Social Security benefits confusion - can I switch from my own SS to my ex-spouse's higher benefit at FRA?
I've got a complicated SS situation and could use some advice! I have two ex-husbands and might be eligible for benefits based on my first ex's record (who recently passed away). We were married for 17 years before divorcing, and he never remarried. I was actually with him when he died in the hospital a few months ago. I get that I can claim survivor benefits on his record as long as I don't remarry before turning 60 (which is happening in less than 5 months). I understand I could take 70% at age 62 or wait until 67 for 100% of his benefit amount, which would be significantly higher than my own SS. Complicating factors: I have guardianship of our disabled adult child (24) who will receive lifetime survivor benefits, plus a minor child who gets benefits until 18. I'm currently receiving some caregiver benefits but they're limited due to my work income. Here's what I'm confused about: Someone told me I could potentially take my OWN Social Security at 62, then SWITCH to my deceased ex's higher survivor benefit when I reach my full retirement age of 67. Is this actually possible? Has anyone done this? I want to maximize what I'll receive since my ex's benefit is substantially higher than mine would be.
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Paolo Moretti
Yes, you CAN do this! I just went through something similar with my situation. You can absolutely take your own retirement benefit at 62 (though it will be reduced for claiming early) and then switch to the higher survivor benefit at your full retirement age. The SSA calls this strategy "restricting your application." The key advantage is that your survivor benefits continue growing until FRA, but you get some income starting at 62. I found this strategy after spending HOURS researching because the SSA doesn't exactly advertise this option! Make sure when you apply that you're ONLY applying for retirement on your record, not survivor benefits.
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Keisha Jackson
•Thank you so much! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. Did you have any issues when you applied? Did you have to specifically tell them you were ONLY applying for your own benefits and not survivor benefits? I'm worried they might automatically put me on the survivor benefits if I don't explain clearly.
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Amina Diop
congrats on turning 60 soon! just wanna say i think ur wrong about how this works tho... pretty sure u have to pick one or the other. my aunt tried to do something like this and SSA said no way. they make u choose which benefit to take and thats it. but maybe rules are different for survivor vs divorced spouse? idk
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Oliver Weber
•The rules ARE different for survivor benefits vs. divorced spouse benefits! You're thinking of spousal/divorced spouse benefits where the ex is still alive - then yes, you have to choose. But for survivor benefits, you CAN take your own first, then switch later. The SSA website confirms this (though it's buried in their pages).
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Natasha Romanova
Hi there. You're describing a valid and potentially beneficial claiming strategy. With survivor benefits (unlike spousal benefits), you DO have the option to switch between your own retirement benefit and the survivor benefit at any point. Here's how it typically works: 1. You could claim your own reduced retirement benefit at 62 2. Let the survivor benefit grow until your Full Retirement Age (67) 3. Then switch to the higher survivor benefit OR alternatively: 1. Claim the reduced survivor benefit at 60 or later 2. Let your own retirement benefit grow until 70 3. Then switch to your own benefit if it's higher The best strategy depends on the difference between the benefit amounts and your life expectancy. I'd recommend scheduling an appointment with SSA to discuss your specific situation since you also have dependent benefits involved.
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Keisha Jackson
•Thank you for explaining both options! I hadn't even considered taking the survivor benefit first and letting my own grow. I definitely need to compare the numbers, but my ex's benefit would likely be much higher than mine even at age 70. I'll try to get an appointment with SSA to go over everything.
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NebulaNinja
THE SSA WILL TRY TO TRICK YOU!!!! I went in to file my claim last year and they PURPOSELY didn't tell me about options like this!!! The agent just wanted to get me on whatever would pay me the LEAST amount!!! You have to go in knowing EXACTLY what you want and DON'T let them push you around!!!! I lost THOUSANDS because nobody told me I could do what you're describing!!!
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Keisha Jackson
•That's scary to hear! I've been trying to research everything beforehand since I know the rules are so complicated. Did you try to appeal your decision or was it too late once you realized what happened?
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Javier Gomez
I've been trying to reach the Social Security office for weeks about a similar question, but I can never get through. Their hold times are insane - I waited 2.5 hours last week and then got disconnected! Has anyone found a better way to actually talk to a real person there? I need to discuss my options before I turn 62 next month.
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Emma Wilson
•I had the same frustrating experience until I found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to SSA in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They basically hold your place in line and call you when an agent is available. Saved me so much time and stress. Their video explains it better than I can: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU and their website is claimyr.com. Worth checking out if you're having trouble reaching someone.
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Oliver Weber
Just want to add something important - make sure you understand how your earnings might affect your benefits if you're still working. There's an earnings limit until you reach full retirement age (which is $22,320 for 2025). If you earn over that, they withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit. This applies whether you're taking survivor benefits or your own retirement.
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Keisha Jackson
•Good point about the earnings limit! I am still working full-time, so I definitely need to factor that in. Do you know if the earnings limit applies to both the disabled adult child benefits and the minor child benefits too, or just to what I would receive?
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Amina Diop
my mom did exactly what ur talking about! she took her own benefit at 62 (it was like $1450/month) and then when she hit full retirement age she switched to my dads survivor benefit which was around $2200. worked out great for her. the social security people actually suggested it when she went in to apply after dad died.
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Keisha Jackson
•That's really encouraging to hear! Sounds like your mom's situation was pretty similar to mine. Did she have any issues with the switch when she reached full retirement age, or was it pretty straightforward?
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Paolo Moretti
One thing nobody's mentioned - you should create your my Social Security account online if you haven't already. You can see estimates of both your own benefit and your survivor benefit there. Makes it much easier to compare numbers and figure out the best strategy. Plus you can actually apply online which avoids the nightmare phone system.
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Keisha Jackson
•I do have an account set up, but I didn't realize it would show survivor benefit estimates too! I'll definitely check that out. Being able to see the actual numbers would help me figure out which strategy makes the most sense. Thanks for the tip!
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