Update: I'm halfway through filling out these forms and they're so detailed! The migraine questionnaire asks about aura symptoms, frequency, duration, and triggers. I'm being super detailed as everyone suggested. One thing I'm confused about - on the Adult Function Report, do I describe what I CAN do or what I CANNOT do? Some days I can do basic chores but other days I can barely get out of bed.

I'm dealing with a similar situation - just applied for SSDI with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome last month and got my forms within days too. Initially panicked thinking it meant bad news, but after reading everyone's responses here I feel much more reassured that it's just normal processing. One thing that's really helping me with filling out the forms is keeping a daily symptom diary like @Olivia Martinez suggested. I'm tracking not just pain levels but also brain fog episodes, how many times I need to rest during simple tasks, and which activities I have to skip entirely on bad days. It's eye-opening to see the patterns when you write it all down. For the Adult Function Report, I'm following the advice about being specific with limitations rather than just listing what I can do. Instead of "I can do laundry," I'm writing "I can start a load of laundry but often need my spouse to finish it because standing to fold clothes causes severe pain flares that last hours." Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is so helpful for navigating this confusing process!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zara. I just wanted to add my voice to confirm what others have shared - yes, COLA increases absolutely do apply to your survivor benefit estimates while you're waiting to claim them! I lost my husband three years ago when I was 59, and I can personally verify that the benefit amounts on my annual statements have increased each January with the COLA adjustments. It was actually one of the most reassuring discoveries during a very difficult time - knowing that waiting wouldn't mean losing ground to inflation. What I found particularly helpful was keeping a simple notebook where I wrote down the benefit amounts each year after receiving my updated statement. Seeing those actual dollar increases made the abstract concept of "COLA adjustments" feel much more real and helped me feel confident in my decision to wait until full retirement age. One small tip that hasn't been mentioned - if you're comfortable with technology, you can set up email notifications through your my Social Security account to alert you when your new benefit statement is available each year. It's usually posted in early December, so you can see how the COLA affected your numbers without having to remember to check manually. The decision of when to claim is so personal and depends on your individual circumstances, but at least you can make that choice knowing your benefits are protected from inflation while you take the time you need to decide what's best for your situation.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zara. I went through this exact situation when my wife passed away in 2021, and I can absolutely confirm that COLA increases DO apply to your survivor benefit estimates while you wait to claim them. What really helped me understand this was requesting a new benefit estimate each year after the COLA was announced. I watched my potential monthly benefit at age 67 (my FRA) grow from $2,847 in 2021 to $3,095 by 2024 - that's over $240 more per month just from COLA adjustments! Seeing those real numbers year after year made it much easier to plan. One thing that surprised me was learning that survivor benefits don't get delayed retirement credits past your FRA like regular retirement benefits do. So if you're thinking about waiting past your full retirement age, there's no additional benefit growth - FRA is typically the sweet spot for maximizing survivor benefits. Since you mentioned you're 57 and considering waiting until 60 or FRA, you have time to really crunch the numbers. The COLA protection means you can take that time without worrying about inflation eroding your future benefits. I ended up waiting until my FRA and have no regrets - those annual COLA increases really added up over the years I waited. Hang in there, and don't feel pressured to rush this decision. The system is designed to protect you from inflation while you figure out what works best for your situation.

This has been such an enlightening thread to follow! As someone new to Social Security planning, I'm amazed at how many nuanced factors go into what seems like a straightforward decision. The discussion about survivor benefits essentially making early filing reductions "temporary" is a game-changer for understanding this strategy. I'm particularly struck by the tax planning opportunities that CosmicCowboy mentioned - using those intermediate years for Roth conversions while in lower tax brackets is brilliant. It shows how Social Security timing isn't just about maximizing benefits, but optimizing your entire financial picture. For others like me who are just starting to research these strategies, I'd recommend paying close attention to the earnings test discussion if you're planning to work after claiming. That $23,650 threshold (approximately) can significantly impact whether early claiming makes sense. One thing I'm curious about: has anyone used financial planning software or worked with advisors to model these scenarios? With so many variables (life expectancy, tax brackets, earnings test, survivor benefits), it seems like having professional analysis could be valuable for such an important decision. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experiences - this community is incredibly helpful for navigating these complex choices!

