my brother told me that the cola increases are only for people already getting benefits and that the ssa uses some wierd formula for everyone else but sounds like he was wrong!!!!

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who's been through this process! I delayed claiming until 70 last year and can confirm that the COLA increases definitely applied to my benefits during the waiting period. What I found helpful was creating a spreadsheet where I tracked my estimated benefit with conservative COLA projections (I used 2.5% annually) versus more optimistic ones (3.5%). The actual increases ended up being somewhere in between, but having that range helped me feel more confident about my retirement budget. One tip: don't forget that Medicare Part B premiums are often deducted from your Social Security payments, and those premiums can increase annually too. It's a smaller factor but worth including in your planning calculations. Good luck with your decision to wait until 70 - the delayed retirement credits plus COLAs really do make a meaningful difference!

This entire discussion has been incredibly valuable! As someone who's 69 and turning 70 in August, I've been losing sleep over the backdating rules and timing. Reading through everyone's experiences and explanations has really put my mind at ease. What I'm taking away is that the backdating confusion mostly comes from people who wait too long after turning 70 to apply. Since I plan to apply right in August when I turn 70, I should just select August as my start month and not worry about backdating at all. One small thing I wanted to add - for anyone else in a similar boat, I called the SSA general number last week just to confirm my earnings record was accurate, and they mentioned that you can also check your benefit estimate online through your my Social Security account. It's helpful to know exactly what to expect before you apply, especially since we're all maxed out on delayed retirement credits at 70. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here. This thread should definitely be pinned or saved as a reference for others approaching 70!

This thread has been absolutely fantastic! I'm 67 and have been dreading dealing with Social Security applications, but reading through everyone's experiences here has made me feel so much more confident about the process. What really stands out to me is how the "backdating confusion" seems to be mostly a non-issue if you just apply right when you turn 70. It sounds like the SSA makes it seem more complicated than it needs to be, but the reality is pretty straightforward: apply at 70, select that month as your start date, done. I also appreciate all the practical tips people shared - applying online, having documents ready beforehand, setting up direct deposit, and applying early in the month for processing time. These are the kinds of real-world details you don't get from official guidance. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone here had experience with applying if you're still working at 70? I'm planning to keep working part-time after I turn 70, and I want to make sure that doesn't complicate the application process or affect my benefits since I'll be past full retirement age.

just go in person its the only way to get anything done with these people trust me

I'm dealing with a similar situation as a newcomer to all this! My husband passed away 2 years ago and I'm approaching retirement age myself. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the BRIEF report or that Congressional representatives could help expedite requests. One thing I learned from a financial advisor is that if you're really stuck on timing, you might want to consider filing a protective application. This essentially holds your place in line for benefits while you're still gathering information. You can withdraw it later if needed, but it protects your filing date. Not sure if this applies to your specific situation, but might be worth asking about when you do get through to someone at SSA. The whole system really does seem designed to make us give up! But don't let them wear you down - you deserve to have all the information you need to make the best decision for your financial future.

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add my perspective after reading through this incredibly detailed and helpful discussion. Your situation really exemplifies the frustrating reality of dealing with SSA's complex earnings test rules, especially when their own representatives provide conflicting guidance. What's particularly troubling is that you made your filing decision based on explicit advice from an SSA rep about PTO not counting toward your monthly limit, only to later discover this was incorrect. This isn't just a case of misunderstanding complex rules - you received official guidance that directly influenced a major financial decision. From all the excellent analysis shared here, the Form SSA-521 withdrawal option seems increasingly compelling. The math appears straightforward: repay ~$7,200 in benefits already received to avoid $9,840 in withheld benefits, plus gain delayed retirement credits for higher future payments. Starting fresh in 2026 without any earnings test complications might be the cleanest resolution. I'm also impressed by the suggestion to document that July 15th conversation and pursue an administrative exception for SSA misinformation. Even if the withdrawal route ends up being your best option, establishing a record of their incorrect guidance could be valuable. Thank you for sharing this experience so openly. As someone approaching these same decisions, this thread has been invaluable in understanding not just the rules themselves, but the real-world pitfalls and the importance of getting SSA guidance documented in writing. Your willingness to detail this process will undoubtedly help others navigate similar challenges more successfully.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm struck by how your experience perfectly illustrates the challenges many of us face when trying to navigate Social Security's complex rules. What's most concerning is that you did exactly what you should have done - called SSA for official guidance before making your decision - yet still ended up in this predicament due to conflicting information from their own staff. The July 15th conversation where you were explicitly told that PTO wouldn't count toward your monthly limit is particularly problematic since it directly influenced your decision to start benefits immediately. That kind of specific misinformation from an official source should absolutely be grounds for administrative relief. Based on all the excellent analysis shared here, the Form SSA-521 withdrawal option does seem like your best path forward. The math is compelling: repaying approximately $7,200 in benefits received versus avoiding $9,840 in withheld benefits, plus gaining delayed retirement credits for higher future payments. Starting fresh in 2026 would eliminate all these earnings test complications entirely. I'd encourage you to pursue both routes simultaneously - document that July 15th conversation and request a supervisor review while also exploring the withdrawal option. Having multiple avenues gives you the best chance of a favorable resolution. Thank you for sharing this experience so thoroughly. As someone who will eventually face these same decisions, your detailed account of both the pitfalls and potential solutions is invaluable. Please keep us updated on how this resolves - your experience will undoubtedly help many others navigate similar challenges more effectively.

As someone who went through this decision process with my grandmother a few years ago, I want to emphasize how important it is to get ALL the numbers before deciding. We discovered that her boyfriend was actually eligible for survivor benefits from his first wife (who had passed away) that were higher than his own work record - something he had no idea about! This completely changed their financial picture when considering remarriage. Also, don't overlook state-specific benefits that might be affected. Some states have programs for seniors that consider marital status, and the tax implications can be significant depending on their combined income levels. One practical tip: if they do decide to marry, consider having the ceremony right at the beginning of a month. Since SSA benefits stop the month after marriage, this timing can help avoid losing partial benefits mid-month. The emotional toll of this decision is real too. My grandmother struggled with feeling like she had to choose between love and financial security, but ultimately decided that having a legal partner for medical decisions and other life situations was worth more than the monthly difference. Everyone's situation is different, but don't let the financial stress overshadow the personal happiness aspect entirely.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who works at a local senior center, I see this exact dilemma come up regularly. One resource that many people don't know about is that some senior centers and AARP chapters offer free benefits counseling sessions where volunteers who are trained in Social Security rules can help walk through the numbers with you. It's not as comprehensive as a financial advisor, but it's free and they're usually pretty knowledgeable about the common scenarios. Also, I wanted to mention that if your mom does decide to proceed with marriage, make sure she keeps detailed records of when she reports the change to SSA and who she spoke with. Get confirmation numbers if possible. I've seen too many cases where people reported changes properly but there were processing delays or errors that caused temporary overpayments. Having documentation can save a lot of headaches later. The other thing worth considering is Medicare implications. If her boyfriend has better supplemental insurance through a former employer or union, marriage might actually improve her healthcare situation even if the Social Security benefits decrease. Sometimes the total financial picture looks different when you factor in all the variables beyond just the monthly SS payment.