One more important detail - the earnings test only counts wages or self-employment income. It doesn't count investment income, pension payments, annuities, capital gains, or government benefits. So if any of your income comes from these sources, they won't count toward either the monthly or annual limits. And remember that the earnings reduction isn't a permanent loss. Once you reach your Full Retirement Age, your benefit will be recalculated to credit back the months when benefits were withheld.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact decision last year. I was 64 and had a similar situation with irregular income from freelance work. I ended up starting benefits in March after earning about $20k in Jan/Feb, then stayed under the monthly limit the rest of the year. The key thing I learned is to keep detailed records of your monthly earnings - not just annual totals. SSA will want to see month-by-month breakdowns if there's any question about whether you exceeded the monthly limits. I used a simple spreadsheet tracking gross income by month which made everything much clearer when I had to provide documentation. Also, if you're doing contract work, make sure you understand how they count the income. It's when you EARN it, not when you get paid. So if you do work in January but don't get paid until March, that income counts toward January for the earnings test purposes.

Congratulations on your upcoming baby! Just wanted to add that you might also want to consider applying online through the SSA website (ssa.gov) for your retirement benefits if you haven't already. They've improved their online services quite a bit, and you can often get the process started without having to visit an office or wait on hold. Once your retirement benefits are approved, you can then follow up with the child's benefit application. The online portal lets you track the status of your applications too, which is really helpful. Good luck with everything - having a baby and dealing with Social Security paperwork at the same time can be overwhelming, but it sounds like you're getting good advice here!

Based on my experience helping my brother with a similar situation last year, I'd recommend calling your local SSA office directly to schedule an appointment rather than trying to walk in. They can often give you a checklist of exactly what documents you'll need to bring for both your retirement application and the child's benefit application. Also, since your baby is due in April and you're planning to file in October, that gives you plenty of time to get the birth certificate and Social Security number sorted out. One thing that helped my brother was having a conversation with his girlfriend beforehand about the representative payee process - SSA will interview her as part of determining her suitability to manage the child's benefits. It's mostly routine, but it's good to be prepared for questions about how the funds will be used for the child's care and expenses.

I'm new to this community but this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now - just received my retirement benefit letter showing $1,642, but during my application interview I was told I'd get around $2,180 with divorced spouse benefits included. I was really starting to panic when the letter didn't mention the spousal portion at all. Reading everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief - it's amazing how consistent this two-letter pattern is across so many different cases! The timelines you've all shared (ranging from 9 days to 6 weeks) really help set realistic expectations. What strikes me most is how SSA seems to create this same anxiety for everyone by not explaining their process upfront. A simple "you'll receive separate letters for different benefit types" would save so much stress! I'm definitely bookmarking that 8am calling strategy for future reference. Thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences and specific amounts - this community wisdom is gold for navigating SSA's confusing processes. It's so comforting to know we're not alone in this!

I'm new to this community but this thread has been such a blessing to find! I'm currently in a nearly identical situation - received my retirement benefit approval letter about 10 days ago showing $1,695, but during my phone interview the representative specifically mentioned I'd be receiving approximately $2,240 total because I qualify for divorced spouse benefits from my ex-husband's record (we were married 14 years). Like everyone else here, I was getting really anxious when that higher amount wasn't mentioned anywhere in my approval letter. Reading through all of your shared experiences has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear that SSA's two-letter process is completely standard operating procedure, even though they apparently don't bother informing applicants about this! The variety of timelines everyone has shared (from 9 days to 6 weeks) really helps manage expectations. What's most frustrating is how SSA's poor communication creates the same unnecessary anxiety for so many people - a simple heads-up about expecting separate letters would prevent so much worry! I'm definitely keeping that 8am calling tip in my back pocket if needed. Thank you all for sharing your specific timelines, amounts, and letter descriptions - this community knowledge is absolutely priceless for navigating these confusing SSA processes!

As someone who's been navigating SSDI for a couple years now, I just wanted to say how helpful this entire discussion has been! I've been in a similar situation wondering about accessing retirement funds without jeopardizing benefits, and the clarity everyone has provided here is amazing. The consensus seems really clear - TSP withdrawals won't affect your SSDI because they're unearned income, but the loan route is definitely the smarter financial move if you can swing the monthly payments. Seeing actual payment amounts and experiences from people who've gone through this exact process is so much more valuable than trying to piece together information from official government websites. I'm particularly impressed by how supportive this community is. Instead of just answering the basic question, people took the time to share cost comparisons, processing timelines, and even tips about calling TSP directly. This is exactly the kind of peer support that makes dealing with disability and financial stress more manageable. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've probably helped more people than just the original poster!

I'm new to this community but wanted to add my perspective as someone who just went through this exact decision last month! I was in almost the identical situation - on SSDI for about 2 years due to a spinal injury and needed to access funds from my old federal TSP account. Like you, I was terrified about potentially affecting my SSDI benefits. After doing extensive research and reading threads like this one, I went with the TSP loan option and I'm so glad I did! I borrowed $7,500 and chose a 4-year repayment term, which gives me monthly payments of about $165. The process was smoother than I expected - I called TSP first like others suggested, and they walked me through everything. The loan was approved within a few days and funds were in my account in about a week. Most importantly, my SSDI benefits were completely unaffected (as everyone here correctly stated). The peace of mind has been worth everything. Instead of losing 30%+ to taxes and penalties with a withdrawal, I'm paying myself back at a reasonable interest rate. Highly recommend the loan route if your monthly budget can handle the payments!

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Losing a brother is devastating, and having to navigate these complex government systems while grieving adds another layer of stress to an already difficult time. The community here has provided incredibly thorough and helpful guidance. Your niece definitely qualifies for survivor benefits since she's currently enrolled full-time in high school and under 19 - the benefits will continue until she graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first. I want to emphasize something that several people have mentioned: apply TODAY if at all possible. That 6-month retroactive limit is absolute, and since your brother passed last month, every day that goes by is potentially money lost forever. Even if you don't have every single document perfectly organized, it's better to start the process now and submit additional paperwork later. One thing I'd suggest is creating a simple folder or binder to keep all the SSA-related documents organized. Include copies of everything you submit, notes from every phone call or meeting (with names, dates, and what was discussed), and any correspondence you receive. This will be invaluable if you encounter any issues or conflicting information later. Your niece is incredibly fortunate to have you advocating for her during such a painful time. These benefits can provide crucial financial stability as she finishes her senior year and prepares for college. The fact that you're taking care of this shows how much you love and support her future. Wishing your entire family strength and healing during this difficult journey.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. This is such a heartbreaking situation, and it's clear from all the responses here that you're getting excellent guidance. Your niece absolutely qualifies for survivor benefits since she's currently enrolled full-time in high school and under 19. I wanted to add one small but potentially important detail that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet: when you apply, make sure to ask about whether your niece might be eligible for any back benefits from before your brother's passing. Sometimes there can be eligibility for benefits dating back to when the deceased worker first became entitled to disability benefits, if that's applicable to your situation. Also, while everyone has correctly emphasized the urgency of applying now, don't let the pressure make you feel like you have to have absolutely everything perfect on day one. SSA is used to working with grieving families who are still gathering documents. The key is getting the application started - they can always request additional documentation later. You're doing an amazing thing for your niece during such a difficult time. Having this financial support secured will give her one less worry as she focuses on graduating and preparing for her next chapter. The love and advocacy you're showing her right now will make such a difference in her life.