As someone who recently went through this exact same worry with my own adult children, I completely understand your concern! It's so nerve-wracking when you see those tiny numbers instead of what you know should be substantial earnings. What really helped ease my mind was learning that Social Security operates more like an annual archive system rather than a real-time tracking system. Think of it this way - your daughter and son-in-law's 2024 earnings are essentially "in transit" right now. Their employer is collecting and tracking everything properly (as evidenced by the FICA deductions on their paystubs), but SSA won't receive and process that information until the W-2 forms are filed early next year. Those small amounts showing up are probably from earlier in 2024 - maybe from different employers, temporary work, or even partial reporting. The key thing is that their 2023 earnings are showing correctly, which tells you the system is working as intended. I'd suggest having them check their most recent paystubs to confirm Social Security taxes are being withheld (should be 6.2% of their wages), and then just wait patiently for the 2025 update cycle. It's frustrating how long it takes, but the system has been consistently reliable for decades - just slow!

I just wanted to add one more reassuring perspective as someone who's been through this anxiety cycle multiple times! When I first started checking my SSA earnings record about 10 years ago, I had the exact same panic seeing almost nothing for the current year. I actually drove to my local Social Security office and waited in line for 2 hours just to ask about it! The representative was very patient and explained that this is literally their most frequently asked question. She told me that the SSA website gets thousands of calls and visits every year from people worried about missing current-year earnings, when in reality everything is working exactly as designed. What I've learned over the years is to treat checking my SSA earnings record like an annual ritual - I do it once each summer to verify the PREVIOUS year posted correctly, and I completely ignore what shows (or doesn't show) for the current year. This approach has saved me so much unnecessary stress! Your daughter and son-in-law are being incredibly responsible by monitoring their records. Most people don't even know they can check online! They're building great financial habits that will serve them well throughout their careers.

Chad, I'm so deeply sorry for the loss of your husband. What you're going through is unimaginable, and I'm amazed by your strength in planning ahead for your family's future during such a difficult time. Reading through all the excellent advice here, I wanted to add one more thing that might help - consider creating a "disability portfolio" for your son that includes not just medical records, but also photos and videos showing his daily challenges and limitations. Sometimes visual documentation can be powerful in helping SSA reviewers understand the real-world impact of his disabilities. For instance, if he needs help with tasks that most 17-year-olds can do independently, documenting that now could be valuable later. Also, since you mentioned he's had documented disabilities since age 3, you might want to contact his early intervention providers and ask them to write a summary letter about his long-term prognosis and functional limitations. These professionals often have insights about developmental trajectories that can be compelling evidence for SSA. You're doing everything right by planning ahead - your son is so fortunate to have such a dedicated advocate looking out for his future.

Chad, I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband. My heart goes out to you and your children during this incredibly difficult time. Reading through this thread, I'm struck by how thoughtfully you're planning ahead despite everything you're going through. The advice you've received here is excellent - particularly about starting the Adult Disabled Child application 3-4 months before your son turns 18 and gathering comprehensive documentation of his disabilities from early childhood. One thing I'd add is to make sure you're taking care of yourself too during this process. Navigating these complex systems while grieving is exhausting, and you'll be better able to advocate for your son if you're getting the support you need as well. Consider looking into grief counseling or support groups for widowed parents - many are available through hospices, churches, or community centers. You're doing an incredible job managing all of this, and your son is so lucky to have someone fighting so hard for his future security. Please don't hesitate to reach out for help when you need it - you don't have to handle everything alone.

