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Yes, those would definitely count as IRWEs! Specialized footwear prescribed for your condition and transportation costs because you can't drive due to your medical condition are classic examples of IRWEs. You should document these expenses carefully, keep receipts, and report them to SSA. They'll adjust your countable earnings accordingly. This could allow you to work more hours or earn a bit more while still staying under the SGA threshold for SSDI purposes.
Thanks for confirming! This is so helpful. I'm going to start documenting these expenses immediately and will include them in my next earnings report to SSA.
ya my sister gets disability too and says its rly important to keep ur pay stubs and report ur earnings each month even when ur under the limit that way they cant come back later and say u never told them u were working
Good point. I've been reporting quarterly but maybe I should switch to monthly reporting to be extra safe. Thanks!
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Just wanted to add that it's usually better to wait until your full retirement age (67 for you probably?) if you can afford to. Your benefit increases a lot if you wait.
Thanks for the suggestion. We've thought about that, but our plan is for me to start at 62 and my husband to file at his FRA. Since I stopped working early due to health issues, we figure it makes sense to take the benefits sooner rather than later in my case.
One other thing to consider is that if you claim at 62, you'll be subject to the earnings test if you decide to return to work before your full retirement age. In 2025, you can only earn about $22,320 before they start withholding $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above that limit. Just something to keep in mind if there's any chance you might work part-time in the future.
That's good to know, but I don't think it will be an issue in my case. My health situation isn't likely to improve enough for me to return to work. But I appreciate you bringing it up - there's so much to consider with Social Security!
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Wait I'm confused now... do they add the new earnings or replace old years? I thought they just keep adding more years to the calculation?
They don't add more years to the calculation - it's always based on exactly 35 years. If you've worked more than 35 years (which most people at FRA have), then SSA takes your highest 35 years of earnings, not just the most recent ones. So when you work after claiming benefits, if that new year of earnings is higher than your lowest year in the current 35-year calculation, the new higher year replaces the old lower year, potentially raising your benefit amount.
My brother in law said he got a $200 increase after working one more year so something seems off with what everyone is saying about small increases???
A $200 increase from one additional year of work is possible but unusual. This could happen in specific circumstances: 1) If he had a very low earning year in his top 35 that got replaced by a very high earning year, 2) If he had fewer than 35 years of earnings previously, so the new year filled in a 'zero' year, or 3) If there was a correction to his earnings record at the same time as the recomputation. Without knowing his specific situation, it's hard to say, but increases in the $20-50 range are much more typical for most workers.
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The original poster asked about HUSBAND'S benefits? Are you a woman married to a man or are you in a same-sex marriage? The rules are the same now for all marriages since the Supreme Court decision, but some of the SSA materials still use gendered language which can be confusing.
Yes, I'm a woman married to a man - sorry if that wasn't clear! I was just trying to understand if I qualify for spousal benefits based on my husband's work record since he earned a lot more than me over his career.
I just went through this exact situation with my wife!!! The whole system is SO COMPLICATED. We spent hours trying to figure out the best strategy. Even with the 1-year rule confirmed, there's still a million other factors that affect how much you'll actually get. We ended up scheduling an appointment at our local office which took 6 WEEKS to get but at least we got actual answers.
You're absolutely right about the complexity. Here's a simplified breakdown for the original poster: 1. Current spouses need 1 year of marriage to qualify for spousal benefits 2. Divorced spouses need 10 years of marriage and must remain unmarried 3. Taking spousal benefits before Full Retirement Age reduces the amount permanently 4. You must choose between your own benefit or spousal benefit - you get whichever is higher 5. Your spouse generally needs to file for their benefits before you can collect spousal benefits There are exceptions to #5 for cases where you have a child under 16 or a disabled child.
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Since you mentioned you're 63, I should add some important information about survivor benefits. At your age, you would receive approximately 79.6% of your husband's full benefit amount if you claim now. If you wait until your Full Retirement Age (66 plus a few months, depending on your birth year), you would receive 100% of what your husband was receiving. If you have your own work record, you could potentially: 1. Take reduced survivor benefits now and switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 (if your benefit would be higher) 2. Take your own reduced retirement benefit now and switch to survivor benefits at your FRA This is one of the few remaining options for strategic claiming. The SSA representative should discuss these options during your interview, but many don't explain it thoroughly. It's worth asking specifically about your optimal filing strategy.
This is incredibly helpful! I do have my own work record but haven't worked in the last 10 years. I had no idea I could potentially switch between benefits. I'll definitely ask about this during my interview.
Just wondering - did anyone have trouble with backpay for survivor benefits? My mom passed in December and I've been trying to apply since January but can't get an appointment until next month. Will they backdate the benefits to when she died?
They typically backdate survivor benefits to the month of death if you apply within 6 months. After that, they generally only backdate 6 months from when you apply. So you should be fine for full backpay since you're still within that window.
