This is such great advice from everyone! I'm in a similar situation (retiring in August 2025) and was really worried about the timing. Reading through all these responses has cleared up so much confusion. One quick question for those who've been through this - after you applied online, how long did it typically take to hear back from SSA with confirmation that everything was processed correctly? I know Ethan mentioned planning to apply in April for July benefits, but I'm wondering if there's usually enough time to fix any issues that might come up during those 3 months. Also, has anyone here had experience with the automatic recalculation that happens after you stop working? I'm curious how long that takes and whether they notify you when your benefit amount gets adjusted for those final months of earnings. Thanks for sharing all your experiences - it's so helpful to hear from people who've actually navigated this process!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who's been researching this exact scenario for months, I'm relieved to see so many people confirm that applying 3-4 months early while still working is the right approach. One thing I'd add from my research - when you apply online, there's actually a "remarks" section where you can add notes about your situation. I plan to write something like "Currently employed through June 30, 2025. Request benefits to begin July 2025 upon retirement." This gives SSA additional context about your timeline and intentions. Also, for anyone worried about the earnings calculation - I called SSA last month (waited 2+ hours!) and the representative confirmed that they routinely handle applications from people who are still working. It's completely normal and won't cause any delays or complications as long as you're clear about your intended benefit start date. The key is just being very explicit about when you want benefits to begin. SSA processes thousands of these applications every month from people in similar situations!

Just wanted to share another perspective as someone who's been through a similar situation. My Australian husband and I are living in Sydney, and he successfully applied for spousal Social Security benefits last year based on my record. One thing I'd emphasize that hasn't been mentioned much is the importance of getting a clear understanding of how currency exchange will affect the payments. The SSA typically converts USD benefits at their established exchange rate, which may not always be the most favorable. We found it helpful to factor this into our financial planning since exchange rates can fluctuate significantly over time. Also, regarding the GPO offset calculation - make sure you understand exactly which components of the UK pension system count toward the reduction. The UK has both the basic State Pension and the Additional State Pension (formerly SERPS/S2P), and both are considered "government pensions" for GPO purposes. However, any private workplace pensions or personal pensions won't trigger the offset. The process was definitely worth it for us despite the complications. Even with reductions, having that additional monthly income stream provides valuable financial security for retirement abroad. Good luck with your application!

I'm in a very similar situation! American citizen living in Edinburgh with my Scottish husband who worked in the US for about 8 years back in the early 2000s. We just started looking into this recently as he's approaching 65. One thing I discovered that might be helpful - if your husband is close to qualifying on his own record (like mine is with only 32 quarters), you can actually purchase voluntary National Insurance contributions in the UK to potentially boost his UK pension amount. While this won't help with US Social Security qualification, it could increase his UK pension, which ironically might make the spousal Social Security benefit smaller due to GPO, but his overall pension income could be higher. The math gets complicated, but it might be worth running the numbers both ways - especially if his UK pension is currently quite small. Sometimes maximizing the UK side makes more financial sense than trying to minimize GPO impact. Also, I've heard that the Federal Benefits Unit in London has been doing some virtual consultations since COVID, which might be easier than trying to get to London for in-person meetings. Worth asking when you contact them! Keep us posted on how the process goes - there seem to be quite a few of us in similar cross-border situations!

I'm in a somewhat similar boat and wanted to share what I've learned so far. I'm currently receiving early retirement benefits and have a pending SSDI application, though I don't have the workers' comp component that you're dealing with. From what I understand after speaking with several SSA representatives (and getting different answers each time, unfortunately), the key points seem to be: 1. If your SSDI gets approved, you'll receive the higher benefit amount - which would be your full disability benefit rather than your reduced early retirement amount. 2. The workers' comp offset only applies to SSDI, not to regular retirement benefits directly. But since you'd be receiving SSDI instead of early retirement if approved, that's where the offset would hit. 3. The good news is that even with the offset, you'll likely still come out ahead compared to your current reduced early retirement payments. One thing that's been helpful for me is keeping a detailed log of every conversation I have with SSA, including the representative's name, date, and what they told me. The consistency of information has been... let's say "variable." Have you considered reaching out to your local SSA office in person? Sometimes face-to-face conversations can be more productive than the phone calls, especially for complex situations like yours. Good luck with everything - this process is definitely not easy to navigate!

