I've been doing some more research, and it seems like I have two main options: 1) File at my FRA so my wife can get spousal benefits, even though they'll be reduced, or 2) Wait until I stop working to file, which means delaying her spousal benefits too. If I go with option 1, would I be able to earn delayed retirement credits between my FRA and age 70 while still having filed for benefits?

I'm facing a very similar situation with my husband turning 67 next year and me being 4 years younger. From what I've learned through my own research and talking to SSA, here are some key points that might help: 1. The spousal benefit reduction at 63 is significant - you're looking at about 32.5-35% instead of the full 50%. That's a permanent reduction for spousal benefits. 2. One thing to consider is the "break-even" analysis. If you file at FRA so your wife can get reduced spousal benefits, versus waiting until you both reach optimal ages, when does the earlier income stream make up for the lower monthly amounts? 3. For survivor benefits, I was told by an SSA representative that if you delay your own benefits until 70, your wife's potential survivor benefit would also be higher since it's based on what you were receiving (including delayed credits). This could be substantial extra income for potentially 20+ years. 4. Have you considered getting estimates from SSA for different scenarios? They can run projections showing total lifetime benefits under different filing strategies, which really helps visualize the trade-offs. The decision really comes down to your financial needs now versus maximizing long-term benefits. If you need the income, filing earlier makes sense. If you can afford to wait, the math often favors delaying.

one other thing about the special needs kids - make sure you look into setting up a special needs trust if you havent already. if they qualify for SSI (not SSDI) when they're adults then having assets in their name could disqualify them. my sister's kid lost benefits for 6 months because of this!!

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share what I learned from a similar situation. I had to navigate survivor benefits with special needs children too, and one thing that really helped was getting everything documented early. For the disability determination process, start collecting medical records NOW - not just recent ones, but going back to when their disabilities were first diagnosed. The SSA looks for evidence that the disability began before age 22, so having that complete medical timeline is crucial. Also, don't overlook vocational rehabilitation services. My state's VR program helped my special needs son get job training that actually INCREASED his allowable work activity under SSA rules, which meant he could earn some income without losing benefits. One more tip - if you decide to use a service like Claimyr to get through to SSA faster, make sure you have all your documents ready (marriage certificates, death certificates, kids' SSNs, medical records) before you call. They can run scenarios quickly if you have everything at hand. Good luck with this complex situation - it's overwhelming but you'll get through it!

Just to clarify one more thing - the monthly earnings limit only applies to the first year you receive benefits. In 2026 and beyond, they'll use the annual test until you reach your full retirement age of 67. Also, remember that the earnings limit only applies to wages and self-employment income. It doesn't count pensions, investments, interest, annuities, capital gains or other government benefits. And once you hit your FRA, there's no earnings limit at all.

Just wanted to add one more important point - make sure you apply for benefits about 3 months before you want them to start (so around March for June benefits). This gives SSA time to process your application and ensures your first payment arrives on time. When you apply online or in person, there's a specific question about when you plan to retire - that's where you'll indicate June 2025. The system should automatically apply the monthly earnings test for your first year. Also keep documentation of your final day of work in case you ever need to prove your retirement date later on.

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is exactly the kind of confusing situation that adds unnecessary stress during an already difficult time. Based on what others have explained about Social Security's payment timing, it sounds like you're absolutely entitled to keep that March payment since your father was alive for the entire month it covers. I went through something similar with my mother-in-law, and the key thing I learned is to document everything carefully. Keep records of when you report the death to SSA, save any confirmation numbers they give you, and consider keeping a simple log of all the steps you take. This not only protects you legally but also helps you stay organized when you're grieving and everything feels overwhelming. That $2,350 can definitely help with funeral costs - you've got enough to worry about without adding financial stress on top of everything else.

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is an incredibly stressful situation to navigate while you're grieving. I want to echo what others have said - that March payment that arrived on April 15th is legitimately part of your father's estate. Social Security pays benefits the month after they're earned, so that payment was for March when your father was alive the entire month. One thing I'd suggest is calling SSA first thing in the morning (8 AM sharp) when wait times are typically shorter. When you do get through, ask them to walk you through exactly what happens next and request they send you written confirmation that the death has been properly recorded in their system. This gives you documentation for the estate records. That $2,350 can absolutely be used for funeral expenses - you have enough to deal with right now without worrying about money that rightfully belongs to the estate. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

I've been following this discussion and wanted to share some additional insights. The confusion here highlights why it's so important to get accurate information directly from SSA. From what I understand, the key rule is that for divorced spouse survivor benefits, you generally cannot receive them if you remarried before age 60 (unless you were disabled and remarried after age 50). Since you remarried at 54 and weren't disabled, you likely don't qualify for survivor benefits on your ex-husband's record. However, don't give up hope entirely - there can sometimes be nuances in individual cases that only a trained SSA representative can evaluate. When you call, definitely ask specifically about "divorced spouse survivor benefits" and mention your remarriage age. Also consider that even if you don't qualify for survivor benefits, you may still have good options with your own retirement benefits or future spousal benefits on your current husband's record when he becomes eligible.

As someone who's also navigating the complexities of Social Security rules, I wanted to chime in with some encouragement. This thread really shows how confusing these regulations can be - even knowledgeable community members are giving conflicting advice! From what I've gathered reading through everyone's responses, it seems like the consensus is that remarrying at 54 (without being disabled) likely disqualifies you from survivor benefits on your ex-husband's record. But I agree with others that you absolutely need to get this confirmed directly from SSA. One tip I learned from dealing with government agencies: when you call, write down the name and employee ID of whoever you speak with, plus the date and time. That way if you get conflicting information later, you have a record. Also, don't be afraid to call back and speak to a different representative if the first answer doesn't seem right - consistency across multiple calls can give you more confidence in the information. Wishing you the best of luck getting through to them!