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This thread has been incredibly educational! As someone who's just starting to research Social Security benefits, I had no idea about the calendar year rule - it makes perfect sense once explained but definitely isn't intuitive. I'm curious about one thing though - does this same principle apply if someone starts benefits mid-year? For example, if someone starts collecting in June 2025, would their January-May 2025 earnings be subject to the earnings test, or only earnings from June onward? I assume it would be the full year since it's still the same calendar year, but want to make sure I understand correctly. Also, huge thanks to everyone who mentioned Claimyr and the SSA online tools - I'm definitely bookmarking those resources for when I get closer to retirement. The practical tips in this thread are worth their weight in gold!
Great question about mid-year benefit starts! You're absolutely right - if someone starts benefits in June 2025, the earnings test would apply to their ENTIRE 2025 earnings, including January through May. The annual earnings limit looks at your total yearly income while you're receiving benefits, regardless of when in the year you started collecting. However, there is one important exception called the "monthly earnings test" that applies in your first year of retirement. In the months before you start receiving benefits (January-May in your example), you can earn any amount without it affecting your benefits. But once you start collecting, if your monthly earnings exceed 1/12th of the annual limit, that could trigger benefit withholding. It's definitely confusing, which is why getting official clarification from SSA is so important for individual situations. The calendar year rule that helped the original poster is really specific to earnings in the year BEFORE benefits start versus the year benefits begin.
This has been such a comprehensive and helpful discussion! As someone who's new to understanding Social Security benefits, I'm amazed by how much practical wisdom has been shared here. The calendar year rule really is the key insight - December 2024 earnings won't affect January 2025 benefits because they're in separate tax years. It seems so obvious once explained, but definitely not something I would have figured out on my own from reading SSA materials. I'm particularly grateful for all the real-world tips shared here: using Claimyr to get through to SSA quickly, keeping detailed records, having your Social Security statement ready when calling, and using the online tools at ssa.gov. These practical strategies are just as valuable as understanding the actual rules. What's really impressed me is how this one specific question opened up such a thorough discussion about retirement planning in general. From earnings tests to Full Retirement Age calculations to the monthly versus annual earnings considerations - there's so much nuance to navigate. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise. This thread is going to be an invaluable resource for anyone dealing with similar retirement timing questions!
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I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely ridiculous that they won't give you the information you need to make an informed decision! I'm a newcomer here but I've been researching this exact issue for my own situation. One thing I discovered is that you might want to try calling early in the morning (right when they open at 7 AM) or late in the afternoon - I've read that you sometimes get more experienced representatives during those times. Also, if you do get through to someone unhelpful, don't hesitate to politely end the call and try again. Different reps seem to have vastly different levels of knowledge about these procedures. I'm taking notes from all the great advice in this thread - especially about requesting the PEBES and using the specific terminology when scheduling an in-person appointment. The fact that so many people have had success with face-to-face meetings gives me hope that there's a way through this bureaucratic maze. Please keep us updated on what works for you - your experience could help others who are facing the same impossible situation!
Great advice about calling at different times of day! I never thought about timing potentially affecting which representatives you reach. That makes a lot of sense though - the more experienced reps probably work regular business hours. I'm definitely going to try the early morning approach before scheduling an in-person appointment. It's frustrating that we have to strategize just to get basic information about our own benefits, but at least this thread has given us all some concrete steps to try. Thank you for sharing what you've learned from your research - every little tip helps when dealing with this system!
I'm new to this community but dealing with this exact same issue! Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea about the PEBES option or that you could request a "benefit comparison for survivor vs. retirement benefits" when scheduling an in-person appointment. What really concerns me is learning that the switch from survivor to retirement benefits is permanent - that's such crucial information that should be clearly explained upfront! It's outrageous that SSA expects us to make life-changing financial decisions without providing the basic information we need. I'm going to try calling early morning first (thanks for that tip!) and specifically ask for a PEBES using the exact terminology mentioned here. If that doesn't work, I'll schedule an in-person appointment using the language that worked for others. One question for those who've been through this - when you finally got the comparison, was there a significant processing time between getting the information and when you could actually make the switch if you chose to? I'm wondering if there are any other timing considerations I should be aware of. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and strategies. This thread has been more helpful than hours of trying to navigate SSA's phone system!
Welcome to the community! I'm also new here and going through this same frustrating situation. Your question about processing time is really important - I hadn't thought about that aspect. From what I've gathered reading through these experiences, it seems like once you get the comparison information and decide to switch, the actual processing might take some time, so timing could definitely be a factor. I'm planning to try the early morning call strategy too, and I'm writing down all the specific terminology people have mentioned (PEBES, "benefit comparison for survivor vs. retirement benefits") so I don't forget to use the exact words. It's crazy that we need a cheat sheet just to get basic information about our own benefits! Has anyone mentioned anything about how long the actual switch takes once you decide to proceed? That could be really important for financial planning purposes, especially if there's a gap between when survivor benefits stop and retirement benefits begin.
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To summarize what everyone's shared (and clarify some confusion): 1. Since your own benefit at FRA ($1,800) exceeds half of your partner's PIA ($1,375), you won't receive additional money from spousal benefits. 2. This means your claiming strategy should focus solely on optimizing YOUR retirement benefit timing. 3. Each year you delay claiming between now and 70 adds approximately 8% to your lifetime benefit amount. 4. The one-year marriage requirement doesn't impact your optimal strategy in this case. The decision ultimately comes down to: do you need the money now (claim early) or can you afford to wait for a larger monthly amount later (delay claiming)?
