Just wanted to add some clarification on timing - you mentioned you're 61 now and divorced in 2004 after 13 years of marriage, so you definitely meet the 10-year requirement. One important point: you CAN apply for divorced spouse benefits as soon as you turn 62, but if you're still working, be very careful about the earnings test. In 2025, if you earn more than $22,320 while collecting benefits before your FRA, they'll reduce your payments. Also, consider this strategy: you could potentially file a "restricted application" at your FRA to claim only the divorced spouse benefit while letting your own benefit grow with delayed retirement credits until age 70. This might maximize your total lifetime benefits depending on your situation. Definitely worth discussing this option with an SSA representative when you call!

I want to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you have your marriage certificate and divorce decree ready when you apply! SSA will need proof of your marriage duration and that it's officially ended. Also, since your divorce was in 2004, double-check that you have certified copies since older documents sometimes fade or get damaged over time. You can usually get certified copies from the county clerk where you were married/divorced if needed. Having all your documentation ready will make the application process much smoother and avoid delays in processing your claim.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet: if your son is receiving benefits as a disabled adult child (DAC) on your husband's record, and your PIA is higher, when you file for retirement, his benefit will automatically be recalculated based on your record instead. However, there's an important timing issue to be aware of. If you file for reduced retirement benefits before your FRA, and your son's benefit switches to your record, his benefit would also be reduced proportionally. If you wait until your FRA to file, his benefit would be the full 50% of your PIA. This is one of those situations where waiting until your FRA might be significantly beneficial for both of you, depending on the difference between your and your husband's PIAs.

I went through this exact situation with my disabled daughter two years ago! Here's what I learned: SSA will automatically compare your PIA to your husband's when you file, and your son will get benefits based on whichever is higher. The key thing is that it's not additive - he won't get benefits from both records, just the higher amount. What really helped me was creating a MySocialSecurity account and looking at my benefit estimate. While it doesn't show family benefits directly, you can at least see what your PIA will be and calculate 50% of that to compare with what your son currently gets from your husband's record. Also, since your son gets SSI, remember that any increase in his Social Security benefits will reduce his SSI payment (minus the first $20). So the overall increase to your family's total income might be less than you expect. But definitely worth calling SSA to get the exact numbers - I found early morning calls (right when they open at 7 AM) had shorter wait times.

Thank you all for the helpful information! I spoke with SSA this morning (after trying for days) and learned that my situation is primarily affected by: 1) the early retirement reduction since I'm only 57, and 2) a modified WEP calculation because of my husband's mixed career. The agent confirmed there is a special WEP provision that limits the reduction for survivors, which might mean I'm eligible for an adjustment. They're sending me a detailed explanation of the calculation by mail and scheduled a follow-up with a Technical Expert. I'll update once I know more in case it helps anyone else navigating this complicated situation.

This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with mixed government/Social Security careers! I'm currently helping my sister navigate a similar situation after her husband (a postal worker for 10 years, then private sector for 18 years) passed last year. The SSA reps we've spoken with have given conflicting information about WEP vs GPO, and it's been incredibly frustrating. Your experience confirms what I suspected - that there are special protections for survivors that aren't well-known or consistently explained. I'm definitely going to have her specifically ask about the WEP limitation for survivors and request a Technical Expert appointment. Thank you for taking the time to share your journey and promise to update - it really helps those of us trying to figure out these complex rules!

I just remembered something else - if your disabled son gets SSI or SSDI himself, that's separate from your benefits! Don't get those confused when your talking to SS people. My nephew gets SSDI payments AND his mom was getting the parent benefits too. Totally different things!

I'm dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what I learned from my experience. I turned 62 last year while receiving child-in-care benefits for my disabled daughter. Here's what actually happened: SSA sent me a letter about 2 months before my 62nd birthday explaining that I was becoming eligible for retirement benefits, but it clearly stated this was informational only - not a requirement to switch. They automatically did the benefit comparison that others mentioned, and since my CIC benefit was higher than my reduced retirement would be, they kept me on the child-in-care benefits. The key thing I discovered: make sure your son's disability status is current in their system! They had to reverify his condition as part of the process, which delayed things by a few weeks. If his disability determination is old or needs updating, start that process now. Also, I found it helpful to create a my Social Security account online if you don't already have one. You can see your benefit estimates there and track any changes to your case. Much easier than trying to get through on the phone for basic information. You're in a good position since your CIC benefit is higher than your potential early retirement benefit. Just stay on top of the paperwork and don't let anything lapse!

Thanks for sharing your experience, Dylan! This is such a helpful thread for anyone dealing with the earnings limit. I'm 64 and considering early retirement benefits while continuing to work part-time, but stories like yours make me realize I need to be much more careful about tracking ALL income sources. One thing I'm curious about - you mentioned the SSA agent said your benefits would increase once you reach full retirement age to account for the months they withheld payments. Do they give you any estimate of what that increase might be? I'm trying to figure out if it's better to wait until FRA to avoid this whole earnings limit mess, or if the eventual benefit increase makes it worth dealing with the complexity now. Also, for anyone else reading this - it might be worth asking your employer about the timing of any bonuses if you're close to the earnings limit. Sometimes they have flexibility on when to pay them out, which could help with year-end planning.

This is exactly why I tell everyone to be super careful about the earnings limit! I learned this the hard way when I first started collecting benefits at 62. The thing that really caught me off guard was that vacation payouts and even unused sick leave payments count toward the limit too - not just regular wages and bonuses. One tip that helped me: I started keeping a running total of my earnings throughout the year in a simple spreadsheet. I include every paycheck, bonus, overtime, etc. That way I can see where I stand at any point and avoid surprises. Some employers will also let you defer bonuses to the next year if you ask early enough, which can be helpful for managing the limit. The good news is that once you get the hang of tracking everything and planning ahead, it becomes much more manageable. And like others mentioned, you're not permanently losing that money - it's just being redistributed to increase your future monthly payments after FRA.