One thing to keep in mind is that the withholding percentages on Form W-4V (7%, 10%, 12%, 22%) are fixed options - you can't choose a custom percentage like 8% or 15%. So if you find that 10% results in too big a refund or you still owe taxes, you'd need to jump to either 7% or 12%. Also, changes to your withholding don't take effect immediately - there's usually a processing delay of a month or two, so plan accordingly if you decide to adjust it later in the year.

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this same confusion last year! I ended up calling SSA three times because I kept getting different information from different representatives about how the withholding worked. What finally cleared it up for me was understanding that there are really two separate tax calculations happening: 1) The optional withholding from your monthly checks (if you file W-4V), and 2) The actual tax calculation when you file your return (where standard deductions matter). The withholding is just an estimate/prepayment - it doesn't have to be perfect. I started with 12% withholding and it worked out pretty well for my situation. The key thing is that you can always adjust it if needed. Don't stress too much about getting it exactly right on the first try!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jean Claude. Dealing with Social Security bureaucracy while grieving is incredibly overwhelming, and you're handling it with such strength. From everything shared here, it really sounds like you can feel confident about that September payment. The consistent pattern everyone's describing is that when someone was alive for the entire month that a payment covers, Social Security doesn't reclaim it. Since your dad was alive all of August, that September payment was rightfully his. I went through something very similar with my stepfather last year. We kept expecting them to take back his final payment, but after about 10 weeks of checking the account daily, we realized they weren't going to because he was entitled to it. The absence of your dad's October payment shows they already processed his death correctly and stopped future benefits. I'd recommend keeping that $1000 buffer you mentioned for another 4-6 weeks for complete peace of mind, but you should be able to move forward with using those funds for his final expenses. The timeline documentation suggestion is brilliant too - I wish I had thought to do that when I was going through this. You're navigating an incredibly difficult situation with such thoughtfulness. Your dad would be proud of how you're taking care of everything. Take care of yourself during this time - you deserve that kindness too.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jean Claude. Having to navigate these bureaucratic details while grieving is exhausting, and you're handling it with remarkable grace. Based on all the experiences shared here, it really sounds like you can breathe easier about that September payment. The consistent pattern everyone's describing is reassuring - when someone was alive for the entire month that a Social Security payment covers, they don't reclaim it. Since your dad was alive all of August, that September payment was rightfully his. I went through something similar when my uncle passed away last year. We spent weeks anxiously checking his account, expecting Social Security to withdraw his final payment, but they never did because he was entitled to it. The waiting and uncertainty was honestly the hardest part of the whole process. The fact that no October payment came through is actually a positive sign - it shows Social Security already knows about your dad's passing and correctly stopped future benefits. I'd suggest keeping that buffer in the account for another month or so for complete peace of mind, but you should feel confident using those funds for his final expenses. Creating that timeline document everyone mentioned is such a smart idea too. Having all the dates organized will help you feel more in control and be prepared for any future conversations with SS representatives. You're handling an incredibly difficult situation with such thoughtfulness and care. Take things one day at a time, and remember to be gentle with yourself during this process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ethan. Navigating survivor benefits while grieving is incredibly challenging, especially with SSA's difficult phone system. Based on your situation at 63, here are the key points to consider: **Earnings Limits for 2025:** - Annual limit: $22,320 (they deduct $1 for every $2 over this amount) - Monthly limit during first year: $1,860 per month (you get full benefits for any month under this threshold) - You MUST specifically request the monthly calculation - it's not automatic **Your Benefit Amount:** Since your husband converted from SSDI to retirement at his FRA (66), your survivor benefit would be based on his retirement amount. However, claiming at 63 means a permanent reduction of about 19% from the full survivor benefit amount. **Strategy Consideration:** Given your retail work with variable income, the monthly earnings test during your first year could be very beneficial for seasonal fluctuations. You might also want to explore taking reduced survivor benefits now while letting your own retirement benefit grow until age 70 (earning 8% per year in delayed credits), then switching if your own benefit becomes higher. **Next Steps:** 1. Visit your local SSA office in person (much better than phone) 2. Request benefit projections for both survivor benefits and your own retirement benefits at different claiming ages 3. Ask specifically about quarterly earnings reporting for seasonal workers 4. Bring all documentation including your husband's benefit information The community here has given excellent advice. Having all these details will help you make an informed decision during your SSA appointment.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ethan. This is an incredibly difficult situation to navigate while grieving, and I admire how thoughtfully you're approaching these complex decisions. One additional consideration I haven't seen mentioned yet: make sure to ask about your eligibility for any lump-sum death benefit ($255) when you visit SSA. While it's not much, every bit helps during this transition period. Also, since you mentioned your husband was on SSDI from age 52-65, there might be Medicare implications to discuss as well. If he was receiving Medicare due to his disability, you'll want to understand how your survivor benefits might affect your own future Medicare eligibility and timing. When you visit your local SSA office, I'd recommend bringing: - Your husband's death certificate - Your marriage certificate - Your most recent tax return and W-2s - Your husband's Social Security card and any benefit statements - Your own Social Security card and birth certificate - Pay stubs from the last few months to show your variable income pattern The seasonal nature of retail work actually gives you a good case for requesting that monthly earnings test during your first year. Document those income fluctuations clearly so they understand why the monthly calculation would be more appropriate for your situation. You're being incredibly thorough in your research, and that preparation will serve you well. Wishing you clarity and peace as you work through these important decisions.

