Just wanted to add that you might also want to consider the timing of when you apply within your birth month. If you're born early in the month, you can actually start receiving benefits the month you turn 70. But if you're born later in the month, you might want to apply the month before to avoid any delays in processing. Also, make sure to keep receiving your survivor benefits right up until your retirement benefits kick in - don't stop the survivor payments early thinking you need to "make room" for the new benefit. SSA will handle the transition automatically once your retirement benefit application is approved.

One more thing to keep in mind - when you apply for your retirement benefits at 70, you'll want to specify that you want to switch from survivor benefits to retirement benefits. Sometimes people accidentally apply for both or don't make it clear they want to switch, which can cause processing delays. I'd recommend being very explicit about this when you submit your application. Also, if you're still working when you turn 70, make sure SSA has your most recent earnings information, as this could potentially increase your benefit amount even further. The earnings from your 69th year might not be fully reflected in the online estimate yet.

i keep hearing SSA is RAISING the min age for survivor benefits to 61 or 62 soon!!!!! anyone else hear this??

I'm so sorry for your loss, Fatima. Losing a spouse is incredibly difficult, and the financial stress on top of grief makes it even harder. While others have covered the main eligibility requirements well, I wanted to mention a few additional resources that might help you get through these next two years: 1. **SNAP benefits (food stamps)** - With reduced income, you may qualify for food assistance 2. **LIHEAP** - Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can help with utility bills 3. **Local food banks and churches** - Many offer emergency financial assistance for widows 4. **Mortgage assistance programs** - Some lenders have hardship programs for surviving spouses Also, when you go to your SSA appointment, ask specifically about: - Whether your husband had any unpaid benefits that might be due to you - If there are any other SSA programs you might qualify for temporarily - Getting an estimate of what your survivor benefits will be at 60 vs waiting longer The waiting period is incredibly difficult, but you're not alone in this struggle. Many communities have widow support groups that can provide both emotional support and practical financial advice from others who've been through similar situations. Take care of yourself during this challenging time.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this confusing situation! As someone new to navigating Social Security rules, I'm learning a lot from reading everyone's responses here. It's really frustrating that these important rules aren't more widely known or easily accessible. From what I'm understanding, the key takeaway is that remarriage before age 60 basically eliminates your ability to claim on any ex-spouse's record, even if you were married to them for the required 10+ years. That seems like such an arbitrary cutoff that could really impact people's retirement security. I'm wondering - is there any advocacy happening to change these rules or at least make them more transparent? It seems like a lot of people are making major life decisions without understanding the long-term financial implications. Maybe there should be some kind of mandatory disclosure or counseling before remarriage for people who might be affected? Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's really eye-opening for those of us who are still learning about all this!

This thread has been incredibly educational for someone like me who's just starting to learn about Social Security rules! I had no idea about the remarriage restrictions and how they differ between divorced spouse benefits and survivor benefits. What strikes me most is how these complex rules seem to disproportionately affect women, who are more likely to have gaps in their work history due to caregiving responsibilities and may rely more heavily on spousal/ex-spousal benefits for retirement security. The fact that so many people are discovering these restrictions after major life decisions have already been made suggests a real problem with how this information is communicated. @Mohamed Anderson - I'm sorry you're in this situation, but thank you for posting about it. Your question and everyone's responses have taught me so much about planning ahead. It sounds like focusing on optimizing your strategy with your current husband, especially given the 5-year age gap, will be important. Has anyone found good resources for understanding all these different Social Security scenarios before making major life decisions? It seems like there should be better tools or counseling available to help people navigate these choices.

One aspect that hasn't been mentioned is that tax debt can also affect your Medicare premiums. If you're enrolling in Medicare at the same time as starting Social Security at 70, be aware that unpaid tax debt can sometimes trigger issues with your Medicare enrollment if the IRS has filed liens. Additionally, if your payment plan with the IRS requires substantial monthly payments, this could impact which Medicare supplemental plans you can afford. I recommend speaking with both the IRS and a Medicare counselor (SHIP programs offer free Medicare counseling in every state) to understand how these systems might interact in your specific situation.

I went through something similar a few years ago, though my debt was smaller (about $25K). Here's what I learned from experience: 1. The IRS will send you several notices before they start taking from your Social Security - you won't wake up one day to find your check reduced without warning. 2. When I finally called them (after months of procrastinating like you), they were actually willing to work with me. I set up a payment plan for $150/month, which prevented any garnishment of my benefits. 3. The key thing is to contact them BEFORE your benefits start in September. Once the levy begins, it's much harder to stop or reduce. 4. Ask specifically about "Currently Not Collectible" status - if your only income will be Social Security and a small pension, you might qualify. This essentially puts your case on hold if paying would create financial hardship. Don't make the same mistake I did by waiting and hoping it would go away. The stress of dealing with it is actually much worse than the phone call itself. You've made a smart decision waiting until 70 for maximum benefits - now protect that decision by handling the tax situation proactively.

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I'm feeling much more confident now knowing that I should be able to claim the higher survivor benefit regardless of which spouse passes away first. I'm going to use that Claimyr service that was mentioned to speak with SSA directly and get this confirmed for my specific case. I'll also gather my marriage certificate and divorce decree to have them ready. So relieved to know this won't negatively impact my future financial security if I decide to remarry!

Just want to add one more thing that might be helpful - when you do speak with SSA, ask them to put a note in your file about your eligibility for both survivor benefits. That way if there's any confusion later (like what happened to Adrian's mom), there's already documentation in the system. Also, since you're 62 now, you might want to ask about your own retirement benefit timing too - sometimes it makes sense to take your own reduced benefit first and then switch to the higher survivor benefit later, depending on the amounts. Good luck with your decision!