also depends if ur the custodial parent for FAFSA. if ur ex has primary custody and u don't live together, then YOUR income (including SS) isn't even counted on FAFSA. only the custodial parent's income matters.

I just remembered something else!!! If your son is selected for FAFSA verification (which happens randomly to like 30% of applications), they might ask for documentation of Social Security benefits. So make sure whatever you report is accurate because they sometimes check! My son got selected for verification last year and it was such a PAIN getting all the documents together.

@original poster - Yes, that's correct! And here's one more tip: Social Security does a special calculation in your first year of benefits called the "Grace Year" provision. If there's a month where you earn under a certain amount (1/12 of the yearly limit, so about $1,860/month in 2025) AND you don't perform "substantial services" in self-employment, you'll receive your full benefit for that month regardless of your annual earnings. This can be helpful if you have a month with little or no work after you file - you'll get the full benefit for that month even if you exceeded the annual limit with your earnings from earlier months after filing.

@profile8 Yes, it's called the "Monthly Earnings Test" or sometimes the "Grace Year Rule." It only applies in the first year you receive benefits. It means that regardless of your total annual earnings, in any month you earn below the monthly limit AND don't perform substantial self-employment services, you'll receive your benefit for that month. This is particularly useful for people who have high earnings early in the year but then retire or substantially reduce their work mid-year. You can find this in the SSA's Program Operations Manual System (POMS) section RS 02501.080.

THE WHOLE SSI SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST US!!! They DELIBERATELY leave out information so they can pay LESS benefits!!! I've been fighting with them for THREE YEARS about my daughter's benefits and they ALWAYS try to count everything against us but won't count things that would HELP us!!! It's a SYSTEM DESIGNED TO FAIL disabled children!!!!

Make sure you keep a record of everything - all your expenses, who you talked to, when you called, what they said. When I dealt with this for my son's SSI, having detailed notes saved me multiple times. Also bring his medical records with you if you have to go in person again. They like to "lose" important documents.

ya but wont they adjust something if u keep working after 62? my cousin said they recalculate or something later

I went through this exact situation when I retired at 62 but kept my consulting business. I exceeded the limit by about $1,200 my first year. SSA did withhold benefits to recover the overpayment, which was frustrating at the time. However, when I reached my Full Retirement Age (which was 66+2 months for me), my benefit amount was adjusted upward for two reasons: 1. They credited back the early retirement reduction for the months they withheld benefits 2. My continued work actually replaced some lower-earning years in my calculation The increase wasn't huge - about $76 monthly - but it does add up over time. My advice is to keep good records of your earnings and any benefit adjustments. The SSA is generally accurate, but it doesn't hurt to verify their calculations.

@profile7 is right - the mobile app is currently only for SSI recipients, not SSDI. For SSDI, you need to report through your my Social Security account, by phone, or by visiting an office. Thanks for that correction! @OP - Another consideration: if you're planning this transition, consider meeting with a benefits counselor through your state's Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. They provide free benefits counseling to understand exactly how working affects your specific situation. You can find your local WIPA through the SSA website.

I really appreciate all the advice everyone! I'm feeling more confident about trying to return to work with the Trial Work Period protection, and knowing that new earnings could actually increase my future retirement benefits is motivating. I think I'll start with part-time work to test my stamina and use the Ticket to Work program. I'll definitely document everything carefully and use that Claimyr service to talk with SSA directly about my specific situation. The fatigue is still scary, but maybe I can find something that accommodates my condition. Even replacing a few low-earning years in my record would help my long-term financial situation. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and knowledge!

Just to clarify some misinformation I'm seeing in this thread - the distinction between a withdrawal and cancellation/non-claim is important: 1. Withdrawal (Form SSA-521): Used when you've already received benefits and want to pay them back and "reset" as if you never filed. Limited to once per lifetime. 2. Cancellation/Non-claim: Applies when you've filed but benefits haven't started being paid. Not subject to the once-per-lifetime limit. Since you haven't received payments from your new application, you should be eligible for cancellation. The issue is finding someone at SSA who understands this distinction. Request to speak with a Technical Expert specifically about a non-claim, not a withdrawal.

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! I called SSA again today and specifically asked for a Technical Expert as suggested. I explained the difference between withdrawal and non-claim (which the first rep didn't seem to understand). After being transferred, the TE confirmed that since I hadn't received any payments yet, I could indeed file for a non-claim! I'll be sending a written statement to make it official. Such a relief. I plan to maximize my LTD until October and then reassess my options. This forum has been incredibly helpful - I was getting nowhere with the standard SSA phone line. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge!

This happens LITERALLY every year! The SSA is the most dysfunctional agency in government. Last year they sent my 1099 to my old address even though I had updated my information TWICE with them. The year before they had the wrong SSN printed on my form!!! I've learned to just file an extension automatically every year because something always goes wrong with these forms. And yes, I'm still waiting for mine this year too.

Update: I took the advice about requesting a replacement through the online portal, and it worked! Both our 1099s were available to download within 48 hours of making the request. For anyone else still waiting, definitely try the replacement request option instead of just checking for the original. Thanks everyone for your help!

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies! I'm going to gather my DD-214, recent W-2s, and tax returns from the last few years. I'll also prepare a list of my employers for the past 15 years and make sure my bank account info is handy for direct deposit. I'm a bit worried about the phone system issues some of you mentioned. I might try the online application instead, but I have a few complicated questions about my pension that I was hoping to discuss with a representative. I'll definitely get confirmation numbers and names for everyone I speak with. And I'll decide on the tax withholding beforehand - probably going with 10% federal withholding to be safe.

Just thought of something else - if you're planning to continue working, make sure you understand how your earnings might increase your future benefit amount. Even after you start receiving benefits, SSA will automatically recalculate your benefit amount annually if your recent earnings are higher than one of the 35 highest years used in your original calculation. And since you mentioned being a veteran, be sure to check with the VA about any additional benefits you might qualify for. Many veterans don't realize there are pension benefits available through the VA that are separate from Social Security.

The application will ask about your Medicare enrollment status, so just answer those questions accurately. The systems will automatically link once your Social Security benefits are approved. You don't need to take any special action - the transition from direct Medicare premium payments to automatic deductions happens in the background.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I'm planning to submit my application online this weekend, aiming for benefits to start in September. I've created a checklist of documents to have ready based on your suggestions. I feel much more confident about the process now. Will update if I run into any issues!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that you should make an appointment at your local SSA office. While getting someone on the phone is difficult, in-person appointments can be scheduled online. I found it much more helpful to sit down with someone who could look at all my options. For survivor benefits, they often prefer to handle these cases in person anyway. When my sister was widowed, she tried doing everything by phone and ended up with incorrect information.

Thank you all for the helpful information. I think my best strategy is to take the reduced survivor benefits now since I need the additional income, and then switch to my own retirement benefit when I reach FRA. I'll try to get an appointment at the local office and also check out that Claimyr service to speak with someone sooner. I definitely want to make sure I understand exactly how much I'll receive and how my part-time work will affect things before making any decisions. This community has been so helpful!