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another thing to think about - how long have u been married? if its not 10 years yet and ur heading for divorce u might want to wait till u hit 10 years before finalizing anything
We've been married for 23 years, so thankfully that's not an issue. But that's a really good point for others in similar situations who might be close to that 10-year mark!
Here's a summary of your options: 1. File for your own retirement at 62 (approximately 30% reduction) 2. Wait until your husband is eligible (62) AND files for his benefits, then file for spousal benefits 3. Consider divorce if appropriate (after 10 years of marriage) which could allow you to claim on his record once he's 62 even if he hasn't filed 4. Wait until your Full Retirement Age to avoid reductions If you expect to receive spousal benefits eventually, consider whether the extra money from filing early on your own record will offset the permanent reduction to both benefits. This calculation depends on your life expectancy and financial needs. For specific estimates, you'll need to know: - Your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) at Full Retirement Age - Your husband's approximate PIA - Your exact birth date to determine your FRA and reduction percentages
This is so helpful - thank you for laying out all my options clearly. I think I need to find out what my husband's PIA would be to make an informed decision. I'll try to get through to SSA for specific numbers. Based on everyone's advice, I'm leaning toward taking my own benefit now at 62 since I could really use the income, and then possibly switching to spousal later if it makes financial sense, even with the reduction.
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my aunt got a special thing called medicare savings program that pays her medicare premium, maybe look into that??
Just to summarize what you've learned: 1. At 66, you're already at Full Retirement Age, so SSDI isn't applicable (it automatically converts to retirement at FRA) 2. Your options are either survivor benefits OR your own retirement benefits (whichever is higher) 3. Medicare is what you have at 66, not Medicaid 4. Look into Extra Help program for prescription drug costs 5. Consider contacting your Area Agency on Aging for arthritis support services It sounds like staying on survivor benefits is likely your best option financially, but it's worth having SSA do a calculation to confirm this. The resources others have suggested for managing your arthritis costs are excellent next steps.
Thank you so much for this clear summary! I feel much less confused now. I'll definitely have SSA compare the benefit amounts, look into the Extra Help program, and contact the Area Agency on Aging. Everyone here has been so helpful - I wish the official information was this clear!
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One important thing to note: You should receive Form SSA-L9790 every December. This is your annual GPO/WEP notice that shows how your benefits will be calculated for the coming year. It will include your reported pension amount, the 2/3 offset calculation, and the resulting SS benefit amount. This form is your opportunity to verify SSA has the correct pension amount. If there's an error, contact SSA immediately. Filing it away without checking can lead to those overpayment situations others mentioned. You can also check your current calculation anytime in your my Social Security account.
Thank you for this information! I didn't know about this form - that will be really helpful for tracking how they're calculating everything. I'll make sure to create a my Social Security account too so I can monitor everything online.
One more thing - don't assume SSA gets automatic pension updates from your pension system. Some pension systems report regularly to SSA, but many DON'T! In my case, my state teacher retirement system doesn't report to SSA at all. I have to report any pension changes myself by calling SSA or visiting the office. If you don't report increases and SSA finds out later (which they eventually will), you'll face an overpayment situation. They can take your entire SS benefit until it's repaid!
Thanks for this warning! I'll make sure to report any pension changes myself. My state teachers' retirement system might be the same way. Better safe than sorry with these things.
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I think ur misunderstanding how this works. If ur kids r on SSDI from their dad then u can still get full survivors without being affected by the maximum. My neighbor's situation is like this and she gets the full amount. The max only applies to minor kids not disabled adults I'm pretty sure.
That's incorrect. The Combined Maximum Family Benefit (CMFB) does apply to Disabled Adult Child (DAC) beneficiaries. In fact, DAC beneficiaries are included in the same family maximum calculation as minor children and surviving spouses. The difference is that DAC benefits can continue indefinitely as long as the person remains disabled, whereas benefits for minor children typically end at age 18 (or 19 if still in high school). The family maximum is typically between 150% to 180% of the deceased worker's Primary Insurance Amount, depending on the specific benefit calculation. All auxiliary beneficiaries (including DAC recipients and surviving spouses) may be subject to proportional reductions if the total family benefits exceed this maximum.
Im confused about something... you said ur reaching FRA in 4 years but ur husband already died. Are you not getting any social security now? Shouldnt you be getting survivors benefits already? Or are you still working?
Sorry, I should have been clearer. Yes, I'm still working full-time. I'm 63 now and planning to work until at least 66, which would be my FRA. I haven't applied for any benefits yet because I thought working full-time would make me ineligible or significantly reduce any benefits. Should I be getting something now even while working?
Amelia Martinez
my dad just went through this whole thing and was so confused by all this FRA and earnings test stuff. he ended up waiting until his FRA to claim just to avoid the headache lol
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Elijah Jackson
•I understand the feeling! I considered waiting until FRA too, but I really need the additional income now, and since I'm confident I'll stay under the annual limit, it made sense for me to start in January.
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Mason Davis
Based on everything you've shared, you're approaching this correctly. Let me summarize to make sure everything is clear: 1. You're subject to the ANNUAL earnings test of $62,160 for 2025 (not the monthly test) 2. Only your earnings from January through November 2025 count toward this limit 3. As long as you stay under $62,160 through November, no benefits will be withheld 4. In December 2025 when you reach FRA, a separate higher limit applies ($16,560) 5. After you reach FRA in December, no earnings limits apply at all Keep track of your earnings, report your estimates to SSA, and you should be all set!
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Elijah Jackson
•Thank you so much for this clear summary! You've all been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident now about my situation and how the earnings test will affect my survivor benefits.
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