I've been following this discussion and wanted to add some clarity based on my experience working with Social Security benefits. The interaction between Workers' Comp settlements and Social Security benefits can indeed be confusing, but here's what's important to understand: The Workers' Compensation offset formula uses the higher of: (1) your monthly Social Security benefit amount, or (2) 1/12th of your highest annual earnings in the 5 years before you became disabled. Your combined benefits cannot exceed 80% of this figure. However, there's an important timing consideration: if your Workers' Comp settlement is structured as a lump sum, SSA will typically "prorate" it over the period it was intended to cover. This can significantly affect how the offset is calculated and applied. Also, regarding the conversion from early retirement to SSDI - yes, you would receive your full Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) if approved for SSDI, which is typically higher than reduced early retirement benefits. The key is that this adjustment happens regardless of the Workers' Comp situation. I'd strongly recommend requesting a "benefit estimate" letter from SSA that shows exactly how your benefits would be calculated with the Workers' Comp offset. This will give you concrete numbers to work with for your financial planning. The system is complex, but understanding these key points should help you make more informed decisions about your situation.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Reading your post brought back memories of when I lost my husband 5 years ago. I was also terrified about the financial aspects while trying to grieve. From what you've described, it sounds like your stepdaughter should absolutely qualify for survivor benefits. The $1,720 child support won't disqualify you - SSA looks at who provided the majority of TOTAL support, not just direct payments. A few key points that work in your favor: - Your husband was the primary income earner covering household expenses - Your daughter lived with you full-time - Major costs like housing, utilities, food were covered by his income - The child support likely went toward her personal expenses rather than basic living costs I'd recommend calling SSA immediately to establish a protective filing date, even if you don't have all your paperwork ready yet. This preserves your claim date for back benefits. When I applied, they asked for extensive documentation - bank statements, tax returns, household bills, marriage certificate, death certificate - so start gathering those now. Don't let fear of rejection stop you from applying. Even if the benefits are reduced due to the child support, you'll likely still receive substantial help. My situation was different but I received benefits that literally saved us financially during the worst time of our lives. You're being a strong advocate for your family during an incredibly difficult time. Keep pushing forward with the application.

I'm so sorry for your loss. As someone who works with Social Security disability and survivor claims, I want to emphasize what others have said - the child support amount you're receiving should NOT automatically disqualify your stepdaughter from survivor benefits. The key test is whether your late husband provided more than 50% of your daughter's total living support. From what you've described - him being the primary breadwinner covering housing, utilities, food, and other household expenses while the $1,720 child support mainly covers her personal needs - it sounds like he was likely providing well over half her support. A few important reminders: - Apply immediately and request a protective filing date to preserve your claim - Gather comprehensive documentation: bank statements, tax returns, household bills, proof of living arrangements - Don't forget about the one-time $255 death benefit - Benefits can be retroactive, but only for a limited period Even if the child support reduces your benefit amount somewhat due to family maximum limits, you're still likely to receive meaningful financial assistance. I've seen many families in similar situations successfully obtain survivor benefits despite receiving child support. The worst outcome is they deny the claim, but based on your circumstances, that seems unlikely. Your family needs and deserves this support during such a difficult time. Don't let uncertainty prevent you from applying for benefits you're entitled to receive.

Welcome to the community! As a newcomer here, I've been following this thread with great interest since I'm facing a very similar situation. I'm 65 and just started collecting Social Security while working part-time as a sales representative, and I also receive reimbursements for business expenses. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly educational! I particularly appreciated learning about the difference between accountable and non-accountable plans - that was completely new information for me. It's clear that proper documentation and classification are absolutely critical. My situation involves getting reimbursed for client entertainment expenses and some travel costs, usually around $400-500 monthly. After seeing all the great advice here, I checked my recent pay stubs and was relieved to see these reimbursements listed separately under "business expense reimbursements" rather than being added to my gross wages. The monthly tracking spreadsheet idea that several people mentioned is brilliant - I'm definitely going to set that up this weekend. Having that ongoing visibility into my earnings relative to the $22,320 limit will help me sleep much better at night! One question for the group: has anyone had experience with SSA actually reviewing or questioning expense reimbursements? I'm curious about what triggers their attention and how they typically handle these situations if questions do arise. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and informative community. The practical guidance here is invaluable!

Welcome to the community! I'm also new here and found myself in a very similar situation when I started collecting Social Security at 64 while working part-time. The anxiety about accidentally exceeding the earnings limit with reimbursements is so relatable! After reading through this incredibly informative thread, I feel much more confident about how these rules work. The consensus seems clear: legitimate business expense reimbursements that are properly documented and don't appear in Box 1 of your W-2 shouldn't count toward your earnings limit. What really helped me was following the advice several people shared about checking with my payroll department. I confirmed that my employer uses an accountable plan and that my travel reimbursements (similar amounts to yours - $250-600 monthly for hotels, meals, and mileage) are classified correctly as non-taxable expense reimbursements. The monthly tracking spreadsheet idea that's been mentioned throughout this thread is something I'm definitely implementing. Knowing exactly where I stand each month relative to that $22,320 limit will eliminate so much stress! One thing I'd add is that keeping a simple folder with all your expense receipts and documentation organized by month has been really helpful for me. If SSA ever has questions, having everything readily available gives great peace of mind. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and knowledge here. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these confusing Social Security rules!