i was just thinking... have you checked if you can get survivors benefits now? i thought there was something about benefits for widows taking care of kids or something

I'm so sorry for your loss. As others have mentioned, your survivor benefit at 60 won't be the same as your daughter's was. Here's what might help with your planning: you can create a my Social Security account online and request a benefit estimate. While it won't show survivor benefits directly, you can call SSA with your husband's Social Security number and they can give you a projection of your potential survivor benefit amount at different claiming ages. One thing to keep in mind - if you're planning to work part-time after claiming at 60, make sure to factor in the earnings test. But here's something that might help: you can claim survivor benefits and still let your own retirement benefit grow with delayed retirement credits until age 70. If your own benefit would be higher by then, you could switch. This strategy gives you some income at 60 while potentially maximizing your long-term benefit. I'd recommend scheduling an appointment with SSA to run the actual numbers for your situation. They can show you exactly what to expect at different claiming ages and help you make the best decision for your financial future.

I just went through this exact situation last year! You absolutely CAN earn the entire amount in a shorter period. I worked January-April, made about $21,000, then completely stopped working and had zero issues with SSA. Just make sure you're tracking your YTD earnings carefully. The only thing that tripped me up was I had to explicitly tell my employer I was "retiring" even though I was just quitting that job. This stopped them from contesting my unemployment when I applied for it during the months I wasn't working or collecting SS yet.

One more thing to consider - if you're planning to work part-time after claiming benefits, you might want to check if your employer offers any flexibility with timing of pay. Some employers can adjust when bonuses or commissions are paid out, which could help you stay under the limit in years when you're subject to the earnings test. Also, if you're thinking about consulting or freelance work, you have more control over when you invoice clients and receive payments. Just another strategy to help manage your earnings timing!

when is your birthday? if your turning 64 soon maybe wait? the earnings limit goes up when you hit your FRA year

The GPO can be really devastating - I've seen cases where people's spousal benefits are completely wiped out. Since you worked 18 years in California without paying Social Security taxes, you'll likely face the full GPO reduction. Before you apply, try to get an estimate of what your spousal benefit would be without GPO, then subtract 2/3 of your monthly pension amount. If that number is zero or negative, you won't receive any spousal benefits at all. It's harsh, but better to know upfront than be surprised later.

One last thing about the SSDI application - make sure your doctor includes detailed notes about your physical limitations and how the cancer and treatment affect your ability to work. Mention specific job requirements you can no longer meet (standing/walking requirements, lifting restrictions, cognitive issues from chemo, etc). This strengthens your case tremendously. Wishing you the best with your treatment and hoping for a full recovery.

I'm really sorry to hear about your diagnosis. As someone who went through the SSDI process with my late husband, I wanted to add that you should also gather all your medical records now while you have the energy. The SSA will request them anyway, but having copies ready speeds things up. Also, don't be discouraged if your initial application gets denied - that's unfortunately common even with serious conditions like cancer. If that happens, request a hearing immediately. The approval rates are much higher at the hearing level. Your wife is smart to think ahead about this. The survivor benefits will definitely help her financially when the time comes. Take care of yourself and focus on your treatment.

Update: I called our local office this morning and got some answers. They confirmed my wife needs to call to apply for the spousal benefit. It won't be retroactive to when I applied unless she applies within 6 months of my benefit approval (not application date). And yes, the calculation is her benefit plus the difference to get her to the reduced spousal amount. Thanks everyone for your help with this!

Thanks for sharing that update! That's really helpful information about the 6-month window from your benefit APPROVAL date, not the application date. That's an important distinction I didn't know about. Good luck with getting your wife's spousal benefits sorted out - hopefully the process goes smoothly once your own application is fully approved!