wait i'm confused about something... you said you're making $17k through mid-april but then you said $22,500? which is it? the amount matters for the earnings test right?

One more important detail: make sure you apply for benefits 2-3 months before you want them to begin. While you can apply up to 4 months in advance, I recommend applying no later than February if you want April benefits. This gives SSA enough processing time to ensure your May payment arrives on schedule. And regarding the earnings limit - keep very careful records of all your work income after retirement. If you do pick up part-time work, report any changes to SSA promptly to avoid overpayment issues later. The monthly earnings test is actually designed to help people in your exact situation who have high earnings before retirement and limited earnings after.

they never tell u about WEP until its to late!! i worked 18 years government and 22 years private and still got hit with WEP!! the whole thing is a SCAM!!!

To summarize for your father's situation: 1. Yes, he must earn $31,275 in 2025 for it to count as a year of substantial earnings 2. Working part-time at $25,000 won't help reduce the WEP penalty 3. Each year of substantial earnings over 20 reduces the WEP penalty by 5% 4. Age doesn't matter - substantial earnings count the same whether you're 25 or 75 5. Check his earnings record carefully - he might have more years of substantial earnings than he realizes 6. Look into the WEP guarantee provision if his government pension is small If he can increase his hours to reach $31,275 this year, it would definitely help reduce the WEP impact on his benefits.

To clarify one thing that might help with your planning: The WEP/GPO reform doesn't eliminate these provisions entirely - it just reduces their impact gradually over time. For the WEP, the maximum reduction will decrease from $534 in 2023 to about $438 in 2025, and continue decreasing for several years. For the GPO, the two-thirds reduction will be reduced to about 60% in 2025 and continue decreasing. If you're deciding between claiming now vs. waiting until 70, you need to calculate: 1. Your own benefit at 70 (including delayed credits) 2. How much the WEP reduction will be reduced by 2025+ 3. Whether your spousal benefit would be higher now In most cases like yours, waiting until 70 still makes financial sense, especially if you're still adding years of earnings that might count toward reducing WEP.

I got caught in this same situation! Worked as a teacher for 25 years, then in private sector for 20. I waited until 70 to file and I'm glad I did. With the new reforms coming, you'll be even better off than I was. Just hang in there for 2 more years!

Let me add one important point about survivor vs. divorced spousal benefits that I don't think was clearly addressed yet: 1. Survivor benefits (if your ex has passed away): You can claim as early as age 60, receive 71.5% of their benefit at age 60, up to 100% at your FRA. The earnings test applies until you reach your FRA. 2. Divorced spousal benefits (ex still living): You can claim at 62, receive 32.5% of their PIA at 62, up to 50% at your FRA. The earnings test applies until you reach your FRA. Since you mentioned your ex is still living, you'd be claiming divorced spousal benefits, which is capped at 50% of their PIA (their benefit at their FRA). Also, your strategy of claiming divorced spousal while letting your own benefit grow until 67 only works if you were born before January 2, 1954. If born after that date, filing for any benefit automatically files you for all benefits you're eligible for (called deemed filing).

Unfortunately, yes - if you were born in 1963, deemed filing applies to you. When you file for any benefit, you'll be deemed to have filed for all benefits you're eligible for, and you'll receive the higher of the two (your own or the divorced spousal), not both. This means your strategy of taking divorced spousal while letting your own grow isn't available to you. The law changed with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. Only people born before Jan 2, 1954 were grandfathered into the old rules. Since you mentioned your own benefit would be higher at 67, you're probably better off just waiting to file for any benefits until closer to your FRA, especially if your earnings from working would cause a reduction under the earnings test anyway.

Just wanted to add my experience - I filled out the Advance Designation form online through my my Social Security account last year. It was pretty straightforward - took maybe 10 minutes. The system lets you add up to 3 people in order of preference. They don't mail you a confirmation automatically, but I printed the confirmation screen and keep it with my important papers. I also told my designated person (my daughter) that I'd done this and what it means. One thing I learned - you can log back in anytime to check who you've designated or make changes. I'd recommend doing it through your online account if possible since it's much faster than calling or going in person.

