This is such a helpful thread! I'm glad Alice got her issue resolved. As someone who's been dealing with Social Security planning for my own retirement, I've noticed similar inconsistencies on my statements over the years. It's reassuring to know that the actual benefit calculation system is separate from the statement display system, but it's still frustrating that these errors persist year after year. For anyone else dealing with similar issues, I'd recommend documenting everything - take screenshots of your statements showing the discrepancy, write down dates and times of phone calls, and keep notes of what agents tell you. Even if it's "just" a display error, having that paper trail could be important if there are any issues when you actually file for benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions, especially the tip about the call service - that's going to be a game changer for getting through to SSA!

As someone who's dealt with similar SSA calculation discrepancies, I want to echo what others have said about the importance of getting this documented properly. Even though Alice got confirmation that it's a "display error," I'd still recommend requesting written confirmation of what the agent told you - either through a follow-up letter or email if possible. I've learned from experience that verbal assurances don't always translate to correct processing when you actually file. The fact that this is a "known issue" with certain birth months suggests it's a systemic problem that could potentially affect the actual benefit calculation too, despite what they're saying. Also, for anyone else reading this thread - if you discover similar errors on your statement, consider filing a formal complaint through the SSA's online complaint system in addition to calling. Sometimes having multiple touchpoints helps ensure these issues get properly escalated and fixed. The complaint reference number can also serve as additional documentation if problems arise later.

Medicare enrollment is separate from Social Security and doesn't begin until age 65, regardless of when you start your Social Security benefits. When you turn 65, you'll have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (starting 3 months before your birth month) to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B. If you're still covered by employer health insurance when you turn 65 (either your own or a spouse's), you might be able to delay Medicare enrollment without penalties.

Just want to add some clarity on the conflicting information about the earnings test - both the monthly and annual tests can apply in your first year of benefits. In the year you start collecting (2025), SSA will use whichever test is more favorable to you. The monthly test ($1,860/month after August) protects earnings before you start benefits, but they'll also check the annual limit ($22,320 for the full year). If your total 2025 earnings exceed $22,320, you could still face an overpayment even if you stayed under the monthly limits after filing. Given your numbers ($18,500 by July + $10,000 part-time = $28,500 total), you'd be over the annual limit and might owe back about $3,090 in benefits. I'd recommend calling SSA directly to confirm how they'll apply the test in your specific situation before making your final decision.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I just went through a very similar situation. I'm 62 and received a $22,000 age discrimination settlement last month while collecting early Social Security benefits. The absolute key is working with your attorney to get the settlement agreement properly categorized BEFORE you sign anything. I initially had pushback from my lawyer who wanted to keep it simple as "general damages," but once I explained the Social Security implications and showed them some research, they were willing to work with me. We ended up with a 75/25 split - 75% allocated to "emotional distress, reputational harm, and pain and suffering" and 25% to "lost wages and benefits." Only that 25% counted toward the annual earnings limit, which kept me well under the $21,240 threshold. A couple of practical tips that really helped me: - Call SSA at exactly 7:00 AM when they open. I got through in about 15 minutes on my first try. - Have your settlement agreement language ready when you call - they can give you specific guidance based on your actual documentation. - Don't be afraid to ask your attorney about spreading payments across tax years if that's an option. The SSA representative I spoke with was actually very helpful and confirmed that proper documentation in the settlement agreement is what they rely on for these determinations. She even suggested some specific language that would be clear for their purposes. One thing that surprised me - my attorney mentioned that having the Social Security impact properly documented actually strengthened our negotiating position because it showed we were being thorough and professional about the settlement structure. Take your time to get this right. It's much easier to structure it properly upfront than to deal with overpayment issues later!

