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Update: I finally got through to Social Security! The agent confirmed I am eligible for ex-spouse benefits and it will increase my monthly payment by about $370! They're processing my application now. They said I'll only get 6 months of back payments though, which is disappointing considering I could have been receiving this higher amount for nearly 20 years. Still, I'm grateful for the increase going forward. Thanks to everyone for your help and advice!
Congrats on the increase! Better late than never I guess. My mom missed out on thousands too because nobody told her about widow benefits until years after my dad passed. The system really should do better at informing people.
Congratulations on getting through and securing that increase! $370 more per month is significant and will really help with your finances going forward. It's unfortunate about the limited back pay, but you're absolutely right to focus on the positive - you'll be receiving this higher amount for the rest of your life. Your story is a great reminder for others to research all their Social Security options thoroughly. The SSA really should do a better job of informing people about benefits they're entitled to, especially for situations like divorced spouse benefits that aren't always obvious. Thanks for sharing your update - it will definitely help others in similar situations!
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Thank you all for the helpful advice! I'm feeling much more confident about applying online now. I've made notes of everything I need to prepare, and my daughter will help me this weekend. I'll definitely use the official ssa.gov website and save/print my confirmation page when I'm done. Really appreciate everyone's tips!
Good luck with your application! Don't hesitate to come back if you have any questions during the process.
One more tip that might help with your tech anxiety - before you start the actual application, try creating a my Social Security account first at ssa.gov. This lets you practice navigating the website and you can view your earnings history to make sure everything looks correct. It's also useful to have this account set up anyway since you'll be able to check your benefit status and manage things online later. The account creation is separate from the application process, so it's a good way to get comfortable with the site without any pressure!
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i changed my mind like 10 times before filing lol. in the end i just went with my gut feeling. sometimes u can overthink these things ya know?
While intuition has its place, Social Security claiming is one area where running the numbers is really important. A decision made at 64 can have hundreds of thousands of dollars of lifetime impact. It's worth spending time with the right tools to make an informed choice, especially with health considerations in the mix.
I'm really sorry to hear about your cancer battles, and I'm glad you're in remission now. Your health history definitely adds complexity to this decision. One thing that might help is to think about this in terms of "insurance" rather than just maximizing dollars. If you file now at 64, you're essentially buying peace of mind and guaranteed income for however long you live. The break-even calculations assume average lifespans, but your situation is unique. Have you considered doing a "what-if" analysis? Calculate how much you'd receive monthly if you file now versus waiting, then multiply by different time horizons (5 years, 10 years, 15 years) to see the total payout under each scenario. This might give you a clearer picture of the financial trade-offs. Also, don't forget about the non-financial benefits of filing earlier - less stress about future health issues, ability to enjoy the money while you're feeling well, and flexibility to make other life decisions without worrying about optimizing SS timing. Whatever you decide, make sure it's a decision you can live with comfortably. The "perfect" mathematical choice doesn't matter if it keeps you up at night worrying.
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Based on your additional details (good health, family longevity, home ownership, and reasonable retirement savings), here's my recommendation: File for your benefits now at 69. The immediate income will preserve your emergency fund during this uncertain period. The difference between 69 and 70 is only an 8% increase in benefits, which is significant but not dramatic enough to justify financial stress now. Focus on protecting your larger retirement accounts from premature withdrawals, as those have greater long-term implications than the difference in your SS benefit.
I fully agree with this. And don't forget that your SS benefit will still get COLA increases. Last year's was 3.2%, so even claiming now, your benefit will grow over time.
Thank you all for the thoughtful advice. I think I'm going to file now and preserve my savings. The break-even analysis and the retroactive benefits option were particularly helpful. I appreciate everyone's input!
Great decision! One thing to add - since you mentioned you're an engineer, check if you have any consulting opportunities that might come up after you start collecting. At 69, you're past full retirement age so there's no earnings test penalty. You could potentially earn unlimited income from consulting work without affecting your Social Security benefits. This could give you the best of both worlds - guaranteed SS income now plus potential project-based income if opportunities arise. Many companies prefer experienced consultants for short-term technical projects, and your engineering background could be valuable even if full-time positions are scarce.
Evelyn Rivera
After talking with SSA (took FOREVER to reach someone), I found out something that might help you. Once you've reported your self-employment to them, they'll send you a form called "Report of Work Activity" where you have to estimate your hours and earnings. After you file taxes, they'll adjust based on your actual net earnings. The key is REPORTING PROACTIVELY! Don't wait for them to discover your work activity later - that's how people end up with huge overpayment notices!!
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Mateo Warren
•This is extremely helpful! I'll definitely report my work activity right away. I'd much rather have them withhold some benefits now than get hit with an overpayment notice later. Thank you!
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Leeann Blackstein
Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through a similar situation. I'm also on survivor benefits and do freelance work from home. The most important thing I learned is that SSA cares more about your NET income than your hours for the earnings test, but you still need to be prepared to justify your hour calculations if they ask. For pet sitting specifically, I'd recommend creating a simple daily log format: - Date/time: feeding, walking, playtime - Administrative tasks: responding to messages, scheduling - Any other direct care activities Don't count passive time when the dogs are just sleeping or hanging out while you're doing your own activities. But DO count time spent actively supervising if the dogs require constant attention due to behavioral issues, medical needs, etc. Also, make sure you're deducting ALL legitimate business expenses - dog food you provide, cleaning supplies, wear and tear on your home, even a portion of utilities if you're using extra electricity/water. These deductions can really help keep your net earnings under the limit. The most important advice: Report your work activity to SSA as soon as you start. It's so much easier to work with them upfront than deal with overpayment issues later!
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