Thank you everyone for the helpful information! Based on all your advice, I think I'll delay my benefit claim a bit longer since the marriage timing won't affect my benefit amount. I appreciate all of you taking time to explain this complicated system!
Great discussion everyone! As someone who just went through this process myself, I wanted to add one more consideration that might be helpful. Since you're 63 and considering delaying benefits, make sure you factor in healthcare costs if you're not yet Medicare eligible. I delayed my benefits from 62 to 65, but the extra money I gained was almost entirely eaten up by COBRA premiums and higher healthcare costs during those years. Sometimes the "mathematically optimal" choice isn't the practically optimal choice when you consider all expenses. Also, if you do decide to claim early, remember that the earnings test might apply if you're still working - you could temporarily lose some benefits if you earn over the annual limit ($22,320 for 2024). Just something else to factor into your decision-making process!
This is such a valuable point about healthcare costs! I hadn't really thought about the gap between leaving employer coverage and Medicare eligibility. That's exactly the kind of real-world consideration that can completely change the math. Do you mind sharing roughly how much those COBRA/healthcare costs added up to during your delay period? I'm trying to figure out if the 8% annual increase would actually offset those expenses in my situation.
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What an absolutely phenomenal thread! As someone who just joined this community specifically to get guidance on Social Security issues, I'm blown away by the depth of knowledge and real-world experiences shared here. I'm currently 62 and have been hesitating about early retirement because I have both a deferred compensation plan AND some stock options that were granted years ago but haven't been exercised yet. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially the original poster's journey from confusion to clarity, has given me a clear roadmap for getting the answers I need. The systematic approach that's been outlined here - gathering all documentation, visiting the local SSA office (not relying on phone reps!), requesting a "formal determination regarding deferred compensation and earnings test applicability," and getting everything in writing - seems like the gold standard for handling these complex situations. I'm particularly grateful for the insights about how SSA looks at the economic reality rather than just contract labels, and those three key factors the specialist used to evaluate the deferred comp arrangement. The HR professional's advice about requesting specific documentation from employers about tax reporting (Box 1 vs Box 11) was something I never would have thought to ask about. This thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for anyone dealing with non-traditional compensation arrangements. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge - you've turned what seemed like an insurmountable problem into a manageable process with a clear path forward!
Welcome to the community! Your situation with both deferred compensation AND stock options is definitely going to require careful evaluation, as these two types of compensation can have very different treatments under the Social Security earnings test. From what others have mentioned in this thread, stock options can be particularly tricky because the gain when you exercise them is typically reported as current wages on your W-2 (usually in Box 1), which would likely count toward the earnings test even though the options were granted for past services. The timing of when you exercise those options could significantly impact your Social Security benefits. The approach everyone's outlined here is absolutely the right one for your complex situation - definitely bring documentation for both your deferred comp plan AND your stock option agreements when you visit your local SSA office. You'll want details about grant dates, vesting schedules, and how each type of payment will be reported for tax purposes. One thing to consider is whether it makes sense to exercise your stock options before claiming Social Security to avoid the earnings test entirely, though you'll want to weigh that against the tax implications. That's exactly the kind of strategic decision where having that formal written determination from SSA becomes so valuable. Looking forward to hearing about your experience when you go through the process! Having another real-world example of how SSA handles multiple types of deferred compensation would be incredibly helpful for future community members.
This has been such an incredibly educational thread to read through! As someone who's completely new to navigating Social Security and retirement planning, I had no idea that deferred compensation could create such complex issues with earnings limits. What really stands out to me is the stark difference between the inconsistent phone advice (three completely different answers!) and the clear, expert guidance from the local SSA office specialist. It's honestly concerning that people could make major financial decisions based on incorrect phone information, but it's reassuring to know there's a reliable path to accurate answers. I'm particularly impressed by the systematic approach that emerged from this discussion: 1. Gather ALL documentation (complete agreements, not just summaries) 2. Visit local SSA office in person 3. Use specific language: "formal determination regarding deferred compensation and earnings test applicability" 4. Get everything in writing for your records 5. Pay attention to tax reporting details (Box 1 vs Box 11) The three-factor framework the specialist used (payments continuing regardless of services, compensation for past work, no correlation between current services and payments) provides such a clear way to evaluate these situations. As someone without any deferred comp issues myself, I'm still taking notes on this process for any future complex Social Security questions. The collective knowledge shared here - from real experiences to HR insights to professional perspectives - has created an invaluable community resource. Thank you to everyone who contributed, especially for sharing both successful outcomes and cautionary tales. This thread should definitely be bookmarked as a guide for anyone dealing with non-traditional compensation and Social Security planning!
Hugo Kass
ugh why does the government make everything so complicated? 🙄 good luck OP, hope you figure it out!
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Nasira Ibanez
•Ikr? It's like they want us to mess up or something 🤦♀️
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TommyKapitz
Another thing to keep in mind - if you're divorced, you might still be eligible for spousal benefits on your ex-spouse's record even if they've remarried! The marriage has to have lasted at least 10 years and you need to be unmarried currently. It's called "divorced spouse benefits" and a lot of people don't know about it. Definitely worth asking about if it applies to your situation.
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Paolo Rizzo
•Wow, I had no idea about the divorced spouse benefits! That's really good to know. Do you happen to know if there's a time limit on when you can apply for those? Like, do you have to wait a certain amount of time after the divorce is finalized?
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