This has been such an educational thread! I'm 62 and started receiving Social Security about 4 months ago, and I've been hesitant to even look for work because I was so confused about the earnings test. Reading everyone's real experiences has completely changed my perspective - it's not nearly as scary as I thought it would be. The key takeaways I'm getting are: 1) Report expected earnings to SSA immediately when you get a job offer, 2) Keep detailed records of everything, 3) The monthly earnings test in your first year can work in your favor if you start mid-year, and 4) Benefits that get withheld aren't lost forever - they're credited back at FRA. I especially appreciate all the practical tips about calling SSA (early morning/late afternoon), asking for written confirmation, and having all your documents ready. The tip about including ALL calendar year earnings in your estimate is something I definitely wouldn't have known. This thread should honestly be pinned somewhere - it's more helpful than anything I've found on the official SSA website! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences.

As someone who went through this exact situation two years ago, I want to emphasize how important it is to stay organized throughout this process. I created a simple folder (both physical and digital) with all my Social Security documents, job offer details, pay stubs, and records of every conversation with SSA. This saved me so much stress later when I needed to reference dates or confirm what was discussed. One thing I'd add to all the excellent advice here - when you do call SSA, don't be afraid to ask them to repeat or clarify anything you don't understand. The calculations can be confusing, and it's better to ask questions upfront than to be surprised later. I also found it helpful to take notes during the call and read back the key points to the representative to make sure I understood correctly. The whole experience taught me that while the Social Security system can seem intimidating, the people who work there generally want to help you get it right. Being proactive, honest, and organized makes the whole process much smoother for everyone involved. Good luck with your new job opportunity - it sounds like you're approaching this exactly the right way!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add my voice to the chorus of reassurance you're receiving! I'm 74 and have been in your exact situation. I delayed my Social Security benefits until age 70 and continued working part-time, currently earning about $55,000 annually from freelance work. The earnings limit confusion your coworker created is something I see all the time - people mix up the rules that apply to early claimers with those who've reached their Full Retirement Age. Once you're past your FRA, the Annual Retirement Earnings Test simply doesn't exist anymore. It's completely eliminated from the equation. I've been collecting my maximized Social Security benefits for 4 years now while maintaining steady income, and there has never been any reduction or question about my earnings. The Social Security Administration doesn't even track my work income anymore since I'm well past FRA. Your plan to start at 70 while continuing to earn $85,000 is not only perfectly fine, it's actually an excellent strategy. You'll receive the maximum monthly benefit possible (thanks to those delayed retirement credits from FRA to 70) AND complete freedom to earn whatever you want. Don't let one person's confusion derail what sounds like a thoroughly researched and smart retirement approach!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to share my experience to add to the overwhelming evidence that your coworker is completely wrong! I'm 75 and have been in your exact situation for the past 5 years. I delayed my Social Security until age 70 and have been working part-time as a consultant, earning between $70,000-$80,000 annually. The earnings test that your coworker mentioned applies ONLY to people who claim Social Security benefits BEFORE reaching their Full Retirement Age. Once you hit your FRA (which you already passed at 66 and 4 months), that earnings test completely disappears - it's like it never existed. I've been collecting my maximized Social Security benefits while earning substantial income for half a decade now, and my benefits have never been reduced by even a penny. The Social Security Administration doesn't ask about my earnings, doesn't track them, and doesn't care - because I'm past my FRA, the earnings test simply doesn't apply. Your strategy of waiting until 70 while continuing to work is brilliant. You'll get the maximum possible monthly benefit (32% higher than your FRA amount thanks to delayed retirement credits) PLUS unlimited earning potential. That's the best of both worlds! Don't let one person's confusion about Social Security rules derail what is clearly a well-researched and financially sound retirement plan. You're absolutely making the right choice!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to express my gratitude for this incredibly informative discussion! I'm 63 and started collecting Social Security benefits just last month, so Kennedy's question about 1099 contractor work couldn't be more relevant to my situation. Like so many others here, I was also confused by the conflicting information about work restrictions. I heard that same "45-hour limit" myth from a neighbor who insists it's true, so seeing it thoroughly debunked by community members with actual experience is such a relief! What I find most valuable are the practical implementation strategies everyone has shared. The separate business account recommendation, the importance of tracking net earnings through business deductions, and understanding how the first-year monthly earnings test actually works in our favor - these are exactly the kinds of real-world insights you can't find in the official SSA publications. I'm especially grateful to Isaac, Demi, Ella and others who've shared their ongoing experiences managing 1099 work alongside Social Security benefits. Hearing that it's not only possible but quite manageable with proper organization gives me the confidence to pursue a consulting opportunity that recently came my way. Kennedy, I sincerely hope you decided to take that contract position! Your question has generated such a wealth of practical knowledge that will undoubtedly help many of us navigate similar decisions. If you're comfortable sharing, I'd love to hear how things worked out for you. Thanks to this amazing community for providing such valuable guidance during these important transitions!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for this absolutely fantastic discussion! I'm 62 and in a very similar situation to Kennedy - I just started collecting Social Security last month and have been offered a 1099 consulting contract that would pay about $1,900 monthly. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring. Like many others, I had also heard the "45-hour limit" myth from multiple sources, so seeing it definitively debunked by people with real experience is such a relief! What I find most valuable are the specific, actionable strategies everyone has shared: - Setting up a separate business checking account (brilliant!) - Tracking net earnings carefully through legitimate business deductions - Understanding that the first-year monthly test ($1,860/month) actually works in our favor - Negotiating predictable monthly payments with clients - Setting aside 25-30% immediately for taxes The success stories from Isaac, Demi, Ella, and others who are actively doing this give me tremendous confidence. Knowing that business deductions typically reduce net earnings by 15-20% makes the math work much better than I initially thought. Kennedy, I hope you took that contract position! Your question has created such an invaluable resource for all of us navigating this transition. This community's practical wisdom far exceeds anything I've found in official publications. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and real-world experiences!

