As someone who's been helping community members navigate Social Security issues for years, I want to reinforce the excellent clarification that's been provided here. The confusion between the earnings test and benefit taxation is probably the #1 misconception I see among widow/widower benefit recipients. Just to add one more practical tip: if you're planning both a 401k withdrawal AND a home sale in the same year, consider doing a rough calculation of your "combined income" first (adjusted gross income + non-taxable interest + half of Social Security benefits). If this pushes you significantly over the thresholds ($25,000 for single filers, $32,000 for married filing jointly), you might want to stagger the transactions across tax years as others have mentioned. Also, don't forget that you can always do a "trial run" calculation using tax software or consult with a tax professional before making any major moves. The peace of mind is worth the small investment, especially when you're dealing with amounts like $165,000 in home sale profits. Knowledge is power when it comes to protecting your financial security!

This entire discussion has been incredibly enlightening! As someone who recently joined this community after starting my own widow benefit journey, I can't express how grateful I am for the clear explanations everyone has provided. The distinction between the earnings test and benefit taxation was completely lost on me before reading this thread - I was operating under the same fear that @9a9cad992cbb initially had about losing benefits from retirement withdrawals. What really strikes me is how this conversation demonstrates the importance of getting information from multiple sources and asking follow-up questions. The initial conflicting responses show how easy it is to get confused about these rules, but the community really came together to provide accurate, detailed information. I'm especially appreciative of the practical tips about timing withdrawals, keeping good records, and getting written confirmation from SSA. For anyone else who might be reading this as a newcomer like me - don't be afraid to ask questions in this community. The knowledge and experience shared here is invaluable, and it's clear that people genuinely want to help each other navigate these complex systems during what is already a difficult time in our lives.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful to have found such a comprehensive discussion on this exact topic! My 23-year-old disabled daughter is approaching a similar transition, and reading through everyone's experiences has been both reassuring and eye-opening. What strikes me most is how consistent the advice is about maintaining financial protections despite the asset limit relief. The special needs trust and ABLE account clearly offer benefits beyond just SSI compliance, and it seems like the peace of mind alone justifies keeping them in place. I'm particularly concerned about the healthcare coverage gap during the Medicare waiting period. The suggestions about contacting Aging and Disability Services departments directly (rather than general Medicaid offices) and looking into state-specific programs like HCBS waivers and spend-down programs are exactly the kind of actionable advice I was hoping to find. One thing I'm wondering about - for those who successfully found alternative coverage during the Medicare waiting period, how far in advance did you start researching and applying for these programs? I want to be as prepared as possible before we make this transition. The emphasis on getting everything in writing and maintaining detailed documentation throughout the process also makes complete sense, especially given how complex these multi-agency transitions can be. Thank you all for creating such a supportive community where families can share real experiences and practical solutions. It's clear that successful navigation of these benefit changes requires much more research and advocacy than what any single agency representative might provide!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to share our recent experience with this exact transition to hopefully help others facing similar circumstances. My 25-year-old disabled son just went through the change from SSI to DAC benefits when I started collecting Social Security early retirement at 62. The asset limit relief is absolutely real and such a psychological weight lifted! We had been meticulously tracking every dollar for years to stay under that $2,000 limit. However, after reading through this thread and consulting with a disability benefits attorney, we decided to keep all our existing protections in place - the special needs trust remains active and we went ahead with opening the ABLE account. The healthcare coverage gap was our biggest challenge. What really helped us was contacting our state's Department of Health and Human Services disability division directly and asking specifically about "medical assistance for people with disabilities" programs. We discovered a state-funded program that provides coverage during the Medicare waiting period for people who lose Medicaid due to DAC transitions. This wasn't something the regular Medicaid office knew about! One practical tip: start gathering all medical records and getting referrals from current providers before the transition happens. Some specialists in our area don't accept new patients without guaranteed coverage, so having those referrals in place made the healthcare transition much smoother. The DAC benefit amount was actually higher than his combined SSI+SSDI, but factoring in the temporary healthcare costs during the waiting period, the financial impact was initially neutral. Still, the long-term financial freedom from asset restrictions makes this change worthwhile for our family's planning. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this community has been invaluable for navigating these complex benefit changes!

For finding a qualified Social Security planner, look for fee-only financial advisors who hold the RSSA (Registered Social Security Analyst) designation or similar credentials. The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) has a directory where you can search for fee-only planners in your area. You can also check the Financial Planning Association (FPA) website. Make sure to ask specifically about their experience with Social Security claiming strategies and survivor benefits - not all financial planners specialize in this area. Some charge a flat fee just for Social Security analysis (usually $500-1500), which might be worth it given the complexity of your situation and the long-term financial impact of the timing decision.

