Welcome to the community! I just wanted to chime in as another newcomer who's been learning a lot from threads like this. I'm approaching 70 myself and have been wrestling with similar questions about work and Social Security. Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly educational. It's so helpful to see real experiences from people who've actually navigated this situation. The distinction between benefit reduction (which doesn't happen after FRA) and increased taxation (which can happen based on income) really clarified things for me. I'm curious - for those of you who went back to work after starting Social Security, did you find that the extra income changed your spending habits or retirement planning in any unexpected ways? I'm wondering if earning additional income might affect decisions about things like long-term care insurance or estate planning. Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences. This kind of peer-to-peer advice is invaluable when trying to make these important financial decisions!

As someone who recently went through this exact decision process, I can absolutely confirm what everyone else is saying - your Social Security benefits will NOT be reduced once you've reached Full Retirement Age, regardless of how much you earn from working. I started my SS at 70 last year and took on some part-time consulting work about 8 months later. My monthly Social Security payment has remained exactly the same. What did change was my tax situation - I now owe more in taxes because a higher percentage of my SS benefits became taxable due to the additional income. The confusion often comes from people saying their "Social Security money" went down, when what they really mean is their take-home amount decreased due to taxes, not that their actual benefit was reduced. Your neighbor is likely experiencing this tax impact, not an actual benefit cut. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much - make sure you understand how this might affect your state taxes too, not just federal. Some states tax Social Security benefits and some don't, so the impact can vary depending on where you live. Go for the consulting opportunity! You waited until 70 for maximum benefits for exactly this reason - to have the flexibility to work if you want to without penalties. Just plan ahead for the tax implications and you'll be fine.

For the death certificate, they usually want to see the original but they'll make a copy and give it back to you. At least that's what happened when my sister applied for survivor benefits. And yes, having his Social Security number would definitely help speed things up when you contact them, but if you don't have it, they should be able to find his record with enough other information.

One more important thing to consider: If you're working and planning to apply for survivor benefits at 60, be aware of the earnings test. In 2025, if you earn more than $23,000 (approximate figure), SSA will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above that limit until you reach your Full Retirement Age. This earnings test can significantly reduce or eliminate your survivor benefits if you have substantial income. However, once you reach FRA, the earnings test no longer applies, and you can earn any amount without reduction in benefits.

As someone who just went through this exact situation, I can't stress enough how important it is to be persistent with the phone calls. I finally got through on the 1-800-772-1213 number by calling right at 7 AM when they open - apparently that's when you have the best chance. When you do get someone, be very specific that you need an "IRMAA reconsideration appointment" and mention that you prefer in-person over phone/video. Also, since you mentioned the $289/month increase, make sure you're calculating the total annual impact when you present your case - that $3,468 per year really emphasizes the urgency. One thing that helped me was creating a simple one-page summary showing my 2023 income vs. my current projected income, with the property sale clearly highlighted as a one-time event. The visual really helped the agent understand my situation quickly. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but most people do eventually get resolution if they keep pushing!

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add - if you're having trouble with the phone system, try using the TTY line at 1-800-325-0778 even if you don't normally need TTY services. Sometimes it routes you to different agents who may have more availability. Also, I found out that some local Social Security offices have specific days of the week when they handle IRMAA appeals - mine does them on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. It might be worth asking about that when you do get through. The stress of dealing with an unexpected $289/month increase is real, but reading everyone's experiences here gives me hope that persistence will pay off. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and tips!

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! As someone who just navigated this process myself after a teaching career, I'd suggest starting with the my Social Security account at ssa.gov to review your earnings history. Since you mentioned 35 years of teaching, definitely ask specifically about WEP when you speak with SSA - it can significantly impact your benefits if your state didn't pay into Social Security. One thing that helped me was making a list of all my questions before calling or visiting. Write down: 1) How does my teacher's pension affect my SS benefits? 2) What's my benefit at 62 vs full retirement age vs 70? 3) Do my summer jobs or other non-teaching work help with the WEP calculation? The timing advice others gave is spot-on - apply 3-4 months before you want benefits to start. And definitely double-check your earnings record going back decades. I found a couple errors that needed correcting with old W-2s. Take your time with this decision - you've earned a comfortable retirement after all those years in the classroom!

As a fellow educator who recently went through this exact same process, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to get personalized help rather than relying solely on online estimates. The my Social Security account at ssa.gov is definitely your first stop - create that account ASAP to review your earnings history. Since you mentioned feeling lost with the pension offset stuff, here's what I learned: if your teaching position paid into Social Security (you'll see SS taxes deducted on old pay stubs), you're in much better shape than teachers from states that don't participate in SS. But either way, the WEP calculation is complex and the online tools often get it wrong. My biggest piece of advice? Don't go it alone. Whether you call the 1-800-772-1213 number (yes, the wait times are brutal) or visit a local office, make sure you speak with an actual SSA representative about your specific situation. Bring documentation of your teacher's pension, and ask them to walk you through the WEP calculation step by step. Timing-wise, you can apply up to 4 months before you want benefits to begin. Just remember that filing at 62 means a permanent 25-30% reduction compared to your full retirement age. After 35 years of dedication to education, you deserve to make an informed decision that sets you up for financial security. Take your time and get all the facts first!

I'm so sorry to hear about this situation with your mother's benefits. This is unfortunately incredibly common - I work as a social worker with seniors and see families discover missed survivor benefits all the time, sometimes years after the fact. A few additional things to consider for your appointment preparation: 1. If your mother has any hearing difficulties or gets overwhelmed easily in official settings, mention this upfront as it could support the "good cause" argument for late filing. 2. Consider bringing a trusted family member or friend as a witness to the appointment - having someone else hear the same information can be helpful if you need to reference the conversation later. 3. Ask specifically about "deemed filing" - sometimes when someone applies for survivor benefits, SSA can treat it as if they applied for all benefits they might be eligible for, which could potentially help with timing. 4. If your father had any periods where he delayed filing for his own Social Security (past his full retirement age), this could actually increase the survivor benefit amount your mother is entitled to, so mention his filing history if you know it. The fact that you're being so proactive and thorough in preparing for this appointment gives me hope that you'll get a positive outcome. Your mother is lucky to have such a dedicated advocate. Wishing you both the best of luck on Tuesday!

I'm a retired SSA employee and wanted to add something that might help with your Tuesday appointment. When you establish that protective filing date tomorrow, ask the representative to make a notation in your mother's record about the specific circumstances - that she was never informed about survivor benefits and continued receiving only her own benefit for three years. Also, bring documentation of your mother's current monthly expenses if you have it (utility bills, medical costs, etc.). While not required, showing the financial hardship caused by the delayed benefits can sometimes help with good cause determinations. One thing many people don't know is that survivor benefits can sometimes be higher than 100% of the deceased spouse's benefit if the deceased spouse had delayed retirement credits. Since your father was working past full retirement age, this could mean your mother is entitled to even more than his $2,850 monthly amount. Don't get discouraged if the first person you speak with seems unsure about the good cause provisions - ask to speak with a claims specialist or supervisor. The rules around late filing exceptions can be complex, and not all front-line staff are familiar with every provision. Your thorough preparation and advocacy will make a huge difference. Good luck on Tuesday!