Switching from survivor to my own SS benefits at 70 - timing questions and benefit amount concerns

Apply in the month BEFORE you turn 70. That way your benefits can start the month you turn 70 without any delay. Your benefit amount will include all delayed retirement credits you've earned by waiting. As for verification, unfortunately you can't see your own retirement benefit amount online while collecting survivors. The most accurate way to know your exact amount is to call SSA and ask for a benefit estimate. Make sure they check both your own record AND the survivor record so you can compare. In my experience, calling the 800 number is usually sufficient for this type of switch, but be prepared for a long wait. Have your SSN and basic info ready.

i switched from survivor to my own last year. did it over the phone but took FOREVER to get through. ended up calling at 7am on a tuesday and still waited 45 mins. but once I got someone they were helpful. def do it month before you turn 70.

Make sure you specifically request a PEBES (Benefit Estimate Statement) when you call. That will give you the most accurate calculation of your retirement benefit at age 70. The benefit amount can sometimes change if there were earnings updates or corrections to your record since your last estimate. Regarding the discrepancy you mentioned - there could be several explanations: 1) The rep you spoke with last year may have quoted your age 70 benefit without including all delayed retirement credits 2) There might have been a recalculation based on more recent earnings 3) Sometimes COLA adjustments aren't included in future estimates When you call, ask them to explain exactly how they calculated your amount. They should be able to tell you your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) and then how the delayed retirement credits increased it. And yes, definitely apply the month before turning 70 to ensure no gap in payments.

THEY ALWAYS MESS UP THE NUMBERS!!! I went through the EXACT same thing last year and the amount they told me on the phone was $180 less than what I was originally told. Then when I finally got my first payment it was yet ANOTHER different amount (higher thank goodness). The SSA reps don't always include all the COLAs or delayed retirement credits when they give estimates. The whole system is a MESS.

Social Security retirement specialist here. Let me help clarify a few things: 1) You should apply to switch benefits in the month before you turn 70. This timing ensures your age 70 benefits start promptly. 2) The discrepancy you're noticing could be due to several factors: - Annual COLA adjustments affecting calculations - Updated earnings records if you're still working - Different calculation methods used by different representatives 3) For verification, request a detailed benefit calculation when you call. Ask specifically for your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) and how they calculated your delayed retirement credits. They should be able to show exactly how they arrived at your age 70 benefit amount. 4) Application method: Either phone or in-person works, but for most benefit switches, the phone is sufficient. Local offices do offer in-person appointments now, but they're often booked weeks in advance. 5) Important: Make sure they properly terminate your survivor benefits when your retirement benefits begin. You can't receive both simultaneously. Lastly, your benefit at 70 should be 132% of your PIA (your full retirement age amount) if your FRA was 66, or slightly less if your FRA was later.

When I tried to do this last year the wait time on the 800 number was INSANE. I called for THREE DAYS and kept getting the "all representatives are busy" message and then they would HANG UP on me! The system is completely broken.

To answer your follow-up question: Yes, if your FRA was 66 and 2 months, your delayed retirement credit would be slightly less than 132% - approximately 130.67% of your PIA. And regarding the benefit termination - when you apply for your retirement benefits, the SSA will automatically terminate your survivor benefits if your own retirement amount is higher. This is called the "technical entitlement" process. However, it's always good practice to explicitly state during your application that you're switching from survivor benefits to your own retirement benefits to ensure everything is processed correctly. Also, be sure to mention your continued work when you apply. While there's no earnings limit after FRA, your recent earnings might actually increase your benefit calculation if they're higher than some earlier years used in your calculation.

I totally understand your frustration with trying to reach SSA. When I needed to switch my benefits last year, I tried calling for days and couldn't get through. My neighbor told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com) which connects you to a Social Security agent without the wait. I was skeptical but tried it and got through in minutes. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Made the whole process so much easier, especially for something important like switching from survivor to retirement benefits.

My sister just went thru this exact same thing!!! She turned 70 in December and switched from survivor to her own. The amount she got was actually $200 MORE than what they told her on the phone! So maybe you'll get lucky too! She said it was a huge relief after worrying about it for months.

To answer your most recent question: Yes, you will receive an award letter in the mail after you apply that will show your exact benefit amount and how it was calculated. This typically arrives 2-4 weeks after your application is processed. The letter will show your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), any delayed retirement credits, and your final monthly benefit amount. If you see any discrepancies or have questions about the calculation, you can call SSA for clarification after receiving this letter. I would recommend keeping this letter in a safe place for future reference since it contains the official record of your benefit calculation.