my brother n his gf tried to claim they were common law for ss and got DENIED even tho they lived together 15+ years... ss said they needed MORE PROOF they were acting like married people. make sure u have tons of paperwork!!!

Just wanted to add my experience - I successfully got spousal benefits based on my common-law marriage in Texas after 25 years together. The key was having that Declaration of Informal Marriage from the county clerk like @Javier Gomez mentioned. We filed it about 6 months before I applied for SS benefits, and it made the whole process much smoother. The SSA agent told me that having that official declaration really helps because it shows the state of Texas recognizes your marriage. We also provided joint bank statements going back 10+ years, our mortgage documents showing both names, and affidavits from family members. One tip: when you go to file the Declaration, bring as much documentation as possible showing your relationship timeline. The county clerk can include some of that in the filing which strengthens your case with SSA later. Good luck!

Congratulations on getting through to SSA and getting that clarification! Your experience is a perfect example of why it's so important to push back when you get an initial denial - many people just accept the first "no" without realizing there might be exceptions or special rules that apply to their situation. The fact that you're in your FRA year makes a huge difference, and it sounds like the original reviewer may not have caught that detail. Keep us posted on how your reconsideration goes - your success story could help others in similar situations!

What a rollercoaster this must have been for you! Your story really highlights how important it is to get multiple opinions and keep pushing when dealing with SSA. I'm curious - when you submit your reconsideration request, are you including any specific documentation beyond just the severance paperwork? I'm wondering if there's a particular form or letter format that works best for these earnings test appeals. Also, do you know roughly how long the reconsideration process typically takes? I imagine there are others reading this who might find themselves in similar situations and could benefit from knowing the timeline. Really glad you didn't give up after that initial denial!

This is such great advice from everyone! I'm in a similar situation (retiring in August 2025) and was really worried about the timing. Reading through all these responses has cleared up so much confusion. One quick question for those who've been through this - after you applied online, how long did it typically take to hear back from SSA with confirmation that everything was processed correctly? I know Ethan mentioned planning to apply in April for July benefits, but I'm wondering if there's usually enough time to fix any issues that might come up during those 3 months. Also, has anyone here had experience with the automatic recalculation that happens after you stop working? I'm curious how long that takes and whether they notify you when your benefit amount gets adjusted for those final months of earnings. Thanks for sharing all your experiences - it's so helpful to hear from people who've actually navigated this process!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who's been researching this exact scenario for months, I'm relieved to see so many people confirm that applying 3-4 months early while still working is the right approach. One thing I'd add from my research - when you apply online, there's actually a "remarks" section where you can add notes about your situation. I plan to write something like "Currently employed through June 30, 2025. Request benefits to begin July 2025 upon retirement." This gives SSA additional context about your timeline and intentions. Also, for anyone worried about the earnings calculation - I called SSA last month (waited 2+ hours!) and the representative confirmed that they routinely handle applications from people who are still working. It's completely normal and won't cause any delays or complications as long as you're clear about your intended benefit start date. The key is just being very explicit about when you want benefits to begin. SSA processes thousands of these applications every month from people in similar situations!

I'm in a very similar situation and have been researching this for months! From what I've learned, you can definitely get the spousal supplement but you need to be prepared for the application process. A few tips that might help: 1) Try calling SSA at exactly 8am when they open - I finally got through after trying this approach, 2) Have your husband's Social Security number and his monthly benefit amount ready (if he's already receiving benefits), 3) Consider visiting your local SSA office in person if phone calls aren't working - you can often walk in for certain services or schedule an appointment online. The key thing to remember is that you're not "switching" benefits but rather adding a spousal supplement to what you're already receiving. Since your husband is 79 and already receiving benefits, this should be pretty straightforward once you get someone on the phone. Don't give up - you're entitled to this additional amount if half of his benefit is higher than what you're currently receiving!

I actually went through this exact same process about 8 months ago! Like you, I started taking my own benefits early (at 62) and then realized my husband's benefit was much higher. Here's what worked for me: I used the SSA's online appointment scheduler to book an in-person appointment at my local office - much easier than trying to get through on the phone. The whole process took about 45 minutes and the representative was really helpful in explaining everything. You'll definitely get the spousal supplement since half of your husband's benefit is higher than your current amount. Just make sure to bring your marriage certificate, both of your Social Security cards, and your husband's benefit statement if he has one. They processed mine in about 6 weeks and backdated it to the month I applied. Don't let the phone system discourage you - there are other ways to get this done!

I went through this exact same decision process about a year ago when my wife passed. The key thing I learned is that you absolutely CAN apply in March but request benefits to start in May - this is called a "protective filing date" and it's a standard option they offer. Here's what I'd recommend: Keep your March appointment (trust me, getting another one is a nightmare) but tell them you want benefits to start in May when you turn 63. This gives you the best of both worlds - you secure your application date AND get the higher percentage. The monthly increase is about 0.396% per month, so waiting from March to May would give you roughly 0.8% more of your husband's full benefit amount. On a $2,000 benefit, that's about $16 more per month, which adds up to nearly $200 extra per year. Also make sure you have ALL your documents ready - marriage certificate, death certificate, your husband's Social Security number, and your own work history if you have one. They'll walk you through whether survivor benefits or your own retirement benefits (taken later) would be better long-term. Good luck with your appointment - you're making a smart choice by thinking this through carefully.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Charlotte. I went through something very similar when my husband passed two years ago, and I understand how overwhelming all these decisions can feel when you're still grieving. Based on my experience and what others have shared here, I'd definitely recommend keeping your March appointment but requesting benefits to start in May. The SSA representatives are used to this request - it's actually quite common for people in your exact situation. One thing I wish someone had told me: bring a notebook to your appointment and don't be afraid to ask them to repeat information or explain things twice. There's a lot to process, and the representative should be patient with you. Also, if your first rep isn't helpful, you can always call back and speak with someone else. The monthly increase might seem small, but as others mentioned, it really does add up over time. Every little bit helps, especially with how expensive everything has gotten. You're being smart to think this through carefully rather than just rushing into it. Wishing you all the best with your appointment - you've got this!