wait i just realized something do you have a health savings account HSA with your work plan?? if you do, once you have ANY medicare (even just part A) you CANNOT contribute to HSA anymore!!! found this out hardway

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you apply for Social Security benefits, they'll ask about your current work situation during the application process. Be completely honest about your part-time employment and income. Since you're at FRA, it won't reduce your benefits at all, but accurate reporting helps ensure everything is processed smoothly. I'd also suggest keeping good records of your work hours and pay stubs, especially during your first few months of collecting benefits, just in case SS ever has questions. The combination of SS benefits + part-time work income can be a great financial setup at FRA!

As someone who's been through this exact scenario, I can confirm what others have said - SSA doesn't make proactive projections based on your early-year earnings. They work with actual reported data. However, I'd strongly recommend setting up a my Social Security account online if you don't already have one. You can monitor your earnings record there and see what's been reported by your employer throughout the year. One thing to keep in mind with retail work is that your employer reports wages quarterly, so there might be a slight delay in what shows up in SSA's system versus your actual pay dates. This is usually not an issue, but it's good to be aware of the timing. Your plan to scale back hours later in the year should work perfectly with both the annual and monthly earnings tests.

One additional consideration for your situation - since you're working retail, make sure you understand how any potential overtime or holiday pay might affect your monthly earnings calculations. Retail often has busy periods (like back-to-school or holidays) where extra hours or premium pay could push you over that $1,950 monthly limit even if your regular schedule keeps you under it. Also, if your employer offers any bonuses or commissions, those count toward your earnings limit too. I learned this the hard way when a small year-end bonus pushed me just over the annual limit one year. Just something to keep in the back of your mind as you plan out your work schedule for the rest of 2025!

I'm new to this community and really appreciate how thoroughly everyone has addressed your complex situation. As someone just beginning to understand Social Security benefits, this discussion has been incredibly educational. What strikes me most is the consistent theme across all responses: the importance of getting accurate, written documentation from SSA. It's alarming how many people have shared experiences of receiving contradictory information from different representatives, especially for nuanced situations like disabled widow benefits transitioning to regular benefits. The key insights I'm taking away for your situation are: 1. At FRA (likely 67), you should receive 100% of your husband's benefit amount 2. After FRA, unlimited earnings are allowed without benefit reduction 3. The transition is mostly administrative, but benefit amounts can change 4. Crucially, you should request calculations for BOTH your widow's benefits AND your own work record at FRA That last point from @Zainab Ibrahim seems particularly important - even with limited self-employment income over 11+ years, you might have accumulated enough credits to qualify for higher benefits on your own record. SSA is supposed to automatically give you whichever is higher, but apparently they sometimes miss this. The practical advice about requesting Technical Experts who specialize in survivor benefits rather than general reps, and services like Claimyr for reaching knowledgeable agents more efficiently, could save you significant time and frustration. Your persistence in seeking clear answers despite months of confusion is truly admirable. Thank you for sharing your experience - it's helping newcomers like me understand the importance of self-advocacy in navigating these complex systems. I hope you get the definitive, written guidance you deserve soon!

I'm brand new to this community and still learning about Social Security benefits, but I wanted to thank you for sharing such a detailed and personal situation. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational for someone like me who's trying to understand how these systems work. What really stands out from this entire discussion is how many experienced members have emphasized the same key points: - Getting everything documented in writing from SSA is absolutely crucial - At your FRA (likely 67), you should receive 100% of your husband's benefit - After FRA, you can earn unlimited income without any benefit reduction - The suggestion to have SSA calculate BOTH your widow's benefits AND your own work record at FRA could potentially save you thousands I'm honestly shocked by how many people have shared stories of getting contradictory information from SSA representatives. It really highlights why communities like this are so valuable - when official channels are inconsistent, peer support and shared experiences become essential. The practical advice here has been amazing too - requesting Technical Experts who specialize in survivor benefits, using services like Claimyr to reach knowledgeable reps faster, and bringing documentation to support your case. These are the kinds of real-world strategies you just don't get from official websites. Your persistence in seeking clear answers while managing everything else you're dealing with is really inspiring. Thank you for helping newcomers like me understand how important it is to be our own advocates when navigating these complex benefit systems. I hope you finally get the definitive, written guidance you deserve!

I'm going through a very similar situation and this discussion has been incredibly enlightening! My ex-husband is 3 years younger than me and won't turn 62 until early 2027. We were married for 14 years, and I've been collecting my own modest retirement benefits for about 18 months now. One thing I wanted to ask - has anyone here had experience with getting an estimate of what their divorced spouse benefit might be before actually applying? I know SSA can provide benefit estimates, but I'm not sure if they can estimate the divorced spouse benefit amount without my ex's cooperation or knowledge. It would be helpful to know roughly what increase I might expect so I can plan my finances better. Also, I've been keeping detailed records of all my interactions with SSA representatives, including names, dates, and what they told me. Given how many people here have mentioned getting different answers from different reps, I figure having a paper trail might be useful when I eventually apply. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge - this thread should be bookmarked by anyone dealing with divorced spouse benefits!

I'm a benefits counselor who works with divorced individuals navigating Social Security, and I wanted to add a few clarifications to this excellent discussion. First, you're absolutely correct that your ex must be 62 before you can claim divorced spouse benefits, regardless of whether he's actually collecting. The confusion often comes from the fact that for CURRENT spouse benefits, the worker must be receiving benefits, but for DIVORCED spouse benefits, they only need to be eligible (age 62+). A few additional points that might help: - When you do apply in December 2025, consider filing the application in the month he turns 62, not necessarily waiting until after his birthday. SSA can process it to begin payments the month he reaches 62. - If you're receiving survivors benefits from a previous spouse who died, divorced spouse benefits might not increase your total payment due to how SSA coordinates different benefit types. - Keep your divorce decree easily accessible - SSA will need to verify the marriage duration and that the divorce is final. The system can be frustrating with inconsistent phone responses, but the core rules are clear: 10+ year marriage, both spouses 62+, and you must be unmarried. You're well-prepared with your 22-year marriage and having his SSN ready!

I just want to add one more important consideration that I learned the hard way - make sure you understand exactly when your survivor benefits will start if you apply at 67. There can be a delay between when you file and when you receive your first payment, and the timing matters for your strategy. Also, keep detailed records of everything! When I was navigating this process after my spouse passed, having documentation of all my conversations with SSA representatives was incredibly helpful. Different reps sometimes gave slightly different information, so being able to reference previous conversations helped me stay consistent with my plan. Your strategy sounds exactly right based on what you've described. The fact that you're still working and have a solid earnings record puts you in a great position to maximize this approach. Just make sure to file for the survivor benefits a few months before you turn 67 so there are no delays in getting that income stream started while you wait for your own benefit to grow.

One more thing to keep in mind - if you're planning to continue working until 67 while collecting survivor benefits, make sure you understand how the earnings test works. Since you'll be at your FRA when you start collecting survivor benefits, your earnings won't reduce those benefits. But it's worth double-checking this with SSA since the rules can be tricky. Also, I'd recommend getting everything in writing when you speak with SSA representatives. You can request written confirmation of your benefit estimates and the timing for switching from survivor benefits to your own retirement benefit at 70. This creates a paper trail in case there are any questions or discrepancies later. Your approach is definitely one of the smartest strategies for maximizing lifetime Social Security income as a widow. The key is just making sure all the numbers work in your favor before you commit to the plan. It sounds like you're doing all the right research!