Social Security online application vs. appointment - which gives better benefit options?

I filed online last month and it was AWFUL. The website didn't explain ANY of my options. Just basic questions and that's it. No way to know if I was choosing the right benefit combination. My sister got $340 more by going in person because the agent told her about some spousal option the website never mentioned!!! The SSA purposely makes it hard to get appointments so people take less than they deserve!!!!

I understand your concern about maximizing benefits. The online application doesn't actively tell you which strategy is best, but it does allow you to apply for all types of benefits you're eligible for. Since your husband is already collecting and you're reaching FRA, you should consider whether your own benefit is higher than your spousal benefit (which would be 50% of your husband's PIA). At FRA, you're entitled to full benefits without reduction. The benefit estimator hasn't likely changed because it's showing your projected benefits based on your earnings record. COLA increases would only affect benefits after you've started receiving them. What might help is creating a my Social Security account and viewing your actual earnings record and benefit projections there.

The online application will ask you if you want to apply for all benefits you're eligible for or just retirement benefits. If you select "all benefits," then technically you're covered. However, you're right that there are nuances an SSA agent might explain better. Based on what you've shared, if your husband receives $2,800/month, your maximum spousal benefit would be approximately $1,400 (50% of his primary insurance amount, which is slightly different from his actual benefit). Since your own benefit is estimated at $1,640, that would be higher, so you'd receive your own benefit. However, there could be specific strategies worth discussing, especially if you're considering delaying beyond FRA for a higher amount. Each year you delay past FRA until 70 increases your benefit by 8%.

I applied online 3 months ago. Way easier than I thought! Just click the boxes and done! I'm getting both my retirement and a small widows benefit. The website asked about previous marriages and my late husband's info, so I think it covers everything. Better than waiting on hold forever IMO.

I had the same problem trying to get through to schedule an appointment. Tried for WEEKS with no luck. Then I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an SSA agent in less than 10 minutes! You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU I was skeptical at first, but it actually worked. The agent I spoke with explained all my options between spousal and my own benefits, and helped me figure out the best filing strategy based on our age difference and earnings history. So much better than trying to guess with the online application. I'm getting $230 more per month than I would have if I'd just applied online without understanding all my options.

To clarify about your specific situation: since your husband is already receiving benefits and you're at FRA, you have two main options: 1. Take your own retirement benefit ($1,640 based on your estimate) 2. Take the spousal benefit (which would be 50% of your husband's PIA, likely around $1,400) Since your own benefit appears higher, that's likely your best option. However, if you're considering delaying your benefit until 70, that's where things get more complex and where speaking with an agent can help. Your benefit would grow to approximately $2,050 if you delay until 70, but you'd be foregoing 4 years of payments. The online application will allow you to apply for either benefit, but it won't necessarily analyze which strategy is best for your lifetime situation. That's where the personalized advice comes in.

Once you file for any retirement benefit at or after FRA, you're automatically deemed to have filed for all benefits you're eligible for, and SSA will pay you the higher amount between your own benefit and any spousal benefit. You can't switch between them later. However, what changes over time is that your own benefit will increase if you delay claiming it (up to age 70), while the spousal benefit doesn't increase after your FRA. Based on your numbers ($1,640 own vs. ~$1,400 spousal), your own benefit is already higher, so there's no advantage to the spousal benefit unless those estimates are incorrect. This is exactly why some people prefer to speak with an agent - to verify all calculations before making an irrevocable decision.

My aunt just went through this! She ended up going to the local office and waiting from 6am to be one of the first people seen that day. She said it was worth it because the person explained some complicated rule about her ex-husband's benefits she was eligible for that she never would have known about otherwise. The website doesn't know your whole life story!

The whole system is designed to CONFUSE US!! My neighbor worked at SSA for 30 years before retiring and she told me they DELIBERATELY make the rules complicated and the phone lines understaffed so people give up and take less than they deserve. It's all about cutting costs and tricking seniors!!! The online system is the WORST because it just gives you the bare minimum info.