I went through this exact situation with my two kids when I claimed at 62 three years ago. Here's what actually happened in practice: The SSA calculated my family maximum based on my PIA (full retirement benefit), which was about 175% of that amount. But since I claimed early, both my benefit AND my kids' benefits were reduced proportionally. Each child got 50% of my reduced benefit, not 50% of my PIA. One thing nobody mentioned yet - make sure you apply for your children's benefits at the same time you apply for yours. They can't get retroactive benefits beyond when you first became eligible, so don't delay their applications thinking you can add them later. Also, keep detailed records of your son's medical expenses. While it won't affect the SS calculations, you might need documentation later for other assistance programs or tax purposes. I wish someone had told me this earlier. The whole process took about 6 weeks from application to first payment, and yes, the kids' benefits do automatically stop when they turn 18 (19 if still in high school). SSA sends you a notice about 3 months before it happens, so you'll have time to plan for the income reduction. Given your timeline with your kids aging out before your FRA, claiming early probably makes the most financial sense for your family's immediate needs.

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm in a similar situation - turning 62 next year with a 13-year-old daughter. One question that hasn't been addressed yet: if I claim early retirement benefits and my daughter receives dependent benefits, what happens if I decide to go back to work full-time later? I understand about the earnings test reducing benefits temporarily, but I'm wondering if there are any other implications. For example, if I return to substantial work, does that affect the calculation of my daughter's benefits going forward, or do they remain based on my original reduced benefit amount? Also, has anyone dealt with the situation where the non-custodial parent later becomes eligible for higher benefits? I'm wondering if my daughter could potentially switch to receiving benefits based on her father's record if his benefits end up being higher than mine. Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical information that's impossible to get from the SSA phone lines!

I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR THIS but waiting until 70 would give you 24% MORE than filing at 67 (your FRA). That's a PERMANENT increase for life! I filed at 67 and now at 75 I'm watching my friend who waited collect WAY MORE every month. It's hard to work longer but the math doesn't lie.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - I'm 52 with a 12-year-old who has autism. After doing a ton of research, here's what I've learned that might help: The Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) that others mentioned could be huge for your family. Your child can potentially get up to 50% of YOUR full retirement benefit amount once you file, and these benefits can continue for life if the disability started before age 22. Here's the key thing I learned: if you file at 65 (getting 86.7% of your full benefit), your child would still get benefits based on your FULL retirement age amount, not your reduced amount. But there's a family maximum cap, so getting professional advice on timing is critical. One strategy to consider: work part-time after 65 but keep earnings under that $22,450 limit to avoid the earnings test penalty. You mentioned burnout - maybe reducing hours instead of full retirement could work? Also, definitely look into whether your state has a Medicaid waiver program for your child. This could help with healthcare costs and services that regular insurance doesn't cover. The SSA website has a retirement estimator that shows benefits at different ages - definitely worth checking your specific numbers. And yes, call SSA directly about the childhood disability benefits. It's complex but potentially life-changing for your family's financial security.

Great to hear you're taking action! One additional thing to consider when meeting with your accountant - ask about the timing of when to start the new payroll structure. Since you're already 67 and ready to file for your Social Security, you might want to coordinate the timing of your claim with when you begin paying your wife. Also, make sure to discuss the self-employment tax implications if you're currently structured as a sole proprietorship vs. other business entity types. The way you split income can affect both your current tax liability and her future Social Security benefits. Good luck with the meeting - sounds like you're on the right track to optimize both of your retirement situations!

As someone who recently navigated a similar situation with my own family business, I'd strongly encourage you to also look into whether converting to an S-Corp election might make sense for your situation. When my spouse and I restructured our business payroll at ages 59 and 62, our CPA showed us that an S-Corp structure allowed us to split reasonable W-2 wages between both of us while also taking some profits as distributions (which aren't subject to self-employment tax). The key is making sure the W-2 wages are "reasonable" for the work performed - the IRS scrutinizes this. But it can be a great way to build your wife's Social Security record while potentially saving on self-employment taxes compared to a sole proprietorship structure. Also, don't forget that once she gets her 40 credits, she'll qualify for Medicare Part A without premiums at 65, which could save you hundreds per month. That alone makes building her work record worthwhile even if her Social Security benefit ends up being similar to spousal benefits.