UPDATE: You all were right! I finally got a letter in the mail today explaining the payment. It was indeed a Medicare IRMAA adjustment based on my 2023 tax return showing lower income than 2021. They had me in a higher premium bracket and are refunding the difference for the first part of 2024. Mystery solved! Thank you all for your help and suggestions!

This is exactly why I love this community - so helpful to see everyone's experiences! I had a similar surprise payment last year that turned out to be a windfall elimination provision (WEP) adjustment. The waiting and wondering is the worst part, but it sounds like most of these unexpected payments are legitimate corrections that work in our favor. Katherine, I'm glad you waited for the explanation rather than spending it immediately - that's always the smart move with SSA payments!

One thing I learned the hard way - make sure to ask about what happens if your husband predeceases you. The survivor benefit rules are different from spousal benefits, and it could significantly impact your planning. As a widow, you could potentially receive 100% of your husband's benefit amount (including any delayed retirement credits he earned), but only if you wait until your Full Retirement Age. If you claim survivor benefits early, they're reduced. Also, if you do end up taking reduced spousal benefits at 62, that reduction doesn't carry over to survivor benefits - those are calculated separately. This might influence whether it makes sense to take reduced benefits now or wait. The SSA worker should be able to run scenarios for you showing spousal benefits versus survivor benefits at different claiming ages. And definitely ask for everything in writing before you leave! I made the mistake of trying to remember everything they told me and got confused later about what my actual options were.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation and learning so much from everyone's experiences. One additional question you might want to ask is about the break-even analysis - at what age would waiting to claim benefits versus taking reduced benefits at 62 result in the same total lifetime benefit amount? This can help you understand the financial trade-offs if you're trying to decide between taking benefits early or waiting. Also, ask if they can explain how cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) work with reduced benefits. If you take a reduced benefit at 62, the annual COLA increases are applied to that reduced amount, so you're getting cost-of-living adjustments on a smaller base for the rest of your life. And here's something I wish I had known earlier - if you're still working part-time, ask about whether it makes sense to try to get a few more higher-earning years into your Social Security calculation. Your benefit is based on your highest 35 years of earnings, so if you have some very low or zero earning years in there, working a bit more now could potentially increase your own retirement benefit calculation. Bring a list of all your questions written down so you don't forget anything in the moment - these appointments can be information overload!

As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this discussion with great interest! I'm still about 4 years away from my FRA but already starting to think about these timing decisions. This thread has been incredibly educational and has completely changed how I'm approaching retirement planning. What really stands out to me is how everyone's experiences demonstrate that the Social Security benefit amount difference (that 0.67% monthly increase) is almost negligible compared to the potential tax planning opportunities. The real-world examples shared here - like the $800 in tax savings and $2,000+ in Medicare premium avoidance - really put things in perspective. I'm particularly grateful for the practical tips about applying 3-4 months early to maintain flexibility in changing the start date. That seems like such a smart strategy that gives you time to optimize based on your actual year-end financial picture. One question I have for the group: for those who worked with financial advisors or tax professionals on this decision, how did you find someone who was truly knowledgeable about these Social Security timing strategies? Did you specifically look for retirement planning specialists, or were you able to work with your existing CPA/financial advisor? Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences - this discussion has become an invaluable resource for anyone facing similar timing decisions!

As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through this entire discussion and it's been absolutely eye-opening! I'm about 6 years out from my FRA but this thread has already changed how I'm thinking about retirement timing decisions. What strikes me most is how this seemingly simple "December vs January" question has revealed so many interconnected financial considerations. The consensus seems clear that the actual SS benefit difference is minimal (0.67% or roughly $12-15/month), but the tax planning opportunities can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. I'm especially grateful for everyone who shared real dollar amounts - Sofia's $800 tax savings and Finley's $2,000+ Medicare premium avoidance really demonstrate why professional consultation is worth the investment. The IRMAA consideration was completely new to me and something I never would have thought to factor in. The strategy of applying 3-4 months early to preserve flexibility seems brilliant - it gives you that valuable option to optimize based on your actual year-end financial picture without any downside. One thing I'm curious about: has anyone here dealt with this timing decision while also coordinating spousal Social Security benefits? I'm wondering if there are additional considerations when both spouses are approaching FRA around the same time and trying to optimize the timing for both. Thanks to everyone who has made this such a comprehensive and valuable discussion!

Just wanted to add - if you're switching from one bank to another, make sure to keep your old account open for at least a month after the change goes through. I made the mistake of closing mine too early and when there was a small delay in processing, SSA tried to deposit to the closed account and it caused a whole mess. Learned that lesson the hard way! 😅

One more tip that saved me a lot of hassle - write down the confirmation number they give you and the name of the representative you spoke with. I had to call back a few weeks later when my payment didn't switch over as expected, and having that info made the follow-up call so much smoother. The second agent was able to look up my case immediately and fix the issue. Also, don't be afraid to ask them to repeat the confirmation number - some of those representatives talk really fast! 📝

I'm a case worker at a local disability advocacy center, and I see people struggling with these exact questions all the time. You've gotten some excellent advice here already, but I wanted to add a few practical points that might help: First, regarding your MS specifically - the unpredictable nature of your symptoms actually works in your favor with SSA's work incentive programs. The Trial Work Period was designed exactly for situations like yours where you need to test your capacity to work without risking your safety net. One thing I always tell my clients is to create a simple monthly calendar where you track not just earnings, but also symptom severity, work hours, and any accommodations you needed. This creates a clear picture of how your disability affects your work capacity, which can be invaluable if there's ever a review of your case. Also, don't underestimate the importance of building a relationship with a specific SSA representative if possible. When you call to report earnings, ask if you can speak with the same person each time. Having someone familiar with your case can prevent a lot of confusion and miscommunication. The remote work opportunity sounds perfect for someone with MS - being able to work during your better days while resting during flares is exactly what these programs are meant to support. Just remember that consistency in reporting is more important than perfection in predicting your monthly earnings. You're approaching this with exactly the right level of caution and preparation. That mindset will serve you well throughout this process.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been successfully working part-time on SSDI for almost two years now. Reading your post brought back so many memories of my own confusion and anxiety when I first started considering work again after my disability determination. Everyone here has given you fantastic advice about the monthly evaluation, Trial Work Period, and all the technical details. What I wanted to add is more of the emotional/practical side - it's completely normal to feel terrified about potentially losing your benefits! I literally lost sleep for weeks before I accepted my first part-time position. Here's what helped me get over that fear: I started by volunteering for a few hours a week at a local nonprofit. No pay, so no SGA concerns, but it helped me gauge how my energy levels and symptoms responded to having a regular commitment again. After a few months of that, I felt much more confident about taking on actual paid work. The remote work aspect you mentioned is such a game-changer for chronic conditions. On my bad days, I can work from bed if needed, or take breaks whenever my symptoms flare. It's allowed me to maintain some income and feel productive while still honoring my body's limitations. You're being so smart by researching all this upfront. That preparation will make all the difference in your success. Trust the process, document everything, and remember that these programs exist specifically to help people like us transition back to work safely. You've got this!