I work for an elder law attorney and we advise ALL our clients to complete the Advance Designation of Representative Payee. It's specifically designed for the situation you're describing. Social Security created this option in 2018 precisely because they don't accept POAs. One important point: this designation doesn't give your wife any authority or responsibilities now. It simply puts your preference on record with SSA. If you become incapacitated, there's still a process she'll need to go through, but having the advance designation makes it MUCH easier. You can do this online through your my Social Security account (look under "Advance Designation of Representative Payee"), by phone, or in person. The online method is usually quickest. This is one of the best planning steps you can take - it's relatively simple but can save tremendous headaches later.

Has anyone mentioned the earnings test yet? If you're going to keep working at all until you reach your full retirement age, Social Security will deduct $1 for every $2 you earn above the annual limit (which is $21,240 for 2025). This applies whether you're taking your own benefit or spousal benefits. I learned this the hard way - thought I could work part-time AND collect early Social Security, but ended up having most of my benefits withheld because I earned too much.

Since it seems you've decided to apply at 62, let me share a couple practical tips: 1. Apply online 3 months before you want benefits to start - so September if you turn 62 in December and want benefits to start right away. 2. Have your marriage certificate ready - they'll need this to process spousal benefits. 3. Benefits are paid the month after they're due, so your first payment would arrive in January for December benefits. 4. If you apply online, print or save every page before submitting. The SSA system sometimes glitches and you'll want proof of what you entered. 5. If you do need to speak with someone to confirm your specific benefit amounts, try calling right when they open (8am local time) or try the Claimyr service the other commenter mentioned - the wait times with SSA can be extremely frustrating otherwise.

This is almost certainly what's called an AERO (Automatic Earnings Reappraisal Operation). Social Security automatically reviews records each year for people who are both: 1. Receiving benefits 2. Have posted new earnings If your recent earnings replace one of your lower 35 years used in your original calculation, your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) increases. The adjustment usually happens in the October after the year your earnings are reported, though the timing can vary. The retroactive payment covers the months from January through when the recalculation was processed. Your monthly benefit will increase going forward as well. This is completely separate from COLAs, which are inflation adjustments applied to everyone regardless of work status.

Did u get a letter in the mail?? Usually SS sends something explaining any payment changes. Maybe the letter is just delayed? I'd hold onto that money until you're sure what it's for.... SS has been known to make mistakes and then demand repayment with penalties!!

THE SSA IS JUST TRYING TO CONFUSE PPL SO THEY TAKE BENEFITS EARLY AND PAY YOU LESS!!! my brother applied at 65 and they NEVER told him he could get more by waiting. they just processed it at reduced rate. ALWAYS WAIT TILL 70 FOR MAXIMUM $$$. the system is RIGGED against us seniors!!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to apply in January but select April (my FRA month) as my benefit start date. I'll double-check my earnings record first as suggested and make sure everything is correct. I'm still working part-time but planning to fully retire in March, so I should be under the earnings limit for the first quarter of the year. This has been really helpful in clarifying the timing issues!

So glad I found this thread!!! Been trying to figure out this exact problem all week. My phone is ancient and barely runs apps anymore - do I need to upgrade my phone to use the authenticator thing everyone's recommending? I really don't want to spend hundreds on a new phone just to check my SS benefits!

I went through this process last month. It was frustrating but worth it for the added security. Here's what I learned: 1. The authenticator apps are completely free and very secure. I use Authy because it has cloud backup (so if you lose your phone, you don't lose access). 2. The setup instructions on the SSA website are poorly written, but the process itself isn't complicated. 3. If you have any problems during setup, I highly recommend calling early in the morning (right when they open) to minimize wait times. 4. Once it's set up, logging in takes just a few seconds longer than before. Despite SSA's outdated systems, this authentication change is actually a positive security improvement. Identity theft targeting Social Security benefits has increased dramatically in recent years.

not to be morbid but if your husband is 78 and has health issues you might actually come out ahead financially by taking your reduced benefit now then switching to survivor later, vs waiting for your full retirement age. just simple math really

One thing nobody mentioned - when you switch to survivor benefits, you'll need his death certificate and marriage certificate. Get multiple certified copies of the death certificate (at least 5-10) when the time comes. Every organization will want one and some won't accept photocopies. Just a practical tip I wish someone had told me!