Update: I called SSA again (had to try three times to get through) and finally spoke with someone helpful! You were all right - there is NO time limit for applying for survivor benefits. The 2-year limit only applies to the one-time $255 death payment. The rep told me that based on my husband's earnings, my survivor benefit would be about $2,450/month at my full retirement age of 67, or about $1,750 if I take it now at 63. My own benefit at FRA would be around $1,900. She recommended I take the reduced survivor benefit now and then switch to my own benefit at 70 when it would be about $2,350. Thank you all so much for your help! I was so worried I'd lost everything due to that misleading recording!

FYI - Since you're still working, remember the 2025 earnings limit is $22,320 if you're under full retirement age. They'll deduct $1 for every $2 you earn above that. So if you make $30,000, they'll deduct $3,840 from your annual benefit ($30,000-$22,320 = $7,680 ÷ 2 = $3,840). Make sure to factor this into your planning if you're continuing to work.

Something nobody mentioned - what about Medicare? Doesn't that start at 65 regardless of when you take SS? Make sure you're not confusing the two dates.

I want to thank everybody for their opinions, they were helpful. I've decided to wait the two months. Should my wife survive me, it is more important to me that she get the absolute most benefit. We do not need the money now, so I think it better to wait.

To give you the most precise answer: In the year you reach FRA, the earnings test changes in the month you reach FRA. For January through March 2025, you'll be subject to the standard test (approximately $2,000/month or $25,000/year in 2025), with $1 withheld for every $2 above the limit. However, this uses a MONTHLY test in your first year claiming benefits. So if your monthly income exceeds the limit in February and March, you might not receive benefits for those months. But starting in April (your FRA month), you'll receive your full benefit regardless of earnings. And as someone else mentioned, any benefits withheld aren't permanently lost - SSA recalculates your benefit when you reach FRA to account for months benefits were withheld.

Just curious why not just wait the extra 2 months til April? Seems like it would be easier than dealing with all this withholding stuff.

One more consideration for your planning: If you claim your own benefit early and later become eligible for survivor benefits, you would receive your own reduced benefit plus the difference between that amount and the survivor benefit you're eligible for (potentially with age reductions). This is called the "excess survivor benefit." For example (simplified numbers): - Your reduced age 62 benefit: $1,650 - Full survivor benefit at your FRA: $2,450 - If you take your benefit at 62 and your wife passes away when you're 63, you'd receive your $1,650 plus some portion of the $800 difference, depending on reduction factors. This is why getting a personalized calculation from SSA is so important - the actual math gets complicated.

don't forget that if you're collecting at 62 your already taking a big reduction on your own benefit. like 30% less than your FRA amount. so waiting til FRA for survivors makes sense if you can

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm going to gather all our documents and apply this week. I'll try calling again first to set up an appointment, but if I can't get through, I'll try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. I'll update once I hear back from SSA about my application!

Good luck! Definitely let us know how it goes. The child-in-care benefit can be so helpful for families in your situation.