To summarize for the original poster: Since you just reached FRA last month and want benefits ASAP, select the current month as your benefit start date. Just be prepared that it might take 2-3 months for your application to be processed and payments to begin. Once they do start, you'll receive any back payments owed to you. And since you're already at FRA, there are no penalties or reductions regardless of when you start.

One additional tip that might help - when you submit your application online, make sure to print or save a copy of your receipt/confirmation number. If there are any delays or issues with processing, having that reference number will make it much easier when you need to follow up with SSA. Also, you can check your application status online at ssa.gov using your my Social Security account. Good luck with your application!

Just to give you an expectation on payment amounts: if your partner was receiving $2,500 per month in SSDI, your daughter would be eligible for approximately $1,875 monthly (75% of his benefit). The good news is that once approved, they will pay all months due from the date of death forward as a lump sum, then continue with monthly payments. I also wanted to clarify something important - while you mentioned you were already receiving dependent benefits for your daughter while her father was alive, the survivor benefit amount is usually higher than the dependent benefit amount. So there's typically an increase in the monthly payment after the conversion to survivor benefits is complete.

I'm so sorry for your loss and the stress you're going through with this process. As someone who recently navigated the SSA system after a family death, I wanted to share a few things that might help: First, don't lose hope - your daughter absolutely qualifies for survivor benefits since she was already receiving dependent benefits on her father's record. The conversion should be straightforward once they process it. A few suggestions that worked for me: - Document every interaction you have with SSA (dates, times, who you spoke with, what was discussed) - If you haven't already, ask specifically for a "case manager" to be assigned to your daughter's claim - Consider contacting your local congressman's office for help - they have caseworkers who can sometimes get SSA to respond faster on stalled cases The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when you're struggling financially. But based on what others have shared here, it sounds like once it goes through, you'll get all the back pay which should help with the bills that have piled up. Hang in there - you're doing everything right and advocating well for your daughter. The system is just painfully slow right now.

Thank you all so much for this incredibly helpful information! I understand the situation much better now. To summarize what I've learned: 1. If I wait until my FRA to claim survivor benefits, I'll get the higher of either his current benefit ($1,750) or 82.5% of his FRA amount (about $1,930) 2. I should look into whether my husband might qualify for SSDI, which could eliminate the reduction entirely 3. I need to compare my own retirement benefit to the survivor benefit when the time comes and consider claiming strategies This gives me a much better foundation for financial planning. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain all this!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help with your situation. My mother went through this exact scenario - my father took early retirement at 62 due to health issues, and she was worried about the impact on her future survivor benefits. One thing that really helped her was getting a detailed benefit estimate from Social Security showing exactly what her survivor benefits would be under different scenarios. You can request this by calling SSA or visiting a local office. They'll run the calculations based on your husband's actual earnings record and show you the RIB-LIM calculations others have mentioned. Also, regarding the SSDI option that Sophia mentioned - that's definitely worth pursuing if your husband's condition meets their disability criteria. The process can take time, but if approved, it would not only potentially increase his current monthly benefit but also ensure your future survivor benefits aren't reduced. Even if he's already receiving retirement benefits, he can still apply for disability if his condition has worsened. Hope this helps, and I'm sending positive thoughts for your husband's health!

Since your ex-spouse had already started receiving benefits when they passed away, your survivor benefit would generally be based on what they were actually receiving. However, there are some exceptions: 1. If your ex was receiving reduced benefits because they claimed early, your survivor benefit would be limited to the larger of: - What your ex was receiving when they died - 82.5% of your ex's full retirement age benefit 2. If your ex delayed claiming beyond their full retirement age, your survivor benefit would include any delayed retirement credits they earned. This is another reason why getting the specific numbers from SSA is so important. They can tell you exactly what the survivor benefit amount would be based on your ex's specific claiming history.

I'm in a very similar situation - divorced after 18 years of marriage, ex-spouse passed away 2 years ago, and I'm approaching my FRA. The information in this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I learned from my research is that you might also want to check if your ex-spouse had any other retirement benefits (like a federal pension or railroad retirement) that could affect your Social Security survivor benefits. There are some offset rules that can reduce SS benefits if the deceased had certain types of government pensions. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to SSA by phone, try visiting your local Social Security office early in the morning. I went right when they opened and only waited about 20 minutes. The representative was able to give me exact benefit calculations on the spot and helped me understand all my options. Good luck with your planning - it sounds like you're being really thoughtful about maximizing your benefits!

Thank you all for the helpful information! I'm feeling much more clear about things now. Just to make sure I understand correctly:1. My January benefit will be paid in February on the third Wednesday (since my birthday is on the 19th)2. I should be able to see my benefit amount in my online account soon3. I'll only get one month's payment at a timeI'm not working anymore so I don't need to worry about the earnings limit. I'll check my online account for the benefit verification letter and if I can't find the information there, I might try that Claimyr service to talk to someone directly.Really appreciate everyone's help!

You've got it exactly right! Just wanted to add one more tip - when you do get that first payment in February, keep the deposit notification or check your bank statement carefully. Sometimes there can be small deductions you weren't expecting (like Medicare premiums if you're enrolled), so it's good to understand what the final net amount looks like. Also, if you don't see the benefit verification letter in your online account within the next week or two, definitely follow up. Having that exact amount ahead of time really helps with budgeting. Congratulations on your retirement!