my bro n sis-in-law just thru this. big headache. they had 2 go in person to ssa office cuz every time they calld they got diffrnt answers!! makes u crazy!!

Just wanted to add one more thing that helped me understand the timing better - even though your spousal benefit amount is based on your husband's PIA (not his reduced amount), you still can't claim spousal benefits until your husband has actually filed for his own benefits. Since he's filing next month at 62, you'll be eligible to claim spousal benefits anytime after that (though waiting until your FRA of 67 gets you the full 50%). I made the mistake of thinking I could wait until my husband reached HIS full retirement age to start my spousal benefits, but that's not how it works. The clock starts ticking once he files, regardless of his age when he files.

Has anyone mentioned the RIB-LIM rule yet?? That caught me by surprise with survivor benefits. If you take your OWN retirement early before applying for survivor benefits, they limit your survivor amount later! The SSA website doesn't explain this clearly AT ALL!!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Carmen. Losing a spouse so young is devastating, and trying to navigate all these financial decisions while grieving is incredibly difficult. From what everyone has shared, it sounds like you have a few strategic options to consider: 1. **Apply now at 63**: You'd get about $370/month after the earnings test reduction, but you'd be locked into that reduced survivor benefit percentage (around 81%). 2. **Wait until you're closer to retirement**: At 65, you'd get ~92% of her benefit, and if you reduce your work hours, less would be lost to the earnings test. 3. **Wait until your FRA at 67**: You'd get 100% of her benefit with no earnings test reduction. The key insight from the discussion is that survivor benefits are unique - you can switch between your own retirement and survivor benefits to maximize your total lifetime benefits. Many financial advisors recommend taking the lower benefit first, then switching to the higher one at age 70 if applicable. Given your situation, I'd strongly recommend getting a personalized benefit estimate from SSA (using that Claimyr service someone mentioned might help you actually reach them). They can run the numbers for your specific case and help you understand exactly what your survivor benefit would be versus your own retirement benefit at different ages. You don't have to make this decision alone, and there's no rush - take time to get all the information you need.

Based on everything discussed, here's what appears to be your best strategy given your situation: 1. Continue working and wait until your FRA to claim survivor benefits (you'll get 100% of your wife's PIA) 2. At age 70, switch to your own retirement benefit (which will have grown by 8% per year from your FRA to age 70) This approach avoids the earnings test completely and maximizes your lifetime benefits. The survivor benefit will provide income from your FRA until 70, and then your maximized retirement benefit takes over from 70 onwards. It's worth having a personalized analysis done. You might consider scheduling an appointment with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security strategies or with an SSA representative directly to confirm this is optimal for your specific situation.

I'm sorry for your loss. This is a really complex situation that many widowers face. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like waiting until your FRA is the smart move given your income level. One thing I'd add is that you might want to check what your wife's actual benefit amount would be at her FRA versus what your own benefit would be at age 70. Sometimes people assume the survivor benefit is always the better choice, but if you had significantly higher earnings than your wife, your own delayed retirement benefit at 70 could be substantially higher. The SSA website has benefit calculators that can help you estimate both amounts. Also, don't forget that as a widower, you may be eligible for other benefits or tax considerations that could help with those medical bills you mentioned.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Mateo. Losing a spouse is incredibly difficult, and navigating Social Security on top of grief can feel overwhelming. I went through something similar when my husband passed three years ago. The information you're getting here is spot-on - that SSA rep definitely gave you incomplete information. You absolutely ARE entitled to your husband's higher benefit amount as a survivor! One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given: make sure to ask SSA for your complete benefit estimates in writing. When I finally got through to a knowledgeable representative, they provided me with a detailed breakdown showing: - My own benefit at different claiming ages - My survivor benefit amount - Projections for both strategies (claim survivor first vs. claim own first) This written comparison made it so much clearer which approach would give me the most money over my lifetime. In my case, I'm planning to take survivor benefits at my FRA (66+4mo) and then switch to my own at 70 since mine will be about $200/month higher. Don't let that first phone call discourage you - keep pushing for the information you need. You've worked hard and deserve every benefit you're entitled to receive.

I'm really sorry for your loss, Mateo. Dealing with Social Security after losing a spouse is incredibly stressful when you're already grieving. The advice you're getting here is excellent - that SSA rep definitely didn't give you the full picture. I work as a benefits counselor and see this confusion all the time. Here's what I tell clients in your situation: You have THREE key decision points: 1. Age 60-FRA: Reduced survivor benefits with earnings test 2. Your FRA: Full survivor benefits with NO earnings limit 3. Age 70: Maximum personal retirement benefit The "restricted application" strategy others mentioned is huge for widows. Since you're still working full-time, claiming survivor benefits at your FRA while letting your own benefit grow until 70 is often the optimal approach. One tip: when you meet with the SSA specialist, ask them to show you the "break-even analysis" - the age at which your cumulative lifetime benefits would be higher under each strategy. This helps you see the long-term financial impact of your decision. Also, don't forget that survivor benefits aren't taxed the same way as regular retirement benefits if you have other income. This can affect your overall tax planning. The fact that you're asking these questions now at 60 puts you in a great position to maximize your benefits. Take your time to understand all your options before deciding.

Just to add one more thing - I would recommend applying for your benefits 3-4 months before you want them to start. That gives SSA plenty of time to process everything, including any potential spousal adjustment for your husband. With their current backlogs, the earlier you apply (within their allowed timeframe), the better!

Does anyone know if the firefighter pension affects this at all? My neighbor was saying something about GPO being different from WEP and that first responder pensions sometimes mess up spousal benefits completely