I'm in a very similar situation - turned 62 recently and have been collecting survivor benefits for about 2 years now. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful, especially hearing from people who actually went through this transition. One question I have that I haven't seen addressed: does anyone know if there are any health considerations I should factor into the decision of when to switch? I'm generally healthy now, but my family history has some concerns. I keep going back and forth between taking my own benefit at FRA (67) versus waiting until 70 for the maximum amount. The extra money would be great, but I also worry about the "what if" scenarios. Also, has anyone used the SSA's online benefit estimator tools? Are they pretty accurate for planning purposes, or should I try to get an actual consultation somehow?

I'm currently facing this same decision at 63, collecting survivor benefits while waiting to claim my own retirement benefit. One thing I learned from my financial advisor that might help others here is to also consider your overall retirement income picture, not just Social Security. For example, if you have other retirement accounts (401k, IRA, etc.), the timing of when you switch to your own SS benefit can affect your tax bracket and Medicare premiums. The higher your total income, the more you might pay in Medicare Part B and D premiums due to IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount). Also, I've found that creating a simple spreadsheet comparing total lifetime benefits under different claiming scenarios really helps visualize the decision. You can factor in your estimated lifespan, other income sources, and even inflation to see which strategy works best for your specific situation. The break-even analysis someone mentioned is crucial - but don't forget that Social Security benefits are inflation-adjusted for life, so that higher monthly amount from waiting becomes even more valuable over time compared to other fixed income sources.

