I'm glad I found this thread! I'm in a very similar situation - I'm 65 and work as a medical assistant in New Jersey, planning to transition to part-time work when I hit my FRA next year. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful. One thing I wanted to add is about quarterly estimated tax payments. Since you'll potentially have income from both part-time work and Social Security benefits, you might need to make quarterly payments to avoid owing a large sum at tax time. I learned this the hard way when I started receiving a small pension last year while still working full-time. Also, for what it's worth, my neighbor who's a retired teacher has been working part-time as a substitute while collecting Social Security for about 4 years now (she's 71). She says the extra income has made a huge difference in her quality of life - she can afford little luxuries and doesn't worry as much about unexpected expenses. The delayed retirement credit strategy that Finley mentioned is really worth considering if you can swing it financially. Even delaying just one year (instead of three) would give you an 8% boost for life, which might be more manageable than waiting until 70.

This is such a comprehensive discussion! I'm a financial planner in New Jersey and work with many clients making this exact transition. A few additional points that might be helpful: 1. **State Disability Insurance (SDI)**: In NJ, once you're collecting Social Security retirement benefits, you're no longer required to pay into the state disability insurance program, even if you're still working. This can save you a small amount on your paycheck. 2. **Spousal benefits consideration**: If you're married, make sure to factor in how your claiming decision affects potential spousal benefits. Sometimes it makes sense for one spouse to claim early while the other delays. 3. **Record keeping for benefit recalculation**: Since SSA automatically recalculates your benefits each year based on new earnings, keep copies of your W-2s and tax returns. If there's ever a discrepancy in their calculations, you'll have the documentation to resolve it. 4. **Part B premium adjustment**: If your income increases significantly due to combined work earnings and Social Security, be aware that higher earners pay higher Medicare Part B premiums (IRMAA). This typically only affects those with substantial income, but worth knowing about. The strategy of working part-time while collecting benefits after FRA is excellent for both financial and psychological well-being. You're maintaining professional engagement while reducing stress - it's become increasingly popular among my clients in healthcare professions.

Tyler, I'm so sorry for your loss. What you're going through is incredibly difficult, and it's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed by all the Social Security rules on top of everything else. From what I've learned through my own experience and from reading all these helpful responses, the most important thing to understand is that you DO have options and don't need to make any irreversible decisions right away. The earnings limit everyone mentioned is real - for 2025 it's estimated around $22,320 if you're under full retirement age. But many people successfully work part-time while staying under that limit. And the great news is that once you reach your full retirement age, there's no earnings limit at all. What really stands out to me from all the advice here is that getting your personalized benefit estimates is absolutely crucial. Everyone's situation is different, which is why the advice varies so much. Some people benefit from taking survivor benefits early and switching to their own retirement later, while others do better with the opposite strategy. My suggestion would be to start with survivor benefits at 58 if you need the income now - there's nothing wrong with prioritizing your immediate financial stability during this difficult time. You can always reassess your options when you turn 62 and have more information about both benefit amounts. Take care of yourself, and remember that many of us here have walked similar paths and understand what you're going through.

Tyler, I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband. The financial stress on top of grieving is truly overwhelming, and you're asking all the right questions. From my experience helping people navigate these decisions, here are the key points to remember: **Working while on survivor benefits:** Yes, you can work part-time, but there IS an earnings limit until you reach full retirement age. For 2025, if you earn over approximately $22,320, Social Security will reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. This applies to survivor benefits just like retirement benefits. **Your options at 62:** You are NOT required to switch to your own retirement benefits at 62 - that's a common misconception. You can choose whichever benefit is higher. The optimal strategy often depends on which benefit amount is larger. **What I'd recommend:** 1. Contact SSA to get estimates of both your survivor benefit and your own retirement benefit at different claiming ages 2. Consider taking survivor benefits at 58 if you need the income now for financial stability 3. Work part-time while staying mindful of the earnings limit 4. Reassess at 62 whether to switch to your own retirement benefit if it would be higher The most important thing right now is ensuring you have enough income to meet your basic needs. You can always adjust your strategy later as you get closer to 62 and have more concrete benefit estimates to work with. Take this one step at a time - you don't need to have everything figured out immediately.

