To summarize what everyone's shared (and clarify some confusion): 1. Since your own benefit at FRA ($1,800) exceeds half of your partner's PIA ($1,375), you won't receive additional money from spousal benefits. 2. This means your claiming strategy should focus solely on optimizing YOUR retirement benefit timing. 3. Each year you delay claiming between now and 70 adds approximately 8% to your lifetime benefit amount. 4. The one-year marriage requirement doesn't impact your optimal strategy in this case. The decision ultimately comes down to: do you need the money now (claim early) or can you afford to wait for a larger monthly amount later (delay claiming)?

Great discussion everyone! As someone who just went through this process myself, I wanted to add one more consideration that might be helpful. Since you're 63 and considering delaying benefits, make sure you factor in healthcare costs if you're not yet Medicare eligible. I delayed my benefits from 62 to 65, but the extra money I gained was almost entirely eaten up by COBRA premiums and higher healthcare costs during those years. Sometimes the "mathematically optimal" choice isn't the practically optimal choice when you consider all expenses. Also, if you do decide to claim early, remember that the earnings test might apply if you're still working - you could temporarily lose some benefits if you earn over the annual limit ($22,320 for 2024). Just something else to factor into your decision-making process!

I'm in a similar situation and found AARP's Social Security calculator really helpful for this kind of analysis. It lets you input different claiming ages and shows the cumulative benefit differences over time, which helped me visualize the trade-offs better than just looking at monthly amounts. One thing that helped me decide was calculating not just the break-even age, but also looking at the "regret scenarios." For example, if you claim at 67 and live to 95, how much would you "lose" compared to waiting until 70? Then flip it - if you wait until 70 but only live to 80, how much did the delay cost you? With your excellent longevity genes and current financial stability, you have the luxury of optimizing for the long term. But there's also something to be said for enjoying those benefits while you're younger and healthier. Maybe consider a middle ground like claiming at 69 - you'd still get a 16% boost over FRA but reduce your opportunity cost by a full year.

I went through this exact analysis last year and ended up creating my own spreadsheet to track the monthly increases. Here's what I found helpful: The SSA website does show your benefit at ages 62, 67, and 70, but you're right that it doesn't break down the monthly progression during that final stretch from 67-70. What I did was take my FRA benefit amount and multiply by 1.0067 for each month of delay (that's the 2/3% monthly increase others mentioned). So if your FRA benefit is $2,500: - Month 1 after FRA: $2,500 × 1.0067 = $2,516.75 - Month 2: $2,516.75 × 1.0067 = $2,533.60 - And so on... But honestly, after running all the numbers, I realized I was overthinking it. The monthly difference is relatively small compared to the bigger question of when to start. I ended up filing at 68 and 8 months - not because that was mathematically optimal, but because it felt right given my health, finances, and peace of mind. With your strong family longevity and current financial stability, you have the luxury of fine-tuning, but don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Any decision between 67-70 is probably going to work out fine in the long run.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some additional resources that might help. If you're having trouble getting through to SSA by phone, you can also try contacting your local Social Security office directly - sometimes they're less busy than the national line. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of every interaction you have with SSA during this process. Write down dates, times, names of representatives you speak with, and what was discussed. This documentation can be crucial if you need to escalate further. One thing that helped me when dealing with a similar bureaucratic mix-up was sending everything via certified mail so I had proof of delivery. That way there's no question about whether they received your reconsideration paperwork. You've got a solid case here - the fact that she's been receiving SSI for over a decade with a documented onset date before age 22 should make this straightforward once the right person reviews it. Don't let them discourage you!

I'm new here but wanted to add that you should also consider requesting a "protective filing" for your daughter's CDB benefits if you haven't already. This ensures that if/when the benefits are eventually approved, they'll be backdated to when you first applied rather than when the appeal is resolved. Also, one strategy that worked for a friend of mine in a similar situation was to specifically ask the SSA representative to look up your daughter's "Master Beneficiary Record" (MBR) which should show her complete SSI history including the disability determination. Sometimes referencing the specific system they need to check can help get faster results. The fact that they're claiming she wasn't disabled before 22 when she's literally been receiving disability benefits since 18 is mind-boggling. You're absolutely right to fight this - it's not just about the money, it's about getting the correct determination that your daughter deserves.

