I'm 59 and planning to file at 62 next year, so this discussion has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add based on my research is about the timing of when SSA actually processes earnings reports. They typically don't catch earnings limit violations immediately - it often takes 12-18 months for them to reconcile your reported wages with what you told them when you filed. This means you might receive "overpayments" for more than a year before they catch up and start withholding benefits or demanding repayment. The silver lining is that this gives you time to set aside money if you think you might go over the limit, rather than being surprised by an immediate benefit reduction. Also, I've read that if you're close to the limit, it's better to err on the side of caution and report higher estimated earnings to SSA upfront - they'll adjust your benefits accordingly, and if you end up earning less than expected, they'll pay you the difference later. It's much easier to get money back from SSA than to deal with overpayment recovery!

I'm 58 and starting to plan for this exact scenario in a few years! This entire thread has been absolutely invaluable - thank you everyone for sharing such detailed, real-world experiences. One question I haven't seen addressed: what happens if your employer changes your pay schedule or moves your payday? For example, if they switch from monthly to bi-weekly pay, or if a payday falls on a weekend and gets moved to the previous Friday vs. the following Monday - does that affect which month the wages count toward for the monthly earnings test? I'm trying to think through all the potential timing issues since it sounds like the monthly calculation in that first year is so critical. Also, has anyone dealt with situations where their W-2 shows different wages than what they actually received due to payroll corrections or adjustments? I imagine that could create complications when SSA tries to reconcile your reported earnings against your actual W-2. This community has been so generous with sharing knowledge - I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for reference as I get closer to filing!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Yara. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you're on the right track understanding that survivor FRA is different from regular retirement FRA. One thing I'd add that might help with your planning - since you mentioned budget concerns about waiting those extra 6 months - you might want to calculate exactly what the monthly difference would be between taking survivor benefits now versus waiting until your full survivor FRA. Sometimes seeing the actual dollar amounts over your expected lifetime can help make the decision clearer. Also, when you do contact SSA (whether by phone, online, or in person), ask them to send you a written confirmation of your survivor benefit FRA date and the benefit amounts at different claiming ages. Having it in writing can be really helpful for your records and peace of mind. Wishing you strength as you navigate both the grief and these complicated benefit decisions.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Yara. This is such a difficult time to have to navigate these complicated benefit rules. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you're getting the right information about survivor FRA being different from regular retirement FRA. I went through something similar with my mom a few years ago, and it really is confusing how they have separate schedules. One thing that helped us was creating a simple timeline with the exact dates and dollar amounts. We wrote down: - Current monthly benefit amount - Estimated survivor benefit at different claiming ages (60, FRA, etc.) - The exact month/year of survivor FRA - Total money "lost" by waiting vs. gained over lifetime Having it all laid out visually made the decision much clearer. The SSA office can help you run these numbers if you bring a list of specific questions. Also, don't feel bad about taking your time to understand this completely. A 6-month difference in timing can mean thousands of dollars over your lifetime, so it's worth getting it exactly right. Take care of yourself during this process.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by how thoroughly everyone has helped Yara work through this WEP issue! I'm currently 62 and considering when to file for Social Security, and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea about the Windfall Elimination Provision or how it could affect benefits for people with non-covered employment like teaching. I worked as a county employee for 8 years early in my career and receive a small pension from that - now I'm wondering if I need to factor WEP into my own retirement planning. The fact that the SSA calculators don't automatically flag this potential reduction seems like a major oversight. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here - this is exactly the kind of real-world information that's so hard to find elsewhere!

Welcome to everyone who's new to the community! This thread really showcases the collective knowledge and support that makes this forum so valuable. I've been a member here for a while, and it's threads like this that remind me why government benefit discussions are so important to have in a community setting. For anyone else reading who might be facing similar estimate vs. actual payment discrepancies, here are the key takeaways from this excellent discussion: 1. **Always disclose ALL employment history** when using SSA calculators, including non-covered work (teaching, government jobs, etc.) 2. **Check for WEP eligibility** if you have any pension from non-covered employment - even small pensions can trigger reductions 3. **The "substantial earnings" threshold matters** - currently about $30,800 for 2025. More years above this threshold = less WEP impact 4. **Don't forget about Medicare premiums** and tax withholding as potential deductions 5. **Use the detailed calculators** on SSA.gov rather than the quick estimates for more accurate projections The fact that Yara can potentially eliminate her WEP reduction entirely by working just 3 more years to reach 30 years of substantial earnings is a perfect example of why understanding these rules matters so much for retirement planning. Knowledge truly is power when it comes to maximizing your Social Security benefits!

Wow, this thread has been incredibly educational! As a 64-year-old who's been considering early retirement, I had absolutely no idea that SSDI was still an option after 62. My understanding was the same as your coworker's - that once you hit 62, disability was off the table. Learning that SSDI actually pays your FULL retirement amount (not the reduced early retirement amount) is huge! That could be the difference between financial security and struggling. I'm also grateful for all the practical tips shared here - the importance of keeping detailed medical records, understanding the SGA limits, knowing about SHIP counselors, and being specific about which benefit you're applying for when dealing with SSA. It's clear that navigating this system requires a lot more knowledge than most of us realize. Thank you to everyone who shared their personal experiences and professional insights. This is exactly the kind of real-world information that can make or break someone's financial future in their later years.

This is exactly why I love this community! I'm 62 and have been so confused about all these options. My biggest takeaway from reading everyone's experiences is that you really need to be proactive about understanding your choices BEFORE you need them. The stories about people having to fight to get the right application type processed, or missing out on higher benefits because they didn't know SSDI was still available after 62, are eye-opening. I'm definitely going to start building that medical documentation file now (even though I'm healthy) and research our local SHIP counselor. It sounds like having an expert guide you through these decisions could save thousands of dollars in the long run. One question I have - if you're planning to work until your FRA but develop a condition that might qualify for SSDI, is there any advantage to applying for disability right away versus waiting to see if you can push through to full retirement? The timing seems really crucial for maximizing benefits.

Welcome to the confusing world of SSA! 😅 You've got it exactly right - you only get reimbursed for actual double-payment months, not every month you paid in advance. The tax withholding on reimbursements is definitely frustrating but unfortunately that's just how their ancient system works. One tip: when you start your benefits, keep a close eye on your first few payments to make sure everything is calculating correctly. Sometimes there are little glitches in the transition period that need to be caught early. And definitely save all your documentation - you'll need it for tax time next year to sort out any overwithholding issues. Good luck with your upcoming benefits! The learning curve is steep but this community is really helpful for navigating all the SSA quirks.

This whole situation perfectly illustrates why so many people get frustrated with SSA! I went through something similar when I started my benefits last year. The key thing that helped me understand it was realizing that their computer systems literally can't tell the difference between a regular benefit payment and a reimbursement - everything gets processed the same way with the same tax withholding rules applied. For anyone else reading this who might face a similar situation: the "double payment" reimbursement only happens when there's an actual overlap month where you paid directly AND they would also deduct from your benefit. So if you prepaid multiple months, you won't get reimbursed for all of them - only the ones where there would be true double billing. And unfortunately yes, they will withhold taxes on these reimbursements even though it doesn't make logical sense. Just another quirk of dealing with government systems that haven't been updated since the 1980s! Keep all your paperwork and work with a tax professional if needed to make sure you're not overpaying when you file next year.