Thank you everyone for the responses! I'm going to apply online in March 2025 (4 months before my July payment). I feel much better knowing I don't have to worry about the earnings limit after reaching my FRA in June. One last question - do I need my birth certificate for the online application? I have my passport but not sure where my birth certificate is right now.

word of caution about applying online - i did that but there was a GLITCH and my application disappeared!!! had to start all over by phone. maybe things are better now but that was only last year. i'd recommend calling AND applying online to be safe

After dealing with SS for 10+ years (parents, then myself), I've learned one thing - DON'T TRUST THE ONLINE ACCOUNT TO SHOW EVERYTHING! My dad's account never showed his Medicare deduction correctly. My account still shows weird info from 3 years ago. Just wait for your first payment and the paper statement that comes with it. That will show the exact breakdown.

just wanted to add that if you DIDNT choose tax withholding you can still add it anytime!! i didnt do it at first and had to pay big tax bill my first year. now i do the 10% withholding and its SO much better. you can change it online or send in the form

One more thing nobody mentioned... when your wife applies, make sure she has your SSN handy. They'll ask for it to link her application to your record. And if she does the online application, it's a bit confusing because it still asks her about her work history even though she's already receiving her own benefit. Just have her fill it out completely and in the remarks section at the end, have her clearly state she's applying for the spousal supplement to her existing benefit.

Based on all the advice here, I'd recommend your wife apply now through her mySocialSecurity account. This establishes her protective filing date. In the application, she should clearly indicate she's already receiving her own benefit and is applying for the spousal supplement (dual entitlement). Then in January, after your first payment is processed, call SSA to confirm her spousal application is moving forward. This two-step approach (apply now, follow up later) gives you the best chance of getting everything processed correctly and timely.

the whole system is a SCAM! my wife worked for 30 years as a teacher AND worked summers at her sisters business but gets ZERO from SS even tho she paid in!!!! its THEFT

My friend told me if u work just 5 more years in a SS covered job u sometimes can get around these rules. Maybe look into that? Something about getting to 30 yrs of substantial earnings can help with the WEP part at least.

my neighbor tried to do this and they told him he COULDNT cancel because he was too close to his payment start date!!! so make sure u do it with plenty of time to spare, like at least a month before your benefits are supposed to start

Update: I called SSA this morning and after a 40-minute wait, I got confirmation that I CAN cancel my application any time before receiving the first payment. The representative suggested I submit the SSA-521 form by mid-December to ensure processing before January. Thank you all for the helpful advice!

For the indexing thing - just know that they only use your highest 35 years of earnings when figuring ur benefit. If u worked 42 yrs like u said, they'll throw out ur 7 lowest-earning years. Also they adjust all those earnings to current dollars befor calculating. its complicated!!!

I had a similar situation with the tax withholding issue. I'd recommend selecting the 12% option on the W-4V unless you have significant other income. The 7% is rarely enough to cover the tax liability for most retirees with pension or investment income. After you submit the form, you can check your mySocialSecurity account about 30-45 days later to verify the new withholding amount is being applied correctly. Regarding the indexing factors, it's also worth knowing that earnings after age 60 aren't indexed (they're counted at face value), which can make understanding the formula a bit confusing.

I've been dealing with Social Security for YEARS and this is nothing new. They NEVER update their systems on time. My husband and I both got caught in the confusion when the FRA changed years ago. The website said one thing, the phone people said another thing, and the office staff said something completely different! Then they have the nerve to blame YOU when their mistakes cause problems. Do NOT trust what one agent tells you - always get a second opinion and GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING!!!

Update: After reading all your helpful comments, I decided to try calling. After THREE HOURS on hold, I finally got through to someone. They confirmed that yes, for WEP/GPO repeal cases, phone or in-person are the only options right now. They're "working on updating the website" but couldn't give a timeframe. So frustrating! The agent was actually very helpful once I got through and started my mother-in-law's application. They'll be mailing her some forms to complete and return. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

Not only do they count those years, but if you're like me and took some time off for childcare or had lower earnings early in your career, those last few high-earning years can make a BIG difference in your monthly check! I worked until 68 and my benefit is almost $600/month higher than what the estimate showed when I was 60.

WHAT?!?! Im so confused now because my neighbor swore that only your earnings before 60 count for the calculation and she used to work for the government!!! Why is this so complicated!!

One important thing your brother-in-law should know: After receiving SSDI for 24 months, he'll automatically qualify for Medicare. This is true regardless of his age. The 24-month waiting period starts from his established disability onset date, not from his approval date. So if his disability onset date was 2 years ago, he might already qualify for Medicare. Also, regarding the DSS benefits - he needs to report his SSDI approval to them immediately (if he hasn't already). Failure to report can result in an overpayment situation that would create additional financial problems.

My neighbor got approved for disability and it took like 6-7 weeks to get paid I think? But that was in Florida not NY so maybe different?

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I've taken notes to share with my sister. It's a relief to know she can claim at 60 rather than waiting until he would've been 62. She's not disabled so it looks like she'll need to wait about 3 years. In the meantime, I'll help her look into county assistance programs and make sure she applies for that $255 death benefit. I really appreciate you all taking the time to share your knowledge during this difficult time.

One last thought - your sister should consider scheduling an appointment with SSA now, even though she's not eligible yet. They can provide an estimate of what her survivor benefit amount will be at different claiming ages, which will help with financial planning. Also, they can explain the earnings limit if she plans to continue working while receiving benefits before her full retirement age. The earnings limit is quite restrictive and can cause benefits to be withheld if she earns too much.