I'm dealing with a similar issue right now - my spousal benefits were miscalculated and it's been 5 months with no resolution. After reading through all these responses, I'm amazed at how many different approaches there are that I never knew existed! Based on what everyone has shared, here's my plan of attack: I'm going to start with the EPIC complaint system that @Malik Jackson mentioned since it seems to have worked well for him, and simultaneously contact my Congressional Representative's office. I figure hitting it from multiple angles might speed things up. One thing I want to add that I learned from my own research - if anyone is dealing with overpayment or underpayment issues specifically, there's also something called a "critical payment" designation that can be requested if the error is causing significant financial hardship. The key is using those exact words when you speak with SSA staff. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and specific strategies. This thread is like a masterclass in navigating SSA bureaucracy! I'll report back on what works for me.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation with my retirement benefits - been waiting 3 months for a recalculation and getting nowhere with my local office. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea there were so many different avenues to try. What strikes me most is how many people are facing the exact same issue - it seems like there's a systematic problem with how complex cases get handled at the local level. The fact that we all have to become amateur investigators just to get basic help with our own benefits is really frustrating. I'm planning to try a combination of approaches based on what everyone has shared: starting with the EPIC complaint system, then contacting my Congressional Representative if needed, and documenting everything along the way. The specific terminology people have mentioned (like "Technical Expert Review" and "critical case flag") is gold - I never would have known to use these exact phrases. One question for those who have had success - should I mention in my initial EPIC complaint that I've found others online with identical issues? I'm wondering if highlighting this as a broader pattern might help get attention faster than treating it as an isolated case. Thank you to everyone who shared their strategies and experiences. This thread should definitely be bookmarked for anyone dealing with SSA headquarters access issues!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Luca. This is such a difficult situation to navigate both emotionally and financially. I went through something very similar when I lost my husband at 57. Based on what others have shared here, I'd strongly recommend getting that my.ssa.gov account set up first so you can see your actual numbers - it really makes a difference when you can compare your potential survivor benefit to your own retirement benefit projections. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier is that you can always change your mind about working levels later. If you find the earnings limit is taking too much of your benefit, you could reduce your hours temporarily, or if you need to work more, you can update your earnings estimate with SSA so they don't overwithhold. The most important thing right now is that you're already 2+ months into 2025 without any survivor benefits coming in while you're struggling financially. Sometimes the "good enough" decision made now is better than the "perfect" decision made months from now when you've missed out on help you desperately need. Hang in there - it does get easier to navigate once you get started with the process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Luca. What a difficult situation to be in during an already challenging time. From everything shared here, it sounds like you have some really good options to consider. The strategy of taking survivor benefits now while working and potentially switching to your own retirement benefit later seems promising if your work record is strong. One practical tip that helped me when I was navigating Social Security - when you do call or visit the office, write down your questions beforehand and ask them to walk through specific dollar amounts with your actual earnings. Sometimes the general rules sound scarier than they are when you see your real numbers. Also, don't feel pressured to make a final decision in that first appointment - you can always ask them to mail you a written estimate to review at home. The community here has given you excellent advice about the my.ssa.gov account and being specific about applying for survivor benefits only. You've got this, and remember that getting some financial relief now while you figure out the longer-term strategy is completely valid. Take care of yourself during this process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Kristin. I went through this exact process about 6 months ago when my husband passed away. The information everyone has shared here is excellent - you definitely cannot complete the full survivor benefits application online, but you can schedule your appointment online which saves so much frustration. I wanted to add one thing that really helped me: when you call or schedule online, specifically ask if you can have a "bereavement specialist" handle your case. Many SSA offices have representatives who are specially trained to work with people who have lost spouses. They tend to be more patient, understanding, and knowledgeable about the specific documents and processes involved in survivor benefits. Also, don't worry if you need to reschedule your appointment - life is unpredictable when you're grieving, and SSA is generally accommodating about this. I had to reschedule mine twice because I just wasn't emotionally ready, and they were completely understanding. One last practical tip: if you decide to do a phone appointment, make sure you're in a quiet space with good cell reception and have a pen and paper ready. They'll give you confirmation numbers and next steps that you'll want to write down, but it's hard to focus when you're emotional. You're stronger than you know, and you'll get through this process. Take it at your own pace.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Kristin. I went through this same process when my father passed away last year, and I can definitely relate to not wanting to deal with crowded offices while processing grief. Everyone here has given you excellent advice - you're absolutely right that survivor benefits can't be completed entirely online, but the online appointment scheduling is a lifesaver. I'd also echo the suggestion about asking for a bereavement specialist when you schedule. They made such a difference in my experience. One thing I wanted to add that I don't think anyone mentioned yet: if you have any of your husband's old Social Security statements or benefit estimates, bring those along too. Sometimes there can be discrepancies in earnings records, and having those documents can help resolve any issues more quickly. Also, if he was receiving any Social Security benefits before he passed away, make sure to ask about stopping those payments - sometimes there can be overpayments that need to be addressed. The reduced benefit amount at 58 might feel discouraging, but remember that you can always switch to your own retirement benefits later if they would be higher. The SSA representative can help you understand your options for maximizing your lifetime benefits. You're handling an incredibly difficult situation with such grace. Take all the time you need, and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it.

I'm a newcomer here but have been researching this exact topic for my own situation. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to review your earnings record before the conversion happens. Since SSDI benefits are calculated based on your work history up to when you became disabled, and retirement benefits use your highest 35 years of earnings, there could be rare cases where continuing to work part-time (under SGA limits) before FRA might slightly increase your eventual retirement benefit calculation. It's probably not a big difference for most people, but worth checking your earnings record on ssa.gov to see if you have any zero-earning years that could potentially be replaced. Just another small detail to consider, though the automatic conversion process itself is exactly as everyone described - completely hands-off!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly thorough discussion! I'm in a similar situation - currently 64 and on SSDI for the past 5 years. Reading through all these responses has been so reassuring, especially hearing from people who have actually gone through the conversion process. I was getting really anxious about what would happen when I reach my FRA, but now I understand it's truly automatic and seamless. The tip about setting up a my Social Security account online is great - I'm going to do that this week so I can monitor everything leading up to my conversion. It's amazing how this community can provide clearer answers than multiple failed phone calls to SSA! Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge.