This discussion has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who's been putting off really diving into Social Security planning, reading through all these scenarios and considerations has been both enlightening and a bit of a wake-up call. The complexity around COLA interactions with spousal benefits, delayed retirement credits, and all the other factors mentioned here really drives home why so many people struggle with these decisions. One thing I'm curious about that hasn't been addressed yet: how do you all handle the uncertainty around future Social Security policy changes when making these long-term optimization decisions? I keep reading about potential trust fund depletion in the 2030s and possible benefit reductions. Does this influence your filing strategies at all? Are you factoring in any risk of policy changes when deciding between claiming now versus delaying for higher benefits later? I imagine this adds yet another layer of complexity to an already intricate decision, but it seems like something that should be considered alongside all the COLA, longevity, and tax factors everyone has been discussing.

This has been an absolutely fascinating thread to read through! As someone approaching my own Social Security decisions, I'm struck by how this discussion has evolved from a specific COLA question into a comprehensive masterclass on retirement benefit optimization. What really stands out to me is how interconnected all these factors are - COLA adjustments, delayed retirement credits, spousal benefits, Medicare premiums, state taxes, and even policy uncertainty all influence each other in ways that aren't immediately obvious. The example scenarios presented here really highlight why cookie-cutter advice often falls short for Social Security planning. I particularly appreciate the practical tips shared, like getting updated benefit statements before meeting with advisors, using spreadsheets to model different COLA and longevity assumptions, and the suggestion to work with fee-only planners who specialize in retirement income planning. The point about potentially working a few more years to replace low-earning years in the benefit calculation is something I hadn't fully considered either. For anyone else feeling overwhelmed by all this complexity, I think the advice to start with the basics and layer in additional considerations over time is spot-on. It's better to begin the planning process imperfectly than to put it off because it seems too complicated to tackle all at once. Thanks to everyone who contributed their knowledge and experiences - this thread is going to be an incredibly valuable reference as I work through my own Social Security strategy!

One more tip - when you apply, make sure you have these documents ready: your birth certificate, last year's W-2 or tax return, and bank account information for direct deposit. Having everything prepared will help your application process smoothly. Also, applying online is generally faster than calling or visiting an office.

I went through this exact same situation last year! Applied in September for January benefits and everything worked out perfectly. Just want to echo what Noah Irving said - the key is specifying January 2026 as your benefit start month on the application, regardless of when you reach FRA or stop working. I was worried about the same employer contact issue, but SSA never reached out to my job at all. The online application was straightforward and took about 45 minutes to complete. My advice: apply in September, keep copies of everything you submit, and don't stress too much about the timing - you're doing it right!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to chime in and say how valuable this discussion has been! I'm also on SSDI and reading about everyone's experiences with these scam calls has really opened my eyes. The level of detail and support in the responses here is amazing - from reporting information to tips about MySocialSecurity accounts and legitimate communication methods. What struck me most is how these scammers specifically target Social Security recipients because they know we're dependent on our benefits and afraid of anything that might disrupt them. The psychological manipulation is really disturbing. I'm definitely going to be extra cautious about any unexpected calls, even ones that seem official. One thing I'd add for others reading this: if you're like me and get anxious about your benefits, setting up text or email notifications through your MySocialSecurity account can give you peace of mind. You'll get legitimate updates about your payments and any account changes directly from SSA, which makes it easier to spot fake communications. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - this thread should be required reading for anyone receiving Social Security benefits!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so glad you shared this experience and didn't fall for the scam! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - it's clear these Social Security scams are a widespread problem targeting our most vulnerable community members. What really stands out to me is how sophisticated these scammers have become. They're using spoofed phone numbers, they have access to personal information that makes them sound legitimate, and they know exactly how to create urgency and fear around benefit payments. It's truly predatory behavior. For anyone else reading this thread, I think the key takeaways are: - SSA will NEVER call asking for banking or personal information - Always verify through official channels (ssa.gov, 1-800-772-1213, or your MySocialSecurity account) - When in doubt, hang up and call SSA directly using the official number - Report scam attempts to the Inspector General Your instincts served you well, and your May payment will definitely arrive on schedule. Thanks for helping protect others in our community by sharing this warning!

Update: I asked my sister who works for a retirement planning company about this. She says it's DEFINITELY because of the SSI offset. If your aunt's potential survivor benefit is less than her SSI payment, she won't receive an additional payment. However, being entitled to survivor benefits might make her eligible for Medicare before 65, which would be a huge advantage over just SSI/Medicaid. So even if there's no immediate financial gain, there could be healthcare benefits worth pursuing. Definitely worth appealing just for that reason!

I work as a benefits counselor and see this situation frequently. The key issue here is likely the SSI offset calculation. When someone receives SSI and becomes eligible for Social Security benefits, SSI acts as a "floor" - you get whichever benefit is higher, not both. If your aunt's potential survivor benefit is $800 and her SSI is $950, she'd continue receiving $950 in SSI with no additional payment. The denial might seem confusing because technically she IS eligible for survivor benefits, but there's no financial advantage. I'd strongly recommend she call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a "benefit estimate comparison" showing her current SSI amount versus her potential survivor benefit amount. This will clarify whether it's worth appealing. Also, make sure she mentions she's a divorced widow (not divorced spouse) when calling - the terminology matters for getting routed to the right department.

Thank you all so much for the helpful responses! This is much more complicated than I thought, but I understand better now. I'm going to run some calculations to see whether taking my small benefit early is worth the permanent reduction to my eventual spousal benefit. Since we have some savings, I might be able to wait until my FRA. I'll definitely try to speak with SSA directly to get exact numbers for my situation before making a final decision.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - you might want to consider whether you qualify for any other benefits while waiting. If your income is low enough, you could potentially qualify for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or utility assistance during those years between 62 and your FRA. Sometimes these benefits can help bridge the gap financially, making it more feasible to wait for the higher Social Security payments. Also, don't forget that if you do take your benefit early at 62, you'll be subject to the earnings test if you're still working. In 2024, you can only earn up to $22,320 without having benefits reduced. Just another factor to consider in your planning! Good luck with your decision - it sounds like you're being very thoughtful about weighing all the options.