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As someone who just joined this community, I want to echo what others have said about how valuable this discussion has been! I'm 59 and considering early retirement at 62, but I was completely unaware of the earnings test until reading through all these responses. What really helped me understand this policy was Andre's explanation about it being a "temporary adjustment" rather than a penalty, and the fact that you're essentially getting paid twice (wages + benefits) if you're working substantial hours while collecting early retirement benefits. That framing makes the whole system seem much more reasonable. I'm particularly grateful for all the practical advice shared here - from keeping detailed earnings records to avoid surprises, to specific tips about calling SSA, and resources like Claimyr for actually reaching a human being when needed. These are the kinds of real-world insights you just can't get from official SSA publications. One thing I'm taking away is that early retirement with part-time work is definitely doable if you plan carefully and stay well under that $22,300 limit. The key seems to be going into it with your eyes wide open about the rules, rather than getting caught off guard like so many people apparently do. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is exactly what people like me need when navigating these complex Social Security decisions!
Welcome to the community, Ev! I'm also new here and completely agree about how eye-opening this discussion has been. Like you, I'm in my late 50s and had no idea about any of these earnings test rules before finding this thread. What really struck me was learning that the withheld benefits aren't actually lost forever - that recalculation at FRA that increases your monthly payments is such an important detail that seems to get overlooked in most basic explanations of Social Security. It completely changes how you think about the policy. I'm also planning to be much more careful about record-keeping now. The stories about people getting surprised by overtime or seasonal work pushing them over the limit really drove home how easy it would be to accidentally exceed that $22,300 threshold without proper tracking. The practical tips about calling SSA and services like Claimyr are going to be invaluable when I eventually need to navigate this system myself. It's reassuring to know there are actual ways to reach someone who can help explain your specific situation. Thanks for adding your perspective - it's so helpful to hear from others who are in similar planning stages!
As someone new to this community and approaching retirement planning at 61, I can't thank everyone enough for this incredibly detailed discussion! I had heard vague mentions of "earnings limits" for Social Security but never understood the actual mechanics or reasoning behind them. What's been most helpful is learning that this isn't just an arbitrary restriction - it's actually designed to ensure benefits go to people who are truly transitioning into retirement rather than those still working full careers. The fact that any withheld benefits result in permanently higher monthly payments after FRA makes this policy much more reasonable than I initially thought. I'm particularly grateful for all the practical advice shared here. Diego's point about tracking earnings monthly to avoid seasonal surprises, the tips about optimal times to call SSA, and resources like Claimyr for actually reaching an agent - these are exactly the kinds of real-world insights that official SSA materials don't provide. For those of us still in the planning phase, it sounds like the key is understanding these rules upfront and building them into your retirement strategy rather than getting caught off guard. Quinn's situation with the garden center job is a perfect example of how manageable this can be when you plan ahead and stay well under the limits. This discussion has definitely influenced my thinking about timing my benefit claim versus continuing part-time work. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!
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I'm dealing with a similar situation with my aunt who's on SSI, so this thread has been incredibly valuable! Based on what I'm seeing here, it sounds like the safest approach is: 1. Get multiple documented valuations of the old car's actual condition/value 2. Have your cousin sell to a third party (junkyard, dealer, etc.) rather than to you directly to avoid family transfer scrutiny 3. Keep all receipts and documentation 4. Only after that sale is complete and reported, then gift your vehicle as a separate transaction The horror story from Ella about losing 6 months of benefits really drives home how important it is to get this right the first time. Has anyone had success working with a disability advocate or attorney for something like this? I'm wondering if a consultation might be worth it given how much is at stake. Also, for those who've been through this - did SSA require any specific forms to document the vehicle transactions, or is it just a matter of reporting the resource changes during regular check-ins?
You're absolutely right about keeping the transactions separate - that seems to be the key theme from everyone who's had success with this. Regarding disability advocates, I actually worked with one through my local Legal Aid office when my mom had SSI issues, and it was incredibly helpful. They know exactly which documentation SSA wants to see and how to present everything properly. For the forms question - there aren't specific SSA forms for vehicle transfers, but you'll need to report any resource changes on the standard SSI reporting forms (like the SSA-8010-BK) or during your regular redetermination. The advocate I worked with helped us prepare a detailed written summary with all the supporting documentation attached, which made the reporting process much smoother. One thing I'd add to your list: consider timing the old car sale for early in a calendar month. That gives your cousin more time to spend down the cash proceeds before the month ends, which reduces the risk of accidentally going over the $2,000 resource limit while handling the transition.
