Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this has been incredibly helpful! As someone turning 60 next month, I'm starting to think seriously about early retirement options and had no idea about these earnings limits. What I'm taking away from this discussion is that the system isn't necessarily designed to "trap" people (though it can feel that way), but rather to ensure benefits go primarily to those who are truly reducing their work. The fact that withheld benefits eventually come back through higher monthly payments does make the policy more reasonable than I initially thought. One thing I'm wondering about - do any of you know if there are resources or calculators that can help estimate what your monthly benefit increase might be after FRA based on how much was withheld? It sounds like Sean's neighbor got a $200/month bump, but I'm curious if there's a way to project this ahead of time. Also, for those who've dealt with SSA directly about earnings issues - beyond the Claimyr service Hugo mentioned, are there other strategies for actually getting through to speak with someone? The stories about being on hold for hours are pretty discouraging!

As someone who's been helping people navigate Social Security benefits for years, I want to emphasize something that often gets overlooked in these discussions - the earnings test actually protects the long-term sustainability of the Social Security system while still ensuring you don't permanently lose benefits. The key thing to remember is that this isn't just about the government "holding onto your money" - it's about ensuring the program remains solvent for everyone. When you claim early but continue working substantial hours, you're essentially getting paid twice for the same period (wages + benefits), which wasn't the original intent of the retirement insurance program. What I always tell people is to think of the earnings test as a temporary adjustment, not a penalty. Yes, it can be frustrating to get an overpayment notice, but once you understand that every dollar withheld comes back to you in higher monthly payments after FRA (often resulting in MORE money over your lifetime), it makes more sense. For Quinn and others planning to work part-time after claiming early benefits: stay well under that $22,300 limit, keep meticulous records, and consider the earnings test in your overall retirement income strategy. The system works, but only if you understand the rules going in.

I'm new to this community and just wanted to add my voice to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I've been collecting Social Security for about 14 months now and my financial advisor recently asked for my PIA for some retirement income optimization strategies. Like so many others here, I was completely stumped - I had no idea what PIA even stood for initially, and definitely didn't know where to find it after already being on benefits. After reading through all these detailed responses, I feel so much more confident about tackling this. The benefit verification letter approach through MySocialSecurity sounds like exactly what I need to try first. It's really eye-opening to see how widespread this issue is - you'd think SSA would make such crucial financial planning information more easily accessible! I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and will come back to share my experience once I've tried the steps everyone outlined. Thank you all for creating such a supportive environment where people actually help each other navigate these confusing government systems. This is exactly the kind of community resource that makes dealing with bureaucracy so much less intimidating!

I'm new to this community and just went through this exact same process! I've been collecting Social Security for about 7 months now and my tax preparer recently asked for my PIA for some planning we're doing. Like everyone else here, I was completely confused about where to find this information after already being on benefits. This thread has been absolutely incredible - I tried the benefit verification letter method through MySocialSecurity yesterday and it worked perfectly! Found my initial benefit amount right there at the bottom of the PDF. Since I started collecting right at my full retirement age, that amount is my PIA. The whole thing took less than 10 minutes once I knew what to look for. It's really frustrating that SSA makes such important financial planning information so hard to find, but I'm so grateful to have discovered this supportive community where people actually help each other navigate these confusing government systems. This thread should definitely be bookmarked as a resource - I bet so many people struggle with this same issue!

This thread has been absolutely fascinating to read! I'm still about 15 years from retirement but already getting anxious about all the decisions I'll need to make. Seeing @Freya's situation and everyone's thoughtful responses has really opened my eyes to how much flexibility you have with a long work history. The thing that surprised me most is learning that Social Security uses your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation. I always assumed it was based on your final years of work, so knowing that one lower-earning year basically doesn't matter after 46 years is really reassuring for future planning. I'm definitely going to set up that my Social Security account soon - the stories about missing earnings years are eye-opening. Better to catch any issues now when I have plenty of time to fix them rather than discovering problems right before retirement. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences and practical tips. This is exactly the kind of information that's impossible to find in the official government resources but incredibly valuable for actual retirement planning!

