I'm dealing with something similar - trying to get information about disability benefits after a work injury, and the phone system has been absolutely useless for over a month! Reading through everyone's suggestions here has been more helpful than anything I've found on the SSA website. I'm going to try the 8:00 AM sharp calling strategy tomorrow, and if that doesn't work, I'll definitely look into the Area Agency on Aging option - I had no idea that resource existed. The fact that they have special relationships with SSA and can advocate for people sounds like exactly what we need when the normal channels are completely broken. For anyone else still struggling with this, it sounds like the key successful strategies from this thread are: 1. Call at exactly 8:00 AM (not 8:01!) 2. Press 0 repeatedly during the automated menu 3. Try Tuesday/Wednesday instead of Monday/Friday 4. Contact your Area Agency on Aging for help 5. Consider mailing forms when possible (like the SS-5 for name changes) 6. Contact your congressional representative as a last resort Thanks to everyone who shared what actually worked - it's so frustrating that we need workarounds just to access basic government services, but at least we're helping each other figure it out!

I just wanted to add another option that worked for a friend of mine who was in a similar situation with SSA last year. She ended up using her local library's computer assistance program - many libraries have staff who help seniors navigate government websites and can sit with you while you try to create online accounts or submit forms. The librarian at her branch was familiar with the SSA website issues and knew some tricks for getting past the identity verification problems that seem to trip up a lot of people. They also helped her properly scan and upload documents, which can be tricky if you're not tech-savvy. Plus, libraries often have more stable internet connections than home wifi, which might help with those frustrating website crashes. It's worth calling your local library to ask if they offer this kind of digital assistance - many do, especially for government services. Even if they can't help directly with SSA, they might know about other local resources or senior centers that offer similar support. Also wanted to echo what others said about persistence paying off - don't give up! The system is definitely broken, but people ARE getting through eventually with these strategies. Good luck to everyone still fighting this battle!

Thanks everyone for the advice. I tried that Claimyr service mentioned above and actually got through to SSA this morning! The agent said for my situation (I'm affected by WEP), I need to send a copy of my updated pension statement showing both the previous amount and new amount after COLA. She said I could either upload it through my MySocialSecurity Message Center (she walked me through where to find it) or fax it to my local office. She also made a note in my file that I called about this. Feeling much better now that I know what to do!

Great to hear you got through and got clear instructions! For others reading this thread, I want to emphasize what @NightOwl42 said about keeping copies. I've been dealing with SSA for years and documentation is EVERYTHING. When you upload through the Message Center, take a screenshot showing it was successfully submitted. If you fax, keep the transmission report. And always note down the date, time, and name of any agent you speak with. SSA's record-keeping isn't perfect, so having your own paper trail can save you major headaches down the road if there are any disputes later.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation at 63 and have been nervous about even considering part-time work while on SSDI. Reading everyone's experiences, especially those who've successfully managed to work while keeping their benefits, gives me hope. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - I recently discovered that some local disability resource centers offer free one-on-one counseling about work incentives. I found mine through the state vocational rehabilitation office, and the counselor walked me through scenarios specific to my situation without the long wait times mentioned for WIPA services. Also, for anyone worried about overpayments, I learned that you can request a "waiver" if SSA determines you weren't at fault for the overpayment and paying it back would cause financial hardship. It's not automatic, but it's an option that exists. @Yara, your plan to start small and document everything sounds perfect. The peace of mind of keeping your Medicare alone makes the cautious approach worth it. Wishing you success with your part-time work search!

I've been following this discussion and wanted to share some additional resources that have been helpful for me while navigating SSDI work rules. First, the SSA Red Book (available free online) is incredibly detailed about all work incentives and rules - it's technical but comprehensive. Second, many states have "Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach" (BPAO) programs that are different from WIPA and sometimes have shorter wait times. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA) provision. If you try working but have to stop within 6 months due to your disability or because work accommodations weren't adequate, those earnings might not count against you. It's worth knowing about as a safety net. Also, for tax purposes, remember that SSDI benefits may become taxable if your combined income (including work earnings) exceeds certain thresholds - something to factor into your financial planning. @Yara, your cautious approach is wise. The extra documentation and slow start will serve you well. Many of us have successfully balanced part-time work with SSDI - it just takes patience and careful record-keeping!