I'm new to this community but going through almost the exact same situation! I'm 63 and just received a $28,000 workplace discrimination settlement offer while collecting early Social Security benefits. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the importance of getting the settlement properly categorized in the agreement. Based on what everyone has shared, it sounds like the key steps are: 1) Work with my attorney to allocate as much as possible to non-economic damages like emotional distress rather than lost wages, 2) Get this explicitly documented in the settlement agreement before signing, 3) Call SSA at 7 AM to get official guidance on my specific situation, and 4) Consider whether this gives me leverage to negotiate for a higher total amount. I'm feeling much more confident about approaching my lawyer with this strategy now. The real-world examples of 70/30, 75/25, and 85/15 splits between emotional damages and lost wages give me a good sense of what might be possible. One question for those who have been through this - did any of you have to provide additional documentation to SSA beyond the settlement agreement itself, or was the agreement language sufficient for them to properly categorize the income? Thank you all for sharing your experiences so openly. This community is a lifesaver for navigating these complex situations!

This is such a comprehensive discussion - I'm learning so much from everyone's experiences! I'm 60 and considering my SS filing strategy, so this thread is incredibly timely for me. One additional consideration I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you do end up with the severance counting toward your 2025 earnings and benefits get withheld, make sure to keep track of exactly how much gets withheld. When SSA recalculates your benefits at FRA (as Anna mentioned), having your own records can help ensure they credit you correctly for all the withheld amounts. Also, I wanted to add that some companies have Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that include retirement planning consultations. If your company offers this, the consultant might be able to help you navigate the severance classification conversation with HR from a benefits perspective. They often have experience with these types of situations and can frame the request in terms that HR understands. Harold, it sounds like you have several good options to explore. Between the Form SSA-131 route, potential payment timing negotiations, and the monthly earnings test for your first year of benefits, you're not necessarily stuck with a bad outcome. Keep us posted on how your conversations with HR go!

I'm a retirement benefits specialist who has helped many clients navigate this exact situation. The good news is that you have several viable options to explore, and it's not too late to potentially avoid the earnings test issue entirely. First priority: Contact your HR department IMMEDIATELY about Form SSA-131. Since your severance is based on 18 years of service rather than current work, you have a strong case for special payment classification. The key is getting HR to understand that this form protects both you and the company - it's not additional work for them, it's proper classification that benefits everyone. If Form SSA-131 doesn't work out, here are your backup options: 1. Request payment timing modifications (split between 2024/2026 or structured payments) 2. Use the monthly earnings test for your first benefit year (much more favorable if severance comes later in 2025) 3. Consider delaying your SS filing to January 2026 if financially feasible The monthly test is crucial to understand: in your first year of benefits, if you earn over the monthly limit ($1,860 in 2025), you lose benefits only for that specific month, not the entire year. This could significantly reduce any benefit loss. Document everything in writing with your employer. Even if they can't accommodate all requests, having the paper trail helps with SSA later. You're in a much better position than you think - don't panic, just act quickly on these conversations with HR.

I applied online for my Social Security retirement benefits just two months ago at age 67, and I can definitely confirm what everyone else is saying - you do NOT need to mail any original documents during the initial application process! The online application is really well-designed and walks you through each section clearly. You'll just need to enter information FROM your documents (like birth date, Social Security number, etc.) but you won't upload scans or mail anything at that stage. Here's what I had ready when I applied: - Birth certificate (just to reference the exact birth date and location) - Social Security card (for the number, though I had it memorized) - Bank account info for direct deposit (routing and account numbers) - Recent tax return (they asked about last year's income) - Marriage certificate from my first marriage (even though I'm widowed now) The whole process took about 40 minutes, and I was approved within 3 weeks without any follow-up requests for documentation. Since you're applying at full retirement age and have a straightforward case, you should have a smooth experience. One tip: double-check your earnings record in your my Social Security account before you apply. I found a small discrepancy from 20 years ago that I was able to note during the application process, which probably helped avoid any delays. Good luck with your application! The anticipation is definitely worse than the actual process.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a very similar situation - turning 67 in April and getting ready to apply online. Like many of you, I was really stressed about the document requirements and whether I'd need to mail my original birth certificate. Reading everyone's consistent experiences that you just enter information from your documents (rather than uploading or mailing them) is such a huge relief! I've been postponing my application because I was worried about the complexity, but it sounds much more manageable than I expected. I already have my my Social Security account set up and checked my earnings record last year, so that should help. I'll definitely make sure to have my bank account information ready for the direct deposit setup - that's a detail I hadn't thought about. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences. It's so much more valuable than trying to figure things out from the official SSA website! I'm feeling confident enough now to start my application next month.