One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is that you should definitely apply online rather than in person if possible. I applied in person at my local SSA office and it was a nightmare - had to wait 3 hours just to be seen, then the person helping me made several data entry errors that I had to call back to fix. When I compared notes with my neighbor who applied online the same week, her process was much smoother and faster. The online system also gives you a receipt number immediately so you can track your application status. Just my experience, but I'd definitely recommend going the online route first!

I'm in a similar situation - turning 67 next month and getting ready to apply! From reading all these responses, it seems like the key factors are: 1) Apply online for fastest processing, 2) Have all your documents ready (birth cert, SS card, W-2s, bank info), 3) Expect 4-6 weeks realistically, and 4) Apply early in the month if possible. The payment schedule based on birth date is something I didn't know about - that's really useful info! Thanks to everyone who shared their actual timelines. It's so much more helpful than the generic "it varies" answers you get from official sources.

As someone who recently navigated this exact timing decision, I can share what ultimately worked for me. I was in almost the same situation - planning to start SS at 65 while still working, then switch to survivor benefits at FRA. After going through all the calculations and calling SSA multiple times, I ended up starting benefits in the month after I retired (similar to your July plan). Here's why this worked best: 1. **Simplicity is golden** - Avoiding the earnings limit entirely eliminated so much stress and potential for errors or delays in payments. 2. **The monthly benefit increase was more significant than I expected** - Those extra months of delayed claiming (January to July) actually added up to a meaningful difference in my monthly payment. 3. **Documentation was crucial** - When I called SSA to set everything up, I asked them to email me a summary of our conversation confirming my retirement date and that the monthly earnings test would apply for the remainder of the year. Having that written record gave me peace of mind. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: SSA's processing time for benefit applications can be unpredictable. I applied 4 months before I wanted benefits to start, which turned out to be just right. Don't wait until the last minute. Your survivor benefit strategy is spot-on. The early claiming reduction on your own benefits truly doesn't affect survivor benefits - I confirmed this multiple times with different SSA representatives. The July start plan sounds very well reasoned given your work situation!

This has been such an educational thread! I'm not in this exact situation yet, but I'm getting close to having to make similar decisions and this conversation has highlighted so many important details I wouldn't have thought about. A few things that really stood out to me: 1. The distinction between the monthly vs annual earnings test in the first year - I had no idea this existed and it seems like it could make a huge difference for people retiring mid-year. 2. The importance of getting written documentation from SSA about retirement dates and which earnings test will apply. Given how complex these rules are, having that paper trail seems essential. 3. The timing of applications - starting the process 3-4 months early to account for processing delays is such practical advice. One question for those who've been through this: When you called SSA to discuss the monthly earnings test, did you find that all representatives were familiar with this rule, or did you have to ask for supervisors or specialists? I'm wondering if I should be prepared to escalate if the first person I talk to isn't familiar with the process. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of real-world knowledge is so much more valuable than just reading the official SSA publications!

I work as a benefits counselor and see this situation all the time. The processing time differences aren't arbitrary - they're based on how much verification your application requires. Your neighbor likely had what we call a "clean" case: steady W-2 employment history, applying at or after Full Retirement Age, no prior marriages over 10 years, and no government employment. Your situation is more complex and will take longer for good reasons: - State university employment may involve pension coordination and WEP calculations - Your 12-year first marriage means they need to evaluate potential spousal benefits - These factors require human review rather than automated processing The 30-day timeline is an average, but applications with your profile routinely take 4-6 weeks. Don't worry - the extra time usually results in a more accurate benefit calculation. I've seen cases where the manual review process discovered additional benefits or corrected errors that increased the final payment amount. My advice: be patient for another 2-3 weeks, and if you need updates, use the Message Center in your online account rather than calling. The wait is normal and worth it for an accurate calculation.

As someone who just started the Social Security application process myself, this entire discussion has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea there was such a difference between automatic and manual processing. I'm planning to apply for my retirement benefits next month (turning 67 in May), and now I'm wondering if I should expect delays since I worked for a county government for about 6 years early in my career. Reading about everyone's experiences here - from 15-minute approvals to 6+ week waits - really helps set realistic expectations. The explanation about WEP/GPO calculations and spousal benefit reviews makes so much sense. I wish the SSA website provided this level of detail about what factors might affect processing times. One question for those who've been through this: is there anything I can do when I apply to help speed up the process? Like making sure all my information is perfectly accurate, or providing additional documentation upfront? Or is it really just a matter of waiting for whatever review process my situation requires? Thanks to everyone for sharing - this thread is a goldmine of real-world information that you just can't find in the official SSA materials!

