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Just to add an important point - when you go in for your appointment, ask them to calculate what's called your "RIB-LIM" amount. This is a special calculation that applies in cases where your spouse was on disability benefits. In some situations, it can affect the amount of survivor benefits you're eligible for. Many SSA reps don't automatically check this, so you want to specifically ask for this calculation.
Yes! This RIB-LIM thing is real. When my neighbor's husband died after being on disability for years, they initially calculated her benefit wrong and she got less than she should have. She had to specifically mention this RIB-LIM rule before they fixed it.
Thank you all for the helpful advice! I've scheduled an appointment with SSA for next week, and I've made a list of all the questions to ask based on your suggestions - especially about the earnings test and that RIB-LIM calculation. For now, I'm leaning toward taking reduced survivor benefits even with the earnings test reduction, since I could still receive around $1,388 monthly according to the calculations provided. That would help me a lot financially while I'm still working part-time. I'll update after my appointment in case the information helps someone else in a similar situation.
Good luck with your appointment! Hope they're more helpful than some of the reps I dealt with. Definitely write down EVERYTHING they tell you and get the name of who you spoke with. I learned that the hard way!
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this might sound stupid but i thought survivor benefits were only for ppl who never worked? if u were working and getting ssdi on ur own record why would u even qualify for anything from his record?
Not a stupid question at all! Many people misunderstand this. You can qualify for benefits on your own work record AND be eligible for survivor benefits from your deceased spouse's record. Social Security will pay you the higher of the two amounts, not both combined (with a few specific exceptions). For example, if your own retirement benefit is $1,800/month but your potential survivor benefit would be $2,100/month, you could receive the $2,100 instead. You're always entitled to the higher amount, regardless of whether you worked or not.
After reading through this thread, I'd like to add one important point: even if it turns out you can't get retroactive payments, you should still pursue this because if your survivor benefit is higher than your current benefit, you can switch to it now and increase your monthly payment going forward. At age 70, that could mean many years of higher benefits. One strategy to consider: when you contact SSA, first ask for an explanation of what your husband's benefit would have been if he had lived to claiming age, with all applicable COLAs. Get that specific number before discussing any retroactive claim issues. This separates the question of "what should I be receiving now" from the more complicated question of "what should I have received in the past.
That's really smart advice. Focus on getting the correct benefit amount going forward first, then worry about the past payments as a separate issue. I'll definitely take that approach. Thank you!
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what about that thing where if u worked for the government ur ss gets cut? my friend had that happen, windfall something?
That's the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These have been part of Social Security law since the 1980s and only affect people who receive pensions from jobs where they didn't pay Social Security taxes. It's not a recent cut and doesn't apply to the vast majority of workers who paid into Social Security throughout their careers.
I really appreciate everyone's input. I think I'm going to take a breath and not make a hasty decision based on fear. The 25% permanent reduction would be a big hit to take just to avoid a theoretical future cut that might not even happen, especially since it sounds like near-retirees like me would likely be protected anyway. Still anxious about it, but at least I understand the situation better now. I'll talk to my financial planner again with this new perspective.
That's a wise approach. One additional point to consider: if you're still working, there's also an earnings limit until you reach full retirement age. In 2025, you'll lose $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above $22,750 (approximately). So if you're still earning decent income, that's another reason waiting might make financial sense in your situation.
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i think they sometimes do this on purpose to save money. my neighbor had something similar and they kept "losing" his paperwork for like 6 months!! he had to get really mad and threaten to call his congressman before they finally fixed it. the whole system is rigged to make it hard for us seniors!!
EXACTLY!!! SS is trying to save money by making things so complicated that people give up! My moms friend waited 9 MONTHS for them to fix a payment issue. Its not an accident that there system is so broken!!!
Having worked at SSA for many years, I can assure you this isn't an intentional delay tactic. The reality is that SSA's computer systems were built in the 1980s and have been patched together with updates over decades. Different parts of the system don't communicate well with each other. Withdrawal cases are particularly complicated because they touch multiple systems - benefits, earnings records, treasury payments, and tax reporting. It's a genuine technical limitation, not a conspiracy to deny benefits. The agency is actually working on a massive systems overhaul, but it will take years to complete.
Update: I just got back from another office visit after using all the specific terminology suggested here. What a difference! I asked for a Technical Expert specifically and mentioned "Critical Payment Correction" and "Administrative Action Review." The TE actually found that my payment HAD been recorded but in a different part of their system than what shows on my online account. They're initiating a correction process that she said should take about 2 weeks to sync up their records. In the meantime, they're starting my survivor benefits provisionally! Thank you all SO MUCH for your help with this - I would never have known what to ask for without your suggestions.
That's fantastic news! I'm so glad you were able to get this resolved. This is exactly why it's important to use the correct terminology - it helps cut through layers of confusion. The provisional benefits are especially good news since that means you won't have to wait for the full administrative correction to be completed before receiving income. Be sure to keep documentation of everything, including the name of the Technical Expert who helped you, just in case there are any future questions about this situation.
Wow thats great!! So happy for you!! Its crazy how using the right words makes all the difference. Goes to show how broken their system is that regular people cant get help without knowing the secret language!! But glad it worked out for you!!
Natasha Kuznetsova
i filed at 62 while working part time and regret it so much!!! they take back so much of my check some months i barely get anything. plus when i do fully retire my benefit is permanently lower. wish i had just waited.
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Oliver Schulz
•If it's been less than 12 months since you first filed, you might be able to withdraw your application! It's called a Form SSA-521. You have to pay back all the benefits you've received, but then it's like you never applied at all and your benefit can grow again. Worth looking into if you're really regretting your decision! But if it's been over 12 months, unfortunately you're locked in.
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AstroAdventurer
Based on what you've shared, waiting until your consulting work ends makes the most financial sense. One additional factor to consider: tax implications. When you're working and also receiving Social Security benefits, up to 85% of your SS benefits may become taxable depending on your combined income. This is separate from the earnings test and is another reason many working people delay benefits. If you both have solid earnings records, a common strategy for married couples in good health is for the higher earner to delay until 70 (maximizing the eventual survivor benefit) while the lower earner claims at FRA. This provides some income flow while still optimizing your household's lifetime benefits.
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Paolo Conti
•I hadn't even thought about the tax angle! That's a really good point. And yes, my husband's benefit will be about 30% higher than mine based on our earnings histories. I'll definitely look more into the strategy you suggested about me claiming at FRA and him waiting until 70. Thank you for this detailed insight!
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