Thank you all for the helpful advice! I'm feeling much more confident about applying online now. I've made notes of everything I need to prepare, and my daughter will help me this weekend. I'll definitely use the official ssa.gov website and save/print my confirmation page when I'm done. Really appreciate everyone's tips!

One more tip that might help with your tech anxiety - before you start the actual application, try creating a my Social Security account first at ssa.gov. This lets you practice navigating the website and you can view your earnings history to make sure everything looks correct. It's also useful to have this account set up anyway since you'll be able to check your benefit status and manage things online later. The account creation is separate from the application process, so it's a good way to get comfortable with the site without any pressure!

One more important thing to know: if you're going to exceed the earnings limit again in 2025, you can request a "Rate Adjustment" where SSA reduces your monthly payments in advance based on your estimated earnings. This prevents a large overpayment situation. For example, if you know you'll exceed the limit by about $6,000 again, they could reduce your monthly benefit by about $250 ($3,000 ÷ 12 months) throughout the year instead of withholding full months later. This can be much easier to manage financially. You can request this by calling SSA or visiting your local office with an estimate of your expected 2025 earnings.

I went through something similar two years ago when I exceeded the limit by about $4,000. Here's what actually happened in my case: SSA sent me a notice in March (about 3 months after I filed my taxes) explaining they would withhold benefits to recover the overpayment. They withheld my April and May checks completely, then took about half of June's check to cover the remaining amount. The good news is they give you about 30 days notice before they start withholding, so you have time to prepare financially. I used that time to adjust my budget and let my bank know about the temporary reduction in income. One tip: make sure you report your 2024 earnings to SSA as soon as possible through your mySocialSecurity account or by calling them. Don't wait for them to find out through IRS data matching - being proactive sometimes helps with how they handle the recovery process. Also, definitely look into that Rate Adjustment option Malik mentioned for 2025 if you think you'll exceed the limit again. I wish I had known about that option earlier!

i changed my mind like 10 times before filing lol. in the end i just went with my gut feeling. sometimes u can overthink these things ya know?

I'm really sorry to hear about your cancer battles, and I'm glad you're in remission now. Your health history definitely adds complexity to this decision. One thing that might help is to think about this in terms of "insurance" rather than just maximizing dollars. If you file now at 64, you're essentially buying peace of mind and guaranteed income for however long you live. The break-even calculations assume average lifespans, but your situation is unique. Have you considered doing a "what-if" analysis? Calculate how much you'd receive monthly if you file now versus waiting, then multiply by different time horizons (5 years, 10 years, 15 years) to see the total payout under each scenario. This might give you a clearer picture of the financial trade-offs. Also, don't forget about the non-financial benefits of filing earlier - less stress about future health issues, ability to enjoy the money while you're feeling well, and flexibility to make other life decisions without worrying about optimizing SS timing. Whatever you decide, make sure it's a decision you can live with comfortably. The "perfect" mathematical choice doesn't matter if it keeps you up at night worrying.

Based on what you've shared, here's my recommendation: 1. Request your Social Security statement through your my Social Security account to see exactly what your benefit amounts would be at different ages. 2. Calculate your ex-spousal benefit (approximately 50% of your ex's FRA benefit amount, reduced if you claim early). 3. Compare this to your own benefit at 62 vs. FRA. 4. Consider your health outlook and financial needs. In most cases where you're the higher earner, your own benefit will exceed the ex-spousal benefit, but you need the actual numbers to make an informed decision. Given your health concerns, don't automatically assume waiting until FRA is best - run the numbers for your specific situation.

Welcome to the community! I'm dealing with a somewhat similar situation and wanted to share what I've learned through my own research. One thing that might be worth exploring is whether your health conditions could potentially qualify you for a disability freeze on your Social Security earnings record, even if you don't qualify for SSDI benefits. This wouldn't give you immediate benefits, but it could prevent those non-working years from dragging down your future benefit calculation. Also, since you mentioned you're 62 now (not 60 as in your title), you do have the option to file for your own reduced benefits immediately if your financial situation requires it. The key is getting those exact benefit estimates from SSA so you can make an informed decision based on your specific circumstances rather than general rules. Good luck with everything!

Thank you for this detailed advice. I'll definitely ask about that calculator and make sure I understand how they're determining my benefit amount. I really appreciate everyone's help - I was completely in the dark about possibly being eligible for any survivor benefits, and now I feel like I have a clear action plan!

I'm so glad you found this thread helpful! As someone who's navigated the SSA system recently, I wanted to add one more tip - when you call SSA, try calling right when they open at 8am local time. That's when I've had the best luck getting through quickly. Also, make sure you have all your documents ready: your husband's death certificate, his Social Security number, your marriage certificate, and information about your teacher pension (amount, start date, etc.). The representative will need all of this to run the GPO calculation for you. Good luck, and I hope you're able to get some survivor benefits! Even a few hundred dollars a month can make a real difference on a fixed income.