Just wanted to add one more thing that helped me when I applied - create your MySocialSecurity account online BEFORE you actually apply for benefits. This way you can familiarize yourself with the interface and also monitor your application status after you submit it. I created mine about 6 months before applying and it made the whole process much smoother. You can also use it to double-check your earnings history and benefit estimates before you commit to a start date. The account setup takes a few days to verify, so don't wait until the last minute!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you have all your documents ready before you apply! SSA will need your birth certificate, W-2s or tax returns, and bank account info for direct deposit. I applied online but then had to mail in documents which delayed my processing by almost 2 months. If you have everything uploaded or ready to mail when you submit your application, it'll go much smoother. Also keep copies of everything you send them - I learned that the hard way when they "lost" my birth certificate the first time!

As someone who works with Social Security disability cases, I want to emphasize something that several people have touched on but bears repeating: make sure you get everything in writing from SSA. When you call to set up your restricted application for survivor benefits, ask them to send you a written confirmation of what benefits you'll be receiving and confirmation that your son's DAC benefits will remain unchanged. I've seen too many cases where verbal assurances from SSA representatives didn't match what actually happened in their system. Having that written documentation becomes crucial if there are any processing errors down the line. Also, keep copies of your son's current benefit statements and your own earnings record. If any issues arise later, you'll have baseline documentation to reference. The strategy you're planning is absolutely valid and should work exactly as others have described, but SSA's computer systems sometimes flag changes that shouldn't affect other beneficiaries, so having your paperwork organized ahead of time can save you months of headaches if something goes wrong.

I'm going through a very similar situation right now! My 29-year-old son has autism and receives DAC benefits from his father who passed away 5 years ago. I was terrified about how my own benefit decisions would affect his payments, but after working with a Social Security advocate and going through the process myself, I can confirm what others have said - these benefits are completely independent. What really helped me was creating a simple timeline document before calling SSA. I wrote down: 1) What benefits my son currently receives and from which record, 2) What I wanted to apply for and when, and 3) What I expected to happen to each benefit over time. Having this organized made the conversation with the SSA rep much clearer and helped ensure we were on the same page. One small tip that made a huge difference: when I called, I started the conversation by saying "I need to discuss a restricted application for survivor benefits that should not affect my son's existing DAC benefits." Leading with that framework seemed to immediately put me in touch with representatives who understood the nuances better. Your strategy is exactly what financial planners recommend for people in our situation - maximize your own benefits while protecting your child's existing income stream. You're making the right choice!

I called my local SSA office today after getting advice here, and they confirmed that for an April 2025 start date, I should apply in January 2025. They also mentioned that since I'm turning 67 in May (my FRA), taking benefits just one month early in April will only reduce my monthly amount by less than 1%. I've decided to go ahead with that plan. Thanks everyone for your helpful advice!

Great to hear you got official confirmation from SSA! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread - make sure you have all your documents ready before you apply in January. You'll need your birth certificate, Social Security card, W-2 forms or tax returns from the previous year, and bank account information for direct deposit. Having everything organized beforehand will make the online application process much smoother. Good luck with your retirement!

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact situation two years ago. My ex-husband was also on SSDI when I applied for ex-spouse benefits at 62. The process took about 6 weeks from application to first payment, and you're right that his SSDI counts the same as retirement benefits for your calculation. One thing I wish someone had told me - even though you can't contact your ex directly, SSA can tell you during your appointment approximately what your benefit would be before you commit to filing. They won't tell you his exact amount, but they can give you a good estimate of what you'd receive. This helped me decide whether to file immediately or wait. Also, definitely try visiting your local SSA office in person if the phones aren't working. I had much better luck just walking in with all my documents. They were able to answer all my questions and process my application the same day. Good luck with your decision!

I'm new to this community but wanted to chime in since I'm dealing with a very similar situation. My ex-husband is also on SSDI and I'm trying to figure out the best timing for filing. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning about the difference between his PIA and what he actually receives, and that the reduction for filing at 62 is permanent. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen mentioned - does anyone know if there are any differences in how quickly ex-spouse benefits based on SSDI get processed versus regular retirement benefits? I've heard disability cases can sometimes take longer to verify, but I'm not sure if that applies to derivative benefits like ex-spouse claims. Also, for those who have gone through this process, did you need to provide any medical documentation about your ex's disability, or does SSA already have all that information in their system? I want to make sure I'm prepared with the right paperwork when I apply.

As a newcomer to this community, I want to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm currently navigating a similar situation where I've been on SSDI for several years and recently became eligible for survivor benefits, so Katherine's original questions and everyone's detailed responses have been invaluable. What really strikes me is how much more clearly this community explains these complex scenarios compared to the official SSA materials. The way everyone has broken down the difference between continuing SSDI status and the separate medical evaluation for survivor benefits finally makes sense to me. I was similarly confused about whether I would still be "officially disabled" after adding survivor benefits. I also appreciate all the practical advice shared here - from keeping detailed records of SSA conversations to understanding the earnings limits and remarriage rules. It's clear that many of us are dealing with similar complex benefit situations that SSA doesn't explain well in their standard communications. Thank you to Katherine for asking such thoughtful questions and to all the experienced members who took the time to provide such comprehensive answers. This thread will definitely be a valuable resource for others facing similar circumstances!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful to have found this discussion! I'm currently dealing with a very similar situation - I've been receiving SSDI for about 4 years and just started the application process for survivor benefits after my former spouse passed away last month. Reading through everyone's responses has been so much more helpful than anything I've been able to get from SSA directly. The explanation about how you remain on SSDI while the survivor benefit acts as a supplement really clarifies things for me. I was worried that applying for survivor benefits might somehow jeopardize my existing SSDI status. Katherine, thank you for asking such comprehensive questions, especially about the remarriage scenarios. Even though that's not on my immediate radar, it's reassuring to understand how those rules work for the future. The complexity of Social Security benefits is really overwhelming when you're trying to navigate it alone. I'm particularly appreciative of the practical advice shared here about keeping detailed records of SSA conversations and understanding the medical review process. It sounds like I should prepare for a separate disability evaluation for the survivor benefits portion, which is good to know going in. This community seems like such a valuable resource for people dealing with these complicated benefit situations. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences!