Confused about Social Security survivor benefits FRA - is it 66 and 10 months or 4 months before age 67?

The SSA representative was correct. For survivor benefits, FRA is different than it is for retirement benefits. If you were born in 1959, your FRA for survivor benefits is indeed 66 and 10 months. The person whose comment you read was probably referring to someone born in a different year. Here's a quick breakdown: - For retirement benefits: If born in 1959, FRA is 66 and 10 months - For survivor benefits: If born in 1959, FRA is ALSO 66 and 10 months You should apply about 3-4 months before you reach your FRA to make sure the benefits start on time. The SSA can accept applications up to 4 months in advance.

It used to be that survivor FRA was earlier than retirement FRA but now theyre the same for some birth years and different for others. Its all confusing on purpose if u ask me lol. When I got widows benefits they made me wait till I was 66 exactly but my sister inlaw only had to wait till 65 and 8 months for the same thing!

For anyone born in 1959, your Full Retirement Age for survivor benefits is indeed 66 and 10 months. The confusion you're experiencing is because the FRA schedules for retirement and survivors benefits diverged for many years, but are now converging again. For people born 1957-1959, the FRA for retirement and survivors is actually the same. For people born in 1960 or later, survivors FRA is 66 and 8 months while retirement FRA is 67 (creating that 4-month difference the commenter mentioned). I'd recommend applying 3 months before reaching your FRA. Mark your calendar for exactly 3 months before you turn 66 and 10 months. This gives SSA enough time to process your application while ensuring you don't leave any money on the table.

I went through the EXACT same confusion last year about my survivor benefits!!! The online information is SO contradictory and the SSA phone reps told me 3 different things when I called on 3 different days. FINALLY got it sorted but what a nightmare! Just to add to what others have said - make sure you have ALL your documents ready when you apply. They wanted my marriage certificate, my late husband's death certificate, birth certificate, most recent tax return, and even our divorce papers from my first marriage even though that was 30 years ago!!! The whole process took MONTHS longer than it should have because they kept asking for more paperwork. And don't even get me started on trying to reach someone on the phone... I spent 4+ hours on hold multiple times just to get disconnected when they transferred me to a "specialist." 😡

One more important point: If you're still working, be aware of the earnings test. Even if you wait until your FRA for survivor benefits, if you earn above certain thresholds before the year you reach FRA, your benefits could be reduced. For 2025, if you're reaching FRA during the year but haven't reached it yet, you can earn up to $59,520 in the months before reaching FRA without reduction (this is an estimate based on current trends; the exact 2025 limit hasn't been announced yet). After you reach FRA, there's no earnings limit, so you can earn any amount without reduction of benefits.

my wife got survivors last year after my brother died and SSA made a HUGE MESS of the whole thing!!! they calculated it wrong first time then fixed it then said they overpaid her by $4,200 then said nevermind that was their mistake too!!! it was a nightmare for 5 months!!! dont trust anything they tell you first time, always double check the math yourself!!!

have u checked your my social security account? might show ur exact fra date on there

To summarize what's been discussed and provide clear direction: 1. Since you were born in 1959, your FRA for survivor benefits is indeed 66 and 10 months 2. Apply 3-4 months before reaching that age to ensure timely processing 3. Gather all your documentation now: marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, birth certificates, possibly prior marriage/divorce papers, and recent tax returns 4. With your current part-time income of $35,000, you should be under the earnings limit and won't face benefit reductions 5. After you reach your FRA of 66 and 10 months, you can earn unlimited income without affecting your survivor benefits You're doing the right thing by researching this in advance. Planning ahead will make the process much smoother!