I'm new to this community and just went through this exact same process! I've been collecting Social Security for about 7 months now and my tax preparer recently asked for my PIA for some planning we're doing. Like everyone else here, I was completely confused about where to find this information after already being on benefits. This thread has been absolutely incredible - I tried the benefit verification letter method through MySocialSecurity yesterday and it worked perfectly! Found my initial benefit amount right there at the bottom of the PDF. Since I started collecting right at my full retirement age, that amount is my PIA. The whole thing took less than 10 minutes once I knew what to look for. It's really frustrating that SSA makes such important financial planning information so hard to find, but I'm so grateful to have discovered this supportive community where people actually help each other navigate these confusing government systems. This thread should definitely be bookmarked as a resource - I bet so many people struggle with this same issue!

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say thank you for this incredibly thorough and helpful discussion! I've been on Social Security for about 5 months now and my financial advisor recently mentioned needing my PIA for some retirement planning we're doing together. Like so many others here, I had absolutely no clue what PIA even meant or how to find it once you're already collecting benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a relief - it's amazing to see how many people have faced this exact same challenge and found solutions. I'm definitely going to try the benefit verification letter approach through MySocialSecurity this weekend. It's honestly pretty frustrating that SSA buries such crucial information instead of making it easily accessible in our online accounts, especially since it seems like every financial advisor and tax professional needs this number for proper retirement planning. But I'm so grateful to have found this community where people actually take the time to help each other navigate these bureaucratic mazes. I'll make sure to come back and share how the process goes for me. Thanks again to everyone who shared their solutions and experiences - this is exactly the kind of support that makes dealing with government systems so much less overwhelming!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I'm dealing with the exact same callback nightmare and feeling so much less alone after reading everyone's experiences! I filed my SSDI application in early February and have been promised callbacks four times now with zero follow-through. Each time they act shocked that no one called, then make the exact same empty promise again. What's really striking me is how systematic this problem seems to be. It's clearly not just a few isolated cases of forgetful reps - this appears to be how the system is designed to function (or malfunction). The fact that so many of us are getting identical scripted responses suggests they're trained to use callbacks as a way to manage call volume rather than actually help people. I'm definitely going to try the Congressional representative route after seeing so many success stories here. I had no idea that was even an option, but the 48-72 hour response times people are reporting give me real hope. I'm also going to implement the 8:00 AM calling strategy and start being much more assertive about getting "dire need" status documented in my file. Thank you to everyone who shared what actually works - this kind of peer knowledge sharing is probably more helpful than anything SSA has provided. It's awful that we have to become experts in navigating a broken system just to access benefits we're entitled to, but at least now I have a real action plan instead of just waiting by the phone indefinitely!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely maddening and unfortunately seems to be the norm rather than the exception with SSA callbacks. I'm new to navigating the disability system myself, but reading through all these experiences has been incredibly eye-opening. The Congressional representative route that everyone is mentioning sounds like it might be your best bet at this point. I had no idea that was even an option until reading this thread, but the fact that multiple people got actual callbacks within 48-72 hours after Congressional inquiries is really encouraging. It seems like that's the only thing that actually forces SSA to take action. Your situation with the eviction risk makes this even more urgent - definitely emphasize that when you contact your rep's office. From what others have shared, housing instability should trigger expedited processing, but clearly the regular phone system isn't equipped to handle that properly. The 8:00 AM calling strategy also seems really smart based on what people are saying about shorter wait times and getting reps who aren't already burned out from dealing with frustrated callers all day. It's both terrible and oddly reassuring to see how many people are dealing with this exact same broken system. At least we're all sharing strategies that actually work instead of just suffering in silence. Hang in there - you deserve those benefits and shouldn't have to worry about housing while waiting for help you're entitled to!

As someone who's been helping friends and family navigate Social Security decisions for years, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - your 46 years of work history puts you in an excellent position! The beauty of the Social Security system is that it's designed to protect people exactly like you who've had long, stable careers. One additional consideration I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you do decide to take that transition to part-time hours, make sure you understand how your company handles things like unused sick leave or PTO in addition to vacation time. Some employers have different payout policies for part-time vs full-time employees, and that could affect your total compensation for the year even beyond the hourly reduction. Also, since you mentioned being confused by the SSA website - you're definitely not alone! I always recommend people focus on the key concept that's been repeated here: 35 highest years, adjusted for inflation. Everything else is just details around that core calculation. With 46 years of earnings, you have 11 "buffer" years that won't even count toward your benefit calculation. You really can't make a "wrong" choice here from a Social Security perspective, which should give you the freedom to focus on what works best for your overall well-being and life goals. Congratulations on such a successful career - you've earned the flexibility to make this transition on your own terms!

