As a newcomer to this community, I'm really struck by how supportive everyone has been with such detailed, practical advice! Carmen, your situation highlights one of Social Security's most impactful but lesser-known rules. From what you've shared about your late husband's 30-year construction management career compared to your part-time work history and your boyfriend's SSDI, the financial difference could indeed be substantial. What really stands out to me is how many people have shared the commitment ceremony idea - it seems like such an elegant solution that lets you have your celebration now while preserving potentially six figures in lifetime benefits. The fact that multiple people have shared real success stories (like the mother-in-law who saved $800/month by waiting) really reinforces that this strategy works in practice, not just on paper. I'd echo the advice about getting those SSA benefit estimates as soon as possible. Having concrete numbers will make this decision much clearer for both you and your boyfriend. The Claimyr service someone mentioned sounds like it could save you a lot of frustration trying to reach SSA directly. You're being so smart to research this thoroughly before making such a major decision. Best of luck - I have a feeling you'll find a solution that works for both your heart and your wallet!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly impressed by the depth of knowledge and genuine care everyone has shown in helping Carmen navigate this complex situation! Reading through all these responses has been such an education on Social Security survivor benefits - I had no idea how critical the age 60 remarriage rule was. Carmen, from everything shared here, it really seems like the stars are aligning to suggest waiting until 60 would be the financially wise choice. Your late husband's 30-year construction management career versus your boyfriend's SSDI situation likely means a substantial monthly difference that could add up to hundreds of thousands over your lifetime. The commitment ceremony idea that multiple people have suggested is absolutely brilliant - you get to celebrate your love and commitment now while protecting your financial future. It's the best of both worlds! And hearing real success stories like the mother-in-law who saved $800/month by waiting really drives home that this strategy works in practice. I'd definitely encourage getting those SSA benefit estimates as soon as possible (the Claimyr service sounds promising for actually getting through to them). Once you have concrete numbers, this decision will probably feel much clearer for both you and your understanding boyfriend. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this important decision! This community is clearly here to support you whatever you choose.

Just wanted to share my recent experience to hopefully ease some concerns! I applied online last month at age 67 and it was surprisingly smooth. The key things that helped me: 1) I gathered ALL my documents first before starting (birth certificate, marriage certificate, bank info, last year's tax return), 2) I called my local library and they have volunteers who help seniors with online government applications - maybe check if yours does too?, and 3) The "save and continue later" feature was a lifesaver when I got tired halfway through. The whole process from start to finish took about 3 weeks and my first payment came right on schedule. Don't let the technology intimidate you - if I can do it, anyone can! The SSA website is actually pretty user-friendly compared to other government sites I've used.

I just want to echo what others have said about applying online being the way to go! I was in a similar situation last year - worried about the technology aspect and initially planning to visit an office. But the online application really is designed well for people who aren't super tech-savvy. One thing that really helped me was doing a "practice run" first - I went through the application without submitting it just to see what information they were asking for. That way when I did it for real, I knew exactly what to expect and had everything ready. Also, don't worry if you make a mistake - you can go back and edit most sections before you submit. The whole experience was much less stressful than I anticipated!

This thread has been absolutely fantastic to read through! I'm in a very similar situation - approaching my FRA at 66 and 10 months next year and feeling much more confident about my decision to keep working after seeing all the consistent advice here. What really stands out to me is how this discussion evolved from a simple question about earnings limits into such a comprehensive resource covering every aspect of this decision. The unanimous message is clear: no earnings limits whatsoever once you reach FRA, plus all the practical considerations for making this strategy work smoothly. I'm taking notes on several key action items based on everyone's advice: setting up the my Social Security account online, using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator tool, planning conversations with HR about W-4 adjustments, and potentially working with a tax professional given the complexity of having dual income sources. The peace of mind that comes from hearing so many real-world success stories - people actually living this combination of full SS benefits plus continued employment - is invaluable. It's transformed what felt like a risky financial decision into what's clearly an optimal strategy for those able to work past their FRA. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, professional expertise, and practical tips. This community really is incredible for getting reliable, detailed guidance on these major life transitions. I feel so much more prepared and confident about my upcoming decision thanks to this discussion!

This has been such an incredibly helpful and comprehensive discussion! As someone who's been researching this exact situation for months, I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their real-world experiences and professional insights. I'm approaching my FRA of 66 and 8 months next year and have been torn between filing immediately versus waiting, especially with concerns about earnings limits. Reading through all these responses has completely clarified the decision - once you reach FRA, there are absolutely no earnings limits, period. The practical advice throughout this thread is invaluable. I'm definitely going to implement several suggestions: setting up automatic transfers for tax withholding (love that 20% rule of thumb!), using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator, updating my W-4, and establishing that my Social Security account online. The tip about being able to apply up to 4 months before your FRA while having benefits start at the actual FRA date is also brilliant for timing. What strikes me most is how this strategy truly offers the best of both worlds - guaranteed Social Security income for peace of mind, plus continued earning potential and benefits like 401k matching. The tax planning aspect requires attention, but with proper preparation it's totally manageable. This community is amazing for providing not just answers, but comprehensive guidance for successfully implementing these important financial decisions. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

One more thing to consider - some offices are better staffed than others for specific issues. For example, if you have a complicated work history involving foreign employment or military service, you might want to visit a larger office that handles these cases more frequently. But for standard retirement applications, any office can help you equally well.

Just to add another perspective - I work part-time at a local government office and we get this question a lot! You absolutely can visit any SSA office nationwide. The main thing I'd suggest is checking the office hours and services offered at your preferred location beforehand, since some smaller offices have limited hours or don't offer all services every day. Also, if you're bringing a lot of documents, consider making copies beforehand since some offices charge more for copying than others. Good luck with your retirement application!

I'm so glad you found the support and answers you needed here! This thread perfectly illustrates why communities like this are so valuable - when you're dealing with confusing government correspondence that could impact your livelihood, having knowledgeable people break things down clearly is invaluable. Your situation is actually very common during the SSI-to-retirement transition. The Ticket to Work cancellation is purely administrative - since the program only applies to disability beneficiaries (SSI/SSDI), you automatically became ineligible when you switched to retirement benefits at 62. Your monthly payments are completely unaffected. What's really frustrating is how easily SSA could prevent this panic with better letter writing. A simple line at the top stating "This cancellation does not affect your monthly retirement payments" would save so many people from the terror you experienced. I hope other community members who receive similar notices will find this thread and realize they're not alone in being confused by SSA's poor communication. Your willingness to share this experience will definitely help others navigate the same situation with much less stress!

I'm so glad you were able to get such comprehensive and reassuring answers here! As someone who's relatively new to understanding Social Security benefits, this thread has been incredibly educational. Your panic was completely understandable - when you're 65 and Social Security is your lifeline, receiving any official letter mentioning "cancellation" would be absolutely terrifying. What everyone explained is exactly right: the Ticket to Work program cancellation is just administrative cleanup when you transition from disability benefits (SSI) to retirement benefits. It's like being automatically removed from a student discount list when you graduate - it doesn't affect anything else about your status or payments. The fact that so many people here have experienced this same confusion really highlights how much SSA needs to improve their communication. Adding one simple sentence like "Your monthly retirement payments continue unchanged" would prevent so much unnecessary stress for people in your situation. Your story will be incredibly valuable for others who receive similar letters and panic. Thank you for sharing your experience and helping create a resource that will reassure future community members facing the same confusing correspondence!