Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My husband died 10 years ago and I retired at age 63 a few years later, receiving 81% of his full retirement age benefit on a restricted application, which allows me to receive survivor benefits and switch over later (because mine are higher). I am now 68 and I want to switch over to my benefit next year. No need to tell me I should wait the year and a half till age 70, because frankly, I do not trust that any coming "reform" of SS won't eliminate the restricted application switchover.
I called SS and the rep told me I can just apply for my benefits online, that I don't have to do anything special. She said that appointments with SS are reserved for people with issues and first-time claims with questions. Has anyone done this switch-over? And if so, how did you do it?
My sister's husband was, I think, 10 years older. He passed away in 2015.
She is still taking survivor's and I told her one day to call and find out what hers will be at 70 - she has a few years to go - and to switch over to hers.
You cannot apply for your benefits online if you are presently receiving survivor benefits. I did my application via a phone appointment. I called the local office to schedule the appointment. It ended up being about 8 weeks out.
The phone call itself was straight forward. I was able to start the month of my 70th birthday and received my first check the following month.
Interestingly my survivor benefits were paid on the second Wednesday based on my late husband’s birthday. The payment stayed there when I switched to my benefit even though my birthday is at the end of the month.
I just stopped by my local SS office yesterday after being told the same thing about an appointment. We were there about 1/2 hr before they opened, walked in, signed up on the kiosk, were called about 8 minutes later, and were out the door in 20 minutes. Don't be afraid to walk in and ask.
I just stopped by my local SS office yesterday after being told the same thing about an appointment. We were there about 1/2 hr before they opened, walked in, signed up on the kiosk, were called about 8 minutes later, and were out the door in 20 minutes. Don't be afraid to walk in and ask.
I agree, the OP can do this too. The office is there for anyone that needs it. Go early, check in. I usually go in within 30 minutes
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My sister has the same issue....