This has been such a comprehensive discussion! As someone who just turned 65 and is starting to navigate these decisions, I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their real-world experiences and insights. I wanted to add one more resource that helped me understand the FRA timing - the SSA has a publication called "When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits" (Publication No. 05-10147) that explicitly states the "first of the month" rule. It's available as a PDF on their website and really helped confirm what everyone here has explained so clearly. For those debating whether to delay past FRA, one factor I haven't seen mentioned is considering your spouse's age and work history. In my case, my wife is 3 years younger and has a much lower earnings history. If I delay my benefits until 70 to maximize them, that also maximizes the potential survivor benefit she'd receive if I pass away first. Given that women typically live longer than men, this could provide her with significantly more monthly income for potentially many years. The break-even analysis isn't just about my own longevity - it's about ensuring my spouse is financially secure too. That perspective has really influenced my thinking about whether the delayed retirement credits are worth it. This community has been incredibly helpful in understanding these complex decisions. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who's 64 and was completely lost about Social Security timing, reading through everyone's experiences has been like getting a master class in retirement planning. I wanted to share something I discovered that might help others - if you're still working when you reach FRA, there's actually no earnings limit once you hit your full retirement age. Before FRA, there are earnings limits that can reduce your benefits temporarily, but those go away completely at FRA. This might influence your decision about when to file, especially if you're planning to continue working part-time in retirement. Also, I noticed several people mentioned the complexity of coordinating Social Security with other retirement income sources. One thing my accountant pointed out is that if you have significant traditional IRA/401k balances, the required minimum distributions starting at age 73 could push you into higher tax brackets and make more of your Social Security benefits taxable. This is another factor to consider when deciding whether to delay Social Security and do Roth conversions during those gap years. The survivor benefit discussion has really opened my eyes too. I'm the higher earner in my marriage, and maximizing my benefit through delayed retirement credits isn't just about me - it's about setting up my spouse for financial security later in life. Thank you to everyone who's contributed to this discussion. The real-world insights and experiences shared here are so much more valuable than trying to decipher government websites alone!

I'm in a very similar situation and have been researching this extensively! You're right to be confused - there's a lot of outdated information floating around about Social Security strategies that don't work anymore. As others have mentioned, the restricted application strategy ended with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. But here's something that might help with your decision-making: since your own benefit ($2,100 at FRA) is already higher than what you'd get in spousal benefits anyway, you're essentially choosing between taking your reduced benefit now versus your full benefit later (or even larger if you wait until 70). I've been using the SSA's online calculators and also found a really helpful break-even analysis tool on their website. For most people in our situation, if you expect to live past about age 78-80, waiting until FRA usually comes out ahead financially. One thing I'd suggest is creating an account on ssa.gov if you haven't already - you can see your exact benefit estimates at different claiming ages, which might help you make a more informed decision based on your specific numbers rather than estimates.

I've been following this discussion and wanted to add something that might be helpful for your planning. Since you mentioned you're turning 62 in March, you actually have a few months to really crunch the numbers and make sure you're making the best decision. One thing I learned when I was researching my own Social Security strategy is that the monthly reduction for claiming at 62 versus FRA is actually quite significant - about 25-30% depending on your exact birth year. In your case, that would bring your $2,100 down to somewhere around $1,470-$1,575 per month permanently. Given that your husband is already collecting his $2,800 monthly, you might want to consider whether you really need that extra income right now versus the substantial increase you'd get by waiting 5 years. The difference between claiming at 62 versus 67 would be about $525-630 per month for the rest of your life. Also, don't forget that if you do claim early and continue working, you might hit the earnings test limits which could temporarily reduce your benefits anyway. Just something else to factor into your decision!