I went through this exact same confusion when I turned 70 last year! The misinformation about earnings limits is everywhere, and it's so frustrating. Your daughter is absolutely right - there is NO earnings limit once you reach full retirement age. Since you're 70 and already collecting benefits, you can work as much as you want without any reduction to your Social Security payments. I now work seasonal tax prep and make around $2,000 a month during busy season, plus my husband and I do some consulting work. Our benefits have never been reduced. The only thing to keep in mind is that your additional income might affect your taxes (potentially making more of your SS benefits taxable) and could impact Medicare premiums if your income gets high enough, but it won't touch your actual Social Security benefit amount. Enjoy the freedom to work without worry! It's one of the few perks of getting older.

I'm so glad you asked this question! I'm relatively new to navigating Social Security myself and this thread has been incredibly helpful. It's amazing how much misinformation circulates about these rules. Just to add one more confirmation - my neighbor who's 73 has been working part-time at Home Depot for the past three years while collecting his full Social Security benefits. He's never had any issues or reductions. The key thing everyone has mentioned is correct: once you hit your Full Retirement Age, the earnings limit completely disappears. It sounds like you can definitely take on those extra summer hours at your nephew's landscaping business without any worries about your benefits! The tax considerations others mentioned are worth keeping in mind for next year's tax planning, but your monthly SS check will remain untouched regardless of how much you earn.

does anyone know if the survivor benefit includes the COLA increases that would have happened? like if he passes away this year but I wait 5 years to claim survivors at my FRA would I get his amount plus all the COLAs?

Thank you all for the helpful information! I feel much more confident about my options now. I'm planning to call SSA to confirm everything directly, but having this knowledge beforehand will help me ask the right questions. It seems like taking my reduced benefit at 62 and then switching to the full survivor benefit at 67 (if needed) would be the best financial strategy in my situation. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and expertise.

I understand how frustrating this must be for you! Just to add to what everyone has shared - while the 10-year marriage rule is indeed firm, don't forget that you might also want to explore whether you qualify for any other types of Social Security benefits. For instance, if you become disabled before reaching retirement age, the work requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are different and based on recent work activity rather than lifetime earnings. Also, once you do start collecting your own retirement benefits, if your financial situation is still tight, you might be eligible for other assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or housing assistance that can help stretch your Social Security dollars further. The important thing is not to give up - there are often more options available than people realize, even when the obvious path (like ex-spouse benefits) isn't available to you.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works with Social Security applications regularly. Everyone here has given you accurate information about the 10-year marriage requirement - it's unfortunately one of the most rigid rules in the system. However, I'd encourage you to really dig into your own work history before assuming your benefits will be too low. Many people are surprised to learn that even sporadic work over many years can add up to a decent benefit, especially with the progressive benefit formula that favors lower earners. Also, don't overlook the option of working a few more years if possible - those additional earnings years could replace some of your lower or zero earning years and potentially increase your benefit significantly. The difference between claiming at 62 versus your full retirement age of 67 can also be substantial. I know it's disappointing about the ex-spouse benefits, but you may have more options with your own record than you think!

I'm 63 and have been on SSDI since 2019 after a spinal injury ended my career as a warehouse supervisor. This entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! Like everyone else, I was completely wrong about when the transition would happen - I thought at 65 I'd automatically switch to regular retirement benefits. It's such a huge relief to learn that the process is truly automatic at Full Retirement Age (67) and that the benefit amount stays exactly the same. I was actually losing sleep worrying about potential paperwork deadlines or benefit reductions. Reading all these real experiences from people who've successfully gone through the transition has completely eased my anxiety. The part about being able to work without earnings restrictions after FRA is especially exciting to me. I've been wanting to do some light supervisory consulting but the current SSDI earnings limits make it too risky. Knowing I'll have that freedom in a few years gives me real hope for staying engaged in my field again. This community is amazing - getting actual experiences from people who understand what it's like to navigate these systems beats trying to decode government websites any day. Thank you all for sharing your stories!

I'm 66 and went through this exact transition 8 months ago! Like everyone else has said, it really is completely seamless and automatic. I was on SSDI for 6 years after a degenerative disc disease made it impossible to continue my job in manufacturing. What I found most helpful was creating that my Social Security account online about a year before my FRA - it actually shows you the exact month your benefits will convert and has a countdown. Made me feel much more in control of the process even though there's nothing you need to do. The biggest surprise for me was how freeing it felt once the conversion happened and I could work without worrying about earnings limits. I've started doing some part-time quality control consulting and it's been great to feel useful again without constantly calculating if I'm going over the monthly limit. One small tip - when you do convert at 67, you'll get a letter from SSA confirming the change. Don't panic if it takes a few weeks to arrive - mine came about 3 weeks after my FRA date. The benefits continued without any interruption. Hang in there - you've got this figured out now and there's really nothing to worry about!

I'm sorry for your loss. Going through this process during grief is incredibly difficult. Based on what others have shared here, I'd recommend creating a checklist to help you navigate this: 1. Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to report the death (bring his SSN and death certificate info) 2. Ask specifically about "underpayment" for his final month's medical bills 3. Request Form SSA-8 for the $255 death benefit 4. Return all uncashed checks to your local SSA office with proper documentation 5. Contact the funeral home about local assistance programs they might know about One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if your brother-in-law had any life insurance policies (even small ones through work or organizations), those might help with expenses. Sometimes people forget about these or they're listed as beneficiaries without knowing it. Check his paperwork, contact his former employer's HR department, and look for any membership cards from unions, credit unions, or fraternal organizations that might have had small burial policies. Also, some states have programs that can help with burial costs for low-income families. Your state's Department of Health and Human Services might have information about these programs. It's worth a phone call to see what's available in your area.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. This is such a difficult situation to navigate while grieving. From what everyone has shared, it's clear that returning those uncashed checks is unfortunately mandatory, but I wanted to mention a few additional resources that might help with funeral costs: Many religious organizations (churches, synagogues, mosques, temples) have discretionary funds to help community members with emergency expenses, even if you're not a regular member. It's worth calling a few in your area to ask. Also, check if your brother-in-law belonged to any fraternal organizations like Elks, Moose Lodge, Knights of Columbus, Masons, etc. Many of these groups have burial assistance funds for members. Look through his wallet for any membership cards you might have missed. GoFundMe has become a common way for families to crowdfund funeral expenses - many people are willing to help during times like these, even with small donations. Social media can help spread the word to friends, former coworkers, and neighbors who might want to contribute. Lastly, some funeral homes offer "community rate" discounts for families facing financial hardship, or they might know of local organizations that sponsor burials. It never hurts to ask - the worst they can say is no. Take care of yourselves during this difficult time. The paperwork and bureaucracy will get sorted out, but your emotional well-being is what matters most right now.