This thread has been incredibly educational! As someone just starting to think about Social Security planning (I'm 58), I'm realizing there's so much more complexity than I initially understood. The interplay between COLA, delayed retirement credits, spousal benefits, Medicare premiums, and state taxes creates a web of considerations that's honestly a bit overwhelming. What strikes me most is how personalized these decisions need to be. It seems like there's no one-size-fits-all answer, and the "optimal" strategy really depends on your specific financial situation, health outlook, and risk tolerance. I'm wondering if there are any professional resources (beyond just calling SSA) that specialize in helping couples model these complex scenarios? Given all the variables discussed here - from inflation assumptions to longevity projections to tax implications - it feels like this might be worth investing in some professional guidance rather than trying to navigate it all solo. Also, for those who have gone through this process, how far in advance did you start planning? Is starting at 58 too early, or should I be getting more serious about running these calculations now?

This has been such a comprehensive discussion! I'm a CPA who works with retirees, and I want to add one more layer that's particularly relevant given the state tax considerations mentioned earlier. If you're in a state that taxes Social Security benefits, it's worth checking if your state has any provisions for phased retirement income or if there are opportunities to establish residency in a more tax-friendly state before claiming benefits. Also, for those considering professional help, I'd recommend getting your Social Security statements updated and requesting benefit estimates for different claiming ages directly from SSA before meeting with any advisor. Having accurate PIA calculations and projected benefits at various ages gives you a solid foundation for any optimization software or professional analysis. One practical tip: if you're still working and contributing to Social Security, remember that your benefits are recalculated annually based on your highest 35 years of earnings. Sometimes working just one or two more years can meaningfully increase your PIA, which affects all the spousal benefit calculations discussed here. This is especially true if your early career earnings were significantly lower than your current income. The complexity is real, but breaking it down systematically - starting with basic Social Security rules, then layering in COLA, taxes, and Medicare considerations - makes it much more manageable!

I'm going through the exact same situation and it's driving me crazy! I submitted my IRMAA appeal (SSA-44) about 2.5 weeks ago after a stock option exercise from my old job triggered a $210 premium increase, and just like everyone else here, there's absolutely zero indication in my MySocialSecurity account that they even received it. What's been most helpful from reading all these responses is learning about the 7 AM calling strategy - I had no idea that timing made such a difference! I've been trying to call during my lunch breaks and always get the "all representatives are busy" message followed by disconnection. Definitely going to try calling right when they open tomorrow morning. It's honestly shocking that in 2025, a major government agency operates with such a complete lack of transparency. The fact that we all have to become amateur detectives just to confirm our paperwork was received is completely unacceptable. At least knowing that 6-8+ weeks is unfortunately normal helps me set realistic expectations, even though the whole system desperately needs to be modernized. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it's oddly comforting to know I'm not alone in this frustrating limbo!

I'm currently dealing with this exact same frustrating situation! Submitted my SSA-44 form via fax on January 15th after a one-time pension rollover caused my Medicare Part B premium to spike by $158, and like everyone else here, there's absolutely no trace of it anywhere in my MySocialSecurity account. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly helpful - it's both reassuring and maddening to see that this communication blackout is apparently the norm rather than the exception. The fact that we're all dealing with legitimate one-time income events (stock sales, property sales, retirement distributions, etc.) but are left completely in the dark about our appeal status is just unacceptable for a government service in 2025. I'm definitely going to try the 7 AM calling strategy that so many people have recommended. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to crowdsource these workarounds just to get basic confirmation that our paperwork was received, but clearly that's the reality we're dealing with. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences - knowing that 6-8+ weeks is unfortunately typical (even though it's completely unreasonable) at least helps manage expectations. The system desperately needs modernization, but in the meantime, this community support has been invaluable for navigating this broken process!

Smart decision, Zara! You're absolutely right about the earnings test too - if you're still working part-time, claiming early could trigger benefit reductions if you earn over the annual limit ($22,320 for 2024). That's another factor people often forget about. Since you have time to research and plan, waiting until FRA gives you maximum flexibility and benefits. Plus, those extra years of earnings might even increase your own PIA slightly. You sound like you've really thought this through!

