I'm in a similar situation - planning to retire abroad in the next few years and have been researching this extensively! One thing I'd add is to make sure you understand the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) rules if you have any foreign pensions or government benefits. Portugal has a totalization agreement with the US which can help with benefit calculations, but it's worth understanding how your Portuguese residence might affect your overall retirement income picture. Also, consider opening a Portuguese bank account before you move if possible - some expat forums mention that it's easier to do while you're still a tourist rather than after you become a resident. The bureaucracy can be quite different there! Has anyone dealt with getting their Social Security benefit verification letters translated and apostilled for Portuguese residency requirements?

I've been living in Portugal for 2 years now and receiving my Social Security without any major issues! A few things that might help with your planning: 1. **Banking**: I kept my US account with Bank of America since they have good international partnerships. Wise (formerly TransferWise) has been excellent for currency transfers with much better rates than traditional wire transfers. 2. **Portugal specifics**: You'll want to get your NIF (tax number) as soon as possible after arriving - you'll need it for almost everything. The SEF (immigration service) appointments can take months to get, so book early. 3. **Annual questionnaire**: It's really not a big deal - just confirms you're alive and still eligible. Takes 5 minutes online. 4. **Healthcare**: Portugal has excellent public healthcare that you can access as a resident. Many expats get private insurance as a supplement, but the public system is quite good. The Facebook groups "Americans & FriendsPT" and "Portugal Expats" have been incredibly helpful resources with people sharing real experiences. Portugal is very expat-friendly and the bureaucracy, while slow, is manageable. Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions about the move!

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is incredibly difficult, and having to navigate these bureaucratic issues while grieving makes it even harder. I went through something very similar when my dad passed away three years ago. The Social Security payment timing is so confusing - I remember being completely bewildered by the whole "paid in arrears but must live the entire month" rule. It really doesn't seem fair that someone who lived most of the month doesn't get any portion of that payment. I'm glad you were able to get through to SSA and get clear instructions on returning the payment. The fact that you were proactive about it will save you headaches down the road. When my father passed, I initially thought I'd wait for them to contact me, but that was a mistake - it took months and created more complications. One thing I learned is to ask SSA for a case number or confirmation number for every interaction, even when they're just giving you information. It helps if you need to reference the conversation later. Wishing you peace and strength as you work through settling his affairs.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is heartbreaking, and dealing with these administrative matters while grieving adds such an extra burden. I went through this exact situation when my mother passed away in 2023. The Social Security payment system is incredibly confusing - I remember being so stressed about whether we'd done something wrong by not immediately returning a payment we received after her death. Like others have mentioned, the "must live the entire month" rule seems harsh, but that's unfortunately how the system works. I'm really glad you were able to get through to SSA and get clear guidance. Being proactive about returning the payment is definitely the right approach - it saves so much hassle later. One small thing I'd add is to keep copies of any correspondence you receive from SSA about returning the payment, just for your records. The estate settlement process involves so much paperwork, and having everything documented helps. This community has been such a valuable resource for navigating these complex situations. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

Great thread with lots of useful info! I wanted to add one more tip that helped me - if you're planning to apply for benefits at 62 like the original poster, remember that you'll face a permanent reduction in your monthly benefits (around 25-30% less than your full retirement age amount). Before you apply, it's worth using the SSA calculators to see exactly how much that reduction will be in dollars. Also, if you're still working when you start collecting early benefits, be aware of the earnings limit - in 2024 it's $22,320 annually. If you earn more than that, they'll reduce your benefits temporarily until you reach full retirement age. This caught me off guard initially! The good news is those "lost" benefits get added back to your monthly amount once you hit full retirement age, but it's good to know upfront so you can plan accordingly. The document gathering advice everyone's given is spot-on though - having everything ready definitely makes the process smoother!

