Social Security strategy at 65 - survivor vs. ex-spouse benefits with earnings limit question

You've got several options to consider, and timing matters a lot here. First, at 65 you're still under your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is likely 67 for you. This means you're still subject to the earnings test for any benefits you receive. In 2025, you can earn up to about $23,000 (estimated based on current limits plus COLA) without reduction. After that, they reduce benefits $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. If you retire in May and only have 5 months of income, you need to calculate if that 5-month total exceeds the annual limit. If not, then yes, filing for survivor benefits in January could work. But here's the important part - survivor benefits can be taken as early as age 60, but they're reduced for claiming before your FRA.

u can absolutely get benefits while working!!! but they get reduced if u make too much. its so confusing, the SSA doesnt explain this stuff clearly at all!!!

With $45,000 in earnings during those 5 months, you would be over the annual limit. The SSA would calculate approximately: $45,000 - $23,000 = $22,000 over the limit. That means about $11,000 in benefits would be withheld ($1 for every $2 over). Here's what makes your situation interesting: You have THREE potential benefit streams: 1. Your own retirement benefit 2. Survivor benefit from your late husband 3. Ex-spouse benefit from your former husband (if he's alive) The strategy gets complex, but generally: - If you wait until your FRA, you can take FULL survivor benefits and switch to your own later if higher - Ex-spouse benefits work similarly but max out at 50% of his benefit - The highest earning spouse usually determines your best long-term option Have you created a my Social Security account to see your estimated benefits?

If I may add to the conversation - you're facing what's commonly called a "restricted application" scenario. Since you were born before January 2, 1954, you have additional flexibility in how you claim benefits. Here's what I would suggest: 1. Wait until your Full Retirement Age (likely 67) to file 2. At FRA, file for EITHER survivor benefits OR ex-spouse benefits (whichever is higher) 3. Let your own benefit grow until age 70, then switch This strategy could potentially maximize your lifetime benefits. The survivor benefit at FRA would be 100% of what your deceased husband was receiving (or would have received). The ex-spouse benefit would be 50% of your ex-husband's FRA amount. And importantly, once you reach FRA, the earnings test disappears completely - you can earn any amount without reduction of benefits.

My sister tried to do that restricted application thing and it was a NIGHTMARE. She spent months trying to get someone at Social Security to understand what she was asking for!!! They kept saying she had to take her own benefit first which was WRONG. So frustrating!!!!

Everyone's giving really complicated answers here. The simplest thing is to just go to your local SSA office and have them run the numbers for you. That's what I did. They showed me three different options and the dollar amounts for each. Made it easy to pick the highest one. Just bring your marriage certificates and death certificate for your late husband.

To find out your late husband's benefit amount, you'll need to contact SSA directly. They can look up his earnings record and calculate what his benefit would have been. Based on what you've shared, it sounds like waiting until your FRA (67) to claim would be most advantageous. Then, you could immediately claim either survivor benefits OR divorced spouse benefits (whichever is higher), while letting your own benefit grow until 70. Remember that: - At FRA, survivor benefits = 100% of your late husband's benefit - At FRA, divorced spouse benefits = 50% of your ex-husband's benefit - Your own benefit at 70 = 124% of your FRA amount To properly evaluate this, you'd need to know all three potential amounts. The SSA can provide this information, but getting through to them can be challenging.

my neighbor did this last year and said the key was documenting EVERYTHING. she printed out all the rules from the ssa website before her appointment and brought copies of everything. smart lady!

i got so confused with all this when my husband died that i just took my own benefit at 62 and now i regret it cause i could have gotten more!!! dont rush into anything!!

One last point worth considering: If you're in good health and longevity runs in your family, the strategy of claiming survivor/ex-spouse benefits at FRA and switching to your own at 70 becomes even more valuable. The math generally works out that if you live beyond your early 80s, maximizing your own benefit by waiting until 70 provides the highest lifetime payout. Regardless of when you claim, make sure to file your application 3-4 months before you want benefits to begin. The SSA processing time has been running longer than usual lately.

Just want to echo what others have said about getting all three benefit amounts calculated - it's absolutely crucial for making the right decision. I went through something similar a few years ago and found that creating a simple spreadsheet helped me visualize the long-term impact of each strategy. One thing I'd add is to consider your health insurance situation too. If you're retiring at 65, you'll be eligible for Medicare, but if you're still working and have employer coverage, you might want to factor that into your timing decision. Sometimes the healthcare costs can influence whether it makes sense to retire exactly at 65 or adjust your timeline slightly. Also, since you mentioned your ex-husband earned significantly more than your late husband, definitely get his benefit amount calculated. That 50% of his benefit at your FRA could potentially be much higher than 100% of your late husband's benefit. Good luck with everything!