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Doesn't matter actually if he applies now or not! survivor benefits are the same either way! someone told me this at my husband's funeral
I'm afraid that's not accurate. Whether your brother-in-law applies for benefits before passing does impact the survivor benefit calculation. If he doesn't apply at all, your sister's survivor benefit would be based on his full PIA (Primary Insurance Amount). If he applies early, the RIB-LIM provision would limit her survivor benefit as explained above. This is why getting accurate information directly from SSA is crucial.
Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. This is more complicated than I realized, but I now have a much better understanding of how the survivor benefits work. My sister and I will help my brother-in-law contact Social Security this week to discuss their specific situation and get accurate benefit estimates. It sounds like there are advantages and disadvantages to filing now versus not filing, and we need to understand those tradeoffs based on their specific benefit amounts. We'll also look into that service for connecting with SSA more quickly. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge during this difficult time.
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Yes, the IRMAA amounts adjust each year based on your tax returns from 2 years prior. So in 2025, your Medicare premiums will be based on your 2023 income. But once you're retired with lower income, you can file Form SSA-44 (Life-Changing Event) to request an immediate reduction in your IRMAA if you've experienced a work stoppage or reduction. About your original question: you're making the right choice by separating the Medicare and Social Security decisions. Each month you delay SS after FRA increases your benefit by 2/3 of 1%, which is 8% per year - that's a guaranteed return you can't beat elsewhere!
Thank you! I'll look into that SSA-44 form. And yes, the 8% increase for delaying SS is exactly why my financial advisor suggested waiting. I just wasn't sure if I could do Medicare separately. Everyone here has been so helpful!
Did anyone mention Medigap vs Medicare Advantage? That's another big decision you need to make when signing up for Medicare. I went with Advantage because it was cheaper upfront but now I'm regretting it because of all the authorization requirements and network limitations.
i went with medigap plan G + part D and its working great for me. costs more each month but almost zero out of pocket when i go to dr. and i can see ANY doctor who takes medicare, no networks to worry about. def worth considering if u can afford the monthly premium
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Whatever you decide dont forget that Medicare doesn't start till 65 even if you take SS early! Made that mistake and had a gap in coverage. Just fyi
Good point about Medicare! I do have insurance through my employer currently, but that's definitely something I'll need to factor into any decision about when to retire.
One additional consideration: If your disabled adult child is receiving benefits on your ex-husband's record, it's important to understand how any changes to your situation might affect those benefits. When your ex-husband passes away, your child will convert to survivor benefits on his record. If you file for your own benefits and later pass away, SSA will compare the benefit amounts and pay whichever is higher. Also, once you reach your FRA (67), the earnings test no longer applies, so you could claim benefits and continue working with no reduction. Many people find this to be the optimal strategy - work as long as possible and claim at FRA or even delay to age 70 if your health and employment situation allows.
Thank you for this additional information. I hadn't thought about how my benefits might affect my child's benefits in the future. I think I need to make an appointment with SSA to discuss all these scenarios and make sure I understand the implications for both of us long-term.
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Yes, you can submit both forms together. The $255 death benefit application is form SSA-8, and it's fairly straightforward. Just be aware that you typically need to apply for this within two years of the death. One final tip - keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit, and if possible, submit the forms in person at your local SSA office and ask for a receipt. This creates a clear paper trail in case anything gets lost in processing (which happens more often than it should).
The keeping copies thing is SO IMPORTANT!!!! I learned this the hard way when SS claimed they never got my moms death certificate even though I sent it twice!! Had to start all over again 😡
Thank you all so much for this helpful information! I feel much more confident about handling this now. I'll make sure to: 1. Complete the SSA-1724-F4 form (without worrying about listing the amount) 2. Include my executor documents and his death certificate 3. Apply for the $255 death benefit with form SSA-8 4. Keep copies of everything 5. Try to submit in person if possible It's frustrating that these processes aren't more clearly explained by SSA, especially during such a difficult time. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share your experiences and advice.
You're welcome! And yes, the lack of clear instructions makes everything harder. Don't hesitate to come back and ask if you run into any other issues. We've all been there and understand how overwhelming it can be.
Brady Clean
doesn't matter when you file, your husband probably gets $0 either way because of GPO. my dad's friend went through this and got nothing from his wife's SS.
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Connor Rupert
Thank you all for the helpful information! I've decided to stick with my plan to file at 70 to maximize my benefit. Even though my husband probably won't get spousal benefits due to GPO, the survivor benefit possibility makes it worthwhile. Going to schedule an appointment with SSA to get exact calculations for our situation. Appreciate all the responses!
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Molly Hansen
•That's a wise decision. Maximizing your benefit to $3,500 at age 70 (instead of taking roughly $2,500 at your current age) gives you an extra $1,000/month for life, and potentially provides your husband some survivor benefits if you predecease him. The GPO can be frustrating, but understanding it helps you make the best decision for your circumstances.
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