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wait i just realized my situation isnt the same as yours cause my wife gets SSI not SSDI sorry bout that! but i still think taking it early makes sense with what ur saying
Just to clarify for anyone reading this thread: SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) have different rules regarding survivor benefits. SSI is needs-based and doesn't generate survivor benefits, while SSDI is based on work credits and does provide survivor benefits. This is why it's so important to understand which benefit type you're dealing with when making these decisions.
My friend said she called and the SS people told her she should ALWAYS wait until FRA if possible. Are you SURE this is the right move?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer with Social Security. While waiting until FRA maximizes that particular benefit, personal circumstances matter enormously. In the original poster's case, with a spouse on SSDI, limited working years, and the option to switch to survivor benefits later, taking reduced benefits at 62 may align with their specific financial situation and goals. This is why personalized analysis is so important rather than general rules of thumb.
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To answer your original question about online vs. appointment - definitely do it online if your case is straightforward! When I tried to get an appointment, they told me it would be 4 MONTHS wait. Did it online in 20 mins instead. Just make sure you have all your docs ready (birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, bank account info for direct deposit, etc).
Based on everything shared here, it seems like following the OpenSocialSecurity recommendation makes sense for your situation. Since your benefit is more than half your spouse's, there's no spousal benefit to consider, and filing early only affects your own retirement amount. Your survivor benefits would still be protected as long as you're past FRA when that situation might arise. You can apply online about 3 months before you want benefits to begin. Just be prepared for potential processing delays.
Thank you all for the incredibly helpful information! I feel much more confident now about following the recommendation to file now while my spouse waits until 70. I'll be applying online next week for benefits to start in 3 months. This community has been wonderful!
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Just to add to my earlier comment - this is actually a known issue that happens in years when there are particular calendar configurations. The SSA publishes a payment calendar each year that shows exactly when payments will be issued. Your aunt can download the 2025 payment calendar directly from the SSA website at ssa.gov/pubs/calendar.htm (or have a look at her mySocialSecurity account online). The most important thing is that she won't lose any money - she'll still get 12 full payments over the course of the year. It's just that the calendar dates sometimes shift due to weekends and holidays.
That calendar link is super helpful! I just checked it and you're totally right about how the payments work. It's confusing but at least there's documentation.
This happens every few years and causes so much confusion! My mom gets retirement benefits not survivor benefits but same payment system. Her neighbor told her same thing last year and she was up all night worrying. Like others said nobody misses a payment, it's just about when the dates fall. Does your aunt get direct deposit? That makes it easier to track.
Yes, she gets direct deposit! I'll have her keep a closer eye on her bank account around that time. It's weird how these rumors spread and cause so much anxiety for people on fixed incomes. Thanks for confirming it's just a calendar issue.
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Based on the numbers you provided, let's do a quick calculation: Your monthly benefit at 64 = $2,725 Applying early retirement reduction factor (approximately 93.3% of PIA at age 64) Your estimated PIA ≈ $2,920 Your husband's monthly benefit at FRA = $1,430 This is 100% of his PIA Spousal benefit = 50% of your PIA = $1,460 Since $1,460 > $1,430, your husband may be eligible for a supplemental spousal benefit of approximately $30/month. He should contact SSA to verify these calculations and apply for the dual entitlement if applicable.
omg thank you for doing the actual math! this is exactly what happened with us - my husband got an extra $47 a month on top of his regular SS. doesn't sound like much but adds up over time! and they gave us like 3 months backpay when we finally got it straightened out
Just to close the loop here - once you've confirmed with SSA whether your husband qualifies for the additional amount through dual entitlement, make sure to ask about how this affects future cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). Both portions of his benefit (his own and the spousal component) will receive COLAs, but they're applied separately to each benefit component. Also, if your husband is under the full retirement age for the spousal benefit (which may be different than his FRA for his own benefit), there might be additional reductions to consider.
Thank you! I hadn't even thought about how this affects future COLAs. I'll definitely ask about that when we talk to SSA. I appreciate everyone's helpful information - I understand the situation so much better now!
Dmitry Ivanov
Lol everyone here is so optimistic about the timeline. My husband and I went through this last year and it took FOUR MONTHS from when I was approved until his spousal benefits actually started paying out. The SSA is SWAMPED with applications. And yes technically he can apply online but in our experience the spousal application has way more issues than the regular retirement one. Prepare for delays and frustration!
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Oh no, 4 months?? That's so much longer than I expected. Did they at least backpay from when he should have started receiving benefits?
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Fatima Al-Sayed
Just to clear up a common misconception - there's no such thing as a "spousal top off" in the Social Security system's official terminology. What your husband will receive is technically called the "spousal benefit" which can be up to 50% of your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount). If your husband already qualifies for his own retirement benefit, he'll receive whichever is higher - his own benefit or the spousal benefit. The system automatically calculates this when he applies for the spousal benefit, so he doesn't need to make any special requests for the "difference" or "top-up" amount. The SSA will figure out the proper amount based on both your records.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Thanks for clarifying the terminology! That makes more sense. So essentially he'll just apply for the spousal benefit and the SSA will automatically calculate whether that's higher than his own retirement benefit? He's already collecting his own retirement benefit (started at 62), so I'm guessing they'll just adjust his payment amount if the spousal benefit is higher?
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