Can I switch from survivor benefits to my own Social Security retirement online or need appointment?

Yes, you can absolutely make this switch! I did this last year when I turned 70. The good news is you can start the process online through your mySocialSecurity account. Look for the "Apply for Benefits" section. However, in my experience, while you start online, they'll still likely contact you for a phone interview to confirm details. The nice thing is you won't need to provide documents they already have on file - they'll tell you during the phone interview if anything else is needed. Just make sure you have your banking info ready for direct deposit if you want to change where your new benefits go.

U actually CAN do it all online!!! i switched from survivors to my own last yr. just log in to your ssa account and click apply for retirement benefits. they already have all ur info from when u applied for survivor benefits so its way easier than the 1st time. took me like 30 min tops. never had to talk to anyone.

When I tried switching from survivor to MY OWN benefits last year it was a DISASTER!!! The online system kept glitching and logging me out halfway through. I tried FOUR TIMES!!! Finally called and was on hold for 3 HOURS before getting disconnected!!! The whole system is broken and they make it IMPOSSIBLE to get what you deserve after paying in your whole life!!! If anyone figures out how to actually speak to a human being at SSA please let me know!!!!

I'm a former SSA claims representative, so I can provide some clarification on this process. When switching from survivor benefits to your own retirement benefits, you're technically filing a new claim. This can be initiated online, which is the preferred method for most straightforward cases. However, there are a few important things to know: 1. The system will skip requesting documents it already has on file 2. Most people will receive a follow-up phone call within 7-10 business days to verify certain information 3. You'll need to know your exact benefit amounts to make an informed decision - make sure your own benefit is actually higher before switching 4. If your online application gets "stuck" it's usually because of a specific circumstance in your record that requires manual review The easiest approach is to start online, then be prepared for a potential phone interview. Have your most recent tax return handy as they may need to verify recent earnings. Hope this helps!

My sister went thru this last yr. She said start online but expect them to call u. Oh and btw make SURE your own benefit is higher than survivor before switching! My sister assumed hers would be higher based on her work history but it turned out her survivor benefit was still better. Once u switch u cant go back so double check the numbers first!!!

To check both benefit amounts before switching, log into your mySocialSecurity account and look at your Retirement Benefit Estimate. That will show what you'd get on your own record. Then compare it to your current survivor payment. You can also call SSA and ask for a benefit computation on both - they can tell you exact amounts. Just make sure you're comparing the right numbers - your own benefit at your current age versus your survivor benefit.

When I called to switch benefits last year, I waited on hold for over an hour and then got disconnected! So frustrating. I finally just went to my local SSA office but had to wait 3 weeks for an appointment. Once I got there though, it only took about 30 minutes to process everything. Just sharing my experience!

If you're having trouble getting through to SSA by phone, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They'll connect you with a Social Security agent and call you when they've got someone on the line. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed to switch my benefits last year. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU showing how it works. Much easier than waiting on hold all day or trying to get an in-person appointment at your local office.

To answer your follow-up question about timing: If you apply in April, your new benefit amount would typically be effective with your May payment (which you'd receive in June, since Social Security pays a month behind). When you file, you can specify the month you want your retirement benefits to begin. If you're already past your Full Retirement Age (which it sounds like you are at 68), you could potentially request up to 6 months of retroactive benefits if that makes financial sense for your situation. Just be aware that switching from survivors to your own retirement is a permanent decision - you can't switch back later if circumstances change.

Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - when you do start the online application, make sure you have about 45 minutes of uninterrupted time. The system will time out if you're inactive too long, and while it saves your progress, it can be frustrating to have to log back in multiple times. Also, if you get any error messages during the process, take a screenshot before closing them - it helps if you need to call later and explain what happened. The online system has definitely improved over the years, but it's still good to be prepared for potential hiccups. Good luck with your application!

As someone who just went through this process a few months ago, I wanted to share my experience! I was also collecting survivor benefits and switched to my own retirement benefits at age 67. The process was actually smoother than I expected - I started online through my mySocialSecurity account and completed most of it in about 40 minutes. They did call me about a week later for a brief phone interview (maybe 15 minutes) just to confirm some details and walk through the benefit amounts. The representative was very helpful and made sure I understood that my own benefit would indeed be higher before proceeding. My new payment started the month after I applied. One thing I wish I had known beforehand was to log into my account a few days before applying just to make sure I could access everything smoothly - nothing worse than discovering you need to reset your password when you're ready to apply! The whole experience was much less stressful than I had anticipated based on horror stories I'd heard.

Welcome to the community! I'm fairly new here too but have been learning a lot from everyone's experiences. From what I've gathered reading through these responses, it sounds like starting online is definitely the way to go, but you'll want to be prepared for a potential follow-up phone call. The advice about checking your benefit amounts first before switching is crucial - I hadn't realized you can't switch back once you make the change! Also really appreciate the practical tips like having uninterrupted time for the online application and keeping your banking info handy. It's so helpful to hear from people who have actually been through this process recently rather than just trying to navigate the official SSA website. Thanks everyone for sharing your real-world experiences!

As someone who recently navigated the SSA system for the first time, I wanted to add that having all your documents organized beforehand really helps, even if they don't end up needing them. I created a simple folder with copies of my Social Security card, birth certificate, and recent tax returns - just in case the online system asked for anything unexpected. Also, if you do end up needing to call SSA, I found that calling right when they open at 8 AM local time gave me the shortest wait times. The early morning seemed to be less busy than later in the day. One last tip - if you're not comfortable with the online process, many local libraries have staff who can help you navigate government websites, and it's a quiet environment where you won't be interrupted. Good luck with your application! From everything I've read here, it sounds like you're well-prepared to make this transition successfully.

As a newcomer to this community and someone who's just starting to navigate Social Security benefits, I'm incredibly grateful for all the detailed advice shared here! Reading through everyone's experiences has been so much more helpful than trying to decipher the official SSA website alone. I'm particularly struck by how many different experiences people have had - some completing everything online smoothly, others needing phone interviews, and some facing technical glitches. It really shows how individual circumstances can affect the process. The advice about verifying that your own retirement benefit will actually be higher than your survivor benefit before switching is crucial - I had no idea this was a permanent decision that can't be reversed! As someone new to these processes, I'm taking notes on all the practical tips: having uninterrupted time for the online application, keeping banking info handy, calling early in the morning for shorter wait times, and being prepared for a potential follow-up phone call. It's reassuring to know that even when the online system has hiccups, there are alternative ways to get help, whether through phone calls, in-person appointments, or even services like the one mentioned that helps connect you with SSA representatives. Thank you all for creating such a supportive environment where people feel comfortable sharing both their successes and frustrations. This kind of real-world guidance is invaluable for those of us just learning to navigate the Social Security system!

As someone new to this community and currently navigating Social Security benefits for the first time, I wanted to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and practical advice! I'm not quite at the point where I need to switch from survivor to retirement benefits, but reading through all these real experiences has been incredibly educational. What really strikes me is how the process seems to work best when you're well-prepared - having your documents organized, checking benefit amounts first, and setting aside adequate time for the online application. The warning about this being a permanent decision that can't be reversed is particularly important and not something I would have known to ask about. I'm also impressed by how this community provides both the official process (start online, expect a phone follow-up) and all the practical workarounds when things don't go smoothly. The tips about calling early in the morning, using library resources for online help, and alternative services for reaching SSA representatives are exactly the kind of real-world guidance you can't find in official documentation. It's reassuring to see that while everyone's experience varies, there are multiple paths to success. Thanks for creating such a supportive environment where people feel comfortable sharing both positive outcomes and frustrating challenges!