I'm 67 and just went through this decision-making process last year! One resource that really helped me was the AARP Social Security calculator - it's more user-friendly than the SSA website and lets you play around with different claiming scenarios. You can see how various strategies affect your lifetime benefits based on different life expectancy assumptions. Also wanted to mention something about spousal benefits that might be relevant if you're married - even if you delay your own retirement benefits until 70, your spouse can potentially claim spousal benefits once you reach FRA (67 in your case), as long as you file and suspend or file a restricted application. The rules have changed over the years, so it's worth understanding what options are still available for your birth year. One more practical tip: when you do decide to apply, consider doing it online rather than by phone if possible. The online application saved me hours compared to trying to get through on the phone, and you can save your progress and come back to it if needed. Good luck with your decision!

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I'm going through this exact same situation! I turned 65 last month and was completely overwhelmed by all the decisions. What really helped me was making a simple spreadsheet with three scenarios: claiming at 67 (FRA), 68, and 70, with the monthly benefit amounts and total lifetime benefits based on different life expectancy estimates. The key insight for me was realizing that this decision isn't just about maximizing total dollars - it's also about when you'll actually NEED the income. Since you mentioned you're still working part-time and don't need the money right now, waiting makes a lot of sense. I'm planning to reassess every year and can always change my mind if my financial situation changes. One thing that surprised me: my local library actually offers free AARP tax and financial counseling sessions where volunteers help with Social Security planning. Might be worth checking if yours does too - it was way more helpful than trying to navigate the SSA phone system! And yes, definitely get that Medicare application in ASAP - I almost missed my window and learned that penalty can really add up over time.

Update? Did you ever find out what the payments were for? I'm curious because I just checked my account and saw a small deposit too!

Great to hear you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always tell people to wait for the official explanation before panicking. The SSA may have old systems, but they're pretty good about sending documentation eventually. Thanks for updating us - it'll help other people who find themselves in similar situations. The Medicare Part B adjustments seem to be really common lately, probably because of all the changes to premium calculations.

I'm so glad you asked this question because I was literally losing sleep over the exact same timing issue! I turn 70 in May and have been going back and forth about whether to file in my birth month or wait. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring - the consensus is crystal clear that you should apply 2-3 months early (January/February) with March 2025 as your benefit start date. What really helped me understand this is that delayed retirement credits stop accumulating after the month you turn 70, and they're calculated on a monthly basis, not daily. So even though your birthday is March 9th, you'll get full credit for the entire month of March. There's literally no benefit to waiting beyond your birth month - you'd just be leaving money on the table. The fact that so many people here have successfully gone through this exact process and received their maximum benefits by filing in their birth month gives me huge peace of mind. I'm definitely going to follow the same approach when my time comes in a few months. You've shown incredible patience waiting until 70 - don't overthink it now!

I just want to add my voice to the chorus here - everyone is giving you excellent advice! I went through this exact situation three years ago when I turned 70 in August. Like you, I was terrified of making a mistake after waiting so long to maximize my benefits. The key insight that helped me was realizing that Social Security's delayed retirement credit system is designed to reward you for waiting until 70, and those credits max out at your 70th birthday month - not your actual birthday date. So March 9th = full credit for March, just like March 1st would. I applied in June for an August start date, received my first payment in September right on schedule, and it included every penny of delayed retirement credits I had earned. The online application process was much smoother than I expected, and specifying my exact benefit start month (August) was straightforward. You've already done the hardest part by having the discipline to wait until 70. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good at this point - apply in January/February for March 2025 and enjoy the financial security you've earned through your patience!

Great to see this worked out for you! I'm actually in a similar situation - just got my login.gov set up for SSA and need to use it for another agency soon. Your post gave me the confidence to go ahead with it. It's reassuring to know that the system really does work as intended for most people. Thanks for following up with your results!

Just want to add my experience for anyone else reading this - I've been using the same login.gov account for SSA, VA benefits, and USAJOBS for over a year now with zero issues. The key thing I learned is to make sure you complete the identity verification process fully when you first set up login.gov. Sometimes people rush through it and miss steps, which can cause problems later when connecting to additional agencies. Also, if you ever change your phone number or email, update it in login.gov BEFORE trying to access any of your connected services. This prevents most of the lockout issues people experience.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can actually apply for these programs even BEFORE you turn 65 and start Medicare. Many states will do a "conditional eligibility" determination, which can give you peace of mind about what to expect. Also, if you're currently getting any kind of assistance like SNAP (food stamps) or housing assistance, that can sometimes speed up the MSP application process since they already have some of your financial information on file. And here's something that surprised me - if you qualify for QMB, you're also protected from "balance billing" by providers. This means doctors and hospitals can't charge you more than what Medicare allows, even if they don't accept Medicare assignment. That protection alone can save you thousands if you ever need major medical care. The key is to apply as soon as you're eligible - these programs don't provide retroactive coverage, so every month you wait is money out of your pocket. Good luck with your application!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help with your Medicare planning. Since you mentioned being 63 and planning ahead, you should know that you can actually start getting free Medicare counseling through your local Area Agency on Aging right now, even before you're eligible for Medicare. Also, regarding your $30K in 401k - if you're still working, you might want to consider whether it makes sense to spend down some of those assets before applying for MSPs, since Nevada does have those resource limits that Sofia mentioned. Some people strategically use retirement funds for home improvements, car repairs, or other necessary expenses to get under the asset thresholds while still having the benefit of those improvements. One more tip: keep detailed records of all your applications and communications with Medicaid. I've seen too many people have to restart their applications because paperwork got lost in the system. Take photos of everything you submit and get confirmation numbers when possible. Your income level definitely looks promising for qualifying for help - don't let the bureaucracy discourage you from applying!