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If you're struggling to reach someone at Social Security to get clarification on the earnings limit, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It helped me get through to an agent in under 10 minutes after spending days trying to reach someone. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU I had a similar earnings limit question with my husband retiring early, and getting clear answers directly from SSA saved us from making a costly mistake. Totally worth it to speak with someone who can look at your specific situation rather than trying to figure out these complicated rules on your own.
Is that service legit? I've been trying to get through to SSA for over a week! How does it actually work?
Yes, it's legit! It basically calls SSA for you and navigates the phone tree, then alerts you when an agent is about to pick up. Much better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected. Saved me tons of time and frustration.
To answer your follow-up questions about bonuses and timing: 1. For year-end bonuses: Under Social Security rules, bonuses count when they're earned, not when they're paid. However, a year-end performance bonus is typically considered earned when it's paid. So if your husband receives a bonus in December 2025, that would likely count toward December's earnings. 2. Regarding starting benefits in January 2026: If he begins benefits in January 2026, that becomes his "grace year" and he can use the monthly earnings test for all of 2026. This means he could earn any amount in January-November but still receive benefits for any month he earns under the monthly limit (which will be slightly higher in 2026 due to COLA). These earnings test rules are genuinely confusing, so it's smart to plan carefully. I'd recommend scheduling an appointment with SSA about 3-4 months before your husband plans to retire to discuss your specific situation.
Thank you so much for this detailed explanation! Based on everyone's advice, I think we'll have him retire in December 2025 and start benefits in January 2026. That way, we can use the monthly earnings test throughout 2026 as he transitions to part-time consulting work. I really appreciate everyone's help with this complicated topic. We'll definitely schedule that appointment with SSA to confirm our understanding before making any final decisions.
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Something else to consider - has your sister checked her own Social Security record lately??? My friend thought her benefit would be really small because of her government job, but when she actually checked her SS statement online, it was higher than she expected because of all the years she paid in. Your sister should create a my Social Security account on ssa.gov if she hasn't already!!! That way she'll know her own benefit amount before even talking to anyone.
Excellent suggestion. Creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov is essential for anyone approaching retirement age. The benefit estimates shown there will help your sister make a more informed decision. However, one caution - the online estimates don't always correctly account for things like WEP/GPO reductions. They give a good starting point, but the final calculation should be confirmed with an SSA representative who can properly apply any applicable reductions.
i think everyones overthinking this lol. just have her apply and see what they say. my aunt got dinged with gpo and still got like $400 a month from my uncles record. anything is better than nothing right?
It's not overthinking when we're talking about THOUSANDS of dollars in potential benefits!!! Getting the right strategy can literally mean the difference between getting benefits or nothing at all. But I agree she should definitely apply either way!!!
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Is anyone else annoyed that SS doesn't just TELL people this stuff clearly?? They make everything so complicated! Why should we have to figure out all these weird rules ourselves?? My dad worked for 45 years and when he died my mom had to practically become a financial advisor just to understand her options. The whole system is ridiculous!!
i agree!!! they don't explain NOTHING right and the statements they send are confusing!!!
After reading all the responses, I think your best strategy would be: 1. Wait until your FRA (67) to claim widow benefits based on your husband's record including his delayed retirement credits. This avoids the earnings test completely. 2. Contact SSA to get exact benefit amounts. To access information about your husband's benefit, you'll need his SSN, your marriage certificate, and his death certificate. 3. If desired, you could even wait until 70 to claim if your own benefit would be higher (though from what you've said, your husband's benefit with his delayed credits will likely be higher). The most important thing is to get actual numbers from SSA so you can make an informed decision. Widow benefits have very specific rules that differ from regular retirement benefits.
Thank you so much for laying it out this clearly. I'm going to try to contact SSA this week to get the exact numbers. I appreciate everyone's help as I'm trying to navigate all this!
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Can I collect widows benefits at 66 and 6 months while still working? Confused about survivor FRA vs my own
I'm trying to understand Social Security survivor benefits and their relationship to the earnings test. My husband passed away unexpectedly at 58 (born in 1958) after we were married for 36 years. I was born April 1, 1959, and I'm still working at a job I love and want to continue. When I visited the Social Security office, the rep told me something I hadn't heard before - that as a widow, I could start collecting on my husband's record at 66 and 6 months (September 2025), which would be considered my FRA for widow benefits, even though my personal FRA is 66 years and 10 months. The rep said I wouldn't be subject to the earnings test at that point. I was the higher earner, so I want to let my own benefits grow. I've searched SSA.gov but can't find this specific situation in writing. Is this accurate? Can I really collect widow's benefits at 66 and 6 months while still working full-time with no earnings limit? I don't want to make a big mistake in my retirement planning.
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Just to clarify one thing that hasn't been mentioned: If you work *after* you've claimed survivor benefits (at any age), those ongoing earnings could potentially increase your own future retirement benefit if these are high-earning years for you. The SSA recalculates your benefit based on your highest 35 years of earnings, so if you're replacing lower earning years with higher ones now, your own retirement benefit at 70 might be even larger than currently projected.
