As a newcomer to this community, I'm so thankful I discovered this thread! I've been experiencing the exact same frustration for the past several weeks - logging into my SSA account expecting to find a simple quarter count display and coming up completely empty-handed. Like so many others here, I initially thought I was just being obtuse and missing some obvious link or section. It's both validating and absolutely infuriating to learn that this essential eligibility information simply isn't available through their online portal! I've been working for about 12 years now and really need to know my exact quarter count for some financial planning I'm working on. Based on all the excellent advice shared in this discussion, I'm going to start with the historical calculation method using those yearly threshold tables that several members have mentioned finding on the SSA website. The idea of manually calculating quarters year by year with constantly changing thresholds sounds tedious, but it beats potentially spending hours on hold only to get disconnected! It's honestly shocking that in 2025, we still have to jump through these bureaucratic hoops for such fundamental information about our own benefits. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge, experiences, and workarounds - this community is already proving to be an invaluable resource for navigating these government system challenges!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly relieved to have found this comprehensive discussion! I've been dealing with the exact same frustrating situation for the past few weeks - searching everywhere on the SSA website for my quarter count and feeling like I was missing something obvious. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so validating - it's clear this isn't user error on our part, but a genuine gap in what SSA displays online. I've been working for about 8 years now and really need to know if I'm on track for those 40 quarters, especially since I had some periods of part-time work early in my career. The historical calculation method using yearly threshold tables seems like the consensus best approach based on all the helpful advice shared here. I'll try to locate those SSA publications with the quarter requirements going back to when I started working in the late 2010s. It's honestly mind-boggling that we all have to become amateur accountants just to access such fundamental information about our own benefits eligibility! If the manual calculation becomes too complex, I might brave those phone wait times, though the stories about 45+ minute holds and disconnections are pretty intimidating. Thank you to everyone who contributed their knowledge and workarounds - this community is already proving to be such a valuable resource for navigating these bureaucratic challenges. It's reassuring to know so many of us newcomers are figuring this out together!

I've been lurking on this thread for a while and finally had to create an account to say THANK YOU to everyone who has shared their experiences and solutions! I've been dealing with this exact same MySocialSecurity login loop for about 2 weeks now and was getting so frustrated I was ready to just give up on accessing my account online entirely. Reading through all these detailed troubleshooting steps has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there were so many technical factors that could be causing the problem. I've definitely been making most of the mistakes mentioned here: trying multiple times per day, using my bookmarked login page, not waiting before entering verification codes, and I never knew about the difference between regular authorization codes and "MYSSA portal reset" requests. I'm going to try the comprehensive approach that's emerged from everyone's collective wisdom: complete 24-hour break from the site (going to test my patience for sure!), then attempt login using incognito mode from the main SSA.gov homepage with autofill disabled, and wait 45+ seconds before entering verification codes. If that fails, I'll visit my local office early morning and specifically ask for the MYSSA portal reset. This community has genuinely created a better resource than any official SSA help documentation. It's both impressive and frustrating that we've had to crowdsource solutions to what should be basic government website functionality, but I'm so grateful for everyone's willingness to help fellow members navigate this bureaucratic nightmare!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - this thread has been absolutely incredible! I've been dealing with the same MySocialSecurity login loop for about 10 days now and was starting to feel like I was the only person having this problem. Finding this discussion has been such a relief - not only am I not alone, but there are actual proven solutions to try! I've been making pretty much every mistake mentioned here: multiple daily login attempts (definitely triggering those security flags), using my saved bookmark, being impatient with verification codes, and I had zero knowledge about the "MYSSA portal reset" vs regular authorization codes. Based on all the amazing collective wisdom shared here, I'm going to follow the comprehensive protocol: 24-hour complete break from the site, then try with incognito browser from the main SSA.gov homepage, autofill disabled, and wait at least 45 seconds before entering codes. If that doesn't work, I'll head to the local office early morning with the specific language to request a portal reset. What really amazes me is how this community has created a more comprehensive and useful troubleshooting guide than anything the SSA provides officially. Thank you all for turning what felt like an impossible technical nightmare into a manageable problem with real, tested solutions. I'll definitely report back with results!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a very similar situation - turning 66 in August and was planning to apply in May for benefits to start in August. Reading all these responses, especially the real-world experiences from people like CosmicCaptain and Malik Johnson, has given me the confidence to move forward with early application. It's reassuring to know that the benefit calculation is definitely based on the start date, not the application date. I was particularly worried about missing out on any COLA increases, but Emma Davis's explanation about automatic inclusion of cost-of-living adjustments between application and start date cleared that up perfectly. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise!

As someone who recently went through this process at my FRA, I can confirm what others have said - your benefit amount is definitely calculated based on your chosen start date, not your application date. I applied 3 months early and specifically selected my birthday month as the start date. The SSA representative I spoke with explained that the early application window exists precisely so they have time to process everything while still calculating your benefits based on when you actually want them to begin. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have all your documents ready when you apply - W-2s, tax returns, etc. Even though you're applying early, having everything organized will make the process smoother. And don't worry about the COLA - if there's an adjustment between now and July, it will automatically be included in your benefit calculation. You're smart to plan ahead!

As someone who recently navigated this exact process, I want to echo what others have said about applying early - February is definitely the right call! One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to make sure you have a clear record of your final work day versus your last day of pay. Since you mentioned working through May 29th but retiring May 19th, SSA will want to understand this distinction. Also, when you apply online, there's a section where you can upload supporting documents directly. I found it really helpful to scan and upload my birth certificate, most recent W-2, and tax returns right during the application process rather than waiting for them to request these later. It seemed to speed things up significantly. One more tip - after you submit your application, you'll get an email confirmation with a receipt number. Save this email and print it out! I needed that receipt number multiple times when following up on my application status. The whole process was much smoother than I expected once I had everything organized upfront. You're asking all the right questions and planning perfectly. Congratulations on reaching your FRA - it's such a milestone!

Just wanted to chime in with one more consideration that might be helpful - if you have any pre-tax retirement accounts like a 401(k) or traditional IRA that you'll be drawing from in retirement, you'll want to factor those withdrawals into your tax withholding strategy. Since Social Security benefits can become taxable depending on your total income, you might find that the standard withholding percentages on Form W-4V (7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%) aren't quite right for your situation once you add in other retirement income sources. I'd suggest running some rough tax calculations or even consulting with a tax professional before you finalize your withholding percentage. You can always adjust it later, but getting it close to right from the start will save you from owing a big tax bill or getting a huge refund. Also, since you mentioned this is your FRA, remember that your benefits will continue to grow by about 8% per year if you delay taking them until age 70. But I totally understand wanting to start them at 66 - sometimes peace of mind and having that steady income is worth more than the potential future increases!

I just want to say it's wonderful you're planning ahead like this. So many families don't think about these things until there's a crisis. Your son is fortunate to have you looking out for him!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who works in disability advocacy. The peace of mind you're getting from this thread is well-deserved! One small tip that might help with future planning - keep documentation of all his expenses related to his disability and care needs. While they may not directly reduce tax liability (since he likely won't owe taxes anyway), having detailed records can be helpful if you ever need to demonstrate his financial situation to SSA or other agencies. Also, if the group home rates do increase significantly, there are sometimes state programs that can help bridge the gap between what he receives and what care costs. Your local Area Agency on Aging or disability services office would know what's available in your area.