This is such a comprehensive discussion - you're all covering so many important angles! As someone new to this community, I'm learning a lot from reading through everyone's experiences and advice. One thing I wanted to add that I don't think has been mentioned yet: if you do decide to work part-time between 60-67, keep in mind that Social Security has an earnings test that applies before you reach full retirement age. Since you're planning to wait until 67 to claim, this won't affect you, but it's worth knowing about in case you change your mind and decide to claim earlier. Also, I've found that many people don't realize you can actually start your Social Security application up to 4 months before you want your benefits to begin. So if you're planning to claim at exactly 67, you could start the application process a few months early to avoid any delays. The psychological benefits that several people have mentioned really resonate with me too. Sometimes the financial "optimal" choice isn't the best choice for your overall well-being and happiness. It sounds like you're being very thoughtful about balancing all these factors!

I've been following this discussion as someone who's also navigating early retirement planning, and I wanted to share something that might be helpful. Beyond all the excellent technical advice about calculations and benefit optimization, don't underestimate the value of doing a "practice run" of your retirement budget before you actually stop working. What I mean is: try living on your projected retirement income (including that estimated Social Security benefit) for 6-12 months while you're still working. Put the difference in savings. This will help you identify any gaps in your planning and give you real confidence about whether your numbers work in practice, not just on paper. I did this exercise and discovered I was spending more on healthcare and home maintenance than I had budgeted for, but I was spending way less on work-related expenses (commuting, professional clothes, eating out) than I expected. It completely changed how I thought about the trade-offs between working longer for a higher benefit versus retiring early with a slightly smaller one. Also, if you do find that part-time work might boost your benefit by replacing some low-earning years, consider whether that part-time work could be something you'd actually enjoy rather than just tolerate. The extra income is nice, but if it's work you find meaningful, it serves double duty for both your finances and your sense of purpose in retirement. You're clearly putting a lot of thought into this decision - that preparation will serve you well regardless of what you ultimately choose!

I'm also dealing with survivor benefits and downsizing, and this discussion has been such a lifeline for me! I'm 59 and lost my husband 7 months ago, and I've been putting off selling anything because I was terrified of somehow jeopardizing my benefits. What's given me the most confidence is seeing how many people here have actually been through this exact situation successfully. The clear distinction between selling personal belongings versus running a business makes perfect sense when explained the way everyone has here. I'm particularly grateful for all the specific strategies shared - keeping simple records, spacing out listings, taking photos for documentation, and thinking of this as "liquidating personal assets." These approaches seem both practical and protective. The emotional validation has been just as important. Going through a lifetime of shared possessions while grieving really is overwhelming, but hearing that others found parts of the process therapeutic and freeing gives me hope that this can be healing rather than just another burden. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space to discuss these concerns. This thread has transformed my anxiety about this process into actual confidence that I can handle both the practical and emotional aspects responsibly. Time to start that simple spreadsheet and begin reclaiming my space!

I'm new to this community and currently navigating survivor benefits myself at age 63. This entire discussion has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! I've been hesitant to start selling some of our accumulated belongings because I wasn't sure about the benefit implications, but reading all these consistent experiences has given me so much confidence. What really stands out to me is how clear the distinction is between disposing of personal property versus running a business. The practical strategies everyone has shared - simple record keeping, spacing out listings, taking photos for documentation - seem so manageable and smart. I'm also grateful for the emotional support in this thread. The downsizing process after losing a spouse really is overwhelming, but hearing that others found parts of it therapeutic gives me hope. Thank you all for sharing your experiences so openly - this community is exactly what I needed to find the courage to start this necessary but difficult process!

I'm in a very similar situation to yours! Just turned 65 and originally planned to wait until 67, but life has thrown some curveballs. What really helped me make the decision was talking to a local SSA representative who walked me through the exact dollar amounts - seeing the specific numbers for my situation made it much clearer than just hearing percentages. One thing I wish I'd known earlier is that you can actually call SSA and ask them to do a phone consultation before you officially apply. They'll go over your benefit amounts at different ages and help you understand the implications. It's free and there's no obligation - they just want to make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for your circumstances. Given your health concerns, starting at 65 might very well be the right choice. The peace of mind alone could be worth more than the extra monthly dollars you'd get by waiting. You know your situation better than anyone else!

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who made this exact switch! I originally planned to wait until 67 but ended up starting my benefits at 65 due to unexpected health issues. The application process was actually much simpler than I expected - no enrollment periods to worry about like with Medicare. I applied online in January and received my first payment in March. The hardest part was just making the decision, not the actual paperwork. One thing that helped me was calculating my "break-even" point. For me, I'd need to live past age 83 for waiting until 67 to be financially better than starting at 65. Given my health situation, starting earlier made sense. Sometimes the peace of mind and immediate financial help outweigh the potential for higher future payments. If you're still unsure, I'd recommend creating that my Social Security account online that others mentioned - seeing your actual numbers rather than estimates really helps clarify things. Best of luck with whatever you decide!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Sadie. Going through this process while grieving is incredibly difficult. I wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful for others reading this thread - when you receive your first survivor benefit payment, double-check the amount against what they told you during your appointment. Sometimes there can be small discrepancies due to Medicare premiums being deducted or other adjustments. Also, keep all your paperwork from SSA in a safe place - you'll need it for tax purposes since survivor benefits are generally taxable income. It sounds like you handled everything really well and asked all the right questions. Your experience will definitely help other widows and widowers who find themselves in this confusing situation.

I'm sorry for your loss, Sadie. Reading through this thread has been really educational - there's so much conflicting information out there about survivor benefits timing! It's great that you got direct clarification from SSA during your appointment. One thing I wanted to mention that I don't see covered here is that you might want to ask about potentially switching to your own retirement benefits later if they would be higher than your survivor benefits. Since you're 61 now, you could potentially file for your own reduced benefits at 62 and then switch strategies later. The SSA representative should be able to run some projections for you to see what makes the most sense long-term. Also, if you haven't already, consider reaching out to a local SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselor - they can help navigate Medicare decisions when you become eligible, especially since survivor benefits can affect those choices too.

I went through this same confusion last year! The key thing to remember is that the SSA calculator is trying to show you your "real world" benefit estimate, not just a simple math calculation. The 8% delayed retirement credit IS being applied, but it's being applied to your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) from your FRA, then they layer on estimated COLAs and any earnings record updates. What helped me was downloading my actual Social Security Statement PDF (not just using the slider tool) and looking at the detailed breakdown. You can also try calling during off-peak hours - I had better luck getting through around 10am on weekdays. The phone agents can walk through your specific calculation and show you exactly how the DRC is being applied versus what adjustments they're making for projected inflation. The bottom line is you ARE getting that 8% credit - it's just that the final number you see includes other factors too. Don't let it derail your retirement planning!

I'm dealing with the exact same confusion right now! I'm 66 and trying to figure out the optimal claiming strategy. What's really frustrating is that the SSA website doesn't clearly break down HOW they're calculating these projections. I've been assuming I could count on that 8% increase each year I delay, but seeing these lower percentages makes me wonder if I'm better off just claiming at FRA instead of waiting. Has anyone found a reliable way to calculate what your ACTUAL benefit would be with delayed retirement credits, separate from all the COLA estimates and other adjustments? I want to make sure I'm not leaving money on the table by waiting if the real increase isn't going to be as much as expected.