This is such great news! I'm so glad you found a benefits counselor who could walk through the numbers with you. The 20 hours/week plan sounds very reasonable and gives your son a real chance to build work experience without jeopardizing his benefits. One thing I'd add - make sure to keep detailed records of his actual hours and wages each month, not just what's planned. Sometimes retail schedules can fluctuate, and you want to make sure you're tracking if he accidentally goes over in any given month. Also, don't forget to report his work activity to SSA proactively, even though he's staying under the limits. It's better to over-communicate than have them think you're hiding something later. Good luck to your son with his new job opportunity!

As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this thread with great interest since I'm facing a similar situation with my own adult daughter who has disabilities. The information everyone has shared here is incredibly valuable. I wanted to add one thing that might be helpful - when you do connect with SSA (hopefully through that Claimyr service), ask them about getting a written confirmation of your son's work plan. Some offices will provide a letter stating that working X hours at Y wage should not affect benefits, which can be helpful documentation if any issues arise later. Also, I noticed several people mentioned the importance of keeping detailed records. Consider setting up a simple spreadsheet to track his monthly earnings, hours worked, and any communications with SSA. This has been a lifesaver for families I know who've had to dispute overpayments or other issues. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - both the success stories and the warnings. It's clear this system requires careful navigation, but it's encouraging to see that with the right preparation and professional guidance, it is possible for our kids to work while maintaining their benefits.

I work as a benefits counselor and see this situation frequently. You're absolutely eligible for the spousal benefit increase! Since you're 72 (past your FRA) and your husband is receiving retirement benefits, you can apply for spousal benefits immediately. You'll receive your current $1,250 plus approximately $175 monthly to reach the spousal benefit amount. A few important tips: - Don't delay applying - you can only get up to 6 months of retroactive payments - When you call SSA, ask specifically for "excess spousal benefits" - Consider visiting your local SSA office if phone wait times are too long - Have your husband's Social Security number ready when you apply The application process is straightforward once you reach someone. You're looking at an extra $2,100+ annually, so it's definitely worth pursuing. Good luck getting through to them!

I went through something very similar about 18 months ago! I had been collecting my reduced retirement benefit since age 62, and when my husband finally filed for his benefits at his FRA, I had no idea I could get additional spousal benefits. Like you, I couldn't get through on the phone - it was incredibly frustrating. What finally worked for me was going to my local SSA office first thing in the morning without an appointment. I got there about 30 minutes before they opened and was one of the first people seen. The whole process took about 45 minutes once I sat down with a representative. They were able to calculate my excess spousal benefit on the spot and process the application immediately. In my case, I started receiving the additional amount the following month, plus they gave me 4 months of retroactive payments (I wish I had known sooner!). The extra monthly amount has been a real help with rising costs. One thing the representative emphasized was that I needed to specifically ask for the spousal benefit application - they don't automatically check if you're eligible for higher benefits. Definitely don't wait any longer since you're already missing out on money you're entitled to!

To summarize what everyone is saying (correctly): 1. The 45-hour per month limitation is ONLY for self-employed individuals who own or have substantial interest in a business. 2. As a 1099 independent contractor with no ownership stake, you're only subject to the annual earnings limit ($24,780 for 2025 if you're under full retirement age). 3. You can work any number of hours as long as your earnings stay under that threshold. 4. Make sure you have documentation that clearly shows you're truly an independent contractor and not a disguised business owner. 5. Be aware that if you exceed the annual limit, SSA will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit. One additional note: Keep track of your projected annual earnings carefully. If you think you might exceed the limit, it's better to report this to SSA proactively than to face an overpayment notice later.

Yes, that's correct about the monthly earnings test in your first year. For the remainder of 2025 after you start receiving benefits in April, you'll be subject to a monthly limit (approximately $2,065 based on the $24,780 annual limit) rather than the annual limit. So from April-December 2025, you'd need to keep your earnings under $2,065 each month. Then in 2026, it switches to the annual limit instead of monthly. This is actually helpful for many people because it allows you to earn whatever you want in the months before you start collecting benefits (January-March 2025 in your case).

I'm so sorry for your loss, Chloe. This has been such an incredibly helpful and comprehensive thread! As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by the depth of knowledge and support everyone has shared. I wanted to add one small tip that might help - when you do get your appointment with SSA, consider asking them about the "protective filing date." If you're close to your 66y 6m birthday, you can sometimes establish an earlier application date even if you haven't completed all the paperwork yet. This can help ensure you don't miss any benefits if there are processing delays. Also, I noticed several people mentioned keeping records of conversations. You might want to ask the SSA representative for their direct phone number or extension if possible. While they can't always provide this, some offices will give you a way to reach the same person for follow-up questions, which can be really helpful for continuity. The consensus here is crystal clear - once you reach your survivor benefit FRA at 66y 6m, you can work and earn unlimited income without any reduction to your benefits. The strategic planning advice about potentially switching to your own retirement benefit later is excellent too. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. The practical tips about calling early, using the online contact form, and documenting everything will be valuable for anyone navigating the SSA system. Wishing you strength and clarity as you work through this process, Chloe.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Chloe. This thread has been incredibly informative and I'm grateful to everyone who shared their experiences. As someone who recently went through the Social Security application process (though for disability rather than survivor benefits), I wanted to echo the importance of the documentation strategies mentioned here. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple checklist before each SSA interaction that included: 1) specific questions to ask, 2) documents I might need to reference, and 3) space to write down the representative's name and ID number. This made every conversation more productive and gave me a clear record to refer back to. The clarity around the earnings test based on survivor benefit FRA (66y 6m for you) rather than retirement FRA has been really helpful to understand. It's such a relief that once you reach that milestone, you can work without worrying about benefit reductions. The strategic advice about potentially taking survivor benefits now and switching to your own retirement benefit later (if higher) is brilliant planning. Having SSA run those "what-if" calculations as Isabella and others mentioned will really help you make the best long-term decision. Best wishes as you navigate this process - you're clearly approaching it with great care and preparation!

One thing to keep in mind is that the earnings test only counts wages and self-employment income - not pensions, 401k withdrawals, investment income, or rental income. So if you have other sources of income besides your part-time job, those won't count toward the $23,400 limit. Also, when you do reach your Full Retirement Age at 67, not only does the earnings limit disappear completely, but SSA will recalculate your benefit to account for all those months where benefits were withheld due to excess earnings. It's like getting credit back for the time you "lost" benefits, which partially makes up for what was withheld earlier.

Just wanted to add that if you're planning to work part-time after claiming at 62, it might be worth calculating whether it makes financial sense. Sometimes the combination of taxes on your SS benefits (since you'll have other income) plus the earnings test withholding can make working less attractive than you'd think. I used the SSA's online calculator at ssa.gov to model different scenarios - you can input your expected earnings and see how it affects your benefits. Also, don't forget that if you're still working, you'll continue paying into Social Security, which could increase your future benefit amount since they recalculate using your highest 35 years of earnings!