This has been such a comprehensive and helpful discussion! As someone who's worked in retirement planning for several years, I'm impressed by how accurately everyone has explained the Social Security benefit calculations. @Freya, you're in an enviable position with 46 years of work history. The key takeaway that everyone has correctly emphasized is that Social Security uses your highest 35 earnings years (indexed for wage inflation), so you have 11 "extra" years that provide a fantastic buffer against any reduced earnings in your final working years. One small addition to the excellent advice already given: when you do set up your my Social Security account, pay particular attention to any years where you might have had multiple employers or mixed W-2 and 1099 income. These situations sometimes lead to reporting discrepancies that are worth catching early. Given all the factors discussed here - the minimal Social Security impact, potential health insurance considerations, 401k matching implications, and tax planning opportunities - it sounds like you have the luxury of making this decision based on your personal preferences rather than financial necessity. That's a wonderful position to be in after nearly five decades of work! Best of luck with whatever path you choose - you've clearly done your research and have great community support here.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by how knowledgeable and helpful everyone is here! I'm facing a similar situation to Madison with timing Social Security benefits, and this thread has been incredibly educational. One thing I wanted to ask about that might help others in similar situations - has anyone dealt with the situation where your employer offers both 9-month and 12-month pay options, but switching affects your eligibility for summer health insurance coverage? I'm wondering if the potential savings from avoiding the earnings test could be offset by having to pay for private health insurance during those summer months when you're not receiving paychecks. It seems like there are so many interconnected factors to consider beyond just the Social Security earnings test - health insurance, pension contributions, and even things like qualifying for unemployment benefits during summer breaks if you're laid off rather than continuing to receive spread-out paychecks. Has anyone navigated these kinds of trade-offs when making their Social Security timing decision?

As a newcomer to this community, I'm finding this thread incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation as Madison - working in education (I'm a substitute teacher) and trying to figure out Social Security timing. One thing that might be worth exploring is whether your school district participates in any Social Security Administration outreach programs. Some districts actually bring SSA representatives on-site during benefits enrollment periods to help employees understand how their specific employment situation affects Social Security benefits. If your district doesn't offer this, you might suggest it to your union representative or HR department - they often have collective bargaining power to request these kinds of educational sessions. Also, I've learned that some school employee unions have partnered with financial advisors who specialize in education sector retirement planning. They understand the unique challenges like 9-month work schedules, summer layoffs, and how different pension systems interact with Social Security. It might be worth checking if your local bus drivers' union or education association offers any retirement planning resources specifically tailored to school transportation workers. The generic Social Security advice is helpful, but having someone who understands the nuances of school employment could be invaluable for your specific situation!

I just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact process last year. After reading through all these excellent responses, I can confirm that the strategies people are sharing really do work, especially the 7 AM calling approach and having multiple backup plans. One thing I'd emphasize that hasn't been mentioned directly - when you do get through to an SSA representative, ask them specifically about the "protective filing date" for your retroactive benefit request. This ensures that even if there are delays in processing, your request is officially on record from the date you first contacted them (or faxed your SSA-795). Also, I noticed several people mentioned the financial impact over your lifetime, and I want to reinforce just how significant this is. When I calculated my situation, the difference between my reduced early retirement benefit and my FRA benefit was about $220/month. Over 20 years, that's over $50,000 - definitely worth taking time off work if needed! The community support in this thread has been amazing. It's clear you have a solid action plan now with multiple strategies to try. Keep us posted on your progress - success stories like this help other community members who might face similar situations. You've got this!

I'm really glad to see all the excellent advice you've received here! As someone who works with seniors navigating government benefits, I wanted to add one more crucial point: make sure you keep detailed records of every interaction you have with SSA throughout this process. Create a simple log with dates, times, methods of contact (phone, fax, mail), confirmation numbers if any, and names of representatives you speak with. This documentation becomes invaluable if you need to escalate to supervisors or congressional offices later. Also, I'd recommend preparing a one-page summary of your situation before you call - your SSN, original application date, FRA date, the specific months you're requesting retroactive benefits for (December 2024 and January 2025), and the key point that you were already past FRA when you originally applied. Having this information organized and ready will help you present your case clearly and professionally, especially if you only get a short window with a representative. The strategies everyone has shared here are spot-on, particularly the early morning calling and the congressional inquiry backup plan. You're absolutely doing the right thing by pursuing this - those retroactive benefits are rightfully yours, and the lifetime financial impact makes this effort completely worthwhile. Keep us posted on your progress!