Since your ex-spouse had already started receiving benefits when they passed away, your survivor benefit would generally be based on what they were actually receiving. However, there are some exceptions: 1. If your ex was receiving reduced benefits because they claimed early, your survivor benefit would be limited to the larger of: - What your ex was receiving when they died - 82.5% of your ex's full retirement age benefit 2. If your ex delayed claiming beyond their full retirement age, your survivor benefit would include any delayed retirement credits they earned. This is another reason why getting the specific numbers from SSA is so important. They can tell you exactly what the survivor benefit amount would be based on your ex's specific claiming history.

I'm in a very similar situation - divorced after 18 years of marriage, ex-spouse passed away 2 years ago, and I'm approaching my FRA. The information in this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I learned from my research is that you might also want to check if your ex-spouse had any other retirement benefits (like a federal pension or railroad retirement) that could affect your Social Security survivor benefits. There are some offset rules that can reduce SS benefits if the deceased had certain types of government pensions. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to SSA by phone, try visiting your local Social Security office early in the morning. I went right when they opened and only waited about 20 minutes. The representative was able to give me exact benefit calculations on the spot and helped me understand all my options. Good luck with your planning - it sounds like you're being really thoughtful about maximizing your benefits!

Thank you all so much for this incredibly helpful information! I understand the situation much better now. To summarize what I've learned: 1. If I wait until my FRA to claim survivor benefits, I'll get the higher of either his current benefit ($1,750) or 82.5% of his FRA amount (about $1,930) 2. I should look into whether my husband might qualify for SSDI, which could eliminate the reduction entirely 3. I need to compare my own retirement benefit to the survivor benefit when the time comes and consider claiming strategies This gives me a much better foundation for financial planning. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain all this!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help with your situation. My mother went through this exact scenario - my father took early retirement at 62 due to health issues, and she was worried about the impact on her future survivor benefits. One thing that really helped her was getting a detailed benefit estimate from Social Security showing exactly what her survivor benefits would be under different scenarios. You can request this by calling SSA or visiting a local office. They'll run the calculations based on your husband's actual earnings record and show you the RIB-LIM calculations others have mentioned. Also, regarding the SSDI option that Sophia mentioned - that's definitely worth pursuing if your husband's condition meets their disability criteria. The process can take time, but if approved, it would not only potentially increase his current monthly benefit but also ensure your future survivor benefits aren't reduced. Even if he's already receiving retirement benefits, he can still apply for disability if his condition has worsened. Hope this helps, and I'm sending positive thoughts for your husband's health!

Thank you all for the helpful information! I'm feeling much more clear about things now. Just to make sure I understand correctly:1. My January benefit will be paid in February on the third Wednesday (since my birthday is on the 19th)2. I should be able to see my benefit amount in my online account soon3. I'll only get one month's payment at a timeI'm not working anymore so I don't need to worry about the earnings limit. I'll check my online account for the benefit verification letter and if I can't find the information there, I might try that Claimyr service to talk to someone directly.Really appreciate everyone's help!

You've got it exactly right! Just wanted to add one more tip - when you do get that first payment in February, keep the deposit notification or check your bank statement carefully. Sometimes there can be small deductions you weren't expecting (like Medicare premiums if you're enrolled), so it's good to understand what the final net amount looks like. Also, if you don't see the benefit verification letter in your online account within the next week or two, definitely follow up. Having that exact amount ahead of time really helps with budgeting. Congratulations on your retirement!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Thais. Your situation sounds incredibly complex, and I can understand why you're feeling frustrated with the conflicting information from SSA representatives. One thing that might help is to know that you have options for how to approach this. Since you're already receiving your own reduced retirement benefit, you could potentially switch to survivor benefits if they would be higher (even after GPO reduction), or you might be eligible for what's called a "restricted application" that could maximize your benefits. Given the timing with the WEP/GPO repeal phase-out starting soon, and the fact that you're only about a year away from your FRA, I'd strongly recommend getting professional help to run the numbers. Consider reaching out to a certified Social Security claiming strategist or a fee-only financial planner who specializes in Social Security optimization. They can often get clearer answers from SSA than we can as individuals, and they'll help you model different scenarios including the phase-out timeline. The difference between claiming now versus waiting could literally be tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime, so it's worth investing in professional guidance to make sure you get this right. Don't let SSA's confusing processes rush you into a decision that could permanently reduce your benefits.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your ex-husband, and I completely understand your frustration with getting clear answers from SSA about such an important decision. Based on what you've shared, it sounds like you're dealing with a perfect storm of complexity - WEP/GPO reductions, survivor benefits timing, and the upcoming repeal changes. The fact that you're getting wildly different information from different representatives is unfortunately very common with these complex scenarios. Here's what I'd recommend as your next steps: 1) Don't rush into anything - you have time to make an informed decision 2) Schedule an in-person appointment at your local SSA office and specifically request a "Technical Expert" who handles WEP/GPO cases 3) Come prepared with written questions about your exact benefit amounts under different scenarios 4) Ask for written documentation of any calculations they provide The timing aspect is crucial here. Since you're only about a year away from your FRA (66 and 8 months), and the GPO phase-out is starting soon, waiting might give you the double benefit of full survivor benefit amount AND reduced GPO offset. But you need accurate numbers to make that determination. Also, don't let any representative pressure you into applying before you're ready. You have the right to get information about your options without committing to anything. If they try to rush you, politely but firmly state that you're just gathering information for planning purposes. Keep pushing for answers - this decision could impact your financial security for the rest of your life, so it's worth the effort to get it right.

To answer your original question directly: Yes, Social Security will calculate how much you're over the earnings limit ($45,000 - $23,200 = $21,800), determine the withholding amount ($21,800 ÷ 2 = $10,900), and withhold full monthly payments until that amount is covered. Then they'll resume paying your regular benefit. And yes, you should definitely tell them your expected earnings when you file in February. You can update this estimate if things change. This helps prevent overpayments that you'd have to repay later. When you reach your Full Retirement Age (likely 67), they'll recalculate your benefit and give you credit for the months when benefits were withheld. So while your benefit is permanently reduced for filing early, you do eventually get credit for those withheld months.

Just wanted to add one more consideration for your planning - make sure you understand how the monthly earnings test works too. If you're planning to start benefits in February but earn most of your $45k in the early months of 2025, SSA might use a monthly test for your first year. They'll withhold $1 for every $2 you earn over about $1,933 per month (the monthly limit). This could affect which specific months you receive payments. Once you've been collecting for a full year, they switch to the annual earnings test. It's worth asking about this when you file since your consulting income might not be evenly spread throughout the year!