I'm so sorry for your loss. Going through this process while grieving is incredibly difficult, but you're being very smart to prepare thoroughly. One document that hasn't been mentioned yet but could be helpful is any divorce decree if either you or your husband were previously married - SSA sometimes needs this to verify that previous marriages were legally ended. Also, if you have any life insurance policies or pension documents from his employer, those won't affect your Social Security benefits but the representative might be able to give you general guidance about how they interact with survivor benefits for your overall financial planning. The fact that you're asking these questions and gathering everything in advance shows you're going to handle this appointment well. Don't be too hard on yourself if you feel emotional during the meeting - the representatives are used to working with people in your situation and should be understanding and patient.

I went through this exact process when I turned 60 after losing my spouse, and I want to echo what everyone has said about being over-prepared with documents. One thing that really helped me was organizing everything in a clear folder with labeled sections - it made the appointment go much smoother when I could quickly find what they asked for. Also, don't forget to bring a pen! I know it sounds silly, but you'll likely need to fill out some forms there, and having your own pen saves time. The representatives really are helpful once you get through the initial paperwork verification. Since you're working part-time and making around $18K, you should be well under the earnings limit, which is great. Just remember that this appointment is really about getting information and understanding your options - you don't have to make any final decisions that day. Take your time to process everything they tell you. You're handling this difficult situation with such grace and preparation!

Just wanted to add my personal experience here - I delayed claiming for 14 months past my FRA and can confirm that the monthly proration worked exactly as described. My benefit increased by about 9.3% (14 months × 0.667% per month). What really helped me make the decision was creating a simple spreadsheet comparing the cumulative benefits over different time periods. Even though you get less money in the first few years by waiting, the crossover point where delaying becomes advantageous is usually around age 78-80 for most people. Given that life expectancy keeps increasing and healthcare costs are rising, that extra monthly income for potentially 15-20+ years can really add up. The key is looking at your total expected lifetime benefits, not just the monthly amount.

As someone who's been through this exact situation, I can confirm that the delayed retirement credits are definitely prorated monthly at 2/3 of 1% per month. I delayed claiming for 8 months past my FRA and received about a 5.3% increase in my monthly benefit. What I found really helpful was calling SSA and asking them to run a benefit estimate for different claiming dates - they can show you exactly what your monthly benefit would be at various ages. One thing I wish someone had told me is that you can actually file a "restricted application" strategy in some cases, but the rules changed for people born after 1954. Also, don't forget that Medicare Part B premiums are automatically deducted from your Social Security check, so factor that into your net benefit calculations. The extra monthly income from delaying has been worth it for me, especially since it also increased my spouse's potential survivor benefit. Good luck with your decision!

This thread has been absolutely phenomenal! As someone who helps people navigate government benefits applications, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might be helpful: **Document Authentication Tip**: If you have any documents that are old or potentially questionable quality, consider getting them authenticated/certified by a notary before submitting. Some SSA offices are pickier than others about document condition, and having notarized copies can prevent rejections. **Medical Records Consideration**: While not always required for standard retirement applications, if you have any chronic conditions or disabilities, keep your medical records organized too. Sometimes people discover they qualify for disability benefits in addition to or instead of retirement benefits, especially if they're applying before Full Retirement Age. **Bank Statement Backup**: Along with your direct deposit information, consider bringing a recent bank statement to verify your account details. This can speed up the direct deposit setup process and prevent payment delays due to incorrect routing numbers. **Emergency Contact Information**: Make sure SSA has current emergency contact information for a trusted family member or friend. If they can't reach you and need urgent clarification on something, having an alternate contact can prevent application delays. The systematic approach everyone has outlined here - starting early, creating comprehensive document systems, checking earnings records first, and having multiple backups - is exactly what I recommend to my clients. You're all doing this exactly right!

This entire thread has been like a masterclass in Social Security preparation! I'm about 2 years out from my own retirement and had no idea how complex this process could be. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from helping my mother with her application last year - if you've ever received any kind of settlement (legal, insurance, workers comp, etc.), make sure you understand how those might affect your benefits. My mom had received a small settlement from a car accident years ago and it caused confusion during her application because SSA wanted to verify it wasn't disability-related. Also, for anyone dealing with the stress of document gathering - consider making this a family project if you have adult children who can help. My siblings and I divided up the tasks of requesting different documents for our mom, which really sped up the process and reduced her anxiety about managing everything alone. The advice about starting 6+ months early cannot be overstated. We thought 3 months would be plenty and ended up scrambling at the end when her military records took forever to arrive. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences so openly - this thread should be pinned as a resource for anyone approaching retirement! The real-world advice here is so much more valuable than the generic checklists you find on government websites.

That's wonderful news, Amelia! You're making a great decision. As a retired teacher myself, I can tell you that going back to help with the teacher shortage is incredibly rewarding - you'll be making such a difference for those students and your fellow educators. Plus, the financial peace of mind knowing your SS benefits are secure makes it even better. The school district is lucky to have someone with your experience stepping up during this challenging time. Best of luck with your return to the classroom!

As someone who's been navigating Social Security for a few years now, I just want to echo what others have said - you're absolutely in the clear to work after reaching your FRA without any benefit reductions! I went through the same worry when I was offered some consulting work after retiring. The key thing to remember is that the earnings test completely disappears once you hit your full retirement age. One small tip I'd add: since you mentioned this is part-time work at a school district, make sure to ask HR about any retirement benefits they might offer even to part-time employees. Some districts have pro-rated pension contributions or health insurance options that could be valuable. Also, working in education might qualify you for certain tax deductions related to classroom supplies or professional development, even as a retiree coming back. It sounds like you're making a wonderful decision both financially and personally - helping with the teacher shortage is such valuable service to your community!

I've been helping people navigate Social Security for years, and I want to emphasize something important that hasn't been fully addressed: when your ex-husband is receiving SSDI, his benefit amount is calculated differently than regular retirement benefits. His SSDI is based on his Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) at the time he became disabled, not what he would receive at full retirement age. This can actually work in your favor sometimes, especially if he became disabled at a younger age when his earnings were lower, because the SSDI formula can be more generous. However, your ex-spouse benefit will still be calculated as up to 50% of his Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), reduced for early filing at 62. The key thing is that his current SSDI payment amount and your potential ex-spouse benefit are calculated from the same base (his PIA), so you're not getting shortchanged because it's disability versus retirement. Just make sure when you apply that they specifically look at both your record and his disability record to give you the higher amount.

I went through this exact situation about 3 years ago! My ex-husband was on SSDI and I applied for divorced spouse benefits at 62. Here's what I learned that might help you: First, yes you absolutely can get benefits based on his SSDI record since you were married over 10 years and haven't remarried. The amount will be based on his Primary Insurance Amount (the same number his SSDI is calculated from), so you're not penalized because it's disability vs retirement. However, filing at 62 means you'll get about 32.5% of his PIA instead of the full 50% you'd get at your full retirement age. In my case, this ended up being around $850/month. Also, make sure to apply online or by phone rather than going to the office - the online application lets you provide all your info upfront and seemed to process faster. They'll need your marriage certificate, divorce decree, and his Social Security number. The whole process took about 6 weeks for me. One last tip: if you're still working, definitely factor in the earnings test that others mentioned. I had to reduce my hours because I was losing $1 in benefits for every $2 I earned over the limit. Good luck!