My husband faced the same question last year. Just want to add that when you apply online they actually help walk you through picking the right start date. The system asks when you want your benefits to begin and has information explaining how benefits are paid for each month. Super straightforward process once you get there!

Just went through this exact situation last year! The key thing to remember is that Social Security benefits are calculated and paid by full months, not by specific dates. Since you reached FRA on July 18, 2024, if you want to work exactly one additional year, you should apply for benefits to start on August 1, 2025. This ensures you get full delayed retirement credit for July 2025. The application process is actually pretty user-friendly online - they walk you through selecting the right start date. I'd recommend applying about 3 months ahead of time (around May 2025) to avoid any processing delays. You'll get that nice 8% annual boost for each year you delay past FRA!

I'm 68 and went through all this Medicare enrollment chaos two years ago - this thread brings back so many memories! What's really troubling is how much more sophisticated these scams have gotten since then. I remember getting maybe one or two suspicious emails, but it sounds like you folks are getting bombarded with them now. One thing I learned the hard way: even if you think you're being careful, these scammers are getting incredibly good at psychological manipulation. They sent me a fake "Medicare card replacement" email right after I had legitimately lost my card, and I almost fell for it because the timing seemed too coincidental to be fake. Thankfully I called my local SSA office first (after waiting 90 minutes!) and they confirmed it was a scam. Here's something nobody mentioned yet - keep a written log of ALL your legitimate government interactions: dates you called, reference numbers, what you discussed, etc. When I get suspicious emails now, I can quickly check my log to see if there's any legitimate reason I'd be getting that communication. It's saved me multiple times from second-guessing myself. Also, tell your adult children about these scams! My daughter now helps me review any government-related emails before I respond to anything. Having an extra set of eyes really helps, especially when you're stressed or dealing with health issues that might affect your judgment. Stay vigilant everyone - unfortunately these scams are only going to get worse as more of us age into Medicare eligibility.

I'm 56 and this discussion has been absolutely crucial for me to read! While I still have several years before Medicare, I'm already seeing how important it is to get educated about these scams early. What really alarms me is how these criminals are specifically targeting people during one of the most stressful and confusing periods of our lives - when we're trying to navigate Medicare enrollment and Social Security for the first time. The fake domain example "ssa-services.gov" is terrifying because I probably would have missed that subtle difference too, especially if I was already overwhelmed with legitimate paperwork. I'm implementing several strategies from this thread immediately: setting up a dedicated government email account, enabling two-factor authentication on my future SSA account, and starting that written log of government interactions that Freya mentioned. What gives me hope is seeing how this community is actively sharing knowledge to protect each other. By the time I reach Medicare age, I'll be much better prepared thanks to everyone's experiences shared here. I'm also going to make sure my parents (who are in their 80s) know about these specific scam tactics - they might be getting targeted too but not recognizing the signs. Thank you Lucas for posting this important warning, and thanks to everyone who shared such detailed advice. This thread is going to help protect so many people from these increasingly sophisticated scammers!

I'm currently dealing with this exact same frustrating situation! Filed for my benefits at 65 three weeks ago, my husband has been collecting since he turned 70 last year ($3,750/month), and I got my award letter showing only my reduced retirement benefit of $1,295/month with absolutely no mention of spousal benefits despite clearly qualifying under deemed filing. Called SSA twice and got that same maddening "no record of spousal benefits application" response both times, even though I specifically noted it in my application and assumed deemed filing made it automatic! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - I was really starting to panic that I had somehow screwed up my application, but it's obvious this is a widespread systemic processing issue. What's been most helpful from all these stories is understanding that the separate appointments are normal procedure and that backpay will go back to the original filing date once everything gets processed. I have my appointment scheduled for this Thursday and now I know to expect my husband to get one too. It's honestly unbelievable that something called "deemed filing" - which is literally supposed to be AUTOMATIC - consistently requires multiple phone calls, appointments, and months of follow-up to actually function. But this community sharing real experiences has been more valuable than hours spent trying to navigate SSA's confusing website! I'll definitely update after our appointments to help others going through this same bureaucratic nightmare.