You made the right choice, Zara! I went through this same decision process two years ago and also decided to wait until FRA. It was tough watching that money sit on the table, but when I finally claimed at my FRA, the difference was substantial. One thing that helped me was creating a breakeven analysis - calculating at what age the total lifetime benefits would be equal between claiming early vs. waiting. For most people in situations like yours, if you live past age 78-80, waiting pays off significantly. The SSA's online calculators can help with this, though they're not the most user-friendly. Also, don't forget that your spousal benefit will be based on your husband's full PIA since he's waiting until his FRA - that's the silver lining in all this complexity!

This thread has been absolutely fantastic! As someone who works in retirement planning, I see so many people get tripped up by the earnings test rules, especially that crucial distinction between when wages are earned vs. when they're paid. I wanted to emphasize something that came up here - the importance of keeping meticulous records. I always tell my clients to create a simple spreadsheet tracking monthly earnings, especially in that first year when the special monthly test applies. Include the dates you worked, amounts earned, and dates paid. This becomes crucial if SSA ever questions your reported earnings. One additional tip: if you're switching from full-time to part-time work like many people here, make sure your new employer understands your situation. Some employers can be flexible about scheduling to help you stay under the monthly limit when needed. The advice about getting everything in writing from SSA cannot be overstated. I've seen too many cases where verbal confirmations led to problems later. Always follow up important phone calls with a secure message through your online account summarizing what was discussed.

This has been such an incredibly helpful discussion! As someone who's about to navigate this exact situation in the next few months, I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their real-world experiences. The clarification about wages being counted when earned vs. when paid is huge - that could have easily tripped me up. And learning about the special monthly test for the first year of retirement completely changes my planning. I had been worried about having to severely restrict my work options, but knowing I can receive full benefits for any month where I stay under $2,450 makes this so much more manageable. A few takeaways I'm noting for my own situation: - Set up the online SSA account early and screenshot all confirmations - Keep detailed monthly earnings records with dates worked vs. dates paid - Get written confirmation when reporting estimated earnings to SSA - Consider discussing schedule flexibility with potential part-time employers - Don't hesitate to call SSA back if something doesn't sound right @Ryder Ross - thanks for updating us with your confirmation call to SSA. It's so reassuring to see someone actually get through and get clear answers directly from the source! This community is amazing for providing this level of practical guidance that you just can't find in the official publications. You've all potentially saved me (and many others reading this) from costly mistakes!

As someone who's been through the SSA system for years, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - selling your primary residence absolutely will NOT reduce your Social Security benefits. I work part-time helping seniors navigate these situations, and this is one of the most common worries I hear. The key distinction is that SSA only looks at "earned income" (wages from jobs, self-employment income) when determining if benefits should be reduced, and only for people under full retirement age. Capital gains from selling your home don't count as earned income at all. At 67, you're already past full retirement age anyway, so even if this were considered earned income (which it's not), the earnings test wouldn't apply to you. Your monthly Social Security payments will continue unchanged. Given your purchase price of $175k and expected sale of $320k, your $145k profit is well under the $250k capital gains exclusion for primary residences, so you likely won't owe federal taxes on the sale either. You're in great shape financially with this decision!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a very similar situation recently. I'm 65 and sold my family home last spring after living there for 15 years. Like you, I was terrified that it would mess with my Social Security benefits that I had just started receiving. After reading through all these responses and having gone through it myself, I can absolutely confirm what everyone is saying - your Social Security checks will not be affected at all. The SSA doesn't consider house sale proceeds as earned income, so it won't trigger any reductions in your monthly payments. What really put my mind at ease was calling SSA directly (took forever to get through, but worth it) and having them confirm this over the phone. They were very clear that only wages and self-employment income count toward the earnings limits, and only if you're under full retirement age anyway. Since you're 67 and well within the capital gains exclusion limits, you're in great shape. The move to a smaller place sounds like a smart financial decision - I love my new smaller home and the reduced maintenance stress!