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Hey just wondering - does anyone know if the OP could have done something different? Like if he had waited until Full Retirement Age instead of taking benefits at 65? I'm trying to figure out what to do with my own situation and don't want to make the same mistake!
Yes, there was a potentially better strategy. Prior to 2016, someone at their Full Retirement Age could file a "restricted application" for just spousal/ex-spousal benefits while letting their own benefit grow until age 70. Unfortunately, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 eliminated this option for anyone born after January 1, 1954. For someone in the original poster's position today, the best strategy would depend on whose record would provide the higher benefit. If their own record would ultimately be higher, waiting until 70 to file would maximize their monthly benefit (though they'd miss several years of payments). If the ex-spouse's record would provide the higher benefit, then timing would depend on when the ex-spouse files and when the maximum spousal benefit would be available.
I'm sorry to hear about your financial struggles, Natalie. This is unfortunately a common misunderstanding about Social Security benefits. The key thing to remember is that you always receive the HIGHER of either your own benefit OR the spousal/ex-spousal benefit - never both combined. Since you're already receiving $1,425 monthly on your own record, your ex-wife would need a Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) of at least $2,850 for you to qualify for any additional ex-spouse benefit. That's because the maximum ex-spouse benefit is 50% of her PIA. While you can't change your past filing decision, I'd recommend looking into other assistance programs that might help with your financial situation. Your local Area Agency on Aging can help you find programs for utilities assistance, food support, prescription drug help, and other resources specifically designed for seniors facing financial hardship.
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I'm so sorry for your loss, Serene. This is unfortunately a very common situation for working widows. The SSA rep was correct - with your $85,000 income, you're well above the 2025 earnings limit of $22,320, so any widow's benefits would be completely offset by the earnings test reduction. However, I'd strongly recommend getting a written benefit estimate that shows the exact calculations. Sometimes if the deceased spouse's benefit was very high, there might be edge cases where a small amount could still be payable. Also, definitely consider whether reducing your hours might make financial sense - you'd need to run the numbers on lost wages vs. potential widow benefits. And remember, once you hit your FRA at 66 and 10 months, you can earn unlimited income without any reduction in benefits. The waiting is frustrating, but those benefits will be there when you're ready to claim them!
Thanks Quinn, that's really helpful advice. I keep hearing about getting written estimates and I think that's definitely my next step. It would be good to see the actual numbers rather than just being told "you can't get anything." I'm curious about the edge cases you mentioned - my husband was receiving about $2,800/month when he passed, which seemed pretty high to me. I have no idea what my own benefit will be since I've had some years with lower earnings when I was raising kids. Do you know if there's a specific form I should ask for when requesting the written estimate? I want to make sure I get all the details about the earnings test calculations.
@c3c812885916 You're absolutely right about getting those written estimates! With your husband receiving $2,800/month, that's definitely on the higher side. You'll want to ask for Form SSA-7004 (Social Security Statement) which will show your projected benefits, and specifically request a widow's benefit estimate. Also ask them to show you the earnings test calculation in writing - how much would be withheld at different income levels. Given that your husband's benefit was $2,800/month, your widow benefit could potentially be around that amount (maybe slightly less depending on his age when he started collecting), so it's definitely worth seeing if reducing to part-time work might make financial sense. The math could surprise you!
I'm really sorry for your loss, Serene. This is such a difficult situation to navigate while you're still grieving. The SSA representative was technically correct about the earnings test, but I'd definitely encourage you to dig deeper into the specifics of your case. With your husband receiving $2,800/month, that's a substantial benefit amount - and your potential widow's benefit could be close to that figure. Here's what I'd suggest: Request a detailed written analysis showing exactly how much your widow's benefit would be before any reductions, then ask them to calculate the earnings test at different income levels. For example, what if you reduced your hours to earn $60k? $50k? $40k? You might find there's a sweet spot where the combination of reduced wages plus partial widow's benefits actually puts you ahead financially. Also, definitely ask about filing strategies for when you reach your FRA. You might be able to claim widow's benefits then while letting your own retirement benefit grow until age 70 - but only if your own projected benefit would eventually be higher than the widow's benefit. The timing and strategy can make a huge difference in your lifetime benefits. Good luck navigating this complex system!
