As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add something that might be helpful based on my experience working with families navigating multiple benefit programs. Since you mentioned feeling overwhelmed by all the moving pieces, you might want to consider reaching out to your local Disability Resource Center or Independent Living Center in Kentucky. Many of these organizations have benefits specialists who are specifically trained to help families understand how different programs interact - Social Security, Medicaid waivers, SSDI, etc. They often provide free consultations and can sometimes even attend meetings with you or help you prepare for important phone calls with SSA. What's particularly valuable is that they see these complex situations regularly and may have relationships with local SSA offices that can help streamline the process. Also, since you're dealing with both your retirement timing and your daughter's potential DAC benefits, they might be able to help you think through scenarios you haven't considered yet. I've seen these centers help families avoid costly mistakes by catching important details that might otherwise be overlooked. It's another layer of support that could complement the other excellent resources people have mentioned in this thread!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm currently dealing with a somewhat similar situation with my elderly father who receives several different types of benefits, and reading through all these responses has taught me so much about the complexity of Social Security and benefit interactions that I never realized existed. One thing I'd like to add that might be useful - when you're preparing for your consultation with SSA or any of the advisors people have mentioned, consider writing down not just your questions but also a brief summary of your current situation. Include key details like your daughter's current SSDI amount, your expected retirement benefit at different ages, and the monthly amount you receive from the Medicaid waiver program. Having all these numbers organized in one place can help the advisor quickly understand your situation and run more accurate scenarios for you. Also, based on everything I've read here about the importance of timing and coordination between your retirement and your daughter's potential DAC benefits, you might want to ask specifically about "auxiliary benefit" rules when you speak with SSA. These rules govern how family members can collect benefits on each other's records, and understanding them could help you optimize the total benefits your family receives. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and knowledge in this thread - it's been an amazing resource!

I'm 68 and will be turning 70 in November 2026, so I have a bit more time to plan but this thread has been incredibly educational! One aspect I haven't seen discussed much is what happens if you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy that auto-pays based on when your Medicare Part B premium is due. My Medigap plan currently syncs its billing with my quarterly Medicare payments, so I pay both at the same time. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with how Medigap billing adjusts when Medicare premiums switch to Social Security deductions. Also, I noticed several people mentioned keeping detailed records during the transition. I'm thinking about creating a simple spreadsheet to track: - Medicare payments made directly - SS benefit amounts and deductions - Any refunds received - Communication dates with SSA/Medicare Has anyone found that level of record-keeping to be overkill, or is it really necessary given all the potential timing issues that have been mentioned? The strategic advice about retirement account withdrawals and IRMAA timing is also something I need to factor into my planning. It's amazing how interconnected all these decisions become when you hit 70! Thanks to everyone for sharing such practical, real-world insights. This is the kind of information you just can't get from official government publications.

I'm 69 and will be turning 70 in March 2025, so this thread couldn't have come at a better time! Reading through everyone's experiences has really helped clarify what felt like a very confusing process. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - for those of us who have Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), make sure to coordinate the timing of when you stop contributing to your HSA with your Medicare enrollment. You can't contribute to an HSA once you're enrolled in any part of Medicare, even if you're not paying premiums yet due to employer coverage. I made the mistake of continuing HSA contributions for a few months after enrolling in Medicare Part A (which is automatic when you apply for SS), and now I have to deal with excess contribution penalties. It's a small detail but an expensive one if you miss it! The advice about creating a spreadsheet to track everything is spot on. I've started one already and it's already helping me see potential timing issues I hadn't considered. Also, for anyone worried about the complexity of coordinating all these systems, I found it helpful to think of it in phases: Phase 1 is getting SS started smoothly, Phase 2 is managing the Medicare payment transition, and Phase 3 is monitoring everything for a few months to catch any issues early. Breaking it down made it feel much less overwhelming. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed real-world experiences - this is invaluable information!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - I know exactly how overwhelming it feels! I was laid off at 64 just 8 months ago and successfully navigated this same maze of decisions. Here's what worked for me and what I wish I'd known upfront: **Apply for unemployment immediately** - You're entitled to this and it provides crucial breathing room. Don't worry about the severance timing - it won't affect your unemployment eligibility in most states, though they may ask about it. **Severance won't hurt your SS benefits** - This was my biggest worry, but severance is a one-time payment that doesn't count toward the earnings test. Only ongoing wages from actual work count toward that $21,240 annual limit. **Use unemployment as a bridge** - This was the game-changer for me. Instead of rushing into SS filing, I used my 26 weeks of unemployment to let my SS benefit grow. At your age, each month you delay filing increases your benefit by about 0.5-0.7% - permanently! Over 6 months, that's a meaningful increase for the rest of your life. **The spousal benefit consideration is crucial** - Since your husband is younger and likely higher-earning, be very careful about the deemed filing rules. Once you claim your own benefit, you're locked into that decision even for future spousal benefits. **State-specific rules matter** - Most states allow you to collect both unemployment and SS simultaneously, but double-check your state's specific policies. My suggestion: File for unemployment now, then spend the next few months using the SSA calculator to model different claiming scenarios. You have time to make this decision thoughtfully rather than under pressure. You've got this! The initial panic is totally normal, but once you take that first step with unemployment, everything else becomes much clearer.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this situation - being laid off at 64 is incredibly stressful, and trying to coordinate all these different benefit systems can feel overwhelming. I went through something very similar when I was unexpectedly laid off at 63. Here's what I learned from my experience: **Start with unemployment immediately** - You're entitled to these benefits and they provide crucial income while you sort out the bigger decisions. Don't stress about the severance timing affecting this. **Your severance won't impact SS benefits** - This was one of my biggest concerns, but severance is considered a one-time payment that doesn't count toward the Social Security earnings test. Only ongoing wages from actual work count toward that $21,240 limit for 2025. **Consider using unemployment as a strategic bridge** - Instead of rushing to file for SS, you could use your unemployment benefits (typically 26 weeks) to delay your SS filing by several months. Each month you wait increases your benefit amount permanently - at your age, that's roughly 0.5-0.7% per month. Over 6 months, that adds up to meaningful money for the rest of your life. **Be very careful about spousal benefits** - Since your husband is younger and has historically earned more, you'll want to understand how the "deemed filing" rules might affect your future spousal benefit options before you claim your own retirement benefit. The most important thing is that you don't have to decide everything at once. Filing for unemployment first gives you breathing room to research your SS options thoroughly using their online calculator. You're going to get through this! Take it one step at a time.

