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.

Let me address a few key points about your situation: 1. For couples with separate finances, the standard "one delays, one claims early" advice often doesn't apply. 2. With your savings level ($390,000), you can easily afford to delay claiming. 3. The 8% per year increase (actually about 8.33% per year after FRA) is a guaranteed return that's hard to beat elsewhere. 4. Women typically live longer than men, meaning you have a higher statistical likelihood of benefiting from maximized benefits. 5. If you're both in excellent health with family longevity, delaying is generally the mathematically optimal choice. One thing to consider: the optimal strategy also depends on tax implications. Since you're drawing from retirement accounts during the delay period, check how this affects your tax bracket compared to taking SS now and smaller 401(k) distributions later.

Just want to say its so refreshing to see someone who has almost $400K saved!!! So many posts here are ppl who have nothing saved and are trying to live on just SS. Good for you for being responsible!

i forgot to mention my sister had a similar problem but she was getting close to FRA and only had like 6 months to go so she just reduced her work hours for those months to get under the earnings limit and got some benefits. might not work for you if your younger but something to think about if your close

One last thing I'd recommend - schedule an appointment with SSA about 6 months before your FRA to review your survivor benefit eligibility and exact benefit amount. They'll need your ex-husband's death certificate and marriage/divorce records if you haven't already provided them. Also, keep documentation of your ex's earnings history if you have access to it, as survivor benefits are based on his earnings record and sometimes mistakes happen. The SSA's estimates aren't always accurate, so it's worth verifying everything in advance.

One more thing to remember - fixing this isn't just about your retirement benefits. Your Social Security earnings record also affects potential SSDI benefits if you ever become disabled before retirement age, and could impact survivor benefits for your family. So there are multiple reasons to make sure your record is accurate.

just wondering but did you ever file a tax return that year with the wrong ssn? cuz if so the irs shouldve caught it?? or did the employer just report the wrong ssn to ssa but your w2 copy had the right one?

wait i just thought of something - have you checked if you qualify for mother's benefits? or are your kids all over 16 already?

I want to add one important point: if you're worried about future financial security, now is a good time to start planning beyond potential Social Security benefits. Since your husband has a pension and you're considering returning to work, you might want to explore opening a catch-up IRA or other retirement vehicles. Many stay-at-home parents face this situation, and there are financial strategies specifically designed for people who've been out of the workforce. Regarding your original question, when you speak with SSA, ask specifically about the "minimum survivor benefit" which might apply in cases with limited covered employment.