As a newcomer to Social Security planning, this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm in a very similar situation - I'm 59 and the higher earner in our household, while my spouse has worked part-time for most of our marriage. Reading through everyone's experiences and analysis has really helped me understand that this decision involves so many more factors than I initially realized. What strikes me most is how the "conventional wisdom" of waiting until FRA doesn't necessarily apply when there's a significant income gap between spouses. The breakeven analysis that Emma shared is particularly eye-opening - the idea that the lower earner only needs to live past 78 for early claiming to make sense, combined with the fact that the higher earner's benefit will likely become the survivor benefit anyway. I'm also grateful for the warnings about the earnings test and the practical tips about timing applications. It's clear that successful Social Security planning requires looking at the whole financial picture - taxes, Medicare timing, state tax treatment, and even psychological factors like peace of mind. For those of us just starting this journey, does anyone have recommendations for specific resources or tools that helped you model different scenarios? The SSA calculators seem limited for these more complex spousal strategies. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences so generously!

As someone who's been helping people navigate Social Security decisions for years, I want to emphasize one crucial point that sometimes gets overlooked in these discussions: the importance of getting personalized projections directly from SSA before making your final decision. While the general strategy of having the lower earner claim early makes sense for many couples with income gaps, your specific benefit amounts matter enormously. I'd recommend both of you create accounts on ssa.gov and request detailed benefit estimates for different claiming ages. Here's why this matters: If your husband's work history has more substantial earnings years than you initially thought, or if there are factors like delayed retirement credits that could significantly boost his benefit, the math might change. Also, spousal benefits can sometimes be higher than expected, especially when the primary earner has maximized their benefit. A few additional considerations for your situation: - Document your decision-making process and reasoning - it helps if you need to revisit the strategy later - Consider how this fits with your overall retirement income plan (401k withdrawals, pensions, etc.) - Factor in your state's tax treatment of retirement income, not just Social Security The strategy you're leaning toward (him at 62, you delaying to 70) is solid for most couples in your situation. Just make sure you're working with accurate benefit projections rather than estimates. The peace of mind of having concrete numbers is worth the extra effort to get official SSA projections.

To summarize what everyone is saying (correctly): 1. The 45-hour per month limitation is ONLY for self-employed individuals who own or have substantial interest in a business. 2. As a 1099 independent contractor with no ownership stake, you're only subject to the annual earnings limit ($24,780 for 2025 if you're under full retirement age). 3. You can work any number of hours as long as your earnings stay under that threshold. 4. Make sure you have documentation that clearly shows you're truly an independent contractor and not a disguised business owner. 5. Be aware that if you exceed the annual limit, SSA will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit. One additional note: Keep track of your projected annual earnings carefully. If you think you might exceed the limit, it's better to report this to SSA proactively than to face an overpayment notice later.

Yes, that's correct about the monthly earnings test in your first year. For the remainder of 2025 after you start receiving benefits in April, you'll be subject to a monthly limit (approximately $2,065 based on the $24,780 annual limit) rather than the annual limit. So from April-December 2025, you'd need to keep your earnings under $2,065 each month. Then in 2026, it switches to the annual limit instead of monthly. This is actually helpful for many people because it allows you to earn whatever you want in the months before you start collecting benefits (January-March 2025 in your case).

I'm so sorry for your loss, Chloe. This thread has been incredibly enlightening! I just wanted to add one more practical tip that helped me when I was dealing with SSA a few years ago for my own benefits situation. If you're having trouble getting through by phone, try using their online "Contact Us" form on the SSA website. While it's not instant like a phone call, I found that I usually got a call back within 3-5 business days, and the representatives who called me back seemed to be more knowledgeable and had more time to thoroughly explain complex situations like yours. Also, when you do get your appointment scheduled (whether by phone or in person), ask them to send you a written summary of your conversation via mail. This has been invaluable for me when I've needed to reference what was discussed later. The consensus here is absolutely correct - at 66 years and 6 months (your survivor benefit FRA), you can work unlimited hours and earn unlimited income without any reduction in your survivor benefits. The earnings test is tied to the specific benefit type's FRA, not your retirement FRA. Best of luck navigating this process. You're asking all the right questions and clearly doing your homework, which will serve you well!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Chloe. This has been such an incredibly helpful and comprehensive thread! As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by the depth of knowledge and support everyone has shared. I wanted to add one small tip that might help - when you do get your appointment with SSA, consider asking them about the "protective filing date." If you're close to your 66y 6m birthday, you can sometimes establish an earlier application date even if you haven't completed all the paperwork yet. This can help ensure you don't miss any benefits if there are processing delays. Also, I noticed several people mentioned keeping records of conversations. You might want to ask the SSA representative for their direct phone number or extension if possible. While they can't always provide this, some offices will give you a way to reach the same person for follow-up questions, which can be really helpful for continuity. The consensus here is crystal clear - once you reach your survivor benefit FRA at 66y 6m, you can work and earn unlimited income without any reduction to your benefits. The strategic planning advice about potentially switching to your own retirement benefit later is excellent too. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. The practical tips about calling early, using the online contact form, and documenting everything will be valuable for anyone navigating the SSA system. Wishing you strength and clarity as you work through this process, Chloe.

To summarize what others have said: 1) At FRA, you can earn unlimited income without affecting your SS benefit amount 2) Additional income may increase your Medicare premiums via IRMAA 3) Additional income may increase the taxation of your SS benefits 4) IRMAA is based on your tax return from 2 years prior (with exceptions for life-changing events) Beyond the financial implications, many retirees find part-time work beneficial for mental stimulation, social connection, and purpose. Just structure your income carefully with tax planning in mind.

One thing to consider that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you do take on consulting work, make sure you understand the difference between employee vs. independent contractor status for Social Security purposes. As an independent contractor, you'll need to pay self-employment tax on your earnings (15.3% on net self-employment income up to the Social Security wage base). However, there's actually a small benefit here - any additional Social Security taxes you pay will be credited to your earnings record, which could potentially increase your future Social Security benefit slightly through the automatic recomputation process. It's usually a minimal increase, but every bit helps! Also, if you're consulting in your previous field, consider whether you can structure the work to give you more control over the timing of payments - maybe invoice in December vs January to help manage which tax year the income hits.

I'm new here but this is such helpful information! I'm turning 62 next month and was considering taking early retirement benefits while continuing to work part-time. Reading through all these responses really clarifies that my Social Security payments won't count against the earnings limit - only my work income will. I had been worried I'd have to choose between working and getting benefits, but now I see I can do both as long as I stay under the $22,300 gross earnings limit. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

Great question and congratulations on getting approved! Just to reinforce what others have said - your Social Security benefits absolutely do NOT count toward the $22,300 earnings limit. Only earned income from employment counts (wages, self-employment income, etc.). One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much is to keep good records of your earnings throughout the year. I recommend setting up a simple spreadsheet or even just writing down your gross pay from each paycheck so you can track where you stand relative to that $22,300 limit. It's easy to lose track, especially if your hours vary from week to week in part-time work. Also, remember that the limit is based on the calendar year, not when you start receiving benefits. So even though you're starting benefits in November, the $22,300 limit applies to your total earnings for all of 2025. Best of luck with your part-time work and enjoy those Social Security checks!