My friend's situation was kinda similar and I think there was a surprise with how much she got so def have your husband ask very specific questions during his phone appt! Good luck

Just to clarify one more point that sometimes confuses people: The decision about when to file is separate for each of you. You've already filed, but your husband still has options. If your husband files at 62, he gets approximately 70% of his FRA benefit (the $749). If he waits until FRA, he gets 100% of his FRA benefit (probably around $1070). If he waits until 70, he gets 132% of his FRA benefit (around $1412). The spousal benefit doesn't increase after FRA, so there's no spousal advantage to waiting beyond FRA. But his own benefit continues to grow until 70. Since his own benefit is already higher than the reduced spousal benefit, waiting longer would just increase that gap.

A lot of misinformation in this thread. The spousal benefit isn't always 50%. That's just the maximum. The actual formula is more complicated and takes into account whether you're eligible for your own retirement benefit, when you file, and whether the WEP/GPO rules apply. Calling SSA directly is your best bet. Ask them for a breakdown of your benefit calculation. They can tell you exactly how your benefit was determined and whether there are any options to increase it. You might need to speak with a technical benefits advisor though, not just the first person who answers the phone.

One more thing to consider - if your husband passes away, you would become eligible for survivor benefits, which can be up to 100% of what he was receiving (depending on your age when you claim them). So while your current spousal benefit might seem low, the survivor benefit would be significantly higher. If your husband is in good health, you might want to discuss having him delay taking his own benefits as long as possible (up to age 70) to maximize the eventual survivor benefit you'd receive if he passes before you. Each year he delays past his FRA increases his benefit by 8%, which also increases the survivor benefit you'd eventually receive.

my mom has the same problem (shes from philippines originally) no payment yet. but my uncle got his (hes citizen) so i was thinking maybe its for immigrants only? glad to hear its not that. still nothing in her account today tho

UPDATE: My payment just posted this morning! So it was about 48 hours late. Check your accounts - hopefully your husband's payment has arrived too!

btw have u checked if ur eligible for medicare yet? u might qualify before 65 if ur on disability

One final clarification - I notice some confusion in the thread about exactly when SSDI converts to retirement benefits. To be precise: 1. If you're receiving SSDI, benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits when you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA) 2. For people born 1960 or later, FRA is age 67 3. For people born 1959, FRA is 66 and 10 months 4. For people born 1958, FRA is 66 and 8 months Since you mentioned you're 59 now, you were likely born around 1966, so your FRA would be 67. That's when the automatic conversion will happen. Again, the amount stays exactly the same - there's no reduction when SSDI converts to retirement benefits at FRA.

I remember my financial advisor telling me that ANYTHING that simplifies dealing with SSA is worth considering. Even if the process isn't technically automatic, having your records already linked through spousal benefits creates a clearer trail. When dealing with SSA during what will already be a difficult emotional time, any potential simplification might be worth that small paperwork hassle now.

One additional consideration: Current rules require reporting a death to SSA within 30 days. Survivor benefits can only be paid from the time of application in most cases, not retroactively from the date of death. Whether you receive spousal benefits or not, what's most important is knowing the process for when the time comes: 1. Report the death promptly (within 30 days) 2. Apply for survivor benefits (can't be done online, must be by phone or in-person) 3. Have necessary documentation (death certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificate, tax records) Having the spousal relationship already established in SSA's systems might help prevent certain documentation requirements or verification steps, but the core process remains the same.