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!

I've been through this exact nightmare with my brother. The DAC benefits are worth fighting for though. Have you followed up with the congressional office recently? They can request something called a "congressional inquiry status report" which forces SSA to provide updates. In our case, we found out the application was just sitting on someone's desk for MONTHS with no action. Also, don't forget to ask about retroactive benefits. Since your application has been pending for a year, they should backpay from the application date. Make sure they don't try to reset the clock because of their error!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare. As someone who works with disability advocates, I've seen the "deceased" error cause massive delays because it corrupts multiple database entries that need to be manually corrected across different SSA systems. A few additional suggestions beyond what others have mentioned: 1. Request a "case summary printout" from SSA showing all actions taken on your daughter's file since the original application. This will help you identify where exactly the process stalled. 2. Ask specifically if the DAC application is in "pending status" or if it needs to be resubmitted due to the death record error. Sometimes these errors require starting over completely. 3. Contact your state's Protection & Advocacy organization - they specialize in disability rights and often have direct contacts within SSA who can expedite complex cases like yours. 4. Document everything with timestamps. Create a log of every phone call, letter, and interaction. This becomes crucial evidence if you need to escalate further. The fact that your daughter has 33 years of established SSI history should work in your favor - there's no question about her disability status. The holdup is likely purely administrative at this point. Hang in there. These cases do eventually get resolved, especially with congressional pressure.

Thank you all for the helpful information! I tried calling SSA this morning but couldn't get through after waiting for over an hour. I'll try again tomorrow and might try that Claimyr service if I can't get through. I'm still working and have decent income, so I'm not worried about my own benefits, but it bothers me if he's getting something he's not entitled to. I'll update once I learn more about what's actually going on.

Just wanted to add some perspective from someone who works in benefits administration - this situation is actually more common than you might think. SSA processes millions of claims and sometimes errors do slip through, especially with complex eligibility rules like divorced spouse benefits. When you do get through to them, be prepared with specific information: your ex-husband's full name, approximate date he started receiving benefits, and the fact that he remarried before age 60 while still married. Also, don't be surprised if the first representative you speak with needs to transfer you to someone more specialized - divorced spouse benefit rules are tricky and not all front-line staff are fully trained on them. The good news is that once you report a potential issue, they take it seriously and will investigate thoroughly.