Just to add some specific numbers that might help you visualize this situation: Let's say your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) - the amount you'd get at your Full Retirement Age - is $3,000. At age 70, with delayed retirement credits, you'd receive approximately $3,720. If your wife's PIA is $2,400, at age 68 she would receive about $2,688 on her own record. The spousal benefit would be 50% of your PIA, so $1,500. In this scenario, when your wife files at age 68, she would automatically receive her own benefit of $2,688 since it's higher than the spousal benefit of $1,500. If she waited until 70, her own benefit would grow to about $2,976. Everyone's numbers are different, but this illustrates why many couples with similar earnings histories often find that spousal benefits aren't relevant - both spouses' own benefits are higher.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the impact of Medicare premiums on your decision. If your wife has higher income from waiting until 70, she might face higher Medicare Part B and Part D premiums due to IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) thresholds. Also, don't forget about the "earnings test" if either of you plan to work at all before Full Retirement Age. Since your wife is already 68, this probably doesn't apply, but it's worth checking if she has any earned income. You might want to use the SSA's online calculators or consider getting a personalized benefit statement to run the exact numbers for your situation. Every couple's circumstances are unique, and small differences in birth dates, earnings history, and life expectancy can significantly impact the optimal claiming strategy.

I just wanted to update and thank everyone for the helpful responses. I've created an account on ssa.gov to verify my earnings history (thankfully it's accurate). We've decided my husband will hold off claiming his own benefits for now. If I pass away before he reaches his FRA, he'll apply for survivor benefits even though they'll be reduced, then switch to his own benefits at 70 when they'll be maximized. The percentage chart was especially helpful in understanding how this works. I'm also going to suggest we meet with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning to make sure we're making the best choices for our specific situation.

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but it's encouraging that you're responding well to treatment. Your forward-thinking approach to planning is admirable during such a difficult time. Just to add another perspective to the excellent advice already given - there's also something called the "widow's limit" that can come into play. If your husband claims his own retirement benefits early (before FRA), it could potentially limit his survivor benefits later to a percentage of what you were receiving. This is why many experts recommend the strategy you've outlined - waiting on his own benefits and potentially taking reduced survivor benefits first if needed. Another thing to consider: survivor benefits can start as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), so your husband would have options even if something happened sooner than expected. The reduction is steeper at younger ages, but it's still available. The meeting with a Social Security specialist sounds like a great idea. They can help you model different scenarios and make sure you're not missing any nuances in the rules. Take care of yourself, and I hope your treatment continues to go well.

my aunt got widow benefits and she said they backpay from when u first become eligible not from when u apply so you should get money back to when u turned 60 maybe?

I'm in a very similar situation - also a retired teacher with a pension, and I lost my husband in 2010. I've been following this GPO/WEP repeal closely because like you, I was told years ago that I'd get $0 in survivor benefits. Reading through all these responses, especially from Jamal who says he's with SSA, gives me hope that those of us who called before the effective date will be protected. I'm planning to call SSA next week to start my application process. Thank you for posting this - it's so helpful to see others going through the same thing. Please update us after your February appointment to let us know how it goes!

My sister in law tried to claim on her exs record and SSA sais she couldnt because she didnt have her marriage certificate anymore after all those years. Make sure you have all your paperwork before you go!!

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is a lot to navigate during what must already be a difficult time. From what everyone has shared here, it sounds like you definitely qualify for survivor benefits, but the timing strategy seems really important given your work situation. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - have you considered contacting a Social Security claiming specialist or financial advisor who specializes in SS benefits? Given the complexity of your situation (working full-time, good income, multiple benefit options), it might be worth paying for a professional analysis to make sure you're maximizing your lifetime benefits. Some charge a flat fee for a comprehensive review and can model different scenarios for you. Also, when you do contact SSA, ask them to mail you a written estimate of your potential benefits under different claiming scenarios. Having it in writing helps avoid the confusion others have mentioned about getting different answers from different representatives. Wishing you the best as you work through this process!

Just wanted to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure to ask SSA about the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) when you speak with them. If you have any government pension or worked for an employer that didn't pay into Social Security, these rules could reduce your spousal or survivor benefits. Also, since you're 61 and on SSDI, remember that your disability benefits will automatically convert to retirement benefits at your full retirement age (probably 67 for you), but the amount should stay the same. This won't affect your current situation, but it's good to know for planning purposes. Good luck getting through to SSA - I hope you get clear answers about all your options!

Welcome to the community! Your situation is definitely complex, but you're asking all the right questions. Since you're dealing with multiple potential benefit sources (SSDI, divorced spouse benefits, and survivor benefits), I'd strongly recommend documenting everything before you call SSA. Make a list with: 1) Your first husband's date of death and your marriage dates, 2) Your second husband's full retirement age and when he started collecting, 3) Your divorce date from second marriage, 4) Your current SSDI amount, and 5) Any work history with non-Social Security covered employment (like government jobs). Having this information ready will help the SSA representative run accurate calculations for all your potential benefits. The fact that your second marriage lasted 12 years definitely works in your favor for divorced spouse benefits, and being over 60 when your second marriage ended means you can potentially claim survivor benefits from your first husband too. One more tip - if the first SSA rep you speak with seems unsure about your complex situation, don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor or call back for a second opinion. Your case involves multiple rules that not every rep may be familiar with.