I just wanted to add another possibility that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet - sometimes these adjustment payments can be related to changes in your filing status or family situation that SSA processes with a delay. For example, if you got married, divorced, or had changes in your dependent status earlier this year, SSA might take several months to process those changes and then issue an adjustment payment to correct any underpayment. The same thing can happen if there were changes to a spouse's benefits that affect your own. Also, if you've had any changes to other government benefits you receive (like veterans benefits, railroad retirement, or state disability), sometimes those can trigger SSA to recalculate your Social Security benefits and issue corrections. The $150 amount and timing (day before your regular payment) really does suggest this is an automated system correction rather than an error. I'd recommend calling SSA if you don't see an explanation in your mySSA account within the next week or so, but try to be patient with the phone wait times - they've been really long lately! Keep us posted on what you find out - these threads are so helpful for people going through the same thing.

I work in a Social Security field office and see these types of questions frequently. Based on the amount ($150) and timing (day before regular payment), this is almost certainly a legitimate automated adjustment payment. The most common causes I see are: 1. Medicare premium corrections (Parts B, C, or D) 2. COLA catch-up payments for processing delays 3. Work earnings recalculations 4. Income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) corrections The fact that it posted the day before your regular payment is actually a good sign - error payments typically don't follow this pattern. Our computer systems are designed to issue these adjustments automatically when they detect underpayments. You should receive a "Notice of Change in Benefits" or similar explanation letter within 2-3 weeks. In the meantime, I'd strongly recommend checking your mySSA account message center every few days - explanations often appear there 7-10 days before the physical letter arrives. Don't worry too much about this being an error that you'll need to repay. The vast majority of these automated adjustment payments are legitimate corrections in the beneficiary's favor. Just keep it in a separate account until you get the official explanation to be safe.

Welcome to the community, Jessica and Sebastián! It's wonderful to see newcomers finding value in this discussion. As someone who's been navigating SSDI work rules for a couple years now, I can definitely relate to that initial feeling of being overwhelmed by all the regulations and potential complications. What I've learned is that while the system is frustrating and unnecessarily complex, knowledge really is power in this situation. This thread is a perfect example of how sharing real experiences can help people avoid the pitfalls that many of us discovered the hard way. For both of you as you move forward with work plans, I'd also recommend checking if your state has any Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) programs. These are free services that help SSDI recipients understand how work affects benefits. They can be incredibly helpful for mapping out scenarios like the 3-paycheck month issue before you even start working. The documentation habits everyone has discussed here - work logs, employer letters, proactive SSA communication - might seem like overkill at first, but they're honestly what make the difference between smooth sailing and months of stressful appeals. Better to have the records and not need them than to be scrambling to recreate everything after the fact. Keep asking questions and don't hesitate to share your own experiences as you go through the process. This community thrives on people helping each other navigate these challenges!

Welcome to the community! As someone who recently went through a very similar situation, I can definitely relate to your concerns about those 3-paycheck months. The advice everyone has shared here is spot-on - being proactive is absolutely the way to go. I work part-time earning about $280 weekly and faced the exact same worry about exceeding SGA limits during months with 3 paychecks. What really helped me was creating a simple tracking system right from the start: I keep a small calendar where I mark my work hours each day and note my pay dates. This way, I have clear documentation showing that my work pattern is consistent even when the pay timing creates those higher monthly totals. One thing I learned is that when you call SSA proactively (which I highly recommend), be very specific about your situation. Explain that you work consistent hours but get paid bi-weekly, resulting in 26 pay periods per year. Most representatives understand this issue once it's explained clearly, but having your numbers ready helps - like your weekly earnings, total annual projected income, and the specific months when 3-paycheck situations will occur. The peace of mind from getting ahead of this is totally worth the effort. Good luck with your new job, and don't hesitate to update us on how your proactive call with SSA goes!