I've been helping SSI recipients with vehicle transitions for over a decade as a benefits counselor, and I want to add some crucial points that haven't been fully covered: **Critical timing issue**: The month you complete the old car sale matters enormously. If your cousin receives the sale proceeds in December, for example, they must spend it down by December 31st - not January 31st. I've seen people lose benefits because they misunderstood this monthly deadline. **Documentation strategy**: Beyond getting valuations, create a "vehicle condition report" with photos, mileage, and a detailed list of all mechanical issues. Have a mechanic sign and date it. This creates an official record that's harder for SSA to dispute later. **The "arms length" transaction is key**: Several people mentioned selling to junkyards/dealers vs family. This is absolutely critical. SSA has a much higher scrutiny standard for intrafamily transfers, even when properly documented. **Reporting timeline**: Report the sale immediately when it happens, but frame it as "disposed of resource at fair market value" with full documentation attached. Don't wait for them to ask - proactive reporting with solid documentation usually prevents problems. **Emergency backup plan**: Keep documentation of the old car's condition even after disposal. I've seen SSA question transactions months or even years later during redeterminations. The key is treating this like a business transaction with complete documentation, not a family favor. Good luck!
This is exactly the kind of expert insight I was hoping to find! Thank you so much for breaking down these critical details. The monthly deadline point is especially important - I had assumed it was just about staying under $2,000 total, but you're right that the timing within the specific month matters. I'm definitely going to follow your advice about creating that formal vehicle condition report with a mechanic's signature. That sounds like the strongest possible documentation to establish actual value vs. book value. One follow-up question: when you say "report immediately when it happens" - do you mean calling SSA right after the sale, or is it sufficient to report it at the next scheduled contact/redetermination? I want to be proactive but also don't want to accidentally trigger extra scrutiny by calling outside of normal reporting windows. Also, should I encourage my cousin to keep copies of this documentation indefinitely, or is there a specific timeframe SSA typically looks back when reviewing old transactions?
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Welcome to the community! I'm also approaching 70 and found this thread incredibly helpful. One thing I'd like to add that I learned from my financial advisor: make sure to check if your employer offers any retirement health benefits that might be affected by when you stop working versus when you start collecting Social Security. Sometimes these are tied to different dates and you don't want any gaps in coverage. Also, if you have any HSA funds, now might be a good time to review your strategy there since you can use HSA money for Medicare premiums once you're enrolled. The coordination between stopping work, starting SS, and transitioning to Medicare can be tricky timing-wise. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice we need!
Great point about coordinating with employer benefits and HSA strategy! I hadn't considered the potential gaps between stopping work and starting benefits. This is exactly why I love this community - so many details that you don't think about until someone who's been through it shares their experience. The Medicare transition timing is something I definitely need to research more. Thanks for adding another important piece to this puzzle!
I'm in a very similar situation - turning 70 in September and have been putting off applying because I wasn't sure about the timing either. This thread has been incredibly enlightening! I had no idea about the "day before birthday" rule or that continuing to work past 70 might still help if it replaces lower-earning years. One question I have that hasn't been fully addressed: if I apply in June for September benefits, will there be any delay in processing that might push my first payment beyond October? I'm planning to retire at the end of August and want to make sure there's no gap in income. Has anyone experienced processing delays even when applying the recommended 3-4 months early? Also, @Ella rollingthunder87, thank you for asking this question - your situation is helping so many of us who are in the same boat!
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As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this discussion closely and I'm really impressed by the level of expertise and support everyone is providing. This has been incredibly educational for someone like me who is just starting to navigate Social Security benefits. What really strikes me is how this appears to be a systematic issue rather than isolated errors. The fact that multiple families are receiving nearly identical explanations from SSA about "dividing the family maximum first" - when the correct procedure should be determining spousal eligibility first - suggests there may be widespread training problems or incorrect internal guidance at SSA offices. For everyone dealing with this issue, I wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful: the Social Security Administration's Program Operations Manual System (POMS) is publicly available online at policy.ssa.gov. The specific sections mentioned in this thread (GN 00615.060 and RS 00615.742) contain the official procedures for family maximum calculations. Having these printed out when you call or visit SSA could really strengthen your case. Also, if you do end up needing to file a formal complaint, the SSA Office of the Inspector General has an online reporting system specifically for benefit calculation errors. It's concerning that this systematic issue might be affecting many families with disabled adult children who may not realize their benefits are being calculated incorrectly. Thank you all for sharing your experiences so openly - it's helping educate newcomers like me about the importance of understanding these rules and advocating for accurate benefit calculations.
