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!

This entire discussion has been incredibly enlightening! I'm a newcomer to this community and found myself in a very similar situation to many of you - I started collecting Social Security at 63 and 6 months and have been working part-time ever since. Reading through everyone's experiences with AERO has given me such a clearer picture of what to expect and how to be proactive about monitoring my situation. The practical advice shared here is invaluable: keeping detailed earnings records, setting October reminders to check for adjustments, using the online earnings history to identify low-earning years that might be replaced, and understanding the $1 minimum threshold and early retirement reduction factors. I had no idea about many of these nuances before reading this thread. What really stands out is how the system is designed to work automatically but doesn't always function perfectly in practice. The technical explanation from Jason about data flow issues between SSA, IRS, and employers really helps explain why some people have seamless experiences while others need to advocate for themselves. I'm going to implement several strategies from this discussion: start that tracking spreadsheet, keep digital copies of all pay documentation, and be prepared to follow up if I don't see expected adjustments by December. It's reassuring to know that even if issues arise, they can be resolved with proper documentation and persistence. Thank you to everyone who shared both their success stories and challenges - this kind of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is exactly what makes communities like this so valuable!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly thorough discussion! I'm in a very similar situation - started collecting at 63 and 9 months and have been working part-time since. This thread has been more educational than anything I've found in official SSA materials. The key insights I'm taking away are: the AERO system should work automatically but requires monitoring, keeping detailed records is essential, and understanding the technical reasons why the system sometimes fails (thanks Jason!) helps explain the mixed experiences people have had. I'm particularly interested in the spreadsheet tracking idea and the suggestion to review earnings history to identify which low years from the 80s/90s might be replaceable with current part-time earnings. For those who've done this analysis, roughly what percentage of your lowest earning years have you found could potentially be replaced by modest part-time income today? Also wondering - has anyone found it helpful to create a simple checklist for the October review process? I'm thinking something like: check payment history, review benefit summary, compare to tracking spreadsheet, and follow up by December if something seems off. Would love to hear if others have developed similar systematic approaches to staying on top of this!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm about 6 years away from 62, but I had the exact same concern about whether there would be some kind of automatic notification or enrollment process when I become eligible. Learning that absolutely nothing happens until YOU decide to apply is such crucial information to know ahead of time. The detailed breakdown everyone has provided about benefit percentages at different claiming ages really puts the financial impact in perspective - seeing that the difference between claiming at 62 versus waiting until full retirement age or beyond can be tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime is sobering. I'm definitely going to create my Social Security account this week to start familiarizing myself with the system and tracking my earnings history. What's been most valuable is hearing real experiences from people who have actually navigated these decisions rather than just reading generic government information. This community provides such practical, personalized insights that make this complex topic much more manageable. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

As someone completely new to this community and Social Security planning in general, this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm about 12 years away from 62, but I stumbled across this discussion while doing some early research and I'm so glad I did. Like many others here, I had completely assumed there would be some kind of automatic process or required paperwork when you become eligible - learning that you maintain full control and nothing happens until you actively apply is such important information to know ahead of time. The breakdown of benefit percentages at different claiming ages is really striking - seeing that waiting could mean the difference between 70% and 124% of your full benefit over a lifetime is a huge eye-opener. I'm definitely going to create my Social Security account soon to start tracking my earnings history, even though I'm still years away from needing it. What's been most helpful is seeing how personalized this decision really is based on individual circumstances like health, work plans, and family situation. It makes me realize that while I can start educating myself now, the real strategic planning will need to happen closer to decision time when I have a clearer picture of my specific situation. Thank you to everyone who has shared their real experiences and practical advice - this community is such a valuable resource for understanding these complex but crucial decisions!