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One important point nobody has mentioned yet: if you're approved for SSDI, you'll become eligible for Medicare after 24 months on disability, regardless of your age. This can be extremely valuable for ongoing medical treatment related to your injuries. Also, when you reach Full Retirement Age (67 for someone your age), your SSDI automatically converts to retirement benefits at the same amount. At that point, any offset with workers' compensation ends. For documentation, focus on these key elements for your SSDI application: 1. Medical evidence showing your condition is severe 2. Doctor's statements specifically addressing work limitations 3. Treatment history showing you're following prescribed therapies 4. Detailed work history showing you can no longer perform previous jobs Keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit to SSA. Their record-keeping can be inconsistent.
Great point about Medicare! That was a HUGE benefit when I finally got approved for SSDI. My employer health insurance had run out and COBRA was ridiculously expensive. The 24-month waiting period is still too long though - another way they try to wear you down!
Thank you all for the helpful responses. I'm definitely going to apply for SSDI this week. Still a bit confused about how they'll calculate that 80% limit for the offset, but sounds like I'll be dealing with that down the road. Anyone know if I should mention the workers comp when I apply for SSDI, or will they find out about it anyway? Don't want to mess anything up on the application.
Yes, absolutely disclose your workers' compensation benefits on your SSDI application. SSA will ask about this specifically, and failing to disclose could be considered misrepresentation. They will verify this information regardless through data matching with state agencies. For the 80% ACE (Average Current Earnings) calculation, SSA typically uses the highest of: 1. Your average monthly earnings from your highest calendar year in the last 5 years before disability 2. Your average monthly earnings during the 5 consecutive years of highest earnings 3. Your average monthly earnings in the highest-earning single year of employment They will request your workers' compensation payment history directly to calculate any necessary offset.
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Did anyone help you figure out how to actually report the death to Social Security? I've been going in circles on their website trying to find clear instructions.
You can't report a death online through the SSA website. There are three ways to report a death to Social Security: 1. Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 2. Contact your local Social Security office 3. Have the funeral home report the death (most funeral homes offer this service) Option 3 is usually the easiest during a difficult time. Just confirm with the funeral director that they'll handle this for you.
The funeral director did mention they would report it for us, so I'll confirm that they're handling it. Thank you for listing all the options.
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These replies are making my head SPIN!!! So many rules and exceptions to the rules!!! Why does the government make this so complicated?? I'm approaching retirement age too and haven't even started figuring out MY situation with two ex-husbands and whether I can claim on either of them or not. Ugh!
I know exactly how you feel! I spent hours on the SSA website trying to understand these rules before posting here. Makes you wonder if they make it confusing on purpose so people don't claim everything they're entitled to. Good luck with your situation!
To summarize what others have said correctly: - You cannot receive divorced spouse benefits on your ex's record while married to someone else. - The "remarriage after 50" rule only applies to survivor benefits, not divorced spouse benefits. - Since your ex is still alive, survivor rules don't apply to your situation. One thing not mentioned: Even if you could claim on your ex's record (if your current marriage ended), the maximum you could get would be 50% of your ex's full retirement age benefit. And that's only if you wait until your own full retirement age to claim it. I recommend creating an account at my.ssa.gov if you haven't already. You can see your estimated benefit amounts and explore different claiming strategies based on your own work record.
Thank you! I do have a my.ssa.gov account but honestly hadn't looked at the estimated benefits calculator much. I'll definitely explore that to get a better picture of what I can expect when I decide to claim.
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Since you mentioned your health isn't the best, here's another strategy to consider: Apply for reduced survivor benefits now, but ALSO apply for SSDI (disability benefits). If approved for SSDI, you'd receive your full retirement benefit amount without reduction. The SSDI approval process is lengthy and often involves appeals, but it's worth pursuing if your health condition is documented and severe enough to limit your ability to work. You can apply for both benefits simultaneously. This approach gives you some income now through survivor benefits while potentially securing your full retirement rate through SSDI if your health deteriorates further.
Can you really apply for SSDI if you're currently working full-time? I thought that automatically disqualified you?
You're right - if you're engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), currently $1,550/month in 2025 for non-blind individuals, you wouldn't qualify for SSDI. I should have been clearer that this option would only work if the health issues forced a reduction in work hours or stopping work entirely.
Thank you all for the helpful advice. I've scheduled an appointment with SSA (took forever to get through) to review my specific numbers. Going to get documentation of all my options before making a decision. I think I'm leaning toward taking the survivor benefit now and then switching to my own retirement benefit at 70, but I want to see the actual dollar amounts first. Will update once I have more information!
Good luck with your appointment! Hope you get someone who knows what they're talking about!
Zara Khan
Does anyone know if you'll get the increased benefits AUTOMATICALLY or do we have to reapply? I don't trust the SSA to just adjust everything properly!
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
•From what I understand, if you're already receiving reduced benefits due to WEP/GPO, SSA should recalculate and adjust your payments automatically. But if you were completely offset by GPO before (getting $0 in benefits), you would need to apply since you weren't in the system receiving payments. In the OP's case, since she wasn't receiving any benefits due to the full offset, she would need to submit an application for survivor benefits. That said, with a change this big affecting millions of beneficiaries, there could be delays in implementation. I'd recommend applying or contacting SSA regardless to ensure you're in their system for the adjustments.
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Nia Williams
My cousin works for the SS office and she told me that Jan. 1st 2026 is when the 100% starts not this year.
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Sean Fitzgerald
•Your cousin is correct that January 1, 2026 is when the GPO is fully eliminated (100% gone). But the phase-out begins earlier: - January 1, 2024: GPO reduction decreases from 2/3 of pension to 40% of pension (so you get more now) - January 1, 2025: GPO reduction decreases to 20% of pension (you get even more) - January 1, 2026: GPO completely eliminated (you get full benefits) So the original poster can definitely get some benefits now, just not 100% of her husband's benefit until 2026.
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