Great update! One thing I learned the hard way: keep a disability journal!!! Write down EVERY doctor visit, medication change, bad day, symptom flare, etc. It helps SO MUCH when they ask for these random details months later. I got denied partly because I couldn't remember exact dates of certain procedures and treatments, and the SSA claimed that meant I wasn't receiving "regular treatment" (even though I was!). Also - has she listed ALL her conditions on her application? My biggest mistake was only listing my main condition but not including my secondary conditions that also affect my ability to work.

That's wonderful that she was able to get through and get an extension! I'm currently going through the SSDI process myself (filed 3 months ago) and this thread has been incredibly helpful. One thing I wanted to add - when she follows up to make sure SSA contacted her doctors, she should also ask her doctors' offices if they've received the records request. I learned that some medical offices require patients to sign additional release forms even after SSA contacts them, especially for mental health records or records from hospital systems. My psychiatrist's office called me to come in and sign a specific form before they would release my records to SSA. Also, if any of her doctors have retired or closed their practices since she started treatment, she'll want to track down where those records went. That happened with one of my specialists and it took weeks to figure out the records had been transferred to another practice. Best of luck with her case! The fact that SSA is actively requesting medical information is definitely a positive sign that they're working on it.

Thanks everyone for all the great information! Based on everyone's advice, I'll plan to apply in February 2025 (4 months before my birthday) and specify June 2025 as my benefit start month. I'll make sure to have all my documents ready and save all confirmation screens. I'll try the online application first, but if I have trouble getting through on the phone for questions, I'll check out that Claimyr service. Really appreciate all the help!

You've got a solid plan there, Katherine! Just one additional tip - when you apply online in February, you might want to create your my Social Security account ahead of time if you don't already have one. It makes the application process smoother and you can check the status of your application online afterwards. Also, if you run into any issues during the online application, don't abandon it completely - you can save your progress and come back to it later. The system will hold your partially completed application for 30 days. Good luck with everything!

To address your last question: The DRCs (Delayed Retirement Credits) are indeed applied immediately to your benefits when you start receiving them. There's no separate waiting period for the credits to kick in. Just to summarize what we've covered for anyone else in a similar situation: 1. DRCs accumulate at 2/3% per month (8% per year) for those born in 1958 2. Credits are calculated monthly, not just yearly 3. The increase applies to your own retirement benefit, not to spousal benefits 4. The increased amount does apply to survivor benefits 5. Medicare enrollment at 65 is separate from Social Security filing decisions Your 6-month delay strategy sounds well-thought-out. It strikes a good balance between getting some benefits this year while also securing a permanent 4% increase.

As a newcomer to this community, I found this discussion incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - turning 67 next year and trying to decide on timing. What really stands out to me from reading everyone's experiences is how the monthly calculation works rather than yearly. One thing I'm curious about that I didn't see addressed: if you delay past FRA but then need to claim benefits earlier than planned due to an emergency, can you still get credit for the partial months you did delay? Or do you lose those credits if you don't follow through with your original timeline? Also, has anyone here used the Social Security statement estimator to model different claiming scenarios? I'm wondering if their online tools accurately reflect these partial-year delayed retirement credits when you're planning.

Congratulations on making a well-informed decision! Your situation really highlights how important it is to look at the whole picture rather than just the monthly benefit amounts. The earnings test can be such a trap for people who are still working - I've seen too many folks get surprised by those overpayment letters. Since you're waiting until June, you might want to start gathering your documents now so you're ready to apply right when you hit FRA. Having your tax returns, W-2s, and other paperwork organized ahead of time will make the process smoother. And definitely keep that Claimyr tip in mind when you're ready to call - dealing with SSA phone lines is nobody's favorite activity! Four months will fly by, and then you'll have that peace of mind knowing you're getting your full benefit without any earnings test headaches. Good luck with those home repairs when the time comes!

Welcome to the community, Maya! You've gotten some excellent advice here. I went through a very similar decision process last year and also chose to wait until FRA - best financial decision I made. One additional tip: since you're planning to wait until June, consider setting up a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov if you haven't already. You can verify your earnings record is accurate and get updated benefit estimates. Sometimes there are errors in their records that can affect your benefit amount, and it's much easier to correct them before you apply. Also, don't forget that once you reach FRA, you can earn as much as you want without any benefit reduction - so if you decide to pick up extra hours or take on additional work after June, it won't affect your Social Security at all. That flexibility alone is worth the wait!

Yes, absolutely file for Medicare at 65 regardless of your SS decision! The two systems are connected but have different optimal timing. That 7-8% annual increase for delaying SS is why many financial advisors recommend waiting if you can afford to. But if you need the income sooner, taking it at 62 isn't wrong - it's just a different strategy. Your personal financial situation (savings, other income sources, health, etc.) should guide this decision more than anything else.

I'm in a very similar situation and have been researching this extensively. One thing I learned that might help: even though the "file and switch" strategy was eliminated in 2015, there's still value in understanding the timing. Since you were married 36 years (well over the 10-year requirement), you definitely qualify for ex-spouse benefits. Here's what I found out about the current rules: when you file, SSA automatically calculates ALL benefits you're eligible for and pays you the highest amount. So if your ex-spouse benefit (50% of his full retirement age amount) is higher than your own benefit, that's what you'll get - but it will be reduced if you take it before your FRA of 67. The key insight is that your ex taking his benefit early at 62 doesn't hurt you at all - your potential benefit is still based on what he would have gotten at his full retirement age, not what he's actually receiving. Given your limited work history, the ex-spouse benefit will very likely be much higher than your own. I'd strongly recommend getting the exact numbers before making any decisions. The difference between filing at 62 vs 67 could be substantial over your lifetime.