I'm so sorry for your loss and the incredible frustration you and your mom are going through. Five months is absolutely ridiculous for survivor benefits processing - this is completely unacceptable. I just went through something very similar with my own family when my uncle passed away last year. My aunt waited 4 months before we finally got results, and what broke the logjam was getting our Congressional representative involved. Their federal caseworker was able to get through to SSA supervisors directly and had the claim resolved within 10 days. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: **Contact your House representative's office** - Ask specifically for their "federal caseworker" who handles SSA issues. This really works because they have direct lines to supervisors who can actually access and review your mom's file. **Call SSA at exactly 8:00 AM** - The wait times are much shorter when lines first open, and you're more likely to get experienced representatives. **Use specific language** - Ask for "expedited processing due to severe financial hardship" and request to speak to a "Claims Specialist" who can review the actual case details. **Document everything** - Keep a detailed log of every call with dates, representative names, and what they tell you. This creates accountability. Your mom shouldn't have to choose between groceries and her mortgage while waiting for benefits she's legally entitled to. The fact that she's already receiving retirement benefits shouldn't complicate this - something is definitely stuck in their system. Keep pushing and don't accept vague responses anymore. After 5 months, you have every right to demand immediate action. You're being an amazing advocate for your mom during such a difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss and the unbelievable stress this delay is putting on your family. Five months is absolutely outrageous - I went through something similar when my grandmother passed and we had to wait nearly 4 months for her survivor benefits to be processed. What finally worked for us was filing a congressional inquiry. I called our representative's office and spoke with their federal caseworker who handles SSA issues. They were able to get through to actual supervisors at Social Security and had our case resolved within about a week and a half. Don't hesitate to use this option - constituent services are specifically there to help with exactly these kinds of federal agency problems. A couple other things that helped: - Call SSA right at 8:00 AM when they open - much shorter wait times - Ask specifically for a "Claims Specialist" who can actually review your mom's file details - Use the phrase "expedited processing due to financial hardship" - seems like they respond better to specific terminology Your mom absolutely shouldn't have to use credit cards for groceries while waiting for benefits she's legally entitled to. After 5 months something is clearly wrong with her claim and you have every right to demand immediate action. Keep fighting for her - you're being an incredible advocate during such a difficult time. Also, you might want to call 211 to ask about local emergency assistance programs for widows while you're working to resolve this SSA nightmare. Many communities have specific resources for people waiting on delayed government benefits.

This has been such an educational thread to follow! As someone who's 60 and starting to think seriously about early retirement, I had no idea about the distinction between "earned" and "unearned" income for Social Security purposes. I have a similar situation with some investment accounts and was worried I'd have to completely stop managing my investments once I start collecting benefits. It's such a relief to learn that investment income doesn't count toward the earnings limit. The practical advice shared here has been invaluable - especially the tips about applying 4 months early, asking for written confirmation from SSA, and checking both retirement and survivor benefits. I'm also going to implement that spreadsheet idea to get better organized with tracking my different income sources. One thing that really stands out to me is how much more helpful this real-world discussion has been compared to trying to decipher the official SSA publications. There's something so valuable about hearing from people who have actually been through the process and can share what really matters in practice. Thank you to everyone who contributed their experiences and knowledge. This thread is going to save me a lot of stress and confusion as I plan for retirement!

As someone who recently turned 62 and is navigating early retirement myself, I wanted to add my voice to this incredibly helpful discussion! I had almost identical concerns about my small investment portfolio and whether trading activities would jeopardize my Social Security benefits. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I feel so much more confident about moving forward with my retirement plans. The distinction between "earned" and "unearned" income that everyone has explained makes perfect sense now, but it definitely wasn't clear from the SSA materials I'd been reading. Knowing that my modest stock investments and CD interest won't count against the earnings limit is such a huge relief! I'm particularly grateful for all the practical tips shared - applying 4 months early, asking for written confirmation, checking survivor benefits, and creating a spreadsheet to organize income sources. These are exactly the kind of real-world insights you can't get from government websites. For anyone else reading this thread with similar concerns, I can't recommend this community enough. The knowledge and willingness to help that people have shown here is truly remarkable. Thank you all for creating such a valuable resource for those of us trying to navigate these complex retirement decisions!

This thread has been so incredibly informative! As someone new to navigating Social Security benefits, I had no idea how complex the "deemed spouse" situation could be for separated couples. Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has really opened my eyes to how important proper documentation and preparation are for these cases. What strikes me most is how much variation there seems to be in how different SSA representatives handle these situations - some seem to automatically assume spousal income will count, while others are more thorough in evaluating the separation evidence. That makes the advice about calling ahead to clarify policies and potentially getting professional consultation even more valuable. The specific tips about SSA Publication 05-11000, the importance of using "permanent" separation language, and documenting community ties like voting registrations are things I never would have thought of. It's also encouraging to hear from people like Zara and Yara who have successfully navigated or are currently navigating similar situations. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a comparable situation - this discussion is a goldmine of practical advice! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise.

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who works in social services and frequently helps clients navigate SSA benefits, I want to add a few practical tips that might help your husband's application process go more smoothly: 1. When he calls SSA, ask to speak specifically with someone experienced in "living apart" determinations for married couples applying for SSI. Not all representatives are equally familiar with these nuances. 2. Create a timeline document showing the 10-year separation with key dates (when you moved to separate addresses, when you started filing taxes separately, etc.) - this helps paint a clear picture of the permanent nature of your separation. 3. If possible, get a letter from a mutual friend or family member who can attest to your long-term separation. Third-party verification can be very compelling. 4. Keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit, and get confirmation numbers for any documents sent to SSA. Your case sounds exceptionally strong with the decade-long separation and comprehensive documentation. The fact that you've maintained completely separate lives, finances, and addresses for 10 years puts you in a much better position than many cases I've seen successfully approved. Don't let anyone discourage you from applying - your situation clearly meets the criteria for permanent separation that SSA looks for in these determinations.