One crucial point that hasn't been mentioned: while claiming divorced spouse benefits doesn't require your ex to be receiving benefits, he does need to be age-eligible (at least 62). Since you mentioned he's 66, this requirement is already met. Even though your own benefit will be higher, it's still important to mention your eligible divorced spouse status when you apply. This ensures the SSA does the proper calculations and comparison. Given your substantial benefit amount ($2,950), I strongly recommend waiting until your Full Retirement Age to avoid permanent reductions. If your financial situation allows, waiting until 70 would increase your benefit by approximately 32% to around $3,900 per month for the rest of your life.

To answer your question about the break-even point for delaying benefits from FRA to age 70: Generally, you'd need to live until approximately 82-83 years old to break even. Every month you live beyond that age, you're coming out ahead by having delayed. With women's average life expectancy now in the mid-80s and continuing to increase, delaying benefits is often a smart financial decision, especially for women with family histories of longevity. It's essentially longevity insurance. Delaying also maximizes potential survivor benefits should you remarry. Something to consider in your overall planning.

good point about taxes! up to 85% of SS can be taxable if your combined income is high enough

Thank you everyone for all these helpful responses! I've learned so much. Based on what I'm hearing, it makes the most sense for me to claim at my FRA since delaying won't increase my total benefit beyond the 50% spousal benefit cap. And it's good to know that my husband delaying until 70 will increase the survivor benefit I'd receive if he passes away first.I appreciate all of you taking the time to explain this to me with actual numbers!

Wait so what happens if you suspend your benefits at 67? Do the kids benefits stop too?? This happened to my cousin and he had NO idea the kids payments would stop when he suspended to get the 8% per year increases!

Thank you all for the helpful insights! I think I need to weigh the immediate benefit for the twins against my long-term retirement security. Since I'd lose the kids' benefits if I suspend at 67, and my early filing permanently reduces my spousal amount, I'm now leaning toward waiting a couple more years before filing. Maybe I can work part-time a bit longer and file when they're 15 to minimize the early filing reduction while still getting them some benefits before they finish high school. I'll definitely use that Claimyr service to talk with SSA and go through my specific numbers before making the final decision.

Quick update on what I said earlier - I just remembered something important. If you're really close to the appeal deadline and still don't have the medical records situation sorted out, you can request an extension of time for the appeal. Submit form SSA-795 (Statement of Claimant) and specifically request additional time due to difficulties obtaining medical evidence and representation issues. While extensions aren't automatically granted, they're often approved when there are legitimate obstacles like what you're experiencing. Also, when you go to the SSA office, ask specifically for a Technical Expert (TE) as they have more authority to help with complex situations than the regular Claims Representatives.

You can request one when you arrive, but it might help to call ahead (if you can get through) and specifically ask for an appointment with a Technical Expert for a complex disability appeal situation. TEs usually don't work the front desk, so they need to know in advance that their expertise is needed.

To clarify some information here: As a disabled surviving divorced spouse, you're eligible since your marriage lasted over 10 years. The benefit calculation will work like this: 1. SSA will calculate your ex-husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) 2. As a disabled widow, you'll receive 71.5% of his PIA if you claim now at age 56 3. This percentage reduction is permanent (unless you switch to retirement benefits later) 4. SSA will compare this amount to your current SSDI 5. You'll receive the higher of the two amounts Since you're already receiving SSDI, there's no 5-month waiting period for survivor benefits. Any increase will be effective from your application date (or up to 6 months retroactively if you request it). Your Medicare will continue unaffected. When you turn full retirement age (FRA), you may want to reassess which benefit to take, as the reduction for early claiming no longer applies at that point.

just wondering did your ex have any kids? my friend told me that can affect the benefit amounts too something about family maximum