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Update: I finally got through to SSA after trying different times of day (Wednesday at 4pm seemed to have shorter wait times). The agent confirmed that I can indeed claim the full survivor benefit at 66 and 10 months instead of waiting until 67 and 2 months. They also said I absolutely need the death certificate - they won't process the claim without it. I'm going to request one from the county where he passed away. Thanks everyone for your help!
MAKE SURE you keep copies of EVERYTHING you send them!!! My friend had her original marriage certificate LOST by SSA and it was a nightmare to replace!!! They deny everything when they make mistakes!!!
To clarify the Medicare point: Yes, if the husband is covered under the wife's current employer health insurance (from her active employment), AND the employer has 20+ employees, then he can delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without penalty. He would need to get a form called \
This is all super helpful information. I definitely don't want to file early just to enable his spousal benefits if it's going to permanently reduce my benefit. It sounds like the best approach might be for him to wait until his FRA at 67 to claim his own benefit, and then I can file for mine when I reach my FRA (which would be 67 too, I think).
Not to get off topic but make sure your brother applies for both SSDI and SSI at the same time. I didn't know you could do both and it delayed my benefits by months. The SSA should automatically screen for both but sometimes they don't.
An update based on the questions - yes, being in different states is not a problem for either the SSA-3288 or SSA-1696 forms. For the SSA-1696, you don't need to show ID when submitting the form, but you will need your brother's signature on it. The easiest approach would be to: 1. Help him start his disability application online 2. List yourself as a contact person on that application 3. Submit the SSA-3288 form to allow information sharing 4. Only pursue the SSA-1696 if you need to formally represent him later This gives you the ability to help with forms and communicate with SSA on his behalf without the more formal representative relationship that's typically used for attorneys or appeal situations.
After considering the earnings test information and your continued employment until August 2025, here's what I'd suggest: Call Social Security and have them calculate your break-even point with WEP factored in. Then make your decision based on your health/longevity expectations and financial needs. Also, file a
NeonNova
My cousin took her ex spousal benefit at 62 and regrets it SO MUCH cause it got reduced like 30%! Def wait for ur FRA if u can afford to!
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Yuki Tanaka
•This is good advice. Taking ex-spouse benefits early results in the same reduction percentages as taking your own retirement benefits early. At 62, that's approximately a 30% permanent reduction from what you'd get at FRA. The only time it might make sense to claim early is if you absolutely need the income or have health concerns that might limit your longevity.
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Carmen Diaz
wait im confused does this mean my ex taking SS early screws me over? or not? can someone explain this in simple terms plz
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Ethan Wilson
•No, your ex taking Social Security early does NOT affect your benefit amount. Your ex-spouse benefit is based on what your ex would have received at their full retirement age (their PIA), NOT what they actually receive after early retirement reductions. The only thing that reduces YOUR ex-spouse benefit is if YOU take it before YOUR full retirement age. If your ex takes it early, it has zero impact on your potential benefit amount.
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