One additional consideration: If you apply for SSDI and are approved, the benefit amount is typically higher than early retirement for two key reasons: 1. SSDI gives you your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is what you'd receive at full retirement age (67), regardless of your current age 2. Early retirement at 62 reduces your benefit by approximately 30% for the rest of your life Based on your estimate of $1,800/month at age 62, your PIA (and potential SSDI amount) might be closer to $2,550/month. That's a significant difference. However, the key challenge is qualifying for SSDI. The medical requirements are strict, and SSA must determine that your medical condition prevents substantial gainful activity.

Thank you all for the thoughtful responses. After reading through everything, I think I'll take the following approach: 1. Talk to my doctor next week about whether my condition meets SSA's disability criteria and get their opinion on filing for SSDI 2. Make sure my part-time hours keep me under the SGA limit while applying 3. Begin the SSDI application process and see what happens 4. If denied, I'll still have my original plan of taking early retirement at 62 The potential financial difference between SSDI and early retirement seems significant enough to at least try applying. Even if it's a long process, I've still got almost 2 years before I turn 62, so there's time to navigate the system. I really appreciate all the personal experiences and expertise shared here!

Has anyone else noticed that SS offices are STILL not fully staffed after covid?!?! It makes an already difficult system IMPOSSIBLE to navigate!!! My neighbor just waited 3.5 MONTHS for her widow benefits to start!!! She almost lost her house waiting!!

My local office is technically

To clarify some confusion in this thread: The WEP repeal is being implemented in phases according to SSA's official communications. Here's what we know for certain: 1. All WEP adjustments will be processed automatically - no new applications needed 2. Payments will be retroactive to January 2025 3. SSA is updating their systems to handle these recalculations 4. Some beneficiaries will see adjustments sooner than others The reason for different timelines is the sheer volume - approximately 2 million beneficiaries are affected. If you're receiving contradictory information when calling, I recommend asking specifically to speak with a technical benefits advisor who specializes in WEP calculations. Regular representatives may not have access to the most current implementation information.

I just got off the phone with SSA again today (waited 1.5 hours!). The rep I spoke with said they've been told to tell people that all WEP adjustments will be completed "by the end of the year" but he admitted that could easily slip into 2026. He also mentioned they're prioritizing people over 80 years old first. Has anyone else heard this age prioritization thing? I'm 68 so I guess I'll be waiting a while...

i thought they changed the rules so you cant do that file and suspend strategy anymore??

my neighbor said u can file now and then undo it within 12 months if u change ur mind. but u gotta pay back all the $$ they gave u

Has anyone here actually successfully navigated working part-time while collecting early SS benefits? I'm in a similar situation (turning FRA in June 2025) and planned to work 20 hours weekly while collecting. Now I'm terrified after reading this thread! Sounds like a complete nightmare to deal with SSA on this.

After reading all your advice, I think I'm going to wait until my FRA in August to claim benefits. The early claiming penalties plus the headache of monitoring earnings and potentially having benefits withheld just doesn't seem worth it for 7 months of payments. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences! This has saved me from making what sounds like would have been a frustrating mistake. I'll probably still work through October as planned, just without the stress of worrying about SS earnings limits.

If you're just turning 62 next year, here are the most important terms to understand for retirement planning: 1. FRA - Full Retirement Age (67 for you) 2. Early retirement reduction - permanent reduction for claiming before FRA 3. DRCs - Delayed Retirement Credits (8% per year after FRA until 70) 4. Earnings test - limits how much you can earn while collecting benefits before FRA 5. COLA - Cost of Living Adjustments that increase your benefit annually The SSA has a glossary here that's helpful: https://www.ssa.gov/agency/glossary/ Don't worry about memorizing everything - just focus on the terms relevant to your situation.

i remember when i first heard PIA i thought they were talking about a person named Pia lmao

After you get this sorted out, don't forget there might be a one-time death benefit of $255 payable to a surviving spouse or dependent child. If neither exists, this payment isn't made to the estate. It's a small amount but every bit helps with final expenses.

when my aunt died we had to pay back money that came AFTER she died but not the money for when she was alive. i think your bank doesnt understand ss rules. good luck!!!

The whole SS system is SO BROKEN!!! I don't understand why they can't just AUTOMATICALLY put everyone on direct deposit from the start!!! My neighbor had to wait TWENTY THREE DAYS for her first check!!! It's RIDICULOUS!!! When you're counting on that money for bills, waiting weeks is UNACCEPTABLE!!!

Just to clarify some confusion I'm seeing in comments - SSA doesn't automatically enroll everyone in direct deposit because federal law (specifically the Debt Collection Improvement Act) requires them to offer payment choice options. While direct deposit is strongly encouraged, they must provide paper check options for those who request it. For anyone reading this thread who is waiting on their first payment - whether check or direct deposit - here's what typically happens: 1. First payments often take longer (up to 90 days from application approval) 2. Payment dates are based on your birth date (1-10, 11-20, 21-31) 3. First payments sometimes include back pay which can delay processing 4. Paper checks are printed on the payment date, then enter the mail system If it's been more than 10 business days since your scheduled payment date, that's when SSA considers a payment officially delayed and will investigate.

Trying to reach SSA to sort out these benefit questions has been a NIGHTMARE for my family. We spent HOURS on hold trying to figure out my grandmother's final payments. Has anyone found a better way to reach them?

My condelences on ur loss. When I was executor for my sister I learned that you need to notify social security ASAP so they don't keep sending payments. They will actually take back any payment sent for the month the person died in. Also, FYI there's a small one-time death benefit of $255 that someone might be eligible for (usually goes to the spouse but sometimes can go to dependent children).

If you're only one month into receiving benefits, withdrawing your application might be worth considering. Since you mentioned your benefit is $1,450/month at age 62, waiting until your FRA (probably 67) would give you approximately $2,070/month instead. That's a difference of $620/month for life, plus larger cost-of-living adjustments since they're percentage-based. However, you'd need to factor in the 60 months of benefits you'd miss (about $87,000 total) if you waited from 62 to 67. The break-even point would be around age 79-80. If your husband has the significantly larger benefit, another strategy is for him to delay until 70 to maximize his benefit, which will eventually become your survivor benefit if he predeceases you.

This whole system makes me SO ANGRY. Why do they make everything so confusing??? I swear they do it on purpose so people make mistakes and get less money. My neighbor told me there's actually a special handbook SSA employees use that has all the REAL rules that they don't tell us about.