This is such valuable advice, thank you! I never thought about calculating the "sweet spot" between reduced wages and partial benefits - that's brilliant. You're right that $2,800/month was a substantial benefit, and if my widow's benefit could be close to that, the math might actually work out better than I initially thought. I'm definitely going to request those detailed calculations at different income levels. The strategy about claiming widow's benefits at FRA while letting my own benefit grow to age 70 is also something I hadn't considered - I'll need to find out what my own projected benefit would be to see if that makes sense. It's overwhelming trying to figure out the best approach, but having a clear plan with actual numbers will help so much. Thanks for breaking this down so clearly!
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I'm so sorry for your loss, Connor. I went through something very similar about 18 months ago when my husband passed. The confusion you're experiencing is completely understandable - even some SSA representatives don't fully grasp how survivor benefits work independently from your own retirement benefits. The short answer is: your early filing for your own retirement benefits does NOT reduce your survivor benefit amount. Since you waited until after your FRA to apply for survivor benefits, you're entitled to 100% of what your husband was receiving (or would have received at his FRA). Here's what helped me: I kept detailed notes of every conversation with SSA, including the representative's name and ID number. When I got conflicting information, I was able to reference previous calls. Also, don't be afraid to hang up and call back if you get a rep who seems unsure - I learned this the hard way after getting incorrect information twice. One thing that really caught my attention in your post - you mentioned applying for survivor benefits "about a year after reaching your FRA." Make sure to ask specifically about retroactive payments. You might be eligible for up to 6 months of back payments, which could be substantial depending on the benefit amounts. The waiting and uncertainty is stressful, but you should end up with whichever benefit is higher - either your current reduced amount or your husband's full benefit amount. Hang in there!
Thank you so much Kelsey, this is incredibly helpful and reassuring. I really appreciate you sharing your experience - it's exactly what I needed to hear from someone who's been through this recently. I'm definitely going to start keeping detailed notes of my SSA conversations including rep names and ID numbers. That's such a smart approach, especially since I've already gotten different answers from different people. I'll also make sure to specifically ask about those retroactive payments when I follow up. The waiting really is stressful, but hearing from people like you who have successfully navigated this process gives me confidence that it will work out. Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed and compassionate response.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Connor. This is definitely one of the more confusing aspects of Social Security, and you're not alone in getting mixed messages from different representatives. The good news is that everyone here is giving you correct information - your early filing for your own retirement benefits absolutely does NOT affect your survivor benefit amount. These are calculated completely separately. Since you wisely waited until after your FRA to apply for survivor benefits, you're entitled to receive the full 100% of your husband's benefit if it's higher than your current reduced benefit. I'd strongly recommend calling back and specifically asking them to explain in detail how they calculated your new benefit amount. Ask them to confirm that they're giving you the higher of: (1) your current reduced retirement benefit, or (2) 100% of your husband's benefit amount. If the representative seems uncertain about this, don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor or call back for a second opinion. Also, definitely ask about retroactive payments since your husband passed away over a year ago and you're just now applying for survivor benefits. You could be entitled to several months of back pay. Document everything - names, dates, what was said. The rules are clear on this, but sometimes it takes persistence to get them applied correctly. You should end up in a much better financial position once this gets sorted out properly.
Thank you so much Layla! This is exactly the kind of detailed guidance I was hoping for. I really appreciate you confirming what others have said about the benefits being calculated separately - it's such a relief to hear this consistently from people who understand the system. I'm definitely going to call back and ask them to walk through their calculation step by step, and I'll make sure to ask about speaking with a supervisor if needed. The documentation tip is great too - I wish I had started doing that from my first call! I'm feeling much more confident about advocating for myself now that I understand what I should be entitled to. Thank you for taking the time to give such thorough advice during what I know is a stressful process for anyone dealing with these benefits.
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One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you're currently receiving spousal benefits on your husband's record while he's alive, those would automatically convert to survivor benefits when he passes away (assuming the survivor benefit is higher). This can make the transition a bit smoother since SSA already has your information on file. Also, since you mentioned you're still working part-time, you might want to consider how your own earnings record is being affected. If you're earning credits now, it could potentially increase your own future Social Security benefit, which might factor into your claiming strategy decision. Every year you work and pay into Social Security (up to 35 years of earnings) can potentially increase your own benefit amount. It's really admirable that you're taking the time to understand all these details ahead of time. Having this knowledge will help you make informed decisions if and when the time comes.