As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while but just joined, I have to say this thread is incredible! The collaborative problem-solving here is exactly what I hoped to find when I started researching Social Security benefits. What really strikes me is how this went from a seemingly complex bureaucratic nightmare to a simple solution - just because people were willing to share their knowledge and experiences. The advice from the former SSA specialist was invaluable, and seeing the real-time updates as Malik worked through the process makes this so much more useful than generic government websites. I'm still several years away from needing to apply myself, but I'm already bookmarking this for future reference. It's also given me confidence that when I do encounter issues with government services, there are communities like this where people actually help each other navigate the system effectively. Thanks to everyone who contributed - this is exactly the kind of practical, real-world guidance that makes all the difference!

What an amazing thread to witness! As someone completely new to this community, I'm blown away by the level of expertise and genuine helpfulness shown here. Watching Malik's military service records issue get resolved through collective problem-solving was incredibly educational. I'm particularly grateful for Omar's detailed explanation of WHY military service matters for Social Security benefits - I had no idea about the special credits system or how it affects Medicare eligibility. The step-by-step approach (try "See SSA records" first, then request documents if needed) is exactly the kind of practical guidance that makes navigating government services less intimidating. As someone who will eventually need to apply for Social Security myself, this thread has already saved me future stress and confusion. It's also shown me what a valuable resource this community is - having access to former SSA employees alongside fellow citizens sharing their real experiences creates such a powerful knowledge base. Thank you to everyone who contributed their expertise and especially to Malik for keeping us updated on the resolution. This is exactly what government service communities should be about!

I'm new to this community but have been following this discussion closely as I'm approaching my own Social Security filing decision. The wealth of real-world experience shared here is incredible! What really stands out to me is how many of you encountered SSA representatives who weren't familiar with the retroactive benefit rules for post-70 filers - that's both concerning and valuable to know ahead of time. I'm currently 69 and 8 months, so I'll be making this decision soon. Based on everyone's experiences, I'm already preparing a "documentation package" with the SSA website pages about retroactive benefits, the POMS reference (RS 00615.003), and the Social Security Act section (202(j)(4)) that the SSA representative mentioned. It's sad that we need to be so prepared to educate the people who should be helping us, but clearly it's necessary. The amounts you've all shared for the 6-month retroactive payments - ranging from $15,000-$18,000 - really highlight why it's crucial to get this right. Thank you especially to the current SSA rep who provided the official clarification. Having that professional insight gives me much more confidence about advocating for myself if I encounter any confusion. One question for those who've been through this: did anyone have their retroactive benefits delayed or require additional follow-up calls, or did most of you receive the payments within that 2-4 week timeframe once your regular benefits started? I want to know what timeline to expect so I don't panic if there are any delays!

Welcome to the community! I'm new here but have been lurking and reading through discussions like this as I approach my own Social Security decision. I'm currently 68 and planning to file at 70, but this thread has been incredibly educational about the 6-month retroactive benefit rule that I honestly wasn't aware of before. What's been most eye-opening is learning how many SSA representatives seem unfamiliar with the post-70 retroactive benefit rules. Reading everyone's experiences has really driven home the importance of being prepared and knowing the policy details yourself. I'm already starting to compile the documentation references mentioned here - the POMS section RS 00615.003, Social Security Act Section 202(j)(4), and relevant SSA website pages. The amounts people are sharing for their retroactive payments ($15,000-$18,000 for 6 months) really emphasize how crucial it is to ensure this gets processed correctly. Thank you especially to the current SSA representative who provided official clarification - having that professional insight makes such a difference. For those who've successfully received their retroactive benefits, it sounds like persistence and preparation are key. I feel much more confident now about advocating for myself if I encounter any confusion when I file in about two years. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complex rules with real-world experience and expert guidance!