That's a fantastic point! My current job does pay well, so I'll likely be replacing some lower earning years from early in my career. Just another reason this approach makes sense for my situation.
My sister did something similar after her husband died. She took the survivor benefit at her FRA for that and kept working. Then at 70 she switched to her own larger benefit. She said it was the best financial decision she made and now has a much more comfortable retirement than she expected. Just thought I'd share a success story!
Thank you for sharing that! It's reassuring to hear from someone who's already successfully implemented this approach.
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Just to clarify some of the confusion here - Medicare Part B premiums are deducted before federal tax withholding is calculated. This is because Medicare premiums are considered a pre-tax deduction. The basic formula is: Gross benefit amount - Medicare Part B premium = Taxable amount Taxable amount × withholding percentage = Federal tax withheld Taxable amount - Federal tax withheld = Net payment And yes, there can be some rounding at various stages that makes it difficult to reconcile to the penny. SSA's systems were designed decades ago and some of the calculation protocols haven't been updated.
Thank you for breaking down the formula so clearly! That's exactly what I needed to understand. I'll try this calculation method and see if I can get closer to the actual amount we received.
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When I helped my dad apply (he's in New Zealand), the biggest headache was the bank information. Not all foreign banks accept US Social Security direct deposits. We ended up keeping his US bank account open just for this purpose. He just transfers money from there to his NZ account monthly.
That's what I do too! I'm in Canada and my credit union here charges ridiculous fees for international transfers. Easier to just keep my old Chase account and pull money out with my ATM card when needed.
Thanks everyone for your helpful advice! I feel much more prepared now. I'll keep my US bank account for direct deposits, apply online using my sister's address, and have all my documentation ready in case of a verification interview. So relieved to know there's no penalty just for living abroad! I'll be applying right after my birthday next month.
Sounds like you're all set! One last tip - apply right at the beginning of the month if possible. Benefits are paid based on the previous month, so timing can affect when you receive your first payment. Good luck with your application!
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my mom has the same problem (shes from philippines originally) no payment yet. but my uncle got his (hes citizen) so i was thinking maybe its for immigrants only? glad to hear its not that. still nothing in her account today tho
It's definitely not targeting immigrants. The SSA payment system doesn't filter based on citizenship once benefits are approved. It's more likely your mom and uncle are simply in different payment processing batches, and your mom's batch was affected by the technical issue while your uncle's wasn't.
UPDATE: My payment just posted this morning! So it was about 48 hours late. Check your accounts - hopefully your husband's payment has arrived too!
Just checked and YES! The payment came through about an hour ago! Such a relief. Thank you everyone for your help and reassurance. Now we can pay the mortgage without a late fee.
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why dont u just check ur status on the website? thats what i did
I've been checking my my Social Security account online, but it just shows "pending" with no details about what's happening or how long it might take. That's why I'm trying to find other ways to get more specific information.
For degenerative disc disease specifically, make sure you're emphasizing how it affects your daily functioning, not just the pain. SSA is particularly interested in: - How long you can sit/stand/walk - Whether you need to change positions frequently - If you need to lie down during the day - Upper extremity limitations (lifting, carrying, reaching) - How your concentration is affected by pain and medication Keep a daily journal documenting these limitations. If your claim goes to hearing, this kind of detailed information is extremely valuable. Also, if you haven't already, request a copy of your SSA file through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. This will show you exactly what medical evidence they're reviewing and if anything important is missing.
This is extremely helpful advice. I've been focusing on the medical aspects but not documenting the functional limitations as thoroughly. I'll start keeping that journal right away. And I didn't know I could request my SSA file - I'll definitely do that.
Ethan Brown
I just read the actual bill text - it's even MORE complicated than people are saying!! The phase-in depends on when you retired and how many "substantial earnings" years you had under Social Security. Some people might see bigger increases faster while others get less. It's DELIBERATELY complicated so they can claim they "fixed" it while still saving money. Classic government bait and switch!!
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Carmen Ruiz
•That's interesting - do you have a link to where you found the full bill text? I'd like to read the details myself. These things always end up being more complex than the news headlines suggest.
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Andre Lefebvre
To address your original question more directly: Yes, if the WEP/GPO repeal passes, your spousal benefit would increase, though gradually over time. The bill has bipartisan support, which is rare these days, so there's legitimate hope it might finally pass after many previous attempts. While waiting to see what happens with the legislation, I strongly encourage you to apply for the Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help program. With your described income level, you might qualify for assistance with Medicare premiums, deductibles, and prescription drug costs, which could provide immediate relief.
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Aisha Hussain
•I really appreciate this info! My husband and I will look into those Medicare programs right away. And you're right that the bipartisan support is encouraging - maybe this time it will actually happen. Thanks for the ray of hope!
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