I went through a very similar situation when I turned 60 in 2022. You're correct that May 2026 will be your first month of eligibility since that's when you turn 60, regardless of it being the 10th. The earnings test applies immediately - I learned this the hard way when I earned $2,100 in my first eligible month and lost my entire benefit for that month. One thing I'd add to the great advice here: if you're planning to work past 60, consider asking your employer about flexible scheduling options. Some people negotiate to work 4 days a week or take unpaid time off strategically to stay under the monthly limit. Also, keep very detailed records of your monthly earnings - SSA may ask for documentation later, and having W-2s, pay stubs, and a monthly tracking spreadsheet saved me a lot of headaches during my annual review. The decision between taking survivor benefits at 60 vs waiting really depends on your health, financial needs, and life expectancy assumptions. Since your husband's benefit is significantly higher than your own, maximizing that survivor benefit should probably be your priority. Good luck with your planning!

I'm also new to this community and just starting my SSDI application process! After reading through all these incredibly helpful experiences, I'm both grateful for the knowledge and a bit anxious about the journey ahead. The main takeaway seems clear: don't rely on just one notification method since the system is so unpredictable. I'm definitely going to set up the mySocialSecurity text alerts, USPS informed delivery, and start a tracking log right from the beginning. It's fascinating (and concerning) how some people only got mail notifications while others only saw online updates - really drives home why you need multiple safety nets. The 3-6 month waiting periods everyone's describing sound incredibly stressful, but at least now I know what to expect and have concrete strategies to help manage the anxiety. Thank you to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences - this kind of real-world insight is exactly what newcomers need to prepare for this process. The community support here is amazing and makes facing this overwhelming journey feel much less isolating!

I'm also brand new to this community and just starting my SSDI application journey! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly enlightening and honestly both encouraging and nerve-wracking. I had no idea the notification process could be so inconsistent - some people getting updates online first, others only through mail, and the timing varying so much between cases. What I'm taking away from all these shared experiences is that having multiple backup systems is absolutely essential. I'm definitely going to set up the mySocialSecurity text/email alerts that Victoria mentioned, the USPS informed delivery service, and start keeping detailed records from day one like several people suggested. The 3-6 month waiting periods everyone's describing sound incredibly anxiety-inducing, but I'm so grateful to have found this supportive community early in my process. It's amazing how willing everyone is to share their real experiences, timelines, and practical strategies to help newcomers like me navigate what feels like an overwhelming journey. Thank you all for being so generous with your knowledge - it gives me a much clearer roadmap for what lies ahead and makes me feel less alone in this process!

Reading through everyone's experiences here really validates how confusing this whole process is! I'm also approaching 62 and dealing with the same frustrating inconsistencies from SSA reps. One resource I haven't seen mentioned yet is the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) - they have some really clear explanations of how divorced spouse benefits work, including examples with actual numbers. Their website has a section specifically on divorced spouse benefits that helped me understand the difference between PIA calculations and delayed retirement credits. Also, for anyone wondering about the application timing, I learned that you can apply up to 4 months before you want benefits to start, not just 3 months. This extra month can be helpful if you're dealing with documentation issues or want to make sure everything is processed smoothly. The advice about SHIP counselors is excellent - I used one in my area and she was incredibly knowledgeable. She also mentioned that if you're still getting conflicting information from SSA after meeting with them in person, you can request to speak with a Technical Expert. These are SSA employees who specialize in complex benefit calculations and can provide more detailed explanations than regular customer service representatives. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's so helpful to know we're not alone in dealing with this complicated system!

As someone who just completed this process last year, I want to emphasize how important it is to get everything in writing! I had similar experiences with conflicting information from different SSA representatives, and what finally saved me was requesting a written benefit estimate during my in-person appointment. A few additional tips based on my experience: 1. When you call or visit SSA, specifically ask them to document in your file what calculations they're using and what benefit amounts they're quoting you. This creates a paper trail if there are discrepancies later. 2. If your ex-husband is willing to cooperate (since you mentioned an amicable divorce), he can actually request a copy of his Social Security Statement and share it with you. This gives you his exact PIA figure to use in your calculations, rather than guessing based on his projected age-70 amount. 3. Don't be discouraged if your first appointment doesn't go perfectly. I had to go back twice before I found a representative who really understood divorced spouse benefits and could explain everything clearly. The health issues you mentioned are definitely worth discussing with the SSA representative, even if they don't qualify for disability. They may have insights about how that factors into your timing decision or other programs you might not be aware of. One last thing - make sure you understand exactly when your first payment would start based on when you apply. There are specific rules about benefit start dates that can affect your planning. Good luck navigating this system! It's frustrating but definitely doable with persistence.