Can I claim ex-spouse survivor benefits at 60 then switch to my own Social Security at FRA?

Yes, you absolutely can employ this strategy! Since you were married more than 10 years and neither remarried, you qualify for divorced surviving spouse benefits. You can claim those reduced survivor benefits at age 60 and then switch to your own retirement benefit at your FRA (or even delay until 70 for maximum benefits). However, since you're still working, be aware of the earnings test. For 2025, if you earn more than $22,320, SSA will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above that limit. This earnings test applies until you reach your FRA. Regarding documentation, you'll need: - Marriage certificate - Divorce decree - Ex-spouse's death certificate - Your birth certificate - Your Social Security card This is actually one of the few advantageous claiming strategies still available after the 2015 rule changes!

sorry about your ex-wife. same thing kinda happened to my brother in law, he got survivors from his ex and it helped alot. not sure about all the rules but he said social security made him bring like 50 different papers lol. good luck!

I tried doing something similar last year and it was a NIGHTMARE getting through to Social Security!!! Spent WEEKS trying to get an appointment. They kept disconnecting me after waiting on hold for like 2 hours each time. So frustrating!! Their online system wouldn't let me apply for survivor benefits either - said I had to call or go in person. But then they wouldn't answer the phone OR give me an appointment for 3 months!!! Ridiculous system.

You have a good plan, but be CAREFUL about the earnings limit! At $85k, most of your survivor benefits will be withheld until you reach FRA. The 2025 limit is only $22,320 for people under FRA, and they take $1 for every $2 you earn above that. BUT don't forget - those benefits that get withheld aren't lost forever. SSA recalculates and increases your benefit when you reach FRA to account for months benefits were withheld. It's complicated but you don't permanently lose the money.

This is actually not as straightforward as some are making it sound. There's a critical distinction between REGULAR divorced spousal benefits and SURVIVING divorced spousal benefits. You're dealing with surviving divorced spouse benefits, which do allow you to switch between benefits. You can take the reduced survivor benefit at 60 (subject to earnings test) and later switch to your own retirement benefit at FRA or later. However! The earnings test is significant. At $85k, your current earnings exceed the 2025 threshold ($22,320) by $62,680. That means SSA will withhold approximately $31,340 in benefits ($1 for every $2 over the limit). If your ex-wife's record would give you $1,750/month ($21,000/year), almost all would be withheld. But mathematically, it might STILL make sense to file now, even if you receive $0 currently, because: 1) You establish eligibility for Medicare at 65 without having to file for your own benefits 2) When you reach FRA, any months where benefits were completely withheld will slightly increase your survivor benefit amount 3) This preserves your ability to let your own benefit grow until 70 if desired The math is complex - I'd recommend consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies.

my aunt got survivors benefits from her ex too but she had to fight with social security for months because they kept losing her paperwork!! make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit!! take pictures with your phone before you send anything!!

To add some clarification to my earlier response - while your strategy is sound, with your current income level ($85k), you'll face significant benefit withholding due to the earnings test. For 2025, the math works out to approximately: - Earnings above limit: $62,680 ($85,000 - $22,320) - Withholding: $31,340 ($1 for every $2 over) - Annual survivor benefit: approximately $21,000 ($1,750 × 12) This means you'd receive very little or no survivor benefits until your earnings decrease or you reach FRA. However, it's still worth applying because: 1) Your earnings might change 2) You establish eligibility for certain other benefits 3) When you reach FRA, SSA will recalculate your benefit to account for months benefits were withheld Also, remember that the earnings test no longer applies once you reach your FRA, even if you're still working.

Does anyone know if they look at your TAX RETURN from the previous year to determine your earnings? Or do they somehow track your current salary? I'm so confused about how they even know what you're making during the year when they calculate these deductions!!

I just went through this exact situation! Few tips from my experience: 1) Apply for the survivor benefits even with your higher income. Yes, most will be withheld, but it establishes your eligibility and the withholdings aren't permanently lost. 2) SSA's online system won't let you apply for survivor benefits - you MUST call or visit in person. 3) Getting an appointment took me 3+ months, but I used Claimyr.com to reach an agent quickly who helped me complete everything by phone. 4) Have ALL your documents ready when you call: marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, birth certificate, tax returns, etc. 5) The agent may encourage you to wait due to your income, but it's often better to have your application on file now. Hope this helps! Navigating this wasn't easy but definitely worth it for the long-term strategy.