This is such a comprehensive thread - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! As someone who works in retirement planning, I'd like to add a few quick points that might help: 1. **Timing tip**: Consider setting up your MySocialSecurity account at least 3-4 months before you plan to apply. This gives you time to review your earnings record and fix any errors without rushing. 2. **Document organization**: Create a simple checklist and keep both physical and digital copies in a dedicated folder. I've seen too many people scramble at the last minute! 3. **State-specific considerations**: Some states don't tax Social Security benefits, while others do. If you're considering relocating in retirement, factor this into your timing and planning. 4. **Medicare enrollment**: Don't forget that you'll also need to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65, which has its own set of required documents and deadlines. It's worth researching this simultaneously since the timelines often overlap. The advice about checking your earnings record early cannot be overstated - I've helped clients who discovered significant gaps that took months to resolve. Starting early really pays off!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately dealing with a very similar situation to yours. My ex started receiving SSDI benefits about 6 months ago and somehow became the representative payee for our daughter's auxiliary benefits, even though she's lived with me full-time for over three years. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea this was such a common problem! Like you, I'm struggling financially while covering all my daughter's expenses (housing, food, clothing, medical care, school costs) while my ex receives what I believe is around $600 monthly that should be helping with these needs. What really struck me from everyone's advice is the importance of documenting everything thoroughly before filing the SSA-11. I've started keeping detailed records of every expense - from her portion of rent and utilities to groceries, school supplies, medical co-pays, even small things like haircuts and new shoes. It's shocking to see how much it all adds up to when you're doing it alone. I'm also gathering evidence that my ex isn't using the funds appropriately - he recently bought a new gaming setup while telling me he couldn't help with our daughter's after-school care costs. The contrast is infuriating but will hopefully strengthen my case. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and practical advice. It's given me the confidence to move forward with the SSA-11 process. I'll make sure to emphasize the urgency since my daughter needs new school clothes and I'm behind on some bills. Knowing that others have successfully navigated this gives me hope that I can get these benefits redirected to where they can actually help support my child!

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation and wanted to share what I've learned so far. My ex became the representative payee for our two kids' auxiliary benefits even though they live with me full-time, and I had no idea I could challenge this until I found this community. What's been really helpful is creating a comprehensive timeline showing when our custody arrangement was established versus when he became the payee. This clearly demonstrates that SSA made the payee decision without knowing the actual living situation. I'm also documenting every single expense I cover for the kids - not just big things like rent and groceries, but smaller daily costs like school lunch money, medical co-pays, and even things like new backpacks when theirs wear out. One thing that really strengthened my case was getting written statements from the kids' school. Their teachers, the school nurse, and even the office staff all confirmed that I'm the primary contact, handle all emergencies, and am clearly the parent providing day-to-day care. This third-party verification carries a lot of weight with SSA. I'm about to file my SSA-11 form next week and plan to emphasize the financial hardship this arrangement is causing. It's frustrating that I'm struggling to afford their basic needs while their benefits go to someone who contributes nothing to their actual living expenses. For anyone else in this situation - don't give up! These benefits are meant to help support our children where they actually live and receive care. We have every right to advocate for what's best for our kids. I'll keep everyone updated on how my case progresses!

Thank you all for this helpful info! I think I'm going to run some actual numbers based on what you've shared. It seems like I have three choices: 1. File at 62, take the permanent reduction AND deal with earnings test reductions 2. Keep working but reduce hours to stay under that $22,320 limit 3. Just wait until my FRA to avoid all these complications I'm leaning toward option 3 now that I understand better. One more question though - when my husband files at 70, does that mean I need to file something with SSA right away to establish myself as eligible for spousal benefits later? Or can I just wait until I reach FRA and then apply?

I'd like to add one more consideration that might help with your decision. Since you mentioned your husband is delaying until 70 to maximize his benefits, you should know that his higher benefit amount will also increase your potential spousal benefit. Spousal benefits are calculated as a percentage of his Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), not his actual benefit amount with delayed retirement credits. However, there's a strategy some couples use called "claim and invest." If you claim spousal benefits at 62 (even with the reductions), you could potentially invest those payments for the 5 years until your FRA. Depending on market performance, this might offset some of the permanent reduction - though this comes with investment risk. Also, regarding your work situation: the earnings test only applies until you reach FRA. Once you hit 67, you can earn any amount without benefit reductions. And as Omar mentioned, any benefits withheld due to the earnings test aren't lost forever - they increase your future monthly payments. Given your numbers ($950 own benefit vs $1,500 spousal at FRA), waiting until FRA for spousal benefits probably makes the most financial sense unless you have an immediate need for the income.