I'm so sorry you're going through this - the system really failed your family when they didn't automatically transition her to DAC benefits at 18. As someone who's helped others navigate this maze, I'd add a couple things to the excellent advice already given: When you call SSA tomorrow, ask to speak with a supervisor if the first person doesn't seem knowledgeable about DAC benefits - not all representatives are familiar with these cases. Also, if your daughter has been without health insurance during this 6-year gap, mention that too since Medicaid eligibility often comes with disability benefits. The retroactive payment potential here is significant given the length of time, so definitely don't let them discourage you from pursuing this. You're being a great advocate for your daughter - keep pushing!

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share that my sister went through something very similar. The key thing that helped us was documenting EVERYTHING - every phone call, every piece of mail, every submission. When we finally got to the hearing level, having that paper trail showing SSA's failures (like not reviewing submitted evidence) really helped our case. Also, when you call tomorrow, ask them to put notes in your daughter's file about the missing DAC review at age 18 - get the representative's name and ID number. That creates an official record of the system failure. One more tip: if they try to tell you it's "too late" for DAC benefits, that's not true - there's no time limit for filing if the review never happened in the first place. You've got this!

Wow, this thread has been incredibly informative! I'm 62 and just starting to think seriously about my Social Security timing strategy. Reading through all these responses has cleared up so much confusion I had about FRA calculations. I'm particularly grateful for the clarification that FRA is reached on the 1st of the month - I had the same misunderstanding as the original poster about waiting for my actual birthday. My FRA is 67, so this means I can file a few weeks earlier than I was planning! The discussion about delayed retirement credits vs. filing at FRA is really making me think too. I'm in good health and have longevity in my family, so waiting until 70 might make sense for me. But the uncertainty about potential policy changes is definitely concerning. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - has anyone here coordinated their Social Security filing with their 401k/IRA withdrawal strategy? I'm wondering if there's an optimal way to sequence these different retirement income sources to minimize taxes. For example, should I delay Social Security and live off my 401k first, or start Social Security at FRA and let my retirement accounts continue growing? Thanks to everyone who's shared their knowledge and experiences. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complex decisions!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 63 and was completely confused about the FRA timing until reading through everyone's responses. Like many others here, I thought I had to wait until my actual birthday in the relevant month. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - I recently attended a Social Security workshop at my local library (many libraries offer these for free), and the presenter emphasized the importance of creating a "my Social Security" account online at ssa.gov. You can see your exact FRA date, your estimated benefits, and your complete earnings history. It's really useful for catching any errors in your earnings record before you file. Also, regarding the discussion about coordinating with other retirement accounts - I've been working with a fee-only financial planner on this exact issue. One strategy she mentioned is the "Social Security bridge" approach, where you use other retirement funds to "bridge" the gap if you delay Social Security past your FRA. The key is making sure you have enough liquidity in non-Social Security accounts to cover your expenses during the delay period. The tax implications are definitely complex, especially when you factor in how Social Security benefits can become taxable and affect Medicare premiums. It's worth running the numbers for your specific situation rather than just following general rules of thumb. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community knowledge is invaluable!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! To summarize what I've learned: 1. Only the payments I physically receive in 2024 count for 2024 taxes 2. The December payment that arrives in January 2025 will count for 2025 taxes 3. I should wait for my SSA-1099 form in late January/early February for the official numbers 4. The 1099 will show the gross amount before any Medicare deductions 5. I might want to consider tax withholding from my SS payments going forward This helps tremendously with my year-end planning!

You've got a great summary there! Just one additional tip since you mentioned year-end planning - if you have other retirement account withdrawals planned for 2024 (like from a 401k or traditional IRA), you might want to calculate whether those combined with your Social Security benefits will push you into a higher tax bracket or increase the taxable portion of your SS benefits. Sometimes it's worth spreading those withdrawals across tax years to minimize the overall tax impact. Good luck with your planning!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to dealing with the complexities of Social Security's family maximum rules. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both incredibly helpful and deeply frustrating - it's clear that families across the country are struggling with the same lack of transparency and consistent information from SSA. What really stands out to me is how the system seems almost designed to catch families off guard. The fact that a primary worker's reduced early retirement benefit counts against the family maximum (rather than their full PIA) is such a crucial detail that significantly impacts total family benefits, yet it's rarely explained clearly upfront. This means families make irreversible filing decisions without understanding the true financial implications. I'm currently helping my elderly neighbor navigate a similar situation with her disabled adult son, and after reading this thread, I realize we need to be much more proactive about getting detailed calculations in writing before any filing decisions are made. The suggestion about requesting a PEBES query and asking specifically for family maximum breakdowns seems essential. Thank you all for sharing your experiences so openly. While it's disheartening to see how many families are struggling with these same issues, your detailed explanations and resource suggestions are invaluable for those of us still in the planning stages. The collective knowledge shared here is far more comprehensive than anything I've been able to get from SSA directly!

I'm also new to this community and unfortunately dealing with a similar family maximum situation. My wife is considering filing for early retirement at 63, and we have a 28-year-old son with disabilities who would qualify for DAC benefits. Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea that her reduced early retirement benefit would count against the family maximum, leaving less available for our son's benefits. The lack of clear, consistent information from SSA that everyone has described here is really concerning. It seems like families are expected to navigate these complex calculations without proper guidance, and the permanent nature of these filing decisions makes it even more stressful. @Eleanor Foster - thank you for sharing your detailed experience and follow-up after speaking with SSA. That breakdown showing how the 175% family maximum gets divided when the primary worker takes early retirement is exactly the kind of specific information that's so hard to get from official sources. @Kaylee Cook - I'm definitely going to look into Claimyr to try to get through to an actual knowledgeable representative. The suggestion about requesting a PEBES query is something I hadn't heard of before but sounds crucial for understanding the actual numbers before making any irreversible decisions. This thread has convinced me that we need professional consultation before my wife files. The potential impact on our son's long-term financial security is too important to leave to guesswork or inconsistent information from SSA representatives.

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share that I've been following this discussion with great interest as my family is considering a similar situation. Reading through all these detailed responses has been incredibly educational - I had no idea there were so many practical considerations beyond just the legal name change itself. What strikes me most is how supportive this community has been in providing real-world experiences and specific steps to follow. The advice about bringing multiple copies, making appointments in advance, asking for confirmation receipts, and coordinating with other agencies creates such a helpful roadmap for anyone navigating this process. It's also heartwarming to see how many people have emphasized that benefits are tied to the SSN rather than the name, which seems to be the key reassurance for families worried about disrupting their child's financial support. The consistency of that message across multiple people's experiences really builds confidence. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and practical tips. This thread will definitely be a valuable reference for families facing similar decisions. It's clear that with proper preparation and documentation, the process can go smoothly while supporting a child's wellbeing and healing journey.

As someone new to this community, I wanted to add my voice to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been. I'm not currently facing this exact situation, but reading through all these detailed experiences and practical advice has been so educational about how the SSA handles name changes for minors receiving benefits. What really stands out to me is how consistent everyone's experiences have been - that benefits are tied to the SSN, not the name, and that proper documentation makes the process straightforward. The step-by-step guidance from people who have actually been through this creates such a valuable resource. I also want to commend the original poster for being such a thoughtful and caring parent. Balancing your daughter's emotional healing needs with protecting her financial security shows incredible dedication. Having her therapist's support for this decision, combined with all the research and preparation you're doing, really demonstrates that you're making a well-informed choice that prioritizes her overall wellbeing. This thread is a perfect example of how community support can transform an overwhelming situation into something manageable. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this will undoubtedly help many families in similar situations.