One more thing i learned the hard way - make sure you specificlly tell them you want your benefits to START in January. Don't just say you're applying for benefts AT age 70. If your birthday is in Jan. but you file in Dec. be VERY CLEAR about this!!!

As someone who just went through this process myself (turned 70 last month), I can confirm what others have said about the timing. I applied in November for December benefits and received my full DRCs, though it took about 2 months for the final adjustment to show up correctly. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned - when you apply online or at the office, there's actually a specific question asking what month you want your benefits to BEGIN. Make sure you select January 2025, not December 2024. This prevents any confusion about whether you're trying to claim benefits before your 70th birthday. Also, keep copies of everything and take screenshots of your online application if you file that way. Having documentation makes it much easier to resolve any issues if they come up later.

I'm going through this exact same thing! Filed my application in late November and still waiting - coming up on 7 weeks now. Reading through everyone's experiences has been so helpful and reassuring. I was starting to worry that something went wrong with my application, but it's clear from all your stories that 6-8 weeks is just the new reality despite what their website says. My MySocialSecurity account also just shows "processing" with zero useful details. I'm also hoping to start benefits in January, so it's really comforting to hear from folks like Evan that the processing delay shouldn't affect the actual benefit start date. The complete lack of communication during this process is definitely the most stressful part - you'd think they could at least send an acknowledgment or give more realistic timeframes on their website. Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines - this community has been way more helpful than anything I could find from SSA directly!

I'm also dealing with this same frustrating wait! Filed my retirement application in mid-November and it's been about 7.5 weeks now with absolutely no updates. Like everyone else here, my MySocialSecurity account just shows that useless "processing" status with zero helpful information. I was really starting to panic that maybe I made an error somewhere or that my application got lost, but reading through all these responses has been such a relief. It's clear that SSA is just completely overwhelmed right now and their 30-day estimate is completely unrealistic. I'm also planning to start benefits in January, so it's really reassuring to hear from the more experienced folks here that processing delays don't affect the actual benefit start date. The total lack of communication during this process is honestly maddening - even a simple automated email saying "we received your application, expect 6-8 weeks" would help so much with the anxiety. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this thread has been more helpful than anything I could find on the SSA website!

Great decision to suspend, Leila! One more thing to consider - since you're still working full-time at your accounting firm, make sure you understand how the earnings test might have affected your current benefits if your income is high. Even though you're at FRA and the earnings test no longer applies going forward, any benefits that were withheld due to excess earnings in the months before you reached FRA would be recalculated and added back to your benefit amount when you restart. This could make your eventual age 70 benefit even higher than the standard 8% per year delayed retirement credits. Just something to keep in mind when you're doing the math on your decision!

Just wanted to share my recent experience with this process! I suspended my benefits about 6 months ago after starting them at FRA. The whole process was surprisingly straightforward once I got through to SSA. I called early in the morning (around 8:15 AM) and only waited about 20 minutes. The representative was very knowledgeable and confirmed that I wouldn't need to repay anything I'd already received. She also set up automatic payments for my Medicare premiums since those would no longer be deducted from my Social Security payments. The suspension went into effect the month after I requested it, so there's typically about a 30-day processing period. One tip: ask for an email confirmation if possible, or at least get the representative's name and a reference number for your records. It's nice having that peace of mind!

Just to add one more piece of advice - since your husband will be retiring at the end of March next year, you might want to create a my Social Security account online (if you haven't already) to make the application process smoother when the time comes. Also, make sure to apply for benefits about 2-3 months before he wants them to start. While he can apply right after reaching FRA in October for November benefits, giving SSA a little extra processing time is always smart. And remember that even though the earnings test won't apply, his benefits might still be subject to federal income tax if your combined income exceeds certain thresholds. Up to 85% of Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on your overall income.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact scenario two years ago! I reached my FRA in September and filed for benefits in November while still working full-time. Got my full benefit amount with zero issues. The key thing to remember is that Social Security looks at this on a month-by-month basis once you reach FRA, not annually. So even though your husband's total 2025 earnings will be high, SSA only cares about what he earned in the months before reaching FRA in October. One small tip - when he does apply, have his recent pay stubs ready. Sometimes they ask for documentation to verify current employment status, and having everything organized can speed up the process. The whole thing was much smoother than I expected!

As someone who's been navigating SSDI for a few years now, I want to add that it's also worth asking the Technical Expert about "Impairment-Related Work Expenses" (IRWE) if you have disability-related costs that help you work. These can be deducted from your earnings when calculating SGA, which many people don't know about. Things like special transportation, assistive technology, or medical equipment needed for work can potentially be excluded from your countable earnings. The TE can walk you through what qualifies and how to document these expenses properly. It's another layer of complexity that regular reps rarely understand, but TEs are trained on these provisions. This could make a real difference in whether your work activity affects your benefits, especially if you're right at the SGA threshold.

This thread has been absolutely life-changing for me! I've been on SSDI for about 18 months and have been terrified to even consider part-time work because every time I called SSA, I got different answers that basically boiled down to "don't work or you'll lose everything." Reading everyone's detailed experiences has shown me that I was talking to the wrong people entirely. The specific scripts and department names you've all shared are invaluable - I had no idea about asking for the Work Incentives Unit or mentioning the Trial Work Period by name. The distinction between Technical Experts and regular reps/supervisors makes so much sense now. I'm especially grateful for the practical tips like calling early morning and having documentation ready. What really strikes me is how this one conversation has revealed an entire system of work incentive programs (TWP, EPE, IRWE, Ticket to Work) that I never knew existed. It's both frustrating that this information isn't more accessible and incredibly hopeful that there are actual specialists who understand these rules. I'm planning to call next week using all the strategies shared here. For the first time since starting SSDI, I actually feel like I might be able to safely explore returning to work without risking my benefits. Thank you all for turning what felt like an impossible situation into a manageable process with clear steps!