Maximizing Social Security benefits: SSDI since 2012, widow since 2000, born 1964

You're in what's called a 'dual entitlement' situation with both SSDI and widow's benefits potentially available. Since you were born in 1964, your Full Retirement Age (FRA) for widow's benefits is 66 and 8 months. This is important because at FRA for survivors, you can take JUST your widow's benefit while letting your own retirement benefit (which will automatically convert from SSDI at your retirement FRA) continue to grow until age 70. Call SSA and specifically ask about your widow's benefit amount at your survivor FRA. If it's higher than your current SSDI, you might switch to widow's benefits at 66+8mo, then at 70 switch back to your own (now increased) retirement benefit if it's higher.

Not sure if this is right but my sister had something similar. She was getting disability and then got widow when her husband died. SSA told her she couldnt get both, just the higher one. But I think she was already past retirement age when this happened so maybe different for you?

GOOD LUCK GETTING ANYONE AT SSA TO HELP YOU FIGURE THIS OUT!!! I've been trying for MONTHS to get clear answers about my own situation (different than yours but still complicated). They tell you different things every time you call IF YOU CAN EVEN GET THROUGH. One rep told me one thing about survivor benefits, then the next one contradicted it completely. Their system is DESIGNED to make you miss out on benefits you deserve!!!

I specialize in Social Security planning and want to clarify a few things: 1. At age 66+8mo (your widow FRA), you can apply for RESTRICTED widow benefits while allowing your own retirement benefit to continue growing until 70. 2. Your SSDI will automatically convert to retirement benefits at your regular FRA (which is 67 for those born in 1964). 3. Importantly, your widow's benefit does NOT grow after widow FRA, so there's no advantage to waiting beyond 66+8mo to claim those. 4. At age 70, your own retirement benefit will have reached its maximum amount. At that point, SSA will pay the higher of your maxed-out retirement benefit OR your widow's benefit. The optimal strategy depends on the exact benefit amounts. Get a detailed benefits calculation from SSA showing: current SSDI amount, projected retirement benefit at 67, projected retirement benefit at 70, and widow's benefit at 66+8mo.

i went thru something like this when my wife passed. had to bring her death certificate and our marriage license to the ssa office. they made me wait 3 hours just to tell me to call the 800 number insted. complete waste of time

One more important point: When you apply for widow's benefits, they'll need proof of marriage and your husband's death. Since it happened in 2000, make sure you have copies of these documents ready. If you don't, request them NOW as it can take time to get replacements. Also, if you remarried after age 60, you can still claim on your first husband's record - many people don't realize this.

wait im confused about something... if shes born in 1964 isnt her regular FRA 67 not 66 and 8 months? why are there different FRAs for different benefits?? thats so confusing!

Thank you all for the amazingly helpful advice! I've made notes of everything and have a much clearer plan now: 1. Get specific benefit amounts from SSA (what my SSDI converts to at 67, projected amount at 70, and widow's benefit at 66+8mo) 2. At 66+8mo, file restricted application SPECIFICALLY for widow's benefits only if they're higher than my SSDI 3. At 70, reassess and take whichever is higher - my maximized retirement or the widow's benefit I'll use that Claimyr service to actually reach SSA since the regular phone line has been impossible. I'll update when I have more information, in case it helps someone else in a similar situation.