when my husband died last year i got a one time death payment of only $255 dollars?????? like what is that supposed to cover? not even one month's rent. the whole system needs to be fixed its ridiculous.

Let me clarify the sequence for you since there's some confusion in this thread: 1. YES, you can claim reduced spousal benefits now at age 66 (roughly 35% reduction from what you'd get at your FRA) 2. When your husband passes, you CAN switch to survivor benefits. These will also be reduced because you're claiming before FRA (reduction of about 15-18% depending on exact age) 3. At age 70, you CAN switch to your own retirement benefit if it would be higher than your survivor benefit The key calculation: Your FRA benefit of $2,700 with delayed retirement credits to age 70 would be approximately $3,350-$3,400. Compare this to the reduced survivor benefit (about 82-85% of your husband's $3,150, so around $2,600). In this case, switching to your own at 70 makes mathematical sense. This strategy is completely permitted under current Social Security rules. The "deemed filing" restrictions from the 2015 law specifically exempted survivor benefits.

When my husband got approved for SSDI, we were told the kids qualified but we had to apply separately. Noone told me I could get benefits too! Now its been 8 months and I'm worried I missed out on thousands of dollars. Can I still apply and get backpay?

I just wanted to update everyone - I was able to use Claimyr to get through to SSA yesterday and the agent was incredibly helpful! She confirmed both my children qualify for about $900 each per month, and I qualify for about $900 as their caregiver. However, due to the family maximum, we'll get a total of about $3,550 for all three of us combined (instead of $2,700). She also helped me schedule an appointment at our local office next week to complete the application since some documents need to be verified in person. Thank you all for your advice and support - this additional income will make a huge difference for us while I figure out our new normal.

Good thinking on setting up the online account. One thing I'd suggest: sometimes the local SSA offices process applications faster depending on their workload. You might try calling your local office directly instead of the main number. Their direct numbers aren't well-publicized but you can usually find them with some searching online. Sometimes you can get through to a real person much faster this way.If you still don't hear anything after 5-6 weeks, that's when I'd recommend using the Claimyr service others mentioned. I've had good experiences with it when I needed to resolve an issue quickly.

That's a great tip about the local office! I'll see if I can track down their direct number. Appreciate all the help from everyone - feeling much less anxious now that I have a better idea of the timeline and options.

Thank you all for the incredibly helpful information! I'm going to: 1) Make sure I report my October wages by November 10th, 2) Prepare for my November SSI payment to be slightly reduced based on my few September workdays, 3) Expect a larger reduction in December, 4) Talk to my EN about work incentives like IRWE, and 5) Keep ALL my paystubs and documentation. I feel so much better understanding the timeline now! This community is amazing.

Sounds like you have a solid plan! One final tip: set calendar reminders for your monthly reporting deadlines. It's easy to forget, especially as you adjust to your new work schedule. Congratulations on the new job, and good luck with your Ticket to Work journey!

I TRIED FOR WEEKS to get through to SSA on the phone when my husband died last year!!! The wait times were INSANE and they kept disconnecting me. I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person in less than 20 minutes. They charge a fee but OMG it was worth it! I was ready to pull my hair out before I found them.

Based on your situation, here's what I recommend: 1. Wait until exactly 66+6mo (your FRA) to file for survivor benefits 2. Continue working without worrying about the earnings test 3. Switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 This strategy will maximize your lifetime benefits. During your call with SSA, ask specifically: - What your wife's PIA was (the amount she would have received at her FRA) - How the RIB-LIM applies in your case - Confirmation that the earnings test won't apply once you reach your FRA Document everything from the call, including the representative's name and direct quotes about benefit amounts. Social Security rules are complex, and sometimes you'll get different information from different representatives.