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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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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!
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?
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.
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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my sister found a loophole! she started a small business and pays herself as a consultant AFTER she hits full retirement age so she doesnt have to deal with any of this. not sayin its for everyone but thought id mention...
Just a clarification - that's not actually a loophole. Once someone reaches Full Retirement Age, the earnings test no longer applies regardless of employment type. They can earn unlimited income without reduction in benefits. Self-employment income is still subject to FICA taxes (though paid through self-employment tax), and the earnings test would still apply to self-employment income before FRA. The strategy you mentioned only works because she waited until FRA, not because of how she structured her income.
When my husband retired we went through the EXACT same thing! We thought we were being so clever with the 401k idea but NOPE! Social Security taxes still came out and the earnings still counted for the limit. He ended up just fully retiring 6 months earlier than planned because the math worked out better that way. Sometimes simple is better.
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OK I'M CONFUSED!!! I thought that if you were married for 10+ years you could claim 50% of your ex's benefit REGARDLESS of when they claim??? Isn't that the WHOLE POINT of the divorced spouse benefit?? That you don't have to coordinate with them?? Why is everyone saying you have to wait until your ex is 62? That makes NO SENSE to me and defeats the purpose of the benefit!! Also my cousin's friend got divorced after 11 years and she's getting benefits on her ex-husband's record RIGHT NOW even though he hasn't filed yet so I KNOW it's possible!!!
You're confusing two different rules: 1. You don't have to coordinate WITH your ex-spouse (they don't need to file first, and you don't need their permission) 2. BUT your ex-spouse still needs to be at least 62 (eligible for benefits) before you can claim on their record Your cousin's friend's ex-husband is presumably at least 62, which is why she can claim on his record even if he hasn't filed yet. The original poster's ex is only 51, so they wouldn't be eligible for another 11 years. The "not having to coordinate" part means once the ex is 62+, you don't need them to actually file for benefits before you can claim on their record.
Been there done that with the ex-spouse stuff. Just remember you need ur marriage certificate AND divorce decree when you apply! They made me go home and come back when I didn't have both. Super annoying since I had to take another day off work.
That's a great tip, thank you! I think I know where my divorce decree is, but I'll have to hunt down the marriage certificate. It's been so long I'm not even sure where I put it.
ShadowHunter
I know this is off-topic but does anyone know if the 3-month rule is the same when applying for spousal benefits? My wife is turning 67 next year and I want to apply for my spousal benefit since I never worked enough quarters on my own.
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Chloe Taylor
•Yes, the timing recommendation is the same for spousal benefits. However, be aware that your spouse needs to have already filed for their own benefits (or file at the same time) for you to be eligible for spousal benefits. The 3-month advance application window applies to all retirement-based benefits.
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Chloe Taylor
Applying for Medicare at the same time doesn't typically slow down your retirement benefit processing. The two systems are connected but processed separately. In fact, the online application is designed to handle both simultaneously. Many people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A at 65 even if they delay retirement benefits until later, so the systems are designed to coordinate.
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Emma Wilson
•Perfect! I already have Medicare since I turned 65, so sounds like that won't be an issue. I'll mark my calendar for 3 months before my birthday to submit the application online. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!
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