Should I switch from Social Security survivor benefits to my own retirement at FRA with low part-time earnings?

If your own benefit is higher than survivors, why wouldn't you switch at FRA? That's $700 more per month! I don't understand why you'd wait...

This is a great question that many survivor benefit recipients face. Here's what you should consider: 1. When you switch from survivors to your own retirement benefit, the survivor benefit ends completely. You don't get both. 2. Yes, delaying your own retirement benefit past FRA gives you an 8% annual increase until age 70, which would make your own benefit even higher. 3. However, since you're already receiving survivor benefits, the calculation is different than for someone receiving nothing. The break-even analysis suggests that if your own benefit at FRA is already substantially higher than your survivor benefit ($700/month difference in your case), it usually makes more sense to switch at FRA rather than continue with the lower survivor benefit while waiting. In your specific situation, I'd recommend switching to your own benefit at FRA (in 3 months). The increased monthly income over the next three years would likely outweigh the advantage of delaying until 70, especially since you're already receiving income from survivors.

my husband died when i was 58 and i started survivors at 60 too but my own benefit is lower so ill never switch. everyones situation is different. but i think your crazy not to take the higher amount asap!! $700 is a lot of money!!

I work with retirement planning, and there's a calculation you should consider here that most people miss. You need to calculate your "crossover point" - the age at which the total benefits received by delaying would exceed the total benefits received by filing earlier. In your specific case: - Current: $2,150/month survivor benefit - At FRA: $2,850/month own benefit (+$700/month) - At 70: Approximately $3,690/month own benefit (36% more than FRA amount) If you switch at FRA, you gain $700/month immediately. If you delay until 70, you miss out on that $700 increase for 36 months = $25,200 total. The difference between your age 70 benefit and FRA benefit would be about $840/month. It would take you approximately 30 months after age 70 to break even on the money you missed by not switching at FRA. This means you'd need to live past age 72.5 for delaying to be financially advantageous. Given average life expectancies for women, switching at FRA is statistically the better choice in your situation. The 8% annual increase is valuable, but it's less compelling when you're already receiving a substantial benefit.

Social security is SO FRUSTRATING to deal with!!!! I've been trying to get them on the phone for WEEKS about my own retirement claim and can't get through. Every time I call I get disconnected or have to wait for hours. Does anyone know how to actually reach a real person?? I'm about to lose my mind with this system!!!!

Sometimes I wonder if it even matters when you take SS... My neighbor waited til 70 to maximize her benefit and then had a stroke 6 months later. Meanwhile my uncle took his at 62 and has been enjoying that money for 15 years already. None of us know how long we have, right?

does your part time job affect your benefits? I thought theres some kind of earnings limit even after fra??

After reading all your helpful comments, I've decided I'll definitely switch to my own retirement benefit when I reach my FRA in 3 months. The math makes sense - getting that extra $700/month right away is better than waiting. And I'll continue my part-time job since I enjoy it and there's no earnings limit after FRA. I have an appointment scheduled with SSA next week to discuss the switch. Thanks everyone for your advice and sharing your experiences!