Based on all the information and corrections, here's a summary of your optimal strategy: 1. Apply now but specify January 2025 as your benefit start month 2. Make sure to apply for both your retirement benefit and the spousal benefit simultaneously 3. Your March-May earnings ($10,500) are well below the pre-FRA limit, so no benefits will be withheld 4. The permanent reduction for starting 5 months early is minimal ($52/month) compared to receiving 5 extra months of payments 5. After June 2025 (your FRA), you can earn unlimited amounts without affecting your benefits Taking benefits in January 2025 appears to be the mathematically optimal choice in your specific situation.

Congratulations on doing your homework before making this decision! As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all the helpful responses here. One thing I'd add that might be worth considering - when you apply online, make sure to print or save copies of everything you submit. I've heard from friends that having documentation can be really helpful if any questions come up later about your application or benefit calculations. Also, after you submit your application, you should receive a confirmation letter from SSA within a few weeks confirming your benefit amounts and start date. Good luck with your application!

Smart decision, Zara! You're absolutely right about the earnings test too - if you're still working part-time, claiming early could trigger benefit reductions if you earn over the annual limit ($22,320 for 2024). That's another factor people often forget about. Since you have time to research and plan, waiting until FRA gives you maximum flexibility and benefits. Plus, those extra years of earnings might even increase your own PIA slightly. You sound like you've really thought this through!

You made the right choice, Zara! I went through this same decision process two years ago and also decided to wait until FRA. It was tough watching that money sit on the table, but when I finally claimed at my FRA, the difference was substantial. One thing that helped me was creating a breakeven analysis - calculating at what age the total lifetime benefits would be equal between claiming early vs. waiting. For most people in situations like yours, if you live past age 78-80, waiting pays off significantly. The SSA's online calculators can help with this, though they're not the most user-friendly. Also, don't forget that your spousal benefit will be based on your husband's full PIA since he's waiting until his FRA - that's the silver lining in all this complexity!

I've been following this discussion as someone who went through a similar situation a few years ago. One thing I want to emphasize is the importance of getting everything in writing from SSA once you do speak with them. When I was navigating my ex-spouse benefits after my second divorce, I had three different SSA representatives give me conflicting information over the phone. I finally requested that all calculations and eligibility determinations be provided in writing, which helped tremendously when I had to clarify discrepancies later. Also, don't be surprised if the first person you speak with isn't familiar with complex divorce/remarriage scenarios. I had to ask to speak with a specialist who deals specifically with spousal and survivor benefits. The general representatives are knowledgeable, but these multi-marriage situations have so many nuances that it really helps to talk to someone who handles them regularly. One last tip - bring copies of ALL your marriage certificates and divorce decrees, even if you think they might not be relevant. I initially only brought paperwork from my qualifying marriage, but they ended up needing documentation from all my marriages to properly process my claim. Best of luck navigating this process! It's complicated but definitely worth getting right.

I've been working in Social Security disability advocacy for over 15 years and wanted to add a few practical tips for when you do get your SSA appointment: 1. **Timing matters for your appointment** - Try to schedule for early morning when staff are fresh and have more time to review complex cases like yours. 2. **Bring a written summary** - Write out your marriage timeline (dates married/divorced for both husbands) and your key questions. This helps keep the appointment focused and ensures you don't forget anything important. 3. **Ask about "what if" scenarios** - Have them calculate benefits for different filing ages (62, 65, 67, 70) so you can see exactly how much waiting would be worth in dollars. 4. **Get your ex-husband's earnings estimate** - While they can't give you his exact earnings history, they can tell you approximately what your ex-spousal benefit would be based on his record. The remarriage rules are definitely tricky, but you're asking all the right questions. The fact that your first marriage lasted 29 years puts you in a strong position once your current divorce is finalized. Many people don't realize they can claim on a prior ex-spouse's record after a subsequent divorce ends. Good luck with everything! These decisions are never easy, but getting the right information upfront will help you make the best choice for your situation.

I'm glad you found everyone's advice helpful! Your mother's situation is unfortunately very common - many people don't realize the permanence of the reduction when claiming survivor benefits early. The good news is that checking her own retirement benefit is definitely worth doing. Even if her own benefit isn't higher now, it's good to know for future planning. Also, don't forget that if she does have other sources of income, she might want to consult with a tax professional about the tax implications that Isaac mentioned. The SSA really should do a better job explaining these permanent decisions upfront. Best of luck to your mother!

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. This is such a common and frustrating situation - the SSA really needs to do better at explaining the permanence of these decisions. One additional thing your mother might want to consider: if she's still working or planning to work before her FRA, there could be earnings limits that temporarily reduce her survivor benefits. But once she reaches FRA, those earnings limits disappear entirely, which is another reason to definitely compare her own retirement benefit at that point. The strategy Lucy mentioned about potentially switching to her own benefit at FRA could be a game-changer if her work history supports a higher benefit amount.

Update: I found it! For anyone else looking, after logging in to mySocialSecurity, click on "Replacement Documents" on the left side menu, then select "Replacement SSA-1099/1042S". It lets you download a PDF immediately. So much easier than I thought!

WAIT - does everyone on Social Security get this form?? I get SSDI (disability) not retirement and I don't remember seeing any tax form! Am I supposed to be reporting this on my taxes?? I haven't filed in years because I thought disability wasn't taxable!