wait i'm confused...if i'm getting ssi now and my husband retires next year do i get a higher benefit? or do i have to pick one or the other?? we've been married 23 years

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this confusion! This is actually one of the most common misunderstandings about Social Security benefits. What you're experiencing is called "dual entitlement" - you can't receive both your own benefit AND the full spousal benefit stacked on top of each other. Here's what's happening: SSA takes the higher of either (1) your own retirement benefit OR (2) 50% of your ex-husband's Primary Insurance Amount. If 50% of his PIA is higher than your own benefit, you get your own benefit PLUS just enough spousal benefit to bring you up to that 50% level. So if your own benefit is $1,288 and 50% of his PIA is $1,500, you'd only get $212 more per month ($1,500 total), not $1,500 on top of your $1,288. The good news is your calculation is probably correct - it's just that the "50% spousal benefit" isn't what most people think it means. Definitely call to verify they used the right ex-spouse's record though, just to be sure!

Just wanted to add one important point that might help with your planning - even though you can claim ex-spouse benefits at 62, you might want to consider waiting a bit longer if possible. The reduction isn't just a small amount - it's permanent and significant. At 62, you'd get about 32.5-35% of your ex's full benefit amount, but if you wait until your Full Retirement Age (likely 67), you'd get the full 50%. That's a substantial difference that will last for the rest of your life. I know it's tough to wait when you need the income, but even waiting a few extra years could make a big financial difference. You might want to run the numbers to see if you can make it work with other income sources until you're closer to your FRA.

The SSA website has a retirement estimator tool that can give you ballpark figures, but since you don't have enough work credits for your own benefits, it won't be as helpful for your situation. For ex-spouse benefits, you'll need to estimate based on your ex-husband's earnings record, which you obviously don't have access to. Here's what I'd suggest: Contact SSA and ask for a benefit estimate based on your ex-spouse's record. They can provide this information since you're eligible as a divorced spouse. You can also use rough estimates - if you know approximately what your ex earned during his working years, the average Social Security benefit is around $1,900/month in 2024. So at your FRA, you'd get about $950/month (50% of his benefit), but at 62 you'd only get around $630-665/month (the reduced amount). Also consider that if you do find part-time work now, you could potentially earn enough credits to qualify for a small benefit on your own record, which might supplement the ex-spouse benefit. Even earning $7,000/year would get you 4 credits annually. Something to think about as you weigh your options!

This is extremely helpful - I had no idea about the representative payee responsibilities. I'll definitely keep detailed records if we're approved. We'd probably use some for her current expenses and save the rest for college. Thank you!

As someone who works with families navigating Social Security benefits, I want to emphasize how important it is to gather ALL the documentation before your appointment. In addition to what others have mentioned, you'll also want to bring any school records showing your daughter lived with her grandfather, any medical records that list him as guardian, and if possible, any financial records showing he supported her (like tax returns where she was claimed as a dependent). The key thing SSA looks for is proof that the grandparent was actually providing support and the child was dependent on them. Also, don't be discouraged if your first application gets denied - this happens frequently with grandchild survivor benefits because the criteria can be complex. If that happens, you have 60 days to appeal and it's often worth getting help from a Social Security attorney who specializes in survivor benefits. Good luck with the process!

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice! I've learned so much. I'm going to try the Claimyr service to get through to SSA this week and make sure I ask about WEP/GPO since I did have that teaching pension. I'll gather all my documents and request benefit estimates for all three scenarios. I really appreciate all your help - this has been so confusing to figure out on my own!

As someone who went through a similar situation a few years ago, I want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned yet - timing is everything! Since you're already 63 and receiving reduced survivor benefits, you need to be very strategic about any switches. One thing to consider: if your ex-husband is still alive and hasn't claimed his benefits yet, his benefit amount could still increase if he delays claiming until age 70. However, your divorced spouse benefit would still be calculated on his Full Retirement Age amount (50%), not his delayed retirement amount. Also, keep detailed records of every conversation you have with SSA representatives. Get names, dates, and case numbers. I had conflicting information from different reps and having documentation helped resolve the confusion later. The GPO/WEP issue mentioned by others is serious - I know teachers who were shocked to discover their benefits were reduced by amounts they never knew about. Make sure you get this in writing from SSA, not just verbal confirmation. Good luck with Claimyr - that service has helped several people I know get through to SSA much faster than calling directly!

One week later: Any update on your situation? Were you able to get through to someone who properly understood the GPO rules for retroactive survivor benefits?

Congratulations on getting your retroactive benefits! This is such a great example of why persistence pays off with SSA. For anyone else dealing with GPO and survivor benefits, I'd recommend documenting everything - dates of pension changes, application dates, and reference numbers from calls. It really helps when you have to explain your situation to multiple representatives. The fact that you got nearly $2,000 in back payments shows how much money people might be leaving on the table if they don't push back on incorrect initial denials.