So here's what you need to know - at 62, you can apply for divorced spouse benefits IF: 1. You were married at least 10 years (you qualify) 2. You're currently unmarried (assuming you are) 3. Your ex is entitled to benefits (even if they haven't filed yet, they need to be 62+) BUT - and this is the big change since 2016 - you MUST file for your own benefits simultaneously. They'll pay you whichever amount is higher. If your work record gives you $800/month and your ex-spouse benefit would be $900/month, you'd get $900. If your own benefit is higher, you'd just get that. The old strategy was eliminated for anyone born after 1/1/1954. I found all this out the hard way last year!

To directly answer your original question: No, a 62-year-old who was married 10+ years cannot apply for ex-spouse benefits without applying for their own if they were born after January 1, 1954. The SSA office gave you correct information. Whether to claim at 62 depends on your financial situation, health, and life expectancy. Remember that claiming at 62 means: 1. Your personal benefit is reduced by approximately 30% 2. Any spousal/ex-spousal benefit is reduced to about 35% (instead of 50%) 3. These reductions are permanent The key question is: do you need the income now, or can you afford to wait for a larger benefit later?

I wanted to address what happens during the SSDI application process specifically for spinal osteoarthritis: 1. After applying (online, by phone, or in person), SSA will review your work history to verify you're insured for SSDI. 2. Your case goes to your state's Disability Determination Services (DDS) where a medical consultant and examiner evaluate your medical evidence. 3. For osteoarthritis claims, they'll likely request detailed imaging and may send you for a consultative exam (CE) with their doctor. 4. They'll assess whether your condition meets Listing 1.15 OR if your limitations prevent all types of substantial work. 5. For back conditions, they look specifically at your ability to: sit/stand/walk for periods of time, lift/carry objects, bend/stoop/crouch, and maintain concentration despite pain. The approval rate for musculoskeletal conditions at the initial application stage is only about 35%, but increases to nearly 60% at the hearing level. Having a longitudinal medical history (consistent treatment over time) significantly improves your chances.

my friend with back problems got denied and she said her mistake was she was TOO HONEST in her application! She said she could grocery shop (with breaks) and they used that against her. Be careful what you say you can still do!!!!

my situation is kinda similar except im not eligible for much on my own record. i worked mainly as a stahm for most of our marriage (26 yrs!). divorced 5 yrs now. i called SS last year when i turned 62 and they told me its better for me to wait til my FRA (66+8mo) to get the full 50% of my exs benefit. if i took it early at 62 id only get like 35% of his benefit forever. made me mad that i have to wait but what can you do?

Thank you all for the helpful responses. I think I'm understanding better now. Since I can't take my own benefit early and then switch to the ex-spouse benefit later, my options are basically: 1. Claim early at 62 and get either my own reduced benefit OR my reduced ex-spouse benefit (whichever is higher), but it's permanently reduced 2. Wait until my FRA at 67 and get either my full retirement benefit OR 50% of my ex's FRA benefit (whichever is higher) I need to crunch the numbers using my SSA account to see what makes the most sense financially. The extra money now would be helpful, but I also don't want to shortchange myself for potentially decades if I live a long time (my mom is 91 and still going strong!). I'll also check out that Claimyr service to talk to SSA directly. The last time I called, I waited over an hour and then got disconnected.

To address your latest question - yes, you could structure your work seasonally. The earnings test can be applied monthly during your first year of retirement. So if you have some months where you don't work at all (defined as earning less than $1,860/month and working under 45 hours), you can receive full benefits for those specific months, even if you exceed the annual limit. This is called the Monthly Earnings Test and only applies during your first year of retirement. After that, they switch to the Annual Earnings Test regardless of which months you work. Many seasonal workers use this strategy successfully. Just document everything carefully - hours worked, income received, and which months you provided no services to your business.

about the medicare premiums thing. when my dad started collecting SS they automatically refunded his medicare payments that he had already made. took about 6 weeks after his first SS check for the refund to show up. so dont worry about that part.

OMG my friend did her survivor benefits call during a doctors waiting room and regretted it SO MUCH!!!! They ask about income and bank accounts and all kinds of personal stuff. Everyone could hear her! Plus she was stressed and forgot some important details about her husbands work history. Just reschedule!!!

I just want to clarify a couple of technical points that have been mentioned in this thread: 1. For survivor benefits, the SSA will need to verify your marriage duration (minimum 9 months in most cases) and confirm your husband's work credits. 2. You mentioned already applying for SSDI. If you're approved for both benefits, you'll receive the higher of the two amounts, not both. This is called the "dual entitlement rule." 3. If you reschedule, it shouldn't affect your payment start date - survivor benefits can be paid retroactively from your application date. 4. During the call, they'll likely review any potential Medicare enrollment if you're under 65 and qualifying for SSDI. I recommend rescheduling for a time when you can be fully present. While they may already have some information from your disability application, the survivor benefits process has its own specific requirements, and you'll want to be mentally sharp to ensure everything is processed correctly.