problem. In my case, it showed as "established but awaiting primary record completion" which gave me peace of mind that it was just a timing issue. The frustrating part is that different reps seem to explain this process differently. Some mention the delay upfront, others (like yours) focus on the final amounts without explaining the processing timeline. One thing that worked for me was asking them to put a note in the system about the expected timing, so future calls would reference that conversation. It took exactly 7 weeks from my husband's application date before my spousal supplement appeared, and yes, all the back payments came through correctly. Hang in there - this really is more common than it should be!

I had this same question a few years ago when I was approaching retirement age. I actually ended up working an extra 6 months because I didn't realize my benefit would be so much higher with those additional months of work. The weird thing was that my January-March earnings showed up in the system differently than my April-December earnings. I think they do some sort of quarterly processing maybe? I still don't fully understand how it works. But anyway, don't make any major decisions until you see your actual benefits calculation with all your 2024 income included. I learned this lesson the hard way!

I work in payroll processing and can add some context to what others have shared. The delay isn't just on SSA's end - there's actually a complex chain of data flow. After employers submit W-2s by January 31st, the data goes through multiple validation steps. SSA has to match millions of records against existing accounts, resolve discrepancies, and handle name changes, address updates, etc. One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is that if you had multiple employers in 2024, each W-2 gets processed separately, so your complete earnings picture might come together at different times. Also, if there were any corrections or amended W-2s filed, that can delay your specific record even if others are processing normally. For retirement planning purposes, I'd recommend keeping detailed records of your 2024 earnings and using the manual entry option in the estimator rather than waiting for the system to update. The calculations will be the same whether you enter it manually or wait for it to appear automatically.

im so confused about all this survivor benefit stuff... i turn 60 next month and my husband died 3 years ago. should i take survivors now or wait? does the roth thing affect when i should file??

I'm in a very similar situation - 62 and collecting survivor benefits while working part-time. I've been withdrawing from my Roth IRA regularly for the past year without any issues with SSA. The key thing to remember is that only "earned income" (wages, salary, self-employment) counts toward the annual limit. One tip that helped me: I keep detailed records of all my Roth withdrawals and my work earnings separate, just in case I ever need to prove to SSA that my withdrawals aren't counted income. It's given me peace of mind even though it's probably not necessary. Your $8,000 withdrawal should be completely fine since you're well under the work earnings limit even without considering the Roth money. Good luck with your home repairs!

As someone who recently went through a similar situation with my disabled son, I want to emphasize a few key points that haven't been fully covered: 1. **Timing is crucial** - Since you're filing at 65 (before your FRA), your reduced retirement benefit will also reduce your daughter's DAC benefit. Consider whether waiting until your FRA might result in higher overall family benefits. 2. **Medicaid gap planning** - This is the biggest concern. In many states, there's a gap between losing SSI-related Medicaid and qualifying for Medicare (24 months after DAC starts). Contact your state's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselor to understand your options. 3. **Income reporting changes** - Your daughter will need to stop reporting income to SSI once DAC begins, but there can be overpayment issues if not timed correctly. 4. **Representative payee considerations** - If you're currently your daughter's SSI representative payee, you'll need to establish this role for DAC benefits too. My recommendation: Get the estimates first, then consult with a certified benefits planner (CDFA or similar) before making any applications. The math can be complex, and the Medicaid implications vary significantly by state. Don't rush into this without understanding all the consequences.

I work as a benefits counselor and want to add some important details about the appointment process and documentation: **For the SSA appointment:** - Call and specifically request a "complex family benefits consultation" when scheduling - Ask if your local office has a Disability Program Specialist available - Bring TWO sets of all documents (they often keep copies) - Include your daughter's most recent Function Report (SSA-3373) if available **Critical timing consideration:** Since your daughter is already 29 and has been on SSI since 18, make sure SSA has current medical evidence that her disability began before age 22. Sometimes they need updated documentation to establish the "childhood disability" requirement for DAC eligibility. **Regarding estimates vs. application:** I always recommend getting estimates first, especially in your situation. Once you apply, certain decisions become harder to reverse. The estimates will help you model different scenarios (filing now vs. waiting until FRA). **Medicare/Medicaid bridge:** Look into your state's "Medicare Savings Programs" (QMB, SLMB, QI) which can help with Medicare costs during the transition. Some states also have "Working Disabled" Medicaid programs that might apply. The family maximum calculation is complex, but generally your daughter's DAC benefit will be higher than her current SSI, and the asset limits disappearing is a huge advantage for her long-term financial security.