Just wanted to add something important that I learned from my own experience - when you apply for spousal benefits, make sure to ask about retroactive payments! If you're past your FRA when you apply, you can get up to 6 months of back payments. I waited until I was 67 to apply (my FRA was 66 and 8 months) and got those extra months retroactively. Also, once you start receiving spousal benefits, you'll get annual cost-of-living adjustments just like regular SS recipients. The whole process was much smoother than I expected - don't let the paperwork intimidate you!

I'm in a similar situation and found this thread so helpful! One thing I wanted to add - if you're considering taking spousal benefits before your FRA, it might be worth calculating the breakeven point. I used a simple spreadsheet to figure out how many years it would take for the higher FRA amount to make up for the months of reduced payments I'd miss by waiting. For me, the breakeven was around age 78. Since longevity runs in my family, I decided to wait for the full 50%. But if you need the income now or have health concerns, taking it early might make more sense. The peace of mind of having that monthly income can be worth more than the extra dollars down the road. Everyone's situation is different!

Since no one's mentioned it yet, there's also an actual formula you can use to get a rough idea. Your Social Security benefit is based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). If you have several zero years in your 35-year calculation: 1. Every $1,200 in additional annual earnings translates to about $1 more per month in benefits for the rest of your life So if you're earning $72,000 per year as you mentioned, and replacing zeros, that's potentially adding about $60 monthly to your benefit for each year worked ($72,000 ÷ $1,200 = $60). Over a 20-year retirement, that's about $28,800 in additional benefits for each extra year you work (not counting cost of living adjustments). This is simplified, but gives you a ballpark figure to compare against your work satisfaction and other factors.

Another factor to consider is the delayed retirement credits if you're thinking about when to actually claim benefits. If you're planning to retire but wait until your Full Retirement Age to claim, you might also want to look into whether waiting even longer to claim (up to age 70) could make sense given your situation. Since you have those gaps in your work history, your benefit amount at FRA might be lower than someone with a full 35-year career. Delayed retirement credits give you an 8% increase per year for each year you delay claiming past your FRA up to age 70. So if your FRA benefit ends up being on the lower side due to those zero years, the delayed credits could be particularly valuable. You could potentially retire when you want, work part-time or consult if you need income, and still maximize your eventual Social Security benefit by waiting to claim. Just something else to factor into your overall retirement strategy!

As a newcomer to this community and someone who's just starting to navigate Social Security benefits, I'm incredibly grateful for all the detailed advice shared here! Reading through everyone's experiences has been so much more helpful than trying to decipher the official SSA website alone. I'm particularly struck by how many different experiences people have had - some completing everything online smoothly, others needing phone interviews, and some facing technical glitches. It really shows how individual circumstances can affect the process. The advice about verifying that your own retirement benefit will actually be higher than your survivor benefit before switching is crucial - I had no idea this was a permanent decision that can't be reversed! As someone new to these processes, I'm taking notes on all the practical tips: having uninterrupted time for the online application, keeping banking info handy, calling early in the morning for shorter wait times, and being prepared for a potential follow-up phone call. It's reassuring to know that even when the online system has hiccups, there are alternative ways to get help, whether through phone calls, in-person appointments, or even services like the one mentioned that helps connect you with SSA representatives. Thank you all for creating such a supportive environment where people feel comfortable sharing both their successes and frustrations. This kind of real-world guidance is invaluable for those of us just learning to navigate the Social Security system!

As someone new to this community and currently navigating Social Security benefits for the first time, I wanted to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and practical advice! I'm not quite at the point where I need to switch from survivor to retirement benefits, but reading through all these real experiences has been incredibly educational. What really strikes me is how the process seems to work best when you're well-prepared - having your documents organized, checking benefit amounts first, and setting aside adequate time for the online application. The warning about this being a permanent decision that can't be reversed is particularly important and not something I would have known to ask about. I'm also impressed by how this community provides both the official process (start online, expect a phone follow-up) and all the practical workarounds when things don't go smoothly. The tips about calling early in the morning, using library resources for online help, and alternative services for reaching SSA representatives are exactly the kind of real-world guidance you can't find in official documentation. It's reassuring to see that while everyone's experience varies, there are multiple paths to success. Thanks for creating such a supportive environment where people feel comfortable sharing both positive outcomes and frustrating challenges!

Just want to echo what others have said about starting early - definitely apply 4 months ahead! I'm a retired SSA claims specialist and saw so many people who waited until the last minute and then panicked when there were processing delays. One thing I don't see mentioned yet: when you submit your online application, there's a section for "remarks" or "additional information." Use this space to clearly state that you're currently receiving survivor benefits and want to switch to your own retirement record effective with the month you turn 70 (July 2025). Be specific about the effective date you want. Also, after you submit online, you should get an email confirmation within 24-48 hours. If you don't receive it, that could indicate there was an issue with your submission. Don't assume "no news is good news" - follow up if you don't get that initial confirmation email. Good luck with the transition! The $725 monthly increase will make a real difference in your retirement security.

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful advice! I'm in a similar situation - currently 68 and receiving survivor benefits, planning to switch to my own retirement at 70. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly valuable. One question I have after reading everything: For those who've gone through this process, did SSA send you any written confirmation or letter after you successfully applied online? I'm the type who likes to have paper documentation for important changes like this, especially given some of the stories about processing delays and lost applications. Also, @Austin Leonard, since you mentioned being a retired SSA claims specialist - are there any red flags or common mistakes in the application that we should specifically watch out for to avoid delays? This community is such a great resource for navigating these complex Social Security situations!

Welcome to the community! I'm new here too and this thread has been incredibly educational. As someone who's just starting to learn about Social Security benefits, it's amazing to see how knowledgeable and supportive everyone is. For Maggie's brother - it sounds like he's in a really good position! From everything I've read here, it seems like the key points are: no earnings limits at 67, Medicare continues, just report the work activity to SSA for their records, and maybe consider the tax implications if he does really well. It's so encouraging to hear about someone feeling well enough to return to work after such a long time on disability. The fact that the system actually supports this transition rather than penalizing it gives me hope that these programs really do work the way they're supposed to. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and knowledge!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by how helpful and knowledgeable everyone has been in this thread! Reading through all the responses has really educated me about how Social Security works at full retirement age. For your brother, it sounds like he's in an ideal situation - no earnings limits at 67, Medicare continues unchanged, and the SSA actually supports people returning to work when they're able. The advice about reporting his work activity online through his my Social Security account seems like the easiest approach to avoid those frustrating phone waits. I really appreciate how this community comes together to help people navigate these complex benefits. It's encouraging to see someone feeling well enough to consider returning to work after so many years, and it's wonderful that the system is designed to support that transition rather than penalize it. Best wishes to your brother as he explores this new opportunity!