I'm so sorry you're going through this - what a devastating discovery to make so close to retirement. Your situation sounds incredibly complex, but don't give up hope yet. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is contacting your state's Department of Revenue or Secretary of State office. They often maintain business registration records that could show you as a partner or officer during those missing years. Even if you weren't listed as an employee, being documented as having an ownership stake could support your case. Also, consider reaching out to your former business customers, suppliers, or vendors who might have records showing you handled transactions or correspondence. Sometimes third-party documentation can be surprisingly helpful in establishing your role. The fact that you have his earnings history from the divorce proceedings is actually significant - it might show inconsistencies in how the business income was reported versus how you were (or weren't) credited. An experienced Social Security disability attorney might be more helpful than a general attorney for this type of earnings record dispute. Most importantly, document everything about your upcoming SSA call - names, dates, case numbers, what was discussed. If the first representative can't help, ask to speak to a supervisor or request that your case be escalated to someone who specializes in complex earnings corrections. You've worked for 30 years - you deserve to have those earnings counted toward your retirement security.

I'm so sorry you're facing this situation - it's truly shocking that someone could remove you from payroll without your knowledge after decades of work. One avenue that hasn't been mentioned yet is checking with your state's Workers' Compensation board or Unemployment Insurance office. These agencies sometimes maintain employment records that are separate from what SSA has, and they might show you as an employee during those missing years. Also, if your family business had any contracts, licenses, or permits during that time period, try to get copies. Sometimes these documents list all the people authorized to act on behalf of the business, which could help establish your role. For the SSA interview, I'd suggest asking specifically about the "good cause" exceptions to the normal time limits for correcting earnings records. Given that your removal from payroll was done without your knowledge, this could potentially qualify as fraud or manifest injustice. One more thought - if you had any business insurance policies (liability, property, etc.) during those years, the applications often list all the business owners or key employees. Insurance companies keep records for a long time, so it might be worth checking with your old insurance agent. Don't lose hope. Even if it's an uphill battle, the potential impact on your retirement security makes it worth fighting for every possible avenue.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works at a local SSA field office - the information provided here is absolutely correct. The earnings test is applied ONLY to the individual beneficiary's earnings, never to their spouse's income, regardless of tax filing status. I see this confusion come up regularly, and I think it stems from people mixing up two completely different concepts: 1) the earnings test (which determines if benefits are reduced) and 2) the taxation of Social Security benefits (which does consider combined income on joint returns). These are totally separate issues administered by different agencies. For anyone still worried about this, I'd recommend reviewing SSA Publication No. 05-10069 "How Work Affects Your Benefits" - it clearly explains that only YOUR wages and self-employment income count toward the annual earnings limit. Your spouse could earn millions and it wouldn't affect your Social Security earnings test calculation at all. The confusion is understandable, but the rule is actually quite straightforward once you understand it applies only to the beneficiary's individual earnings.

As a newcomer here, I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm in almost the exact same situation as Cole - planning to retire at 62 next year while my spouse continues working. I was really worried about how her income might affect my Social Security benefits, but this thread has completely cleared up my confusion. The distinction between the earnings test (individual only) and Social Security taxation (combined income) that several people mentioned is so important. I had definitely been mixing those up in my mind. And I really appreciate the practical tips about keeping good records, potentially requesting voluntary withholding to avoid overpayments, and the reassurance that any withheld benefits get credited back when you reach full retirement age. Special thanks to Freya for the official SSA perspective and that publication reference - it's great to have authoritative confirmation from someone who deals with these questions professionally. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complex retirement decisions!

I'm currently 11 months into my SSDI application process after a spinal cord injury ended my career in physical therapy. My statement estimated $2,156, but reading through everyone's experiences here has been both eye-opening and nerve-wracking about how much the actual amount might vary. What really stands out to me from this discussion is how many hidden factors can impact the final calculation that aren't explained anywhere in the official materials. Things like the disability freeze provision, onset date determinations, and how recent work gaps are calculated - I had no idea about any of this when I first applied. The financial uncertainty during this waiting period has been incredibly challenging. I've had to rely on family support and completely restructure my budget multiple times as the months drag on. The emotional toll of not knowing when you'll get a decision (or what that decision will be) while you're already dealing with serious health issues is honestly overwhelming some days. I really appreciate how open everyone has been about their real experiences - both positive and negative outcomes. It's given me a much more realistic understanding of what to expect than anything I could find on official websites. For those of us still waiting, knowing we're not alone in this frustrating process makes such a difference. The tip about Claimyr is definitely something I'm going to try - I've been stuck in the same phone queue nightmare that others have described. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get some actual information about my case status.

