I'm really sorry your friend is going through this difficult situation. Just wanted to add one more practical tip - when she goes to the SSA office, she should ask specifically about the "protective filing date." If she calls SSA first to report the death and express intent to file for benefits, they can establish that date even if she can't get in for an appointment right away. This can help protect the retroactive benefit date while she's gathering all the required documents. Also, she might want to bring a trusted family member or friend with her to the appointment - having emotional support during these meetings can be really helpful, and an extra set of ears to catch important details when you're grieving and overwhelmed.

I'm so sorry for your friend's loss - what an incredibly difficult and overwhelming situation to navigate while grieving. Just to add to all the excellent advice here: your friend should also be aware that if she remarries before age 60, she would lose her widow's benefits (though the children's benefits would continue unaffected). Also, once the children turn 16 and she's no longer eligible for mother's benefits, she may be able to receive widow's benefits starting at age 60 (or earlier if disabled) based on her own situation. It's worth asking the SSA about all potential future benefit scenarios during her appointment so she can plan accordingly. The most important thing right now though is getting that initial application filed ASAP to protect those retroactive benefits. Sending strength to your friend during this heartbreaking time.

Another consideration for your sister: if she's struggling financially while waiting to turn 60, she might want to look into whether she qualifies for any state-level widow assistance programs. These vary by state but can sometimes provide temporary support. Also, if her husband had a pension, life insurance, or other retirement accounts, make sure she's explored all those potential income sources while waiting for Social Security eligibility.

I'm so sorry for your sister's loss. This is such a difficult time to be navigating these complex benefits questions. Based on what everyone has shared here, it sounds like the consensus is that she'll need to wait until she turns 60 in December to apply for survivor benefits, unless she qualifies for one of the specific exceptions (disability or caring for a child under 16/disabled). Since December isn't too far away, I'd recommend she use this time to gather all the necessary documents she'll need for the application - things like her marriage certificate, her husband's death certificate, both of their Social Security cards, and any relevant tax returns. Having everything ready will make the process smoother when she can finally apply. Also, given that she worked part-time, it might be worth getting an estimate of what her own retirement benefits would be at different ages versus the survivor benefits, so she can make the most informed decision about timing. The SSA website has benefit calculators that can help with this planning.

btw u should apply like 3 months before u want benefits to start cuz processing takes forever these days!!!

One additional consideration: If you're planning to work while receiving benefits and you haven't reached your Full Retirement Age, be aware of the earnings limit ($21,240 in 2025). If you earn over that amount, $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $2 you earn above the limit. This might influence your decision about when to start benefits if you're continuing to work.

Update: I showed my husband all your comments and the SSA link about delayed retirement credits. He was surprised but still skeptical. We logged into his my Social Security account together and looked at his projected benefit amounts at different ages. Seeing the actual dollar difference ($475 more per month if he waits until 70!) finally convinced him. He's now planning to use some of our savings to bridge the gap between 68-70 and wait to claim his Social Security. Thank you everyone for your help explaining this! And special thanks to the person who mentioned the survivor benefit aspect - that was something we hadn't considered at all.

Congratulations on getting through to your husband! That $475/month difference is huge - you're absolutely right to have pushed for this understanding. Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful for others reading this thread: if you're using savings to bridge the gap between retirement and claiming SS, make sure you're withdrawing from the right accounts tax-wise. For example, if you have traditional 401k/IRA money, those years before claiming Social Security might be a great time for Roth conversions since your income will be lower. A financial advisor can help optimize which accounts to tap during that 68-70 bridge period. The tax savings could be substantial and make the delayed claiming strategy even more beneficial!

Congratulations on getting your application submitted! That's such a relief when you're worried about timing. Just wanted to add that when SSA calls you for that verification interview, they'll typically ask about your work history and might need clarification on some of the information you provided. Don't worry if you don't remember exact dates - they have access to your earnings record and can help fill in any gaps. The call usually takes about 15-20 minutes and they're pretty helpful about walking you through anything you're unsure about.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this process recently! I applied online in December for a February start and it was surprisingly smooth. The website saves your progress automatically, so you don't have to worry about losing your work if you need to step away. One tip - when they ask about your work history, don't stress if you can't remember every single employer or exact dates. They have your earnings record and will help verify during the follow-up call. The most important thing is getting your application in before the end of March so you can still get that April start date. Also, make sure your bank account info is exactly right for direct deposit - any errors there can cause delays in your first payment. Good luck with your retirement!