After reading through all the comments, here's a summary for you: 1. Yes, you qualify for ex-spouse survivor benefits at 60 (must stay unmarried) 2. Taking benefits at 60 = about 71.5% of what you'd get at full retirement age 3. Watch out for the earnings test if you're working 4. Bring death certificate, marriage certificate, and divorce decree when you apply 5. You can switch to your own benefit later if it would be higher 6. You cannot apply for survivor benefits online - must call or visit in person Hope this helps!

I'm so glad you found this community! Your situation is actually pretty common and yes, you should definitely be eligible for survivor benefits from your ex-husband. Since you were married for 18 years (way more than the 10-year requirement), you meet the duration test. A few things to keep in mind as you move forward: - You'll need to remain unmarried to keep receiving these benefits - The SSA will calculate his benefit based on what he would have received at full retirement age, not what he actually received (since he hadn't claimed yet) - If you claim at 60, you'll get a reduced amount, but you can always switch to your own retirement benefit later if yours ends up being higher The paperwork everyone mentioned is crucial - definitely have all your documents ready before you call. And don't get discouraged if the first person you talk to seems confused about ex-spouse survivor benefits - sometimes you need to ask for a supervisor who specializes in survivor benefits. Good luck with your application! This benefit can really make a difference for people in your situation.

Update: I called SSA again and spoke with a different representative. She confirmed that if I want my first payment in July, I need to select June as my benefit start month. The first rep must have misunderstood what I was asking. I've submitted my application online and selected June 2025 as my benefit start month. Thanks everyone for your help!

Congratulations on getting it sorted out! This is a perfect example of why it's so important to get a second opinion when dealing with SSA - different reps can give completely different information even about basic procedures. Your experience will definitely help other people who run into the same confusion. Make sure to keep copies of all your confirmation documents, and you should be all set for that July payment!

This is such valuable information! I'm 59 and have been debating whether to take early retirement at 62 or wait until my FRA. Reading about everyone's experiences here is really helpful. It sounds like if I do take benefits early, I'll at least have the flexibility to earn more once I hit 67 without worrying about the earnings test. Has anyone here calculated whether the 5 years of reduced benefits is worth it compared to waiting for the full amount?

I'm in a similar situation - took my benefits at 62 and have been worried about the earnings limit ever since! This thread is so reassuring. I've been turning down freelance work because I was afraid of hitting that $22,320 limit, but knowing it completely disappears at FRA changes everything. I'm 64 now so just 3 more years to go. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so much clearer than trying to navigate the SSA website on your own!

One additional point that might help others reading this thread: When applying for benefits with earnings test considerations, you can provide SSA with an estimate of your expected earnings for the year. In your case, you would explain that while your W-2 may show a higher amount, your actual 2025 earnings for work performed in 2025 will be under the limit. If you do this at application, they'll process your benefits based on your estimate. Later, when actual earnings are reported, they'll reconcile any differences. Since you have documentation to prove when the work was performed, you should be able to avoid any overpayment issues. This approach is particularly helpful when, like in your situation, there's a clear discrepancy between when work was performed and when it was paid.

This is such a great thread with really helpful information! As someone who's new to navigating Social Security benefits, I'm learning so much from everyone's experiences. One thing that stands out to me is how important it is to keep detailed documentation - not just for situations like yours with the timing of earnings, but apparently for dealing with SSA in general. It sounds like having paystubs that clearly show work periods, and maybe even getting a letter from your employer, can save a lot of headaches later. I'm curious - for those who have been through this process, what other types of documentation have you found helpful to keep on hand when dealing with Social Security? It seems like being over-prepared is better than having to scramble for paperwork later!

For the Mary Kay business, Social Security looks at your profit (revenue minus expenses) as reported on your Schedule C. This is considered self-employment income. For 2025, if you're receiving benefits before FRA, you'll be subject to the earnings limit (approximately $22,320 for the year). One important detail: Self-employment income counts when you receive it, not when you earn it. So if clients pay you in December 2025, that counts for 2025 even if the work was for January 2026. Regarding when to apply, the optimal time is 3 months before you want benefits to begin. You can specify a start date in your application, so you can apply before you retire and have benefits begin afterward.

I'm in a similar boat - turning 65 next year and trying to navigate all these decisions! One thing I learned from my financial advisor is to run the break-even analysis between taking benefits at 65 vs waiting until FRA. In my case, if I live past age 78, I'll come out ahead by waiting until 67. But everyone's situation is different based on health, other income sources, and financial needs. For your vacation payout, definitely factor that into your calculations for the year you retire. I'm planning to take my vacation time as actual time off before retiring instead of a lump sum payout to avoid the earnings limit issue entirely. Also, since you mentioned feeling lost about timing - the SSA website has a retirement estimator tool that can help you see exactly how much your monthly benefit would be at different claiming ages. It really helped me visualize the trade-offs!