I'm also currently navigating the SSDI process - filed about 4 months ago after lupus made it impossible to continue my work as a teacher. My Social Security statement estimated $2,298, but after reading through all these detailed experiences, I'm definitely preparing myself for the possibility that the actual amount could be quite different. What's been most valuable from this discussion is learning about all the factors that can influence the final calculation that I had never heard of before - the disability freeze provision, how onset dates are determined, workers comp offsets, and how gaps in recent employment are handled. It's clear that the estimates are just a starting point and there are many variables that can affect the final amount. The waiting period has been incredibly stressful both financially and emotionally. I've had to move back in with my parents at age 34, which is humbling but necessary. The uncertainty about timing and benefit amounts makes it almost impossible to plan for the future when you're already dealing with a chronic illness that requires ongoing medical care. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service that several people mentioned - I've spent hours on hold with SSA only to get disconnected or transferred endlessly. It's frustrating that we need third-party services just to get basic information about our own cases. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences here. This thread has been more informative than months of trying to decode official SSA materials. For those of us still in the waiting process, it helps so much to know we're not alone in this challenging journey.

As someone new to this community, I wanted to add my perspective after reading through this incredibly informative discussion. I'm currently helping my father navigate a similar situation with state disability and Social Security retirement benefits in another state, and this thread has been tremendously helpful. What I find most reassuring is the consistent message from multiple people with direct experience: state disability payments like CASDI are not considered earned income for Social Security purposes, so you can collect both benefits simultaneously without affecting your earnings limit. The distinction between "earned income" (wages from work) and disability payments (insurance benefits) seems to be the key point here. I also wanted to highlight some of the excellent practical advice that's been shared: calling SSA right at 8 AM for shorter wait times, being transparent about your disability status on applications, keeping detailed records of all payments and correspondence, and considering in-person visits to local SSA offices when online verification doesn't work. @Liam Murphy - your situation sounds very manageable based on all the expert input here. The timing actually works in your favor since you'll reach full retirement age just one month after returning to work, which eliminates most earnings limit concerns. Best wishes for your recovery and smooth transition to retirement benefits!

As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this discussion with great interest since I'm helping my elderly neighbor understand her Social Security options. The wealth of knowledge shared here has been incredibly valuable! What strikes me most is how consistently everyone with actual experience has confirmed that CASDI and Social Security retirement benefits can be collected simultaneously without issues. The key insight about CASDI being considered unearned income rather than earned income for Social Security purposes really clears up the confusion. I particularly appreciate all the practical tips shared - from the best times to call SSA (8 AM seems to be the consensus winner!) to the importance of keeping detailed records and being upfront about your situation when applying. The suggestion about visiting a local SSA office for account setup when online verification fails is brilliant. @Liam Murphy - based on everything shared here, it sounds like you're in an excellent position to move forward with confidence. Your timeline actually works out perfectly with reaching full retirement age so close to when you'll return to work. Wishing you the best with your recovery and retirement transition! This thread is a perfect example of why community knowledge-sharing is so valuable for navigating these complex benefit systems.

You're welcome! Just one more thing to consider - make sure to check if your wife might be eligible for any delayed retirement credits on her own benefit if she hasn't reached 70 yet. Even though she's already collecting, sometimes people don't realize they could have waited longer for a higher benefit. Also, you might want to use the SSA's online benefit calculators or consider meeting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security optimization. The timing decision can have a huge impact on your lifetime benefits, especially when you factor in both of your life expectancies and potential survivor benefits.

I went through this exact same situation with my husband last year! One thing that really helped us was creating a spreadsheet to compare different scenarios - like what our total household income would look like if he filed at 66 vs waiting until 67 or even 70. Don't forget to factor in taxes too - Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on your other income sources. We ended up deciding it made sense for him to file early because we needed the cash flow, even though it meant leaving some money on the table long-term. Sometimes the bird in the hand is worth more than waiting for the potential bird in the bush, especially if you have health concerns or other financial pressures.