Smart decision, Zara! You're absolutely right about the earnings test too - if you're still working part-time, claiming early could trigger benefit reductions if you earn over the annual limit ($22,320 for 2024). That's another factor people often forget about. Since you have time to research and plan, waiting until FRA gives you maximum flexibility and benefits. Plus, those extra years of earnings might even increase your own PIA slightly. You sound like you've really thought this through!

You made the right choice, Zara! I went through this same decision process two years ago and also decided to wait until FRA. It was tough watching that money sit on the table, but when I finally claimed at my FRA, the difference was substantial. One thing that helped me was creating a breakeven analysis - calculating at what age the total lifetime benefits would be equal between claiming early vs. waiting. For most people in situations like yours, if you live past age 78-80, waiting pays off significantly. The SSA's online calculators can help with this, though they're not the most user-friendly. Also, don't forget that your spousal benefit will be based on your husband's full PIA since he's waiting until his FRA - that's the silver lining in all this complexity!

As someone who's been through this decision process recently, I wanted to add a few practical considerations that might help: First, don't underestimate the psychological benefit of having some income coming in during those early retirement years. Even though the math often favors waiting, there's real peace of mind in having guaranteed monthly income while you're adjusting to retirement life. Second, consider your overall retirement income picture. If you have other sources of income (pensions, 401k withdrawals, part-time work), the pressure to claim early decreases significantly. But if Social Security will be a major portion of your retirement income, the waiting strategy becomes even more important. One thing that helped us was creating a year-by-year cash flow projection for both scenarios - claiming at 62 vs waiting until FRA. Factor in your other income sources, expected expenses, and don't forget about Medicare premiums starting at 65 (which get deducted from Social Security if you're already collecting). Also worth noting: if your wife does decide to wait, she can always change her mind later if circumstances change (health issues, market crashes, etc.). But once she files, there's no going back except in very limited circumstances within the first 12 months. The survivor benefit piece you mentioned is crucial and often overlooked. Since you're maximizing your benefit by waiting until 70, that provides excellent protection for your wife's later years regardless of her initial filing decision.

I'm going through a similar decision process with my spouse, and one thing our financial advisor emphasized was to look at this from a "household optimization" perspective rather than individual optimization. Since you're already maximizing your benefit by waiting until 70, you've essentially locked in the highest possible survivor benefit for your wife. This means the decision about her filing timing becomes more about optimizing total household income rather than worrying about leaving money on the table. A few additional factors to consider: 1) Tax implications - if you have substantial retirement account balances, having your wife's smaller benefit start early might help manage your overall tax bracket when you start taking RMDs later. 2) Social Security's future - while the program isn't going anywhere, there's ongoing discussion about potential changes. Having some benefits locked in earlier provides a hedge against any future modifications to the program. 3) Healthcare costs - if your wife retires early at 62 and needs to bridge health insurance until Medicare kicks in at 65, that monthly SS income could help offset those premium costs. The most important thing is that you're asking these questions now rather than making a hasty decision at 62. Even if the "optimal" choice is to wait, having guaranteed income starting at 62 isn't necessarily wrong if it fits your overall retirement strategy and gives you peace of mind.

I talked to my mother about all your helpful comments. She's going to check if her own retirement benefit might be higher at her FRA than her reduced survivor benefit. I just wish the SSA had explained this more clearly to her when she applied. The whole system is so complicated! Thank you all for your insights - this has been incredibly helpful for us to understand our options going forward.

I'm glad you found everyone's advice helpful! Your mother's situation is unfortunately very common - many people don't realize the permanence of the reduction when claiming survivor benefits early. The good news is that checking her own retirement benefit is definitely worth doing. Even if her own benefit isn't higher now, it's good to know for future planning. Also, don't forget that if she does have other sources of income, she might want to consult with a tax professional about the tax implications that Isaac mentioned. The SSA really should do a better job explaining these permanent decisions upfront. Best of luck to your mother!

As someone new to this community, I've been following this discussion closely since I'm in a very similar situation! Just reached FRA last month and dealing with the same spousal benefit questions. What strikes me most from everyone's experiences is how inconsistent SSA's process seems to be - some people get asked for documents, others don't, and applications just sit there waiting. Based on all the advice here, I think the smart approach is definitely to be proactive. I'm going to try the early morning calling strategy (7 AM on Wed/Thu) that several people recommended, and if that doesn't work after a few attempts, I'll head to my local office with my certified marriage certificate and all other documents. It's frustrating that we have to work so hard just to get benefits we're entitled to, but at least knowing what to expect helps. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences - this kind of practical advice from people who've actually been through the process is invaluable!

As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through this entire discussion and it's incredibly helpful to see so many people sharing their real experiences! I'm in a very similar situation - just hit my FRA and trying to figure out the spousal benefit process. What really stands out from everyone's advice is the importance of being proactive with SSA's overwhelmed system. The consensus seems clear: try the early morning calling strategy (7 AM on Wed/Thu) first, but don't wait too long before visiting the office with your certified marriage certificate and all supporting documents. I'm particularly struck by how many people had their applications just sitting there waiting for documents SSA never actually requested - that's both frustrating and valuable to know! I'm planning to gather my certified marriage certificate from the county clerk, both our Social Security cards, photo IDs, and any correspondence from SSA, then try calling first thing tomorrow morning. If that doesn't work after a few attempts, I'll head to the office early next week. Thanks to everyone for sharing such practical, real-world advice - it's exactly what people like us need to navigate this process successfully!

This thread has been a goldmine of information! I'm new to the community and facing a similar situation - eligible for benefits in a few months but still working part-time. The clarity everyone has provided about the monthly vs annual earnings test distinction is exactly what I needed. I had no idea about the first-year monthly testing rule, and honestly, the SSA website makes this so confusing. One question I haven't seen addressed yet: if you voluntarily suspend benefits for certain months during your first year, does that affect your benefit calculation when you reach FRA? I understand that benefits withheld due to excess earnings get factored back in later, but I'm wondering if voluntary suspension works the same way or if those months are just "lost." Also, huge thanks to those who mentioned specific resources like the POMS references and the Claimyr service - having actual tools to navigate this bureaucratic maze is incredibly helpful. The phone system really is impossible! I'm definitely going to be proactive about reporting my expected earnings and keeping detailed records based on all the advice here.

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm approaching eligibility for Social Security in a few months and had no idea about the complexity of the earnings limit rules. The distinction between the monthly earnings test in the first year versus the annual test afterward is something I never would have understood from the SSA website alone. What strikes me most is how many people are dealing with similar situations - it really highlights how unclear the official guidance is. I'm particularly grateful for the practical advice about voluntary suspension and the importance of proactive communication with SSA. The tip about keeping detailed records and the 60-day advance notice recommendation will definitely influence how I approach my own situation. One thing that's concerning me after reading through all of this is how difficult it seems to actually reach SSA by phone. Has anyone had better luck with in-person visits to local SSA offices, or are those just as challenging to navigate? I'm wondering if it might be worth scheduling an appointment well in advance to discuss my specific earnings pattern and get guidance directly from an agent. Thanks to everyone who has shared their real-world experiences - this kind of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is invaluable when dealing with such a complex system!