As someone who's been following this discussion closely, I wanted to share some insights from my experience helping clients navigate similar situations. The strategy you're considering - having your wife claim at 62 while you delay until 70 - is often optimal when there's a significant earnings gap, but there are a few additional considerations worth exploring. First, regarding the earnings test that Katherine mentioned: with your wife earning around $30,000 annually, she'd lose about $1 for every $2 earned above the $23,650 threshold. So roughly $3,175 in annual benefit reduction until she reaches FRA. You'll want to factor this into your break-even calculations. Second, consider the "do-over" option: if circumstances change significantly, your wife has a 12-month window after filing to withdraw her application and repay all benefits received (without interest). This provides some flexibility if your situation changes. Finally, I'd strongly recommend getting a personalized Social Security statement analysis before making the final decision. While the strategy makes mathematical sense in your case, factors like state taxes on Social Security benefits, your specific retirement account balances, and other income sources can all influence the optimal timing. The consensus in this thread is sound - just make sure you're working with your complete financial picture rather than Social Security benefits in isolation.

I'm really grateful for this comprehensive discussion - it's been incredibly educational! As someone who's been helping elderly family members navigate Social Security, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to understand these nuances about survivor benefits. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you're planning to work past your survivor FRA (which you clearly are), make sure your employer's HR department understands that you're receiving Social Security benefits. Some employers have specific policies about coordination with Social Security that could affect things like health insurance elections or retirement plan contributions. It's worth having that conversation proactively. Also, I've found that keeping a simple spreadsheet tracking your annual earnings while receiving survivor benefits can be helpful. Even though the earnings test won't apply to you after September 2025, having that documentation can be useful for tax planning and for verifying that your continued work earnings are being properly credited toward your future retirement benefit calculations. Your strategy of taking survivor benefits while letting your own benefits grow is textbook optimal planning. You're setting yourself up for financial security while still being able to do work you love - that's really the best of both worlds!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by the depth of knowledge and support everyone has shared. @Natasha Kuznetsova, first let me express my condolences for your loss - navigating these complex financial decisions while grieving takes tremendous strength. I wanted to add one perspective that might be helpful: consider scheduling a follow-up appointment with SSA about 6 months after you start receiving survivor benefits (maybe March 2026) to review your file and confirm everything is tracking correctly. This gives you time to see how the payments are working in practice and ensures there are no administrative issues before you get too far into the process. Also, since you mentioned loving your job and wanting to continue working, you might want to explore whether your employer offers any kind of phased retirement or flexible work arrangements. Some companies have programs that allow long-term employees to gradually reduce hours while maintaining benefits - this could give you even more options as you approach 70 and consider the transition to your own retirement benefits. The strategy you're implementing really is optimal for someone in your situation. You're maximizing your financial security while maintaining the personal satisfaction of meaningful work. That combination of financial wisdom and personal fulfillment is exactly what good retirement planning should achieve. Wishing you all the best as you move forward with this plan!

Thanks everyone for clearing this up! Sounds like I don't need to do anything and my payment will stay the same. I was worried I might have to choose between two different benefit amounts.

Just to add some clarity - the reason both SSDI and retirement benefits use the same calculation is that they're both based on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which comes from your highest 35 years of earnings. Think of SSDI as getting your retirement benefit early due to disability. When you hit full retirement age, you're just switching from the "early access due to disability" program to the regular retirement program, but the underlying benefit calculation remains identical. The Social Security Administration makes this transition seamless - you'll get a letter notifying you of the change, but your monthly payment amount stays the same.