I'm sorry for your loss. This is such a difficult time to be dealing with these complicated benefit calculations. From what I'm reading in the comments, it sounds like you'll face a double reduction - one because your ex claimed early and another because you're claiming before your FRA. That seems really harsh given the circumstances. One thing I'd suggest is requesting a written estimate from SSA showing exactly how they calculated your survivor benefit amount. Sometimes having it in writing helps you understand all the factors they're considering, and it gives you something to reference if you get conflicting information from different representatives. Also, even though this situation is frustrating, it sounds like the strategy of taking survivor benefits now and switching to your own retirement benefit at 70 could still work out well for you financially in the long run. The waiting and uncertainty is terrible, but you're asking all the right questions to make the best decision possible.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Dealing with Social Security paperwork during grief is incredibly difficult. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you're getting solid advice about the dual reductions and the strategy of taking survivor benefits now then switching to your own at 70. One thing I'd add - when you do get through to SSA, ask them to walk you through a "what if" scenario comparing your total lifetime benefits under different claiming strategies. They can run projections showing what you'd receive if you claim survivor benefits at 63 vs waiting until FRA, and how that compares to taking your own benefits at different ages. Also, if you're having trouble getting through by phone, try calling right at 8am when they open - I've had better luck getting through in the first few minutes. And definitely bring a notepad when you finally speak with someone. These calculations are complex and you'll want to write down exactly what they tell you so you can reference it later. You're doing the right thing by researching this thoroughly before making your decision. Take your time - you don't have to rush into anything right now.

I want to thank everyone for their helpful responses. I've decided to: 1. Create a my Social Security account to see current estimates 2. Try calling my local office directly for an appointment 3. If that doesn't work, I'll consider using that Claimyr service someone mentioned Based on what I'm hearing, it sounds like my benefit will still grow with delayed retirement credits even though I stopped working, but probably not as much as those original estimates showed. I'll make sure to get updated calculations before making any decisions about whether to switch from survivor to retirement benefits.

Just wanted to add something important that might help with your decision timing - survivor benefits don't have delayed retirement credits like your own retirement benefits do. Your survivor benefit of $1,950 will only increase with annual COLA adjustments, while your own retirement benefit can grow by 8% per year until age 70. Since you mentioned your FRA benefit was estimated at $2,200, even if that's reduced somewhat due to stopping work in 2021, the delayed credits could still make it worthwhile to wait. But definitely get those updated numbers first! Also, I've had good luck calling the SSA 800 number first thing in the morning right when they open at 7am. The wait times are usually much shorter then.

Thank you all so much for the helpful information! I've taken notes on everything to share with my sister. She'll be relieved to know her benefits will remain at 50% even after divorce, and it's interesting to learn about the survivor benefits possibility in the future. I'll definitely warn her about keeping documentation and the potential challenges dealing with SSA during the transition. This community has been incredibly helpful!

Just wanted to add one more important point that might help your sister - she should also be aware that if she's currently receiving Medicare through her husband's work history, that coverage may be affected by the divorce. She'll want to check with Medicare about her coverage options post-divorce to make sure there are no gaps. Sometimes people focus on the Social Security benefits and forget about the healthcare coverage aspects. Good luck to her navigating this difficult situation!

One more important point - when your mother applies, she should specifically ask about the Lump Sum Death Payment as well. This is a one-time $255 payment that she might be eligible for, even as a divorced spouse, if she wasn't remarried before your father's death. Many people don't know to ask about this. While $255 isn't a large sum, it's still beneficial. Also, make sure she asks SSA to run a complete benefits calculation to ensure she's receiving all benefits she's entitled to. Sometimes people are eligible for multiple benefit types, and SSA is required to pay the highest benefit amount.

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I work as a benefits counselor and see this situation frequently. Your mom should definitely pursue this, but I'd recommend she also consider reaching out to her local Area Agency on Aging or a nonprofit benefits counseling service. Many offer free assistance with Social Security claims and can help navigate the paperwork and phone calls. They're often more familiar with common documentation issues and can advocate for her if there are any complications. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselors are particularly good at this type of benefits review. Having someone experienced guide her through the process could save a lot of frustration and ensure she doesn't miss any potential benefits she's entitled to.

Another important thing to consider: claiming survivor benefits at 63/64 means you'll get approximately 79-82% of the full survivor benefit (rather than 100% if you waited until your full retirement age). But since you're planning to switch to your own benefit later anyway, it often makes financial sense to take the reduced survivor benefit now rather than waiting. Just be aware of the reduction.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Olivia. I went through something very similar when my ex-husband passed away unexpectedly two years ago. We were married for 14 years and I was 62 at the time. The good news is that everyone here is correct - you CAN absolutely collect survivor benefits from your ex-husband now while letting your own retirement benefit grow until you reach full retirement age (or even until 70 for maximum delayed retirement credits). This strategy saved me thousands of dollars. A few practical tips from my experience: 1. Apply in person at your local SSA office if possible - I found they were less likely to make mistakes than over the phone 2. Bring ALL documentation: marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, your Social Security card, and photo ID 3. Be crystal clear that you are ONLY applying for survivor benefits, not retirement benefits 4. Ask them to put a note in your file that you plan to switch to your own retirement benefit later One thing to keep in mind - since you mentioned your daughter is already receiving survivor benefits, there might be a family maximum that applies. Typically this doesn't reduce individual survivor benefits much, but it's worth asking about when you apply. The whole process took about 6 weeks from application to first payment for me. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do this - it's absolutely allowed and a smart financial strategy in your situation!