Social Security strategy for widow - collecting reduced retirement at 65 then survivor benefits at FRA

You're actually on the right track with your strategy! This is one of those situations where taking your OWN reduced benefit at 65 and then switching to the survivor benefit at your FRA can make financial sense. Since survivor benefits reach their maximum at your FRA (unlike retirement benefits which max at 70), waiting until FRA for the survivor benefit while collecting something in the meantime is often optimal. Just make sure you're clear with SSA that you want to RESTRICT your application to ONLY your retirement benefits. Sometimes they automatically process both if you don't specifically tell them not to. Also, be prepared with your husband's death certificate and marriage certificate for the appointment - they'll need that info to have your survivor benefit ready in their system for when you switch later.

This is EXACTLY what I tried to do but the SSA rep I got kept telling me I had to take BOTH benefits at once and couldn't do the strategy you're planning!!! I argued with them for 30 minutes showing them the info from the SSA website but they wouldn't budge. When I asked for a supervisor they put me on hold for 45 minutes and then I got disconnected. TYPICAL SSA incompetence!!! Don't let them push you around - your strategy IS allowed. Print out the rules from SSA.gov before your call to reference when they inevitably try to tell you wrong information.

You're mostly on the right track, but there's one thing you should double-check regarding the earnings limit. The annual limit for 2024 is $21,240, so 2025's limit will likely be around $22,000-$22,500. Keep in mind this earnings limit applies until the month you reach your Full Retirement Age, not just until the calendar year. Also, consider exactly how close your own benefit is to the survivor benefit. If the difference is relatively small, taking the survivor benefit first (reduced) and then switching to your own at 70 (maximized) might actually give you more lifetime benefits. It's a complex calculation that depends on your expected longevity. I recommend having them run the numbers both ways during your appointment.

What's ur FRA? If ur born in 1960 or later it's 67 not 66...lots of widow's miss that and it effects when they can switch benefits without reduction!

I faced almost the exact same situation last year. I'm also a widow and started my reduced retirement at 64, planning to switch to survivor benefits at my FRA (66+6 months for me). The problem I had was actually getting through to someone who understood what I wanted to do. I called SSA for THREE WEEKS and couldn't get through—busy signals, disconnects, hours on hold only to be told wrong information. I eventually used this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real SSA person in about 20 minutes. Best decision ever! They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU that shows how it works. They basically navigate the phone tree for you and call you when they have an agent on the line. Saved me so much frustration. When I finally got through, I made sure to specifically say "I want to RESTRICT my application to my retirement benefits only" like others have mentioned. The rep tried to tell me I had to apply for both, but I politely insisted she check with her technical expert, who confirmed my strategy was valid.

My aunt did something similar but she got confusion because she didn't understand what restricted application meant. Make sure you're talking about the right thing. Also survivor benefits aren't reduced the same way as regular benefits - they can be taken as early as age 60 but with reduction. Maybe consider taking survivors first then switch to your own at 70? Just an idea.

you know what nobody is mentioning? medicare! if ur turning 65 make sure u sign up for Medicare even if ur still working!

One more thing - since you mentioned your late husband's pension ending when you reach FRA - if he worked for the government and didn't pay into Social Security (like some state or federal jobs), you should ask specifically about the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision during your call. It could affect your survivor benefits if applicable, though it sounds like this was a regular private pension so probably not an issue.

Don't forget about the family maximum limit! That can really mess up your expectations if multiple people are collecting on one record. Ask the rep specifically if the family maximum applies in your case.

Your strategy sounds solid! As someone who recently went through a similar decision process, I'd suggest writing down your key questions beforehand so you don't forget anything during the call. Also, don't be surprised if you get pushback from the SSA rep - some aren't familiar with this strategy. One thing that helped me was asking for a written estimate of both scenarios (your plan vs. taking survivor benefits first) so I could compare the lifetime totals. The SSA can provide benefit estimates for different claiming strategies. Also, since you mentioned being anxious about the decision - remember that if something changes in your situation later, you generally have 12 months to withdraw your application and try a different approach (though you'd have to pay back any benefits received). It's not as permanent as it feels! Good luck with your appointment next week!