I'm currently going through this exact same issue and it's incredibly frustrating! Filed for my benefits at 66 last month (born in 1959), my husband has been collecting since he turned 70 ($3,875/month), and I received my award letter showing only my reduced retirement benefit of $1,380/month with zero mention of spousal benefits despite clearly qualifying under deemed filing rules. When I called SSA last week, I got that same infuriating "no record of spousal benefits application" response that so many others here have described. I was starting to think I had somehow messed up my application, but reading through all these experiences has been such a relief - it's clearly a widespread systemic processing problem, not something we did wrong individually. What's been most reassuring from everyone's stories is learning that the separate appointments are actually normal procedure and that backpay will go back to the original filing date once everything gets processed. I have my appointment scheduled for next Tuesday and now I expect my husband will get one too. It's honestly shocking that something called "deemed filing" - which is supposed to be AUTOMATIC - consistently requires multiple phone calls and appointments to actually work properly. But this community sharing real experiences has been more valuable than anything I could find on SSA's website. I'll definitely update after our appointments to help others navigate this same bureaucratic mess!

Wow, this thread has been incredibly educational! I'm not even close to retirement age yet, but reading through all these detailed explanations about the earnings test and benefit timing has really opened my eyes to how complex Social Security planning can be. The consensus here is so clear - waiting until January 2026 is absolutely the smart move in your situation. The difference between potentially losing over $16,000 in benefits versus only about $340-680 is just massive! It's amazing how one month can make such a huge financial difference. What really struck me is how many people mentioned they almost made the same mistake of filing in December without realizing the impact. It seems like this is a really common trap that people fall into. The fact that SSA applies the annual earnings test to your entire year's income, even if you're only collecting benefits for one month, seems particularly harsh but good to know about in advance. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise - this is exactly the kind of practical advice that makes this community so valuable. Even though I won't need this information for years, I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference!

This has been such a comprehensive discussion! As someone who's helped many clients navigate Social Security timing decisions, I want to emphasize one additional consideration that hasn't been fully addressed yet: the psychological aspect of this choice. Many people feel anxious about "leaving money on the table" by not starting benefits as soon as they're eligible, especially when they see that first month of December 2025 as a "lost" benefit payment. But as everyone here has clearly demonstrated with the math, that perceived "lost" month would actually cost you thousands in withheld benefits due to the earnings test. The other thing worth noting is that once you make this timing decision, it sets the foundation for your entire Social Security strategy going forward. Starting in January 2026 with minimal benefit withholding gives you a clean slate and predictable monthly payments, which makes financial planning much easier in early retirement. Also, don't forget to factor in Medicare timing if that's relevant to your situation. While Medicare eligibility starts at 65 regardless of when you claim Social Security, having a clear Social Security benefit timeline can help with overall healthcare and retirement planning. You're making a very well-informed decision based on excellent community advice. January 2026 is definitely the way to go!

I'm really sorry you're facing this difficult situation. As others have confirmed, unfortunately your daughter's survivor benefit won't increase when your benefits stop - each person gets their own calculated amount and when one becomes ineligible, that portion just ends. One thing I wanted to add that might help with planning: since you mentioned your daughter previously qualified for SSI but lost it when survivor benefits increased, you should definitely keep that SSI case information handy. If her survivor benefits ever decrease in the future (like if there are changes to the calculation), she might become eligible for SSI again to make up the difference. SSI acts as a safety net when other benefits aren't enough to meet basic needs. Also, for the DAC application, make sure you're emphasizing how her autism and cognitive delays will prevent her from being able to work and support herself as an adult. SSA looks at whether someone can do "substantial gainful activity" - so document things like her inability to handle workplace social interactions, follow complex instructions, manage time/schedules independently, or cope with workplace stress and changes in routine. I know this is incredibly stressful, but you're doing all the right things by planning ahead and fighting for her benefits. The DAC benefits could provide lifelong financial security for her, so it's definitely worth persisting through the application process even if it takes multiple attempts.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this incredibly stressful situation. As a parent of a child with disabilities myself, I completely understand the anxiety about financial security and navigating SSA's complex system. From what I've learned through my own experience and from reading the excellent advice here, you're unfortunately correct that your daughter's survivor benefit won't increase when your benefits stop at her age 16. The benefits are calculated individually, and losing one beneficiary doesn't redistribute that amount to others. One thing I'd suggest that hasn't been mentioned yet is to start documenting your daughter's daily support needs in a journal format. Write down specific examples of assistance she needs with tasks like personal hygiene, meal preparation, money management, safety awareness, etc. This creates a clear picture of her functional limitations that goes beyond medical reports. I found this really helpful when we were going through our own disability determination process. Also, when you do get that job, consider asking HR about any employee assistance programs or disability-related benefits they might offer. Some employers have resources for employees caring for family members with disabilities that could provide additional support during this transition. You're clearly an amazing advocate for your daughter, and your proactive planning shows incredible dedication. The system is frustrating and confusing, but don't give up on the DAC benefits - they could provide that crucial long-term security she'll need. Wishing you strength and success in this process.