Hi Jenna! I'm new to this community but your situation hits close to home - I'm currently on SSDI and approaching my FRA in about 18 months, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about this transition process. Reading through all the responses here has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like you've gotten some really solid advice, especially from folks who have recently been through the exact same situation. The consensus seems clear that you're definitely entitled to additional spousal benefits. One thing I noticed from the responses is that multiple people mentioned the importance of calling early (right at 8am) and using specific terminology like "auxiliary spousal benefits" when you call. It's amazing how much difference the right words can make when dealing with government agencies! I'm really hoping your call goes smoothly tomorrow. That potential $1,200 in retroactive payments plus the ongoing $150/month would make such a difference. Please do update us on how it goes - as someone who will likely be in your shoes soon, I'd love to learn from your experience. Good luck, and don't let them wear you down! You've clearly done your homework and you know what you're entitled to. You've got this! 💪

Hi Jenna! I'm new to this community but your post really resonates with me. I went through almost the exact same situation about a year ago when I transitioned from SSDI to retirement benefits at my FRA. The disappearing information on the SSA website is SO frustrating - it's like they deliberately make it harder once you convert! Just wanted to add a few things that helped me: 1. Your current monthly payment IS your PIA at FRA - all those COLA increases from your SSDI years are already included in that amount. 2. Based on your numbers ($1,250 vs your husband's $2,800), you're definitely leaving money on the table. You should be eligible for about $150/month in additional spousal benefits. 3. When I called SSA, I found that asking for the "excess spousal benefit" got me transferred to the right department faster than just saying "spousal benefits." 4. Don't forget to ask them to make it retroactive to when you first became eligible! That 8 months of back pay could be around $1,200. One more tip: if you're dreading the phone call (totally understandable), try calling right when they open at 8am. The wait times are usually much shorter in the early morning. You're absolutely entitled to these benefits - don't let the bureaucracy discourage you from claiming what's rightfully yours! Looking forward to hearing how your call goes. This thread has been really helpful for understanding the process better.

I'm going through something very similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 61 and my survivor benefits were just suspended last week due to my $47,000 salary. Like many of you, I got rushed through the phone call and left with more questions than answers. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm now planning to call back with a written list of specific questions and ask for benefit calculations at different income levels. The information about the Monthly Earnings Test is particularly useful - I had no idea you could potentially receive benefits for individual months where you earn less than $1,860, even if your annual income exceeds the limit. It's also really encouraging to learn that the withheld benefits aren't completely lost and will result in higher monthly payments once we reach Full Retirement Age. That definitely changes the financial equation when deciding whether to reduce work hours. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and practical advice. It's frustrating that we have to become experts in SSA procedures just to get basic information, but at least we can help each other navigate this confusing system. I'll report back after my next call with what I learn!

I just went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! You absolutely should receive an official suspension notice, but like others have mentioned, it may take 3-4 weeks and might not be as detailed as you'd hope. Here's what I learned that might help: When you call SSA back (and definitely do!), ask them to explain the "grace year" rule if you haven't heard about it yet. In your first year of receiving survivor benefits, they use a monthly earnings test rather than the annual test, which can be more favorable in some situations. Also, since you mentioned you're planning to reduce hours when you turn 64, keep in mind that there's a special earnings limit rule for the year you reach Full Retirement Age. In that year, the earnings limit is higher (about $59,520 for 2025) and only applies to months before you reach FRA. The key thing is to be very specific about your timeline when you call back. Tell them exactly when you plan to reduce hours and to what income level, and ask for calculations based on those scenarios. Don't let them give you generic information - push for numbers specific to your situation. One last tip: if you do decide to reduce hours mid-year, report the change to SSA immediately. There can be processing delays, but the sooner you report, the sooner your benefits might resume. Good luck!