As someone who's been helping friends and family navigate Social Security decisions for years, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - your 46 years of work history puts you in an excellent position! The beauty of the Social Security system is that it's designed to protect people exactly like you who've had long, stable careers. One additional consideration I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you do decide to take that transition to part-time hours, make sure you understand how your company handles things like unused sick leave or PTO in addition to vacation time. Some employers have different payout policies for part-time vs full-time employees, and that could affect your total compensation for the year even beyond the hourly reduction. Also, since you mentioned being confused by the SSA website - you're definitely not alone! I always recommend people focus on the key concept that's been repeated here: 35 highest years, adjusted for inflation. Everything else is just details around that core calculation. With 46 years of earnings, you have 11 "buffer" years that won't even count toward your benefit calculation. You really can't make a "wrong" choice here from a Social Security perspective, which should give you the freedom to focus on what works best for your overall well-being and life goals. Congratulations on such a successful career - you've earned the flexibility to make this transition on your own terms!

As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this discussion with great interest since I'm facing similar Social Security timing decisions. One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet is the potential impact on spousal benefits if you're married. If your spouse is planning to claim spousal benefits based on your work record, your decision about when to file could affect their options too. Spousal benefits are calculated based on your Primary Insurance Amount (what you'd get at full retirement age), so filing early and getting a reduced benefit doesn't directly reduce what your spouse could receive. However, your spouse can't claim spousal benefits until you've actually filed for your own benefits. This might be another factor to consider in your timing decision, especially if your spouse is older or has health issues. The school bus driver earnings situation is tricky enough without adding spousal benefit coordination to the mix, but it's worth understanding all the pieces of the puzzle before making your decision!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by how knowledgeable and helpful everyone is here! I'm facing a similar situation to Madison with timing Social Security benefits, and this thread has been incredibly educational. One thing I wanted to ask about that might help others in similar situations - has anyone dealt with the situation where your employer offers both 9-month and 12-month pay options, but switching affects your eligibility for summer health insurance coverage? I'm wondering if the potential savings from avoiding the earnings test could be offset by having to pay for private health insurance during those summer months when you're not receiving paychecks. It seems like there are so many interconnected factors to consider beyond just the Social Security earnings test - health insurance, pension contributions, and even things like qualifying for unemployment benefits during summer breaks if you're laid off rather than continuing to receive spread-out paychecks. Has anyone navigated these kinds of trade-offs when making their Social Security timing decision?

I'm a newer member here but wanted to share that I went through something very similar last year. The inconsistency in information from SSA reps is unfortunately common, but the advice from others here is spot on - your survivor FRA is what matters for the earnings test, not your regular retirement FRA. One thing that helped me was writing down the specific POMS section numbers and publication references that others have mentioned here before my appointment. I also brought a printed copy of my questions so I wouldn't forget anything during what can be a stressful conversation. Since you're self-employed, make sure you have your Schedule SE handy when you apply - they'll want to see your net earnings calculation. And definitely emphasize when you call that this is specifically for SURVIVOR benefits, not retirement benefits. That seemed to route me to more knowledgeable representatives. Good luck with your application this summer! The community here has been incredibly helpful for navigating these complex situations.

As someone who's been navigating Social Security for a while, I can confirm what others have said - the earnings test for survivor benefits definitely uses your survivor FRA, not your regular retirement FRA. You're absolutely right to be frustrated about getting conflicting information from different reps! Since your survivor FRA is December 2025, you'll have the higher earnings limit ($62,000 for 2025) for the entire year. The key thing to remember is that once you reach that survivor FRA in December, there's no earnings limit at all going forward. I'd suggest when you call to schedule your appointment, ask to speak with someone who specializes in survivor benefits specifically. Sometimes the general reps aren't as familiar with the nuances between retirement and survivor benefit rules. Also, consider visiting your local SSA office in person if possible - I've found the face-to-face interactions sometimes yield more knowledgeable representatives. Make sure to bring copies of all the documentation others mentioned, and don't hesitate to ask them to put their explanation in writing or add notes to your file. That way if you need to call back, there's a record of what was discussed. The whole system can be frustrating, but you're asking the right questions and this community is great for getting accurate information!