just wanted to say im sorry for your loss. please make sure you also apply for the lump sum death payment from social security. its only $255 but its something. you have to call them about it though they dont just give it to you automatically

I'm so deeply sorry for your loss, Chloe. What you're going through is incredibly difficult, and having to navigate these complex Social Security decisions while grieving is overwhelming. Based on what everyone has shared, I'd strongly encourage you to withdraw your current retirement application using Form SSA-521 before benefits begin. As a widow, you now have strategic options that weren't available before - you can potentially optimize between your own retirement benefits and survivor benefits. A few additional points to consider: 1. **Timing flexibility**: Since you're 63, you have time to make the optimal choice rather than rushing into the first available option. 2. **Work considerations**: The earnings test ($23,520 annual limit for 2025) applies equally to both retirement and survivor benefits, so your work income will impact either choice the same way until you reach FRA. 3. **Professional guidance**: Given the complexity and long-term financial impact (potentially tens of thousands over your lifetime), consider consulting with a fee-only financial planner who specializes in Social Security strategies, in addition to speaking with SSA directly. Take your time with this decision - there's no rush once you withdraw your current application. Your financial security is important, but so is your emotional well-being during this difficult time.

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.

One thing that might help while you're waiting to get through to SSA - you can create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov to see your estimated benefits at different claiming ages. While it won't show you your ex-spouse benefit amount (since that depends on his record), it will give you a clear picture of what your own retirement benefit would be at 70 versus now. This can help you prepare for the conversation with SSA and give you a baseline to compare against when they tell you about the ex-spouse benefit option. The online account also shows your complete earnings history, so you can double-check that all your wages were properly credited. It's free and only takes a few minutes to set up with some basic verification questions.

Just want to add one important point that I don't think was mentioned - even though your ex-husband is still working and hasn't filed for his benefits yet, his continued earnings could actually be increasing his Social Security benefit calculation. The SSA uses your highest 35 years of earnings to calculate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), so if he's still earning more now than he did in some of his earlier working years, those new higher earnings could replace lower earning years and increase his PIA. This would mean the 50% ex-spouse benefit available to you could potentially be higher than if he had stopped working earlier. However, this only matters if your ex-spouse benefit ends up being higher than your own benefit at 70, which based on what others have said about your situation, seems less likely. Still worth knowing when you talk to SSA though!

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