I'm so glad to hear your update worked out! This is exactly why communities like this are so valuable - people helping each other navigate these complex government systems. Your experience will definitely help others who find themselves in similar situations. It's terrible that SSA doesn't proactively inform people about survivor benefits, but at least you were able to get it sorted out relatively quickly once you knew what to ask for. Wishing you all the best during this transition.

Sara, I'm so sorry for your loss and glad to see you were able to get this resolved! Your story really emphasizes how crucial it is for people to know about these benefits. As someone who works with seniors in my community, I see this situation far too often - people missing out on survivor benefits simply because no one tells them about it. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, I'd recommend also checking if you're eligible for any other widow/widower benefits like reduced Medicare premiums or property tax exemptions at the local level. Sometimes there are additional benefits beyond Social Security that can help during this difficult transition. Thank you for sharing your experience - it will definitely help others who find themselves facing similar circumstances.

So glad to hear your brother was able to get through to SSA and get this sorted out! This is actually a really valuable thread for anyone else who might find themselves in a similar situation. Just wanted to add one more tip - if anyone else is considering Social Security timing, the SSA website has a really helpful "Retirement Estimator" tool that can show you exactly how much your monthly benefit would be at different ages (62, full retirement age, 70, etc.). It's at ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/estimator.html and can help you make a more informed decision upfront. Your brother is smart to wait until his FRA - that extra $450/month really adds up over time!

Great to see this worked out! As someone who works in retirement planning, I see this situation ALL the time. The Social Security claiming decision is one of the most important financial choices people make, and unfortunately the system doesn't make it easy to understand the long-term impact. A few additional thoughts for anyone reading this: 1) The "break-even" analysis is crucial - figure out how many years you'd need to live to make waiting worthwhile (usually around 12-15 years), 2) Don't forget about spousal claiming strategies if you're married, and 3) Consider your other retirement income sources. Sometimes it makes sense to delay SS and draw from 401k/IRA first. The SSA-521 form mentioned here is definitely the right move when you catch the mistake early like this!

As someone new to this community, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who explained IRMAA so clearly! I'm 63 and planning to retire in a few years, and I had no idea about these Medicare premium increases based on income from 2 years prior. This thread is a perfect example of why these discussions are so valuable. I was actually considering selling some stocks next year to pay off my mortgage before retirement, but now I realize I need to think about the timing much more carefully to avoid jumping into higher IRMAA brackets. Does anyone know if there are good resources or calculators to help plan these kinds of transactions? It sounds like spreading sales across multiple years could make a huge difference in avoiding these premium increases.

Welcome to the community! As someone who just went through this exact situation with my parents, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to understand these rules BEFORE making large financial moves. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - if your mom or aunt have any major life changes coming up (like moving to a nursing home, death of a spouse, etc.), they might qualify for an IRMAA appeal even for investment sales. The SSA considers "life-changing events" that reduce income, and sometimes selling assets is part of restructuring finances after these events. Also, for future planning, consider looking into tax-loss harvesting in December if they have other investments. If they know they'll need to sell something with gains, they can potentially sell losing positions in the same tax year to offset some of the income impact. The 2-year lookback is brutal because by the time you see the Medicare premium increase, it's too late to do anything about that particular year. But at least now you know what to expect and can plan accordingly!

Congrats on reaching FRA! I just went through this last month and found it pretty easy. Just make sure you're on the official ssa.gov website - there are some scam sites out there.

I went through this process about 6 months ago and it was much smoother than I expected! The save feature is definitely reliable - I actually had to use it three times because I kept getting interrupted by phone calls. Each time I came back with my re-entry number, everything was exactly where I left it. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: make sure you have your most recent W-2 or self-employment tax records handy. The system asked me to verify some earnings information from recent years. Also, if you've ever changed your name (marriage, divorce, etc.), having those documents nearby can be helpful just in case. The whole thing really is designed for people like us who want to avoid those long office waits. Just take your time with each section - there's no rush once you start!

Another factor to consider is inflation protection. Social Security benefits receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), so even if you take a reduced benefit at 64, that amount will still grow with inflation over time. However, the percentage reduction is permanent - so if you're getting 86.7% of the full benefit at 64, you'll always be getting 86.7% of what the full benefit would have been, even after COLAs. I'd also suggest thinking about your overall retirement portfolio. If you have other sources of income like 401k, IRA, or pension that can bridge the gap from 64 to 67, it might make sense to wait for the higher Social Security amount. But if Social Security will be your primary income source, starting at 64 might provide needed cash flow. One more thing - make sure you understand that taking ex-spouse benefits won't affect what your ex-husband receives. Some people worry about this, but his benefits continue unchanged regardless of whether you claim on his record.

You've received excellent advice here! I'd like to add one practical tip that might help with your decision-making process: consider calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to request a benefit estimate specifically for ex-spouse benefits based on your ex-husband's record. While you can see your own projected benefits online, getting the exact ex-spouse benefit amount can sometimes require a phone call. Also, since you mentioned having a "spotty" work history, don't forget that Social Security uses your highest 35 years of earnings to calculate benefits. If you have fewer than 35 years of earnings, they count the missing years as zeros, which can significantly lower your own benefit. This might make the ex-spouse benefit even more valuable in your situation. One last consideration: if you're concerned about Social Security's long-term solvency, taking benefits earlier rather than later might provide some peace of mind, even if it means a reduced monthly amount. The program's trustees project the trust fund could be depleted by 2034, though benefits would still continue at about 80% of scheduled amounts even in that scenario. Whatever you decide, make sure you're comfortable with it both financially and emotionally. There's no perfect answer that works for everyone!