Switching from survivor benefits to my own SS retirement at 70 - no mention of 'restricted' application in approval docs?
I recently got approved for Social Security survivor benefits (yay!), but I'm worried something might be wrong with my strategy. Here's my plan: I'm collecting survivor benefits from my husband's record starting at 64.5 years old (I won't be working), then switching to my own retirement benefit at 70 since the SSA rep said mine will be higher by then. When I looked at their benefit comparison matrix, it confirmed that my age 70 benefit would be higher than my widow's benefit at FRA (which is 66.8 for widows in my case). But here's what's making me anxious - I've received both my "Application Summary for Widow's or Widower's Insurance Benefit" and my "Notice of Award" documents, and NOWHERE do either of them mention that my application is "restricted" or "deemed." Since my whole strategy depends on being able to switch to my own benefit later, I'm getting worried there's a problem. Shouldn't there be some official acknowledgment that I'll be able to switch to my own benefit at 70? I'm worried they might have processed this wrong and I'll be stuck with just the survivor benefit forever. Has anyone gone through this switch process successfully?
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Ava Martinez
You're good! For survivor benefits, you actually don't need a "restricted application" designation like you would with spousal benefits. The ability to switch between survivor benefits and your own retirement benefits is built into Social Security rules. When you applied for survivor benefits, you did NOT apply for your own retirement benefits, so there's nothing to restrict. You'll just file a separate application for your retirement benefits when you turn 70. The SSA representative was correct in helping you plan this strategy. It's actually one of the few remaining ways to maximize benefits after the 2015 rule changes eliminated most other claiming strategies.
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Dmitry Sokolov
•Oh thank goodness! That makes me feel so much better. I've been staring at these documents for days worrying I'd messed something up. So I won't need to do anything special until I'm ready to apply for my own benefits at 70? Will they automatically notify me?
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Miguel Ramos
im in almost the same situation except im 63 and just started survivors. nobody told me nuthin about restricted applications either so u got me worried too lol
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Ava Martinez
•The term "restricted application" doesn't apply to survivor benefits. That terminology was mainly for spousal benefits before the 2015 law changes. For both you and the original poster, you're following a smart strategy that's perfectly legal and built into the system.
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QuantumQuasar
You've actually stumbled upon one of the best Social Security claiming strategies still available! The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 eliminated most "claim now, claim more later" strategies, but specifically preserved this option for survivor benefits. Here's why your documents don't mention "restricted" or "deemed": Those terms mainly applied to spousal benefits, not survivor benefits. With survivor benefits, you naturally maintain the right to switch to your own retirement benefit later if it's higher. To be 100% sure everything is set up correctly, you should: 1. Call SSA and confirm they understand your intent to switch at 70 2. Ask them to note this in your file (even though it's not required) 3. Set a calendar reminder for 3-4 months before your 70th birthday to file for retirement benefits 4. Keep a copy of the benefit estimates showing your age 70 amount The switch won't happen automatically - you'll need to submit a new application for retirement benefits at age 70.
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Dmitry Sokolov
•Thank you for such a detailed explanation! I'll definitely call SSA to confirm and get it noted in my file. So relieved this strategy is still allowed. Setting that calendar reminder now!
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Zainab Omar
I went through this EXACT situation last year! Started my widow's benefits at 63 and plan to switch to my own at 70. The documents didn't mention restricted/deemed for me either. It's been 8 months now and everything is working fine. The SSA knows what they're doing with survivor benefits (unlike some other things lol). You're on the right track!
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Dmitry Sokolov
•That's so reassuring to hear from someone who's already doing this! Did you have to contact them at all after getting approved or has it just been smooth sailing?
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Zainab Omar
•It's been pretty smooth! I did call once to confirm everything was processed correctly about a month after I started receiving payments. The only hiccup was they needed my husband's death certificate again for some reason, but that was easily fixed. Just make sure you apply for your retirement benefit a few months before turning 70.
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Connor Gallagher
DONT TRUST WHAT THEY TELL YOU!!!! I did the same thing 2 years ago and when I tried to switch they said I was ALREADY getting everything I was entitled to!!! Had to fight for MONTHS to get it fixed. The left hand doesn't know what the right is doing at SSA. GET IT IN WRITING SOMEHOW!!!
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Dmitry Sokolov
•Oh no, that sounds awful! Did you eventually get it resolved the right way? What would you have done differently?
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Connor Gallagher
•Yes finally got fixed but took FOREVER. I had to get my congressman involved!!! What I should have done: 1) Asked for WRITTEN confirmation about switching later 2) Kept copies of EVERYTHING 3) Gotten names of every person I talked to. The system is BROKEN!
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Yara Sayegh
I tried calling SS about a similar situation last month and was on hold for 3+ hours before getting disconnected. Tried again the next day, same thing. Gave up and used Claimyr (claimyr.com) after a friend recommended it - they got me connected to an actual SSA agent in 20 minutes! You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Totally worth it to get my questions answered about switching from survivors to retirement benefits.
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Dmitry Sokolov
•That sounds so much better than waiting on hold all day! I'll check it out - I definitely need to confirm this with an agent to have peace of mind.
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Keisha Johnson
My aunt thought she was doing this survivor-to-retirement switch thing too, but wound up with a LOWER benefit somehow. I'm not saying you're wrong, just be super careful and maybe get a second opinion? Social Security is sooooo confusing.
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QuantumQuasar
•Your aunt's situation was likely different. If her own benefit at 70 wasn't actually higher than her survivor benefit (which happens in some cases), then switching wouldn't make sense. That's why it's important the OP confirmed with actual benefit calculations that her age 70 amount exceeds her survivor amount.
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Miguel Ramos
who else gets confused between all these dif benefits? survivors, retirement, spousal, SSI, SSDI...my head spins! 🤯
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Ava Martinez
•It's definitely confusing! Quick summary: Retirement benefits are based on your own work. Spousal benefits are based on a living spouse's record. Survivor benefits are based on a deceased spouse's record. SSDI is disability insurance based on work credits. SSI is needs-based for limited income/resources. Each has different rules!
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QuantumQuasar
Just to clarify some technical details about your strategy: This approach (survivor benefits first, then switching to retirement) can work very well when your own benefit at 70 exceeds your survivor benefit. A few important facts: 1. Your survivor benefit reached maximum value at your FRA (66 years, 8 months) 2. Your own retirement benefit grows until age 70 (getting 8% delayed credits per year) 3. Taking survivor benefits early at 64.5 means you're accepting a reduced amount (about 88-90% of the full survivor benefit) 4. But that reduction doesn't affect your own retirement benefit at 70 So mathematically, your strategy makes perfect sense if your own benefit at 70 is indeed higher than your survivor benefit would be at FRA, as the SSA rep confirmed.
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Dmitry Sokolov
•Thank you for breaking down the math! So even though I'm taking reduced survivor benefits early, it was still the right move if my own benefit at 70 will be higher than the full survivor benefit would have been? That's a relief!
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