I'm new to this community, but I had to join this conversation because this thread is absolutely incredible! @Hannah White, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - the two-factor authentication catch-22 is one of the most frustrating bureaucratic problems I've ever heard of. Reading through all the advice here, I'm blown away by how many alternative solutions exist that most people (including me) would never know about. The Congressional representative option seems like an absolute game-changer - I had no idea they helped with federal agency issues like this! And @Oliver Schmidt's three-way call verification process sounds like it could be perfect for your exact situation. What really impresses me is how this community has essentially created the most comprehensive SSA troubleshooting guide I've ever seen. Between the specific phone menu paths, timing strategies, local office tips, and backup verification methods, you now have multiple approaches to try simultaneously. Your persistence through 7+ hours of documented hold time is incredible, and honestly highlights how broken these systems can be for regular people just trying to access their own benefits. I'm bookmarking this entire thread because this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't find anywhere else. Really hoping one of these community-shared strategies breaks through for you soon - and thank you for starting a conversation that's clearly helping so many others facing similar challenges!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm absolutely blown away by the incredible support and practical solutions everyone has shared here! @Hannah White, your frustration is completely understandable - being stuck in that authentication catch-22 for 7+ hours is maddening, but you've really found the right place for help. What strikes me most about this thread is how it demonstrates that there are actually multiple pathways through SSA's bureaucracy that most people never hear about. The Congressional representative option that several people mentioned is particularly eye-opening - I had no idea this was even available for federal agency issues! It seems like such a well-kept secret that could save people weeks of frustration. I'm also impressed by all the specific technical advice about phone menu paths and timing strategies. Having those exact steps laid out makes tackling the phone system feel so much more manageable than just randomly trying different options. One thing I'd suggest based on what I've read here: since you have multiple promising approaches now (Congressional office, specific phone menu paths, in-person visit, mail verification), maybe try running a couple of them in parallel rather than sequentially? For example, you could start the mail verification process while simultaneously reaching out to your Congressional representative's office. Your persistence through this ordeal is incredible, and with all these community-tested strategies, I'm optimistic you'll break through soon. Thank you for starting such a helpful discussion - this thread is going to be a lifesaver for anyone else facing similar SSA challenges!

As someone who just went through this process myself, I can share what worked for me. First, definitely calculate your "combined income" using the formula Emily mentioned earlier - it's crucial for determining if your benefits will be taxable. I used the IRS withholding calculator online and it was really helpful. One thing I learned is that you can change your withholding election at any time during the year by submitting a new W-4V form, so don't stress too much about getting the perfect percentage right away. I started with 10% and adjusted it after a few months once I had a better sense of my total tax situation. Also, keep good records of all your income sources throughout the year - SS benefits, part-time work, pension, any investment income, etc. This will make tax time much smoother and help you fine-tune your withholding for next year. The learning curve is steep but you'll get the hang of it!

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me - if you're still working part-time, check with your payroll department about how your Social Security benefits might affect your tax bracket. I found out that my combined income pushed me into a higher bracket than I expected, so I ended up needing more withholding than I initially calculated. Also, if you have any 401k or IRA distributions planned, factor those in too since they'll add to your "combined income" calculation. The whole system is definitely confusing at first, but once you get through your first tax season with SS benefits, it becomes much clearer how everything fits together!