This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 64 and in a very similar situation - started collecting SS at 62 and have been nervous about potential rental income affecting my benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences and explanations has really put my mind at ease. What I find particularly reassuring is how consistent the answers have been across multiple sources - SSA representatives, benefits professionals, and people who've actually lived through this situation. The distinction between "earned" income from work versus "passive" income from property ownership makes perfect sense once it's explained clearly. I especially appreciate the practical tips about documentation and calling SSA to get official confirmation in writing. It's clear that while rental income won't trigger the earnings test, I'll need to plan carefully for the tax implications since it could affect how much of my Social Security becomes taxable. Thanks to Tyler for asking the question that so many of us have, and thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences. This is exactly why community forums like this are so valuable - real people sharing real experiences with complex government programs!

What an incredibly thorough and helpful discussion! As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by the depth of knowledge and real-world experience shared here. I'm 64 and just starting to navigate the complexities of Social Security while considering rental property investment, so Tyler's question really hit home for me. The consistent message throughout this thread is so reassuring - rental income is passive/unearned income and won't trigger the earnings test before FRA. I love how multiple people explained the key distinction between "earning" money through active work versus "receiving" money through property ownership. That really clarifies why the Social Security Administration treats these differently. The practical advice about documentation, calling SSA for official confirmation, and asking them to note the conversation in your file is invaluable. I also appreciate everyone highlighting that while rental income won't affect the earnings test, it's important to plan for potential tax implications on Social Security benefits. This thread is a perfect example of why community knowledge-sharing is so powerful for navigating complex government programs. Thank you Tyler for asking the question so many of us have, and thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise!

One more thing to consider - if you're planning to delay Medicare while continuing HSA contributions, make sure to keep detailed records of your employer coverage dates. The IRS may require documentation showing you had qualifying employer coverage during the period you delayed Medicare enrollment. I learned this the hard way when I had to provide employment verification letters and insurance certificates during a tax audit. Better to gather these documents now while you're still employed rather than trying to track them down years later!

Just wanted to add one more consideration that might be relevant to your situation - if you're married, you'll also need to think about how your Medicare enrollment timing affects your spouse's HSA eligibility. If you're both covered under the same employer family plan and you enroll in Medicare Part A, your spouse can still contribute to an HSA as long as they're not Medicare-eligible themselves. However, if your spouse is also approaching 65, you'll want to coordinate your Medicare enrollment decisions to maximize both of your HSA contribution opportunities. My wife and I staggered our Medicare enrollments by a year specifically to extend our HSA contribution period, and it worked out really well for building up our healthcare nest egg.

Thank you all for the helpful information! One more question - if my husband decides to keep working after he starts collecting benefits (he only plans to work part-time), would that affect my spousal benefit at all?

One thing that might help clarify this is to think of it in terms of timing strategy. Since you're 60 and your husband is 62, you have some time to plan this out optimally. Here's what I'd suggest considering: 1. Your husband could file at 62 and get his reduced benefit (~75% of his PIA) 2. You could wait until your FRA at 67 to claim spousal benefits and get the full 50% of his PIA ($1,400 based on your numbers) 3. This gives you 5 years to potentially work part-time and build up some of your own Social Security credits if desired The key insight that helped me was realizing that spousal benefits are calculated independently from what your spouse is actually receiving. So even if he takes the early filing reduction, your spousal benefit potential stays at that full 50% of his PIA as long as you wait until your FRA. Also, definitely get a my Social Security account set up online if you haven't already. The benefit estimators there will give you personalized numbers based on both of your actual earnings records, which is much more accurate than trying to calculate it manually.

This is such a great question and the responses here are really comprehensive! I'm in a similar situation - turning 62 next year and considering early retirement but worried about making the wrong financial decision. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is how this strategy might work differently depending on your career field. I'm in tech where salaries have grown significantly over the past decade, so even a few years of higher earnings could potentially replace some much lower-earning years from the 1980s and 1990s in my calculation. Has anyone here specifically calculated how much their PIA increased per year of higher earnings? I'm trying to figure out if the potential benefit increase would justify dealing with the earnings test complexity, especially since I'd probably want to work remotely which might limit my earning potential compared to returning to a full corporate role.

This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who's been agonizing over this same decision, I really appreciate all the detailed explanations about the earnings test, PIA recalculations, and delayed retirement credits. One additional consideration I'd add is the psychological aspect - I've talked to several people who took early retirement and then returned to work, and many said the biggest benefit wasn't necessarily the increased Social Security payment, but rather having the security of knowing they already had that base income locked in. It gave them more flexibility to be selective about work opportunities and negotiate better terms since they weren't desperate for income. For those considering this path, you might also want to factor in the potential healthcare savings if you can get employer coverage again - that alone could be worth thousands per year even if your SS benefit increase is modest. Just make sure you understand all the rules before making any moves, and consider consulting with a financial planner who specializes in Social Security strategies to run the numbers for your specific situation.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - widow at 58, married for 12 years before my husband passed. One thing I'd add that helped me tremendously was creating a Social Security account online at ssa.gov. You can see your estimated benefits and your late spouse's earnings record (if you were married when he passed). This gave me a clearer picture of what to expect before I even contacted them. Also, for those worried about the reduced benefit at 60 - remember that you're getting 7 years of payments that you wouldn't get if you waited until FRA. Sometimes the total lifetime benefit works out to be similar, especially if you invest those early payments. It really depends on your health, other income, and financial needs. One last tip: if you do decide to claim early, make sure you understand how it affects Medicare eligibility. You don't automatically get Medicare at 60 just because you're getting Social Security survivor benefits - you still have to wait until 65 (unless you qualify for disability). This caught me off guard in my planning!

I'm new to this community but going through something similar - my husband passed away two years ago and I'm trying to understand my options. This thread has been so educational! I had no idea about the difference between divorced spouse benefits (10-year requirement) and survivor benefits (9-month requirement). One question I haven't seen addressed - does anyone know if there are any special considerations for government employees? My late husband worked for the postal service for most of his career, and I've heard conflicting information about whether federal employment affects Social Security benefits differently. I'm wondering if this might impact survivor benefits too. Also, I really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences and actual dollar amounts. It helps so much more than just reading the official SSA website! The tip about applying 4 months early is gold - I'm still a few years away from 60 but I'm definitely going to remember that.