Just wanted to add something that might be helpful - if you're working for your brother's business, make sure you understand whether you'll be classified as an employee or independent contractor. If you're an independent contractor, you'll need to pay self-employment tax on that $1,500/month, which is about 15.3% on top of regular income tax. This doesn't affect the earnings limit calculation, but it will impact your overall tax situation. Also, if you're self-employed, you'll need to report your earnings to SSA using net earnings from self-employment rather than gross income. Just something to keep in mind when planning your finances!

One more thing to consider - since you're claiming benefits at 63, you'll be receiving a reduced benefit amount (roughly 25-30% less than your full retirement age benefit). Just want to make sure you've factored that into your calculations. The earnings limit rules are the same regardless, but your actual monthly benefit will be permanently reduced compared to waiting until full retirement age. That said, if you need the income now and you're comfortable with the reduction, claiming early can still make sense - especially since you're staying well under the earnings limit with your part-time work plan.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation with your husband's health. Reading through all these responses has been really educational - there's so much helpful information here from people who have actually been through similar experiences. One thing I wanted to add that might help with your immediate planning: you mentioned being confused about finding clear information on the SSA website. I've found that their "What Every Woman Should Know" publication (SSA Publication No. 05-10127) has a section specifically about survivor benefits that's written in much plainer language than their general materials. It might be worth requesting a copy or downloading it to have as a reference. Also, since you're already 62 and took early retirement to care for your husband, you're likely close to or at the minimum age (60) for survivor benefits if the worst should happen. This means you wouldn't have to wait years to apply for survivor benefits like some younger widows do. From everything I've read here, it sounds like you'll definitely be better off financially with survivor benefits compared to your current $1,050 monthly payment, even if there are some age-related reductions. The key is just being prepared for the application process and potential gaps in payments that others have mentioned. You're being so thoughtful to plan ahead during such a challenging time. That preparation will make all the difference when you need it most. Take care of yourself - caregiving is exhausting work and you deserve support too.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this incredibly difficult situation. As someone who has helped family members navigate similar circumstances, I want to offer some encouragement alongside the practical information others have shared. The good news is that you're asking exactly the right questions and planning ahead, which will make such a difference when the time comes. From everything shared here, it's clear that you'll be in a much better financial position with survivor benefits than you are now, even accounting for potential age reductions or processing delays. One small addition to the excellent advice already given: consider setting up automatic bill pay for your essential expenses (utilities, housing, insurance) if you haven't already. During the transition period when there might be payment gaps or delays, this can help ensure your critical bills stay current without you having to worry about managing due dates during a stressful time. Also, if you have a trusted family member or friend who could help you with the SSA application process when the time comes, it might be worth having that conversation now. Sometimes having an advocate with you - whether in person or on the phone - can help ensure you get all the information you need and don't miss important details during what will be an emotionally difficult time. You're showing such strength and wisdom by preparing for these possibilities while continuing to provide loving care for your husband. That kind of thoughtful planning is going to serve you well, and this community has given you incredible resources to work with. Take it one day at a time, and remember that you're not alone in this journey.