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Another thing to consider - if your husband served prior to 2001, he might actually have what are called "special credits" that could help him qualify for SS benefits on his own record. Military personnel who served between 1957-2001 received additional Social Security wage credits. These extra credits sometimes push military retirees over the threshold to qualify for their own benefits. You can check if he has these extra military credits by requesting his earnings record from SSA. But either way, he should be able to claim on your record regardless!
I didn't know about those special credits! He served from 1990-2015, so part of his service would fall in that period. That's definitely something we should look into. Thanks!
OMG ppl are so lucky with military pensions! My dad worked for the county for 35 years and gets a good pension but when he tried to get any SS from my moms record they said nope because of that GPO thing. makes no sense why military is treated different from other govt workers!
The difference is that military service members have been paying into Social Security since 1957, while many state and local government employees (like your father) were covered by pension systems that operated outside of Social Security and didn't contribute to it. The GPO was designed to treat government workers who didn't pay into Social Security similarly to dual-earner couples where both spouses paid into the system.
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Thank you everyone for your helpful responses. I'm going to try to get an appointment specifically about widow benefits, and I'll look into that phone service if I can't get through on the regular line. It helps knowing I still have time before April to make a decision about withdrawal. I'll update once I know more!
That's a good plan. Just make sure when you speak with them to specifically ask about the financial implications of each option. Get actual dollar amounts for: 1) keeping your retirement claim as is and adding survivor benefits if eligible, 2) withdrawing retirement and taking only survivor benefits now, or 3) any restricted application options available to you as a widow. Write everything down!
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My friend's husband died last year and she got survivors benefits at 60 without any earnings test! why is that different from retirement?
Survivor benefits and retirement benefits have different rules. While survivors can claim as early as age 60 (with a reduction), they're still subject to the earnings test if they're working and under their FRA. However, the reduction formula is different for survivors than for retirement benefits. If your friend isn't working or earns under the limit, she wouldn't see any withholding due to the earnings test.
When I had to figure out my strategy, I made a spreadsheet comparing different scenarios. Have you run the numbers for: 1) Claim at 62 + part-time work, 2) Work full-time until 63 or 64 then claim, and 3) Work until FRA? Each year you delay claiming increases your benefit by about 7-8%. It's really a math problem specific to your situation.
That's a smart approach. I'll definitely make a spreadsheet comparing the different options. I'm still hoping to find a new full-time job, but at my age that's uncertain. At least now I understand how the earnings limit works if I do need to claim early and work part-time. Thanks for the suggestion!
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My mom had 2 exs too and she got a really raw deal from SS!!! They wouldn't let her claim on dad's record even tho they were married 11 yrs because some paperwork issue with the divorce decree. MAKE SURE all your documents are perfect because they look for ANY reason to deny claims!!!
This is important advice. You do need proper documentation, but if you have legitimate marriage and divorce records that show marriages of 10+ years each, the SSA cannot legally deny your right to claim on either ex-spouse's record (assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements). If you encounter problems, ask to speak with a supervisor or file a formal appeal.
Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to gather all my documentation (marriage and divorce certificates for both marriages) and try to speak with someone at SSA who can look at all three potential benefit amounts. I appreciate the tip about Claimyr since I've been struggling to get through on the phone. It sounds like I need to wait until my Full Retirement Age to get the maximum ex-spouse benefit, and there's no advantage to waiting beyond that point if I'm claiming on an ex's record. I'm relieved to know I don't need to contact either ex-husband about this process!
That's a good plan. One more important point: you can actually file for different benefits at different times. Some people file for ex-spouse benefits at their FRA, then switch to their own benefit later at 70 if it's grown to be larger than the ex-spouse benefit. This strategy can sometimes maximize lifetime benefits, though it depends on your specific benefit amounts. The SSA representative should be able to discuss this option with you as well.
That's really interesting - I didn't know I could switch benefits later! I'll definitely ask about that strategy when I speak with SSA. Thank you!
Matthew Sanchez
To give you a complete picture: with your husband passing and your FRA approaching next year, here's the optimal path forward: 1. Resolve the overpayment issue through a payment plan or hardship waiver. 2. Keep your retirement benefits suspended until you know which will be higher - your benefit at 70 or your survivor benefit at FRA. 3. Apply for survivor benefits approximately 3-4 months before your FRA date. 4. Request a detailed calculation showing both benefits projected to age 70. 5. If your own benefit at 70 will be higher, stay on survivor benefits until 70, then switch. 6. If survivor benefits are higher, consider taking your own reduced benefit until FRA, then switching to survivors. This approach maximizes your lifetime benefits while handling the current overpayment situation.
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Lauren Zeb
•This step-by-step plan is exactly what I needed. One last question - does applying for survivor benefits automatically stop my current suspended retirement benefits, or are they truly separate systems? I want to make sure I don't accidentally restart my own benefits when applying for survivor benefits.
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Matthew Sanchez
They are separate benefits, but the SSA systems treat them as choices within your overall record. When you apply for survivor benefits, clearly state that you want to KEEP your retirement benefits suspended. Get the representative to note this in your file. Also request written confirmation of this instruction. Without being explicit about this, there is a risk they could restart your retirement benefits. Document everything - the name of the representative, date, and confirmation numbers for all communications.
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