Let me clarify a few points about your specific situation: 1. You CAN take your own reduced retirement benefit now ($950) to help with medical expenses 2. After your divorce is finalized, you CAN switch to the higher survivor benefit from your first husband ($1,650) 3. The survivor benefit will NOT be reduced because you took your own retirement early 4. However, your survivor benefit could be reduced if you take it before your FRA - the reduction is based on YOUR age when you claim the survivor benefit, not when you claim your retirement 5. The paperwork to stop your application can be rescinded - call SSA immediately Don't panic about having messed things up permanently. This is fixable. The most important thing is to contact SSA right away to undo the stoppage of your application if you want to receive your own benefits now while waiting for the divorce to finalize.

I'm glad to see you're getting good advice here! As someone who works with Social Security benefits, I want to emphasize a few key points for your peace of mind: You're absolutely right in your understanding from Sean's breakdown. At 62, you can take your reduced retirement benefit now, and since you're already past 60 (the earliest age for survivor benefits), you won't face additional age-based reductions on the survivor benefit when you switch after your divorce. The important thing to remember is that SSA will always pay you the higher benefit amount - they won't "stack" benefits, but they will ensure you receive the maximum you're entitled to. In your case, that means getting your $950 retirement benefit now to help with medical expenses, then switching to the full $1,650 survivor benefit once eligible. Given your cancer diagnosis and urgent financial needs, this strategy makes perfect sense. Don't let the complexity of the system discourage you - you have a clear path forward. Focus on getting that application reactivated and securing your immediate financial needs while you navigate the divorce process. Stay strong, and don't hesitate to use multiple methods (phone, secure messages, that Claimyr service mentioned) to get official confirmation of your plan.

Thank you so much! This is a great checklist of what I need to do. I've gathered my documents and will try to connect with SSA this week to get the process started. I really appreciate everyone's help!

I'm sorry for your loss, Isabella. This is a complex situation but there are some good options for you. Since you were married for 10+ years, you're eligible for divorced spouse survivor benefits. The key thing to understand is that survivor benefits are calculated differently than regular retirement benefits - your ex-husband's benefit amount won't be reduced just because he died at 62 before claiming. However, if you switch to survivor benefits now at 64, your benefit would be reduced since you haven't reached your full retirement age yet. You might want to compare your current reduced retirement benefit with what you'd get from survivor benefits now, versus waiting until your FRA to get 100% of his benefit. Also, don't worry about his remarriage - that doesn't affect your eligibility at all. I'd recommend getting exact calculations from SSA to help you decide the best timing for your situation.

Thank you all so much for the information and advice. My son and I talked about everything shared here, and he feels much more confident about trying to work knowing he won't automatically owe back all his past benefits. We're going to: 1. Look into the Ticket to Work program and find a WIPA counselor 2. Research our state's re-entry programs for people with felony records 3. Set up a savings account to prepare for any benefit adjustment delays 4. Try to get clear documentation from SSA about his reporting responsibilities He's still nervous about the process but feels hopeful for the first time in years. His therapist agrees that meaningful work could be really beneficial for his recovery, especially if he can find something that accommodates his anxiety triggers. I can't thank this community enough for all the guidance!

This is such a heartwarming update! Your son is so lucky to have such a supportive advocate. One additional resource that might help - many vocational rehabilitation (VR) offices work closely with SSA and can provide job training, workplace accommodations, and even help with employer education about hiring people with disabilities or criminal records. Since he's interested in trades, VR might be able to fund training programs that lead directly to employment. The combination of SSA work incentives + VR services + re-entry programs could really set him up for success. Wishing you both the best on this journey!

Thank you for that perspective and the information about the special calculation! I hadn't heard about that. You make a good point about treatment costs. I've been saving for unexpected expenses, but it's hard to know exactly what I'll be facing. My treatments start next week, so I'm thinking it might still make sense to stick with the December timeline since it's not that far away. I'm trying to balance immediate needs with long-term financial security.Thank you for the well wishes - it means a lot coming from someone who's been through it.

I want to echo everyone's condolences - dealing with loss, health challenges, and navigating Social Security all at once is incredibly difficult. Your plan shows remarkable foresight given everything you're facing. One additional consideration: since you're self-employed and will be reducing hours significantly during treatment, you might want to calculate your projected 2024 and 2025 earnings carefully. The earnings test calculations can be tricky when your income varies monthly, especially when you're transitioning between different benefit types. Also, I'd strongly recommend getting a recent Social Security statement (you can access it online at ssa.gov/myaccount) to verify your projected retirement benefit amount. This will help you confirm that your own retirement benefit is indeed higher than the survivor benefit you'll be receiving. Your approach of wanting to "work less and live more" resonates deeply. Sometimes life's challenges help us prioritize what truly matters. Wishing you strength through your treatments and a smooth experience with Social Security.

Lmao good luck. I've been trying to set up an appointment for weeks. At this point I'm convinced their customer service is run by clowns 🤡

I've had success calling around 2-3 PM on weekdays - seems like there's a lull after lunch when wait times are shorter. Also, if you get disconnected, don't hang up right away! Sometimes the system will automatically call you back within a few minutes. Another trick is to navigate to the "report a problem" or "technical issues" menu option - those lines often have shorter waits and they can usually transfer you to the right department anyway.