What a thoughtful and comprehensive discussion! As someone who just went through this exact decision at 68, I wanted to share my experience since it might be helpful. I was in a very similar situation - still working as a project manager earning around $110,000 and torn between taking benefits or waiting until 70. After reading through discussions like this one and running detailed tax calculations, I decided to start my benefits at 68 and I'm glad I did. Here's what ultimately swayed me: When I calculated the REAL difference after taxes and higher Medicare premiums, that $250 monthly difference shrunk to about $160 net. Then I considered what I could do with 24 months of payments ($160 x 24 = $3,840 in net difference over two years) versus the uncertainty of whether I'd live long enough to break even. The psychological impact has been significant too. Having that steady income stream has given me much more confidence at work - I feel less dependent on my employer and more willing to speak up about issues or potentially reduce my hours if I want to. That peace of mind alone has been worth it. One practical tip: I set up automatic investment of my SS payments into a conservative portfolio. This way, I'm still growing the money while having the security of knowing it's mine regardless of what happens with my health or the economy. The decision is deeply personal, but don't let anyone pressure you into the "mathematically optimal" choice if it doesn't feel right for your situation. Sometimes the bird in the hand really is worth more than two in the bush.

I'm 66 and facing this same decision in a couple of years, so I've been following this discussion with great interest. What really strikes me from reading everyone's experiences is how this goes far beyond just the math - there are so many personal factors that the break-even calculators simply can't account for. The stories about family members who waited and passed away early are particularly sobering. My father always told me "you never know what tomorrow brings," and while the 8% guaranteed increase sounds great on paper, there's real wisdom in the "bird in hand" philosophy that several people have mentioned. I'm especially grateful for the detailed discussion about tax implications and IRMAA calculations. @Ravi Sharma's breakdown of how Social Security benefits get taxed at different income levels was incredibly helpful, and @PixelPioneer's real-world example of how that $250 monthly difference shrinks to $160 after taxes really puts things in perspective. The psychological benefits that multiple people have mentioned - workplace confidence, peace of mind, freedom to make different work choices - these seem like legitimate factors that are hard to quantify but genuinely valuable. Having that guaranteed income stream while you're still healthy and able to enjoy it could be worth more than maximizing the dollar amount on paper. Thanks to everyone for sharing such personal insights. This kind of community wisdom is exactly what those of us approaching these decisions need alongside the official guidance and calculators.

Great discussion everyone! As someone new to this community, I wanted to add that it's also worth checking if your state has any additional survivor benefits or programs that might complement Social Security. Some states offer property tax exemptions or other assistance for surviving spouses. Also, don't forget to update beneficiaries on all your accounts (401k, IRA, life insurance, etc.) as part of your planning - these aren't affected by Social Security rules but are crucial for comprehensive survivor planning. The strategy discussions here about timing different benefits are really eye-opening!

As a newcomer here, I want to echo what others have said about getting professional advice on this complex topic. One thing I learned when helping my aunt through this process is that Social Security has a specific order for how they process survivor applications - they'll actually backdate benefits to the month after death if you apply within certain timeframes, but there are strict deadlines. Also, if you're considering the strategy of taking your own benefit first then switching to survivor benefits later, make sure to get that plan in writing from SSA before implementing it, because different agents sometimes give conflicting advice. The rules are so intricate that even small timing differences can cost thousands over the years. Great question and really helpful responses from everyone!

wait i just realized something do you have a health savings account HSA with your work plan?? if you do, once you have ANY medicare (even just part A) you CANNOT contribute to HSA anymore!!! found this out hardway

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you apply for Social Security benefits, they'll ask about your current work situation during the application process. Be completely honest about your part-time employment and income. Since you're at FRA, it won't reduce your benefits at all, but accurate reporting helps ensure everything is processed smoothly. I'd also suggest keeping good records of your work hours and pay stubs, especially during your first few months of collecting benefits, just in case SS ever has questions. The combination of SS benefits + part-time work income can be a great financial setup at FRA!

As someone who's been through this exact scenario, I can confirm what others have said - SSA doesn't make proactive projections based on your early-year earnings. They work with actual reported data. However, I'd strongly recommend setting up a my Social Security account online if you don't already have one. You can monitor your earnings record there and see what's been reported by your employer throughout the year. One thing to keep in mind with retail work is that your employer reports wages quarterly, so there might be a slight delay in what shows up in SSA's system versus your actual pay dates. This is usually not an issue, but it's good to be aware of the timing. Your plan to scale back hours later in the year should work perfectly with both the annual and monthly earnings tests.

One additional consideration for your situation - since you're working retail, make sure you understand how any potential overtime or holiday pay might affect your monthly earnings calculations. Retail often has busy periods (like back-to-school or holidays) where extra hours or premium pay could push you over that $1,950 monthly limit even if your regular schedule keeps you under it. Also, if your employer offers any bonuses or commissions, those count toward your earnings limit too. I learned this the hard way when a small year-end bonus pushed me just over the annual limit one year. Just something to keep in the back of your mind as you plan out your work schedule for the rest of 2025!

I'm new to this community and really appreciate how thoroughly everyone has addressed your complex situation. As someone just beginning to understand Social Security benefits, this discussion has been incredibly educational. What strikes me most is the consistent theme across all responses: the importance of getting accurate, written documentation from SSA. It's alarming how many people have shared experiences of receiving contradictory information from different representatives, especially for nuanced situations like disabled widow benefits transitioning to regular benefits. The key insights I'm taking away for your situation are: 1. At FRA (likely 67), you should receive 100% of your husband's benefit amount 2. After FRA, unlimited earnings are allowed without benefit reduction 3. The transition is mostly administrative, but benefit amounts can change 4. Crucially, you should request calculations for BOTH your widow's benefits AND your own work record at FRA That last point from @Zainab Ibrahim seems particularly important - even with limited self-employment income over 11+ years, you might have accumulated enough credits to qualify for higher benefits on your own record. SSA is supposed to automatically give you whichever is higher, but apparently they sometimes miss this. The practical advice about requesting Technical Experts who specialize in survivor benefits rather than general reps, and services like Claimyr for reaching knowledgeable agents more efficiently, could save you significant time and frustration. Your persistence in seeking clear answers despite months of confusion is truly admirable. Thank you for sharing your experience - it's helping newcomers like me understand the importance of self-advocacy in navigating these complex systems. I hope you get the definitive, written guidance you deserve soon!

I'm brand new to this community and still learning about Social Security benefits, but I wanted to thank you for sharing such a detailed and personal situation. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational for someone like me who's trying to understand how these systems work. What really stands out from this entire discussion is how many experienced members have emphasized the same key points: - Getting everything documented in writing from SSA is absolutely crucial - At your FRA (likely 67), you should receive 100% of your husband's benefit - After FRA, you can earn unlimited income without any benefit reduction - The suggestion to have SSA calculate BOTH your widow's benefits AND your own work record at FRA could potentially save you thousands I'm honestly shocked by how many people have shared stories of getting contradictory information from SSA representatives. It really highlights why communities like this are so valuable - when official channels are inconsistent, peer support and shared experiences become essential. The practical advice here has been amazing too - requesting Technical Experts who specialize in survivor benefits, using services like Claimyr to reach knowledgeable reps faster, and bringing documentation to support your case. These are the kinds of real-world strategies you just don't get from official websites. Your persistence in seeking clear answers while managing everything else you're dealing with is really inspiring. Thank you for helping newcomers like me understand how important it is to be our own advocates when navigating these complex benefit systems. I hope you finally get the definitive, written guidance you deserve!