Thank you everyone for all this amazing information! I'm feeling much more hopeful about trying to work a little bit. I'm going to: 1. Call the Ticket to Work helpline to get connected with a WIPA counselor 2. Look into my state's Vocational Rehabilitation services 3. Consider jobs at libraries or animal shelters that might accommodate my limitations 4. Make sure I understand the reporting requirements It's such a relief to know I can try working without immediately losing my benefits. I'll be very careful to stay under the limits and keep good records of everything. Thanks again for all your help!

You've got a great plan laid out! One more resource I'd recommend is the ABLE National Resource Center website (ablenrc.org) - if you qualify for an ABLE account, you can save up to $100,000 without affecting your DAC benefits. This could be really helpful for building long-term financial security while working part-time. Also, when you do start working, ask your employer about direct deposit if possible. Having a clear paper trail of your earnings makes the monthly reporting to SSA much smoother. Some employers are also more familiar with accommodating workers with disabilities than others - don't be afraid to ask about their experience during interviews. You're taking all the right steps by getting proper guidance before jumping in. Best of luck with your work journey!

I read somewhere that for couples with big differences in their benefit amounts, there's almost ALWAYS an advantage to the lower-benefit spouse filing early and the higher-benefit spouse delaying, especially considering survivor benefits. Has anyone else seen research on this? Or is this just conventional wisdom that doesn't always hold up with actual numbers?

As someone who went through this exact decision process two years ago, I can share what we learned. My wife and I had a similar PIA gap ($850 vs $3,900), and after consulting with a fee-only financial planner who specialized in Social Security, we ended up with the "62/70 split" strategy that others have mentioned. The key insight was realizing that the break-even calculations change dramatically when you factor in the survivor benefit scenario. Yes, the lifetime benefit difference might seem small when both spouses are alive, but the protection for the surviving spouse (likely you) is substantial. We also discovered that having other retirement assets actually makes delaying MORE valuable, not less, because you can afford to let the higher benefit grow while living off savings. The enhanced survivor benefit essentially becomes a form of longevity insurance that you can't buy anywhere else. One practical tip: Get your actual benefit estimates from SSA (not calculators) and run the numbers assuming you live to 90-95, not just average life expectancy. The differences become much more meaningful over longer time horizons. Given your solid retirement savings, I'd strongly consider having your husband delay to 70 while you file at 62. The survivor benefit protection alone is probably worth it.

One more thing to consider: While your benefit amount is dropping slightly now, remember that every year it will be adjusted for COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustments). So when you actually start receiving benefits at your FRA, it will likely be more than what you're seeing projected now, just due to inflation adjustments.

I'm going through the exact same thing! I retired early at 55 and have been watching my projected benefit slowly tick down each year. It's definitely nerve-wracking at first, but everyone here is spot on - it's completely normal. The SSA system was originally projecting based on continued earnings, and now it's adjusting to reality. What helped me was understanding that the decline will eventually level off. Once you've been out of work for enough years that all your "top 35" earning years are locked in from your actual work history (not projections), the amount should stabilize. For me, that happened after about 4-5 years of retirement. Also, if you're like me and had some lower-earning years early in your career, those might actually get pushed out by your higher-earning years, which could slow or even reverse the decline slightly. The indexing for inflation on your historical earnings can sometimes work in your favor too. Hang in there - waiting until FRA is definitely the right move to maximize your benefit regardless of these small adjustments!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said and add one more piece of advice from my recent experience. You absolutely must wait until September (your actual 70th birthday month) to get the maximum delayed retirement credits - there's no shortcut or early start option. I went through this process last year and the online application at ssa.gov really is the way to go. When you apply in May/June, there's a specific question asking when you want your benefits to begin - make sure you select September 2023, not "as soon as possible" or any earlier date. One thing that helped me was calling SSA after I submitted my online application just to confirm they had the correct start date on file. The representative was able to pull up my application and verify everything looked right. This gave me peace of mind that I wouldn't accidentally start receiving benefits early and lose out on those final months of delayed credits. Also, don't forget to factor in taxes on your Social Security benefits when you're doing your budget planning. Depending on your other retirement income, up to 85% of your Social Security could be taxable. It caught me off guard that first year, so definitely worth running the numbers ahead of time!

As someone who works in retirement planning, I can confirm what everyone here has said - you absolutely must wait until your actual birth month (September 2023) to receive the maximum delayed retirement credits. There's no provision in Social Security law that allows you to start receiving benefits in January of the year you turn 70. Here's what I always tell my clients: think of delayed retirement credits as earning 2/3 of 1% extra for each month you delay past your full retirement age, up to age 70. If you started in January instead of September, you'd be giving up 8 months worth of those credits - that's about 5.33% less in monthly benefits for the rest of your life! The process is straightforward: apply online 3-4 months before your 70th birthday (so May or June 2023), clearly specify September 2023 as your benefit start date, and make sure you have direct deposit set up. Your first payment will arrive in October 2023 for the September benefit. One additional tip - consider doing a final review of your earnings record on ssa.gov before applying to make sure all your lifetime earnings are correctly reported. Any errors could affect your benefit calculation, and it's easier to fix them before you start receiving benefits. You've waited this long to maximize your benefit - don't leave money on the table by starting 8 months early!

Just wanted to add another resource that might help you - the Red Book from SSA is their official guide to employment support for people with disabilities. It's available free online and has detailed explanations of all the work incentives, including TWP, EPE, and IRWEs that others have mentioned. It's written in plain English (mostly) and has examples that make it easier to understand than their regular website. Also, many states have Protection and Advocacy agencies that can help if you run into problems with SSA. They know the system inside and out and can advocate for you if there's an overpayment issue or other dispute. Given your MS diagnosis, you might also want to check if there are any MS-specific work support programs in your area - the National MS Society sometimes has resources for people trying to navigate work and benefits. The key thing is to document everything and report monthly. Keep copies of all your wage statements, your monthly reports to SSA, and any correspondence. It sounds like you're being really thoughtful about this, which is exactly the right approach.

I'm a WIPA counselor and wanted to jump in with some additional clarification that might help you feel more confident about moving forward. You've received excellent advice here, but I want to emphasize a few key points specifically for your MS situation: 1. **The "substantial" in SGA matters**: SSA doesn't just look at dollar amounts - they also consider whether work demonstrates substantial gainful activity given your disability. With MS, if you're working reduced hours due to symptom management, this context matters during reviews. 2. **Accommodation costs can be IRWEs**: Since you mentioned remote work, any technology, ergonomic equipment, or software you need due to your MS symptoms could potentially qualify as Impairment-Related Work Expenses. 3. **State-specific programs**: Many states have additional work incentive programs for people with disabilities. Some offer benefits continuation, health insurance support, or even small grants for work-related accommodations. The monthly vs. annual question you asked is definitely monthly evaluation, but remember - you have multiple safety nets. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. The fact that you're asking these questions shows you'll be a conscientious participant in the program. I'd strongly recommend connecting with your local WIPA program (you can find yours at choosework.ssa.gov/findhelp) for personalized guidance. We can run scenarios specific to your situation and help you create a work plan that maximizes your success while protecting your benefits. You're making a smart, informed decision. These programs exist specifically to support people like you in returning to work safely.