Thank you all for the helpful responses! I feel much better prepared now. I'm going to make sure I stay under that $23,340 limit to avoid any reductions. I'll also make sure to be very clear about my expected earnings when I apply, and keep track of everything with a spreadsheet as suggested. The timing of payments is also good to know for my budget planning. Really appreciate all the advice!

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned - if you're planning to work part-time specifically for health insurance, you might want to check if you qualify for any subsidies on the marketplace. Sometimes the cost of marketplace insurance plus the subsidy can be less than what you lose in reduced survivor benefits from working. I know someone who did the math and found they could actually come out ahead by not working and getting marketplace coverage instead. Worth running the numbers both ways before you commit to a work schedule!

Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly helpful! As someone who's been working in government benefits for over 15 years, I can confirm that the hybrid approach many of you are recommending is really the sweet spot for most people. The online system has gotten much more reliable in recent years, but it's still not perfect at handling complex situations - and working overseas definitely qualifies as complex. The totalization agreements between the US and Germany are pretty well established, but the online system isn't great at prompting for all the right information or explaining how those credits might affect your benefit calculation. A few additional points that might help: When you do your online application, there's actually a section where you can indicate you have foreign work history. Don't skip this even if you're not sure about the details - it flags your case for manual review. Also, if you have any W-2s or equivalent German documentation from that period, gather them now. Even partial records can help the SSA reconstruct your earnings history. One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is that you can actually call the SSA international operations office directly at 410-965-0160 if you have specific questions about your German work credits before you apply. They're much more knowledgeable about these situations than the general customer service line. The March timing should work fine - just remember that your benefits will be reduced since you're claiming at 65 instead of your full retirement age of 67, but it sounds like you've already factored that into your decision.

I'm planning to file for my benefits in a few months and this whole discussion has been incredibly enlightening! The consensus around the hybrid approach really makes sense, especially for those of us with any complexity in our work history. One thing I'm curious about that hasn't been covered much - for those who did the hybrid approach, how long was the gap between filing online and your follow-up appointment? I'm wondering about timing since I'd want to catch any issues before my benefits are supposed to start. Also, @Natalie Khan, thank you for that international operations phone number! That's going to save me a lot of headaches. I worked in Japan for a couple years in the early 2000s and wasn't sure how to handle that piece of the puzzle. The documentation advice throughout this thread has been gold too. I'm starting a folder now with all my tax returns, birth certificate, and what Japanese employment records I can find. Better to be over-prepared than scrambling later!

I'm new to this community and wanted to share a resource that might help clarify some of the confusion here. The SSA has a specific webpage called "Getting Benefits While Working" that breaks down the earnings test rules pretty clearly. What I found most helpful was their example scenarios that show exactly how the earnings limits work in practice. For your situation, the key points everyone has covered are correct: 1. Your FRA of March 2026 is what matters, not turning 66 2. You'll have the higher earnings limit (~$62,160 for 2025) from April 2025 through February 2026 3. Starting March 2026, no earnings restrictions at all Your $42,000 from Jan-April 2025 is well under the limit, so you're in good shape there. Just keep track of your total annual earnings through February 2026 to make sure you stay under the threshold. I'd also suggest signing up for email or text alerts from SSA - they send updates about annual limit changes and other important policy updates that can affect your planning. Having been through a similar situation with my parents, I can say the peace of mind from understanding these rules exactly is worth the research effort!

I'm new to this community and wanted to thank everyone for this incredibly thorough discussion! As someone who will be turning 66 next year but won't reach my FRA until several months later, this thread has been more helpful than hours of trying to navigate the SSA website. The consensus here is crystal clear: earnings limits continue until the MONTH you reach your Full Retirement Age, not just when you turn 66. For your situation with an FRA of March 2026, you'll be subject to the higher earnings limit (around $62,160 for 2025) from when you claim in April 2025 all the way through February 2026. Your $42,000 from January-April 2025 is well below the threshold, so you're definitely in good shape there. Just be sure to monitor your total annual earnings through February 2026 to stay under the limit. I love all the practical tips shared here - from setting up My Social Security accounts to verify exact FRA dates, to calling local SSA offices instead of the national number, to keeping detailed monthly earnings records. These real-world insights are exactly what you need but can never find in the official publications. One thing I haven't seen mentioned: if you're using tax software or working with an accountant, make sure they understand these Social Security earnings test rules when planning your 2025 taxes. The interaction between SS benefits, earned income, and tax planning can get complex, especially in that transition year. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is an incredible resource!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you do end up going over the monthly limit in any given month, SSA typically withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit (not your entire benefit check). So if you accidentally earn $2,000 in a month instead of $1,860, they'd withhold $70 from your next month's benefit. It's not ideal, but it's not as catastrophic as some people think. Also, any benefits withheld due to the earnings test aren't lost forever - when you reach Full Retirement Age, SSA will recalculate your benefit amount to give you credit for the months when benefits were withheld, which can result in a slightly higher monthly payment going forward.

I'm really glad this thread exists because I'm in a similar situation! I just turned 62 and I'm considering early retirement with Social Security, but I also want to keep some consulting income. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational. The first-year monthly rule that @TechNinja mentioned is something I had no idea about - my financial advisor never brought that up! It sounds like the key things are: document everything properly, report earnings promptly through the online portal, and remember that any withheld benefits get credited back at Full Retirement Age. Does anyone know if the monthly earnings test applies the same way if you start benefits before Full Retirement Age but not in your first year of claiming? Like if I claim at 62 and then want to work part-time at 63?

I'm so sorry for your loss, Connor, and I'm glad to see you received your backpay! This thread has been incredibly informative for families navigating DAC benefits. As someone who recently started working with disability benefit cases, I've learned so much from reading everyone's real-world experiences here. One thing I'd add for anyone currently waiting - if you need to contact SSA for updates, having your case number ready and calling right at 8 AM when they open tends to get you through faster. Also, if you're helping an adult child with their benefits, make sure you're listed as their representative payee if needed, or that they've given you permission to discuss their case. The timeline information shared here (5-10 weeks for backpay after approval) aligns with what I've seen professionally. Connor's detailed documentation of the deposit label and timing will definitely help other families know what to watch for. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it creates such a valuable resource for families during one of the most difficult times in their lives.

This thread has been such a comprehensive resource for understanding DAC benefits and backpay timing. As someone who may need to help a family member navigate this process in the future, I'm bookmarking this for reference. Connor, I'm so sorry for your loss, but your detailed documentation from start to finish - including coming back to update everyone when the backpay arrived - is incredibly valuable for other families going through similar situations. What strikes me most is how this community came together to share both personal experiences and professional expertise. From the practical tips about calling SSA early in the morning and using services like Claimyr to get through, to the financial advice about managing lump sum payments responsibly, to the specific details like the deposit label format - this information just isn't available in official SSA materials. The consistent timeline of 5-10 weeks for backpay after approval that everyone reported gives such realistic expectations for families who are already dealing with so much stress and uncertainty. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and expertise here.