As someone who works in the retirement planning field, I want to emphasize something that's been touched on but is really crucial - make absolutely sure you understand the difference between your "retirement date" and when you want your Social Security benefits to begin. Since you're reaching your Full Retirement Age (FRA) of 66 on May 19th, 2025, you have some flexibility here. You could technically start your benefits the month you turn 66 (May), but as others mentioned, you'd only get a partial month's worth since you weren't eligible for the full month. Most people in your situation choose to start benefits the month after they reach FRA (June in your case), which means your first payment would arrive on the third Wednesday of July, not June. This gives you a full month's benefit rather than a partial one. When you apply in February, you'll specify your "entitlement date" - this is when you want your benefits to actually begin, which should probably be June 1, 2025 for your situation. This is separate from your work retirement date of May 19. Also, definitely take advantage of the online application process, but don't hesitate to call SSA after submitting to confirm they received everything correctly. The confirmation number from your online application will be your lifeline if you need to follow up. Good luck with your retirement - you're being very smart to plan this thoroughly in advance!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone approaching retirement myself, I wanted to add one more tip that saved me a lot of stress. When you create your my Social Security account to check your earnings record (as others suggested), also download and print your Social Security Statement. This gives you an official record of your projected benefits that you can reference during your application. Also, I'd recommend setting up text or email alerts through your my Social Security account so you'll be notified of any important updates to your case once you apply. This can help you stay on top of the process without having to constantly call to check status. One last thing - if you have any direct deposit changes between now and when your benefits start (new bank account, etc.), make sure to update SSA immediately. Delayed payments due to incorrect banking information can be a real hassle to sort out. You're being so smart to plan this far ahead and ask all the right questions. February application timing sounds perfect!

I'm currently going through this exact same frustration from Japan! Been here for 6 months and hitting the same wall with the phone verification requirement. The NumberBarn solution that several people mentioned sounds like exactly what I need - $2/month is so much more reasonable than maintaining a full US phone plan just for occasional verification codes. One additional tip I discovered: if you're still in the process of moving abroad, try to set up your MySocialSecurity account BEFORE you leave the US if possible. I wish I had done this while I still had my US phone number active. Would have saved me months of headache trying to figure out workarounds from overseas. For anyone considering the various solutions mentioned here, it seems like the hierarchy from most to least reliable is: 1) In-person SSA office visit (if traveling to US), 2) NumberBarn or similar number porting service, 3) Google Fi, 4) Using family/friend's number, 5) Free VoIP services. The NumberBarn option really seems like the sweet spot of cost vs reliability based on everyone's experiences shared here.

I'm experiencing the exact same issue from France! Been trying to set up my MySocialSecurity account for months with no success. The phone verification requirement is incredibly frustrating for expats. After reading through all these suggestions, the NumberBarn solution sounds like the most practical approach - $2/month is so much more reasonable than Google Fi's $20/month, and it seems more reliable than the free VoIP options that SSA has been cracking down on. I'm curious though - for those who have successfully used NumberBarn or similar services, how long does the porting process typically take? I'm eager to get this resolved but want to set realistic expectations. Also, has anyone had success using these ported numbers for other US financial services that require phone verification? It would be great if this solution works across the board for all the US accounts I need to maintain while living abroad. This whole thread has been incredibly valuable - it's reassuring to know so many other expats are dealing with the same challenges, and the shared solutions give me hope that I can finally get digital access to my benefits information!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Isaac. Losing a parent is never easy, and I can only imagine how overwhelming it must be to handle these administrative details while grieving. Based on everything shared here, it sounds like you have a clear path forward. The January 30th payment was correctly issued and doesn't need to be returned since your mother lived through the entire month. The most important step now is reporting her passing to SSA promptly to prevent any future payments. I wanted to add one small suggestion that might help - when you do call SSA, consider having a notebook or document ready to jot down reference numbers, names of representatives you speak with, and any instructions they give you. Sometimes in these emotional situations it's easy to forget details later, and having notes can be really helpful if you need to call back for any reason. Also, don't feel like you have to handle everything at once. These administrative tasks will still be there tomorrow if you need to take breaks to process your grief. You're doing great by seeking guidance and taking it step by step. Wishing you strength during this difficult time.

Isaac, I'm so deeply sorry for the loss of your mother. Having just gone through this exact situation with my father-in-law last fall, I completely understand how confusing and overwhelming it can be to deal with these details while you're grieving. Everyone here has given you excellent guidance - the January 30th payment was correctly issued for January 2025 and absolutely does not need to be returned since your mother lived the entire month. The key now is getting her death reported to SSA quickly to stop any future payments. One thing that really helped us was calling SSA first thing in the morning (we got through around 8:15 AM on our second try). When you call, they'll walk you through everything step by step, and as her daughter, you definitely don't need executor paperwork just to report the death. I also want to echo what others said about reviewing any automatic payments from her account before making the SSA call, just in case the bank places any holds afterward. We learned that one the hard way. Please take care of yourself during this time. You're handling everything exactly right, and this community is here if you need any other guidance. Sending you my thoughts and support.