Congratulations on reaching your FRA soon! Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - when you do apply in December 2025 or January 2026, consider applying online through your my Social Security account if possible. It's usually faster than paper applications and you can track the status online. Also, once you submit your application, you'll get a receipt number that you can use to check on progress. The whole process took about 6-8 weeks for me from application to first payment, so applying 3-4 months ahead gives you plenty of buffer time. Good luck with your retirement planning!

As someone who just went through this process last year, I can confirm the advice here is spot on! I applied in November for my February FRA and everything went smoothly. One thing I'd add is to take screenshots of your application confirmation page and save your receipt number somewhere safe - I had to reference it when I called to verify my start date was correctly entered. Also, don't be surprised if you get a few different letters from SSA during the process - they sent me about 4 different notices confirming various aspects of my application. The whole experience was much less stressful than I expected once I understood the timeline. You've got this!

As someone who's been navigating SSDI for a few years now, I want to echo what others have said about keeping meticulous records and definitely looking into that lump-sum election! One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you're married filing jointly, your spouse's income also factors into whether your SSDI benefits are taxable and how much. The combined income thresholds are higher for joint filers ($32,000 for 50% taxable, $44,000 for up to 85% taxable), but it's still something to consider when planning. Also, if you end up owing a substantial amount, you can usually set up a payment plan with the IRS rather than having to pay it all at once. Don't let the tax anxiety overshadow the relief of finally getting approved - just plan ahead and you'll be fine!

I'm new to this community and currently going through the SSDI application process myself. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I had no idea about the lump-sum election option or the potential tax implications of backpay! It's honestly shocking that SSA doesn't provide clear guidance about these tax issues when they approve claims. I'm definitely going to research IRS Publication 915 and that Form W-4V for voluntary withholding that Freya mentioned. One thing I'm curious about - for those who have been through this, did you find it helpful to consult with a tax professional specifically experienced with Social Security benefits, or is a general tax preparer usually knowledgeable enough about these issues? I'm thinking it might be worth investing in professional help for the first year dealing with backpay, especially after seeing how much money Zoe saved with the lump-sum election. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed real-world experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical advice that makes all the difference!