That's a great point about spousal benefits automatically converting to survivor benefits! I hadn't thought about that aspect. Since I'm still working part-time, you're right that I should consider how that's affecting my own Social Security record. I've been so focused on understanding survivor benefits that I forgot my current earnings could still be improving my own future benefit amount. It sounds like there are so many moving pieces to consider - my current work, potential spousal benefits now, survivor benefits later, and the timing of when to claim each one. I really appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge and experiences. This community has been incredibly helpful in breaking down what seemed like an overwhelming topic into manageable pieces I can actually understand and plan around.
I'm a Social Security Administration representative and want to clarify a few key points for everyone following this discussion: 1) **Multiple survivors CAN collect**: As mentioned correctly, multiple eligible survivors (current spouse, ex-spouse, children, etc.) can all receive benefits from the same deceased worker's record without reducing each other's amounts. 2) **Ex-spouse eligibility requirements**: The ex-spouse must have been married to the deceased for at least 10 years AND generally must be unmarried (or remarried after age 60) to qualify for survivor benefits. 3) **Benefit amounts**: Current spouses receive 100% of the deceased's benefit if claimed at Full Retirement Age. Ex-spouses also receive 100% if they meet all requirements and claim at their FRA. 4) **Important reminder**: You cannot receive both your own retirement benefit AND survivor benefit simultaneously - SSA pays the higher of the two amounts. For personalized advice about your specific situation, I recommend scheduling an appointment with your local SSA office or calling our national number at 1-800-772-1213. Every situation is unique, and we can provide guidance tailored to your circumstances. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time of planning and uncertainty about your husband's health.
Thank you so much for the official clarification! It's really reassuring to have an actual SSA representative confirm what everyone has been sharing. I feel much more confident now understanding that multiple survivors can collect without affecting each other's amounts, and that there are clear eligibility requirements. The reminder about not being able to collect both benefits simultaneously is important - I'll definitely need to think strategically about timing. I really appreciate you taking the time to provide official guidance, and I'll definitely consider scheduling an appointment to discuss my specific situation once I've had more conversations with my husband about our planning. This whole thread has been incredibly educational and helpful during what is indeed a difficult time of uncertainty.
Dylan Mitchell
Hi Linda! Based on all the experiences shared in this thread, survivor benefits payment dates follow YOUR birthday, not your late husband's birthday. Since your birthday is June 9th, you would fall into the second Wednesday payment schedule (birthdays on the 1st-10th of the month get paid on the second Wednesday). Your husband's September 12th birthday doesn't determine your payment schedule. This has been confirmed by multiple people in this community who have gone through the same situation. The Social Security Administration treats survivor benefits as YOUR benefit (even though it's calculated from your spouse's earnings record), so all payment scheduling is based on your information, including your birth date. I hope this helps clarify things for you!
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Cass Green
•Dylan is absolutely correct, Linda! I'm also new to this community and have been following this entire thread - everyone who has shared their actual experience confirms that survivor benefits follow YOUR birth date for payment scheduling, not your late husband's. With your June 9th birthday, you'll receive payments on the second Wednesday of each month. This seems to be one of those details that the SSA doesn't explain clearly, which is why so many people have the same confusion. It's really helpful to have this community where people can share their real experiences to clear up these important questions!
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Ashley Adams
Hi Linda! I can see you've posted this question multiple times, and I completely understand the confusion - this is such an important detail for budgeting! Based on all the experiences shared in this thread, your survivor benefits payments will definitely follow YOUR birthday (June 9th), not your late husband's birthday (September 12th). Since you were born on June 9th, you fall into the "1st-10th of the month" category, which means your payments will come on the second Wednesday of each month. This has been consistently confirmed by everyone in this community who has actually received survivor benefits. The Social Security Administration treats these as YOUR benefits once you start receiving them, even though they're calculated based on your husband's work record. I hope this gives you the clarity you need for your financial planning!
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Luca Conti
•Hi Linda! I'm new to this community but have been reading through this entire thread, and I wanted to add my voice to confirm what Ashley and others have said. Your survivor benefits will absolutely follow YOUR birth date (June 9th), which puts you in the second Wednesday payment schedule. I know it can be confusing because you're receiving benefits based on your husband's work record, but the Social Security Administration processes these as your benefits once approved, so everything - including payment timing - is based on your information. This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding these details that aren't clearly explained on the official SSA website. I hope this gives you peace of mind about when to expect your payments each month!
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