Welcome to the community! Your point about this being a systematic issue rather than isolated errors really resonates with what I've been observing throughout this discussion. The consistency in the incorrect explanations multiple families are receiving is quite telling. Thank you for providing the direct link to the POMS system at policy.ssa.gov - having that official resource readily available will be incredibly helpful for anyone dealing with similar calculation issues. The fact that these procedures are publicly accessible means families can verify whether SSA is following proper protocols. Your suggestion about the SSA Office of the Inspector General's online reporting system for benefit calculation errors is particularly valuable. If this really is a widespread training or procedural issue affecting families with DAC benefits, having multiple people report it could help identify and address the systematic problem more quickly. As someone new to Social Security benefits myself, this entire discussion has been an eye-opener about the importance of being informed and prepared to advocate for accurate calculations. The level of knowledge and mutual support in this community is remarkable - it gives me confidence that people can successfully navigate these complex situations when they have the right information and resources. I'm hoping all the families dealing with this issue get their benefits calculated correctly, and that this discussion helps prevent others from experiencing the same problems.
As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through this entire discussion and I'm amazed by how helpful and knowledgeable everyone has been. This situation is really eye-opening for someone like me who is just starting to understand Social Security benefits. What's particularly striking is how multiple families are experiencing the exact same issue with SSA apparently applying family maximum rules in the wrong order when DAC benefits are involved. The consistency of these incorrect explanations suggests this isn't just random errors but possibly a systematic training or procedural problem. Based on everything I've read here, it seems clear that SSA should be: 1. First determining spousal benefit eligibility (comparing your benefit to 50% of husband's PIA) 2. Then calculating what the DAC would receive (50% of husband's PIA) 3. Only THEN applying family maximum reductions proportionally if the total exceeds the limit The fact that they're telling multiple people they "don't qualify because your benefit exceeds your share of what's left" shows they're doing this backwards - dividing the family maximum first, then checking eligibility. For everyone planning to call SSA, I'd suggest being very specific about requesting the calculation order they used and asking them to cite the exact POMS section or regulation that supports their methodology. If they can't provide that documentation, it's a strong indication they're not following proper procedures. This discussion has been incredibly educational - thank you all for sharing your experiences and helping newcomers like me understand these complex rules!
Welcome to the community! You've done an excellent job summarizing the key issue here - your breakdown of the correct calculation order is spot on and really helps clarify what should be happening versus what SSA is apparently doing. Your suggestion about asking SSA representatives to cite the exact POMS section or regulation supporting their methodology is particularly smart. If they're unable to provide that documentation, it would be a clear red flag that they're not following established procedures. It's one thing for them to make calculation errors, but quite another if they can't even reference the official policy they're supposed to be following. As someone who's been learning about these rules through this discussion, I'm struck by how this systematic issue could be affecting so many families with disabled adult children. The fact that multiple people are getting nearly identical incorrect explanations suggests this might be happening on a much larger scale than what we're seeing just in this thread. This community has been incredibly valuable for helping people understand their rights and advocate for accurate benefit calculations. Your observation about the importance of being specific when requesting documentation from SSA is exactly the kind of practical advice that can make a real difference when people are trying to resolve these complex issues. Thanks for adding your perspective as a newcomer - it's helpful to see how these discussions can educate and empower people who are just starting to navigate the Social Security system!
Ravi Sharma
wait ur blind? how r u typing all this?? just curious
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Malik Johnson
•Legal blindness doesn't always mean total blindness. I use screen reading software plus high contrast settings. Some legally blind people can still see shapes, light, and even read with strong magnification. But I'm blind enough that I can't drive, can't read normal print, and qualify for SSDI.
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Isabella Ferreira
Have you received any update on this situation? Were you able to reach someone at SSA to explain the payment?
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Malik Johnson
•Finally got through yesterday! The agent confirmed what some of you suggested - it's a retroactive payment for the difference between my SSDI benefit and my dad's higher benefit rate (which I'm now receiving as a disabled adult child). The check is legitimate and I can deposit it. They're sending formal documentation explaining everything. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!
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