Just wondering... have u checked what ur survivors benefit would be if ur ex passes away? That's different from the ex-spouse benefit while he's alive. If he dies, u can get his FULL benefit amount (what he would get at his FRA) if that's more than your own. My mom got my dad's full benefit after he passed even though they were divorced.

One thing that might help you decide on timing is to create a break-even analysis. If you take $1,400/month at 62 versus waiting for $2,000/month at 67, you'd collect $84K over those 5 years ($1,400 x 60 months). After age 67, you'd need about 11.5 years (until age 78.5) to make up that difference with the higher monthly payments. Given average life expectancy and your health concerns, this math might actually favor taking benefits earlier in your case. You could also consider working part-time after 62 if possible - you can earn up to about $22K annually without affecting your SS benefits. Just make sure to factor in Medicare costs starting at 65 if you retire before then.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - make sure you bring documentation showing continuous care and support during those 7 years of custody. Things like medical records listing you as guardians, school enrollment forms with your address, insurance cards if she was on your plan, etc. While the adoption decree legally establishes the relationship, SSA sometimes wants to see that pattern of dependency was already established. Also, if your husband has any other children receiving benefits on his record (biological or adopted), that will affect the family maximum calculation. But if this great-niece will be his only dependent child, she should get the full 50% rate. The whole process is definitely overwhelming, but you're doing great by preparing ahead of time!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is timing - you'll want to apply within a reasonable time after the adoption is finalized, ideally within 30 days. While there's no strict deadline, SSA can be particular about delays. Also, make sure you get a certified copy of the adoption decree, not just a regular copy. The court clerk can provide this. If your husband's SSDI started before age 62, the family maximum formula is actually more generous than for regular retirement benefits - it's typically around 85% of his PIA rather than the lower percentages that apply to retirement. This could mean your great-niece gets a higher benefit amount. One last tip: when you call to schedule the appointment, ask specifically what documents they want you to bring. Different offices sometimes have slightly different requirements, and it's better to confirm upfront than make multiple trips!

Based on your latest responses, I think you've got a good plan forming. To summarize the best approach: 1. Use Claimyr to get through to SSA quickly (worth it to avoid hours of hold time) 2. Ask specifically for a Title II Claims Specialist about direct deposit reclamation 3. Request the DD-RTN form process as mentioned by the former SSA employee 4. Keep detailed records of all communications 5. Follow up with the facility administrator since they're now the official payee This combined approach gives you the best chance of resolving this efficiently. Please let us know how it goes - your experience might help others in similar situations.

I just went through something similar with my mom's benefits last year! The key thing that worked for me was being persistent about getting to the right department. Regular customer service reps often don't handle these specialized situations. One tip that might help - when you call, immediately say "I need to speak with someone about returning an incorrect Social Security payment made after a representative payee change." This usually gets you transferred faster than explaining the whole situation to the first person. Also, if the facility is now the official payee, they actually have more authority to resolve this than you do. They can request that SSA process the return directly since it was deposited to the wrong account after the payee change was already in their system. The facility administrator should be pushing harder on this - it's literally their job now! Keep us posted on how the DD-RTN process works out. Your situation could really help others who get stuck in this same bureaucratic mess.

Thanks everyone! This has been incredibly helpful. Just to make sure I've got it straight: 1. For Jan-Aug 2025 (before my FRA month), I'm subject to the higher annual limit (~$60k) 2. From September 2025 onward, no earnings limit applies at all 3. If I somehow exceed the limit in those first 8 months, they'll withhold some benefits but eventually adjust my payment amount at FRA Since I'll probably earn around $65-70k by August, I might be slightly over the limit. I'll have to decide if I want to try to stay under it or just accept a small reduction for a month or two. Really appreciate all the insights!

Just want to add one more consideration - make sure your employer knows you're planning to collect Social Security while still working. Some companies have policies about this, and you'll want to coordinate with HR about tax withholdings since you'll have both W-2 income and Social Security benefits. The tax situation can get a bit complex when you have both income sources, especially if your combined income pushes you into the range where SS benefits become taxable. Might be worth running the numbers with your financial advisor to see if you need to adjust your withholdings to avoid a surprise tax bill next April!