one thing nobody mentioned is you get the money back eventually!!! when you hit your FRA they recalculate your benefit and give you credit for all the months they took away. at least that's what the guy told my husband. doesn't help now but at least its not gone forever.

Just wanted to add that you should also check if your state has any additional considerations. Some states don't tax Social Security benefits, but they might treat that bonus differently for state tax purposes. Also, since you mentioned you're doing consulting work, make sure you're setting aside money for estimated quarterly taxes on that income - the IRS doesn't care about the SSA earnings test when it comes to tax obligations. You'll still owe taxes on both the bonus and consulting income regardless of any benefit reductions. Good luck navigating this - the timing rules are definitely frustrating but at least you're getting ahead of it now rather than being surprised later!

I'm 64 and will be facing this exact same decision soon while also receiving widow benefits! This entire thread has been incredibly enlightening - I had no idea there were so many strategic considerations beyond just the basic timing question. The consensus around January filing seems overwhelming, and the real dollar amounts people have shared ($47-63/month COLA differences) really put it in perspective. When you compound that over 20+ years, we're talking about substantial money that could make a real difference in retirement security. What's really opened my eyes is learning that widow benefits might actually be higher than reduced retirement benefits at 65. I've been assuming my retirement benefit would automatically be better, but clearly I need to get those actual calculations done before making any assumptions. A few key things I'm taking away from everyone's experiences: - File in November for January start to avoid processing delays - Get specific benefit estimates IN WRITING comparing both options - The COLA advantage for January is significant and compounds over time - Tax planning benefits of having all SS income in one year - Early morning calls to SSA (8 AM) for shorter wait times Thank you to everyone who shared their real-world experiences and specific dollar amounts - this kind of practical advice is invaluable and impossible to find anywhere else. This community is an amazing resource for navigating these complex decisions! For those still deciding: based on everything shared here, January seems like the clear winner unless you desperately need that one month of earlier payments.

I'm 67 and went through this exact decision 18 months ago while receiving widow benefits. After reading through all these thoughtful responses, I can confirm that January filing was absolutely the right choice for my situation. Here's what made the difference: I got an extra $71/month by waiting for January due to the COLA increase - that's over $17,000 over 20 years! But beyond just the COLA, there were several other advantages I discovered: **Document Preparation Tip**: Even though I was already receiving widow benefits, SSA still required me to provide fresh copies of my marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, and birth certificate. Have these ready when you file - it prevents processing delays. **Earnings Test Advantage**: Since you work seasonally May-October, January filing gives you the full annual earnings limit ($22,320 for 2024) to work with, rather than having to worry about monthly limits if you filed in December. **Medicare Implications**: The cleaner income timing helped me avoid IRMAA surcharges that could have added hundreds to my Medicare premiums. One crucial point that hasn't been fully emphasized: at 65, your retirement benefit will be reduced by about 13.3% from your full benefit amount. Make absolutely sure to compare this reduced amount to your current widow benefit - you might be surprised which is actually higher! My advice: file in early November for January start, get everything in writing, and don't hesitate to call SSA multiple times if you get conflicting information. The January strategy pays dividends for decades.

I'm really sorry for your loss and the frustration you're dealing with on top of everything else. Your dedication to caring for your uncle during his final months is truly admirable. Based on what everyone has shared here, it sounds like you have legitimate options to pursue this. The estate representative route seems like your strongest path forward, especially since there are no higher-priority survivors. One thing I'd add - when you're gathering documentation for the small estate process, make sure to include any evidence that shows you were acting on your uncle's behalf during his lifetime (bank records showing you paid his bills, medical appointment records, etc.). This can help establish that you were already functioning as his informal representative before his death. Also, if you do use a service like the one mentioned to get through to SSA, it might be worth having them confirm exactly which forms you need and what documentation they'll accept as proof of your estate representative status before you submit everything. The 60-day deadline is crucial, but don't let the time pressure force you into filing incomplete paperwork. As someone mentioned, you can file the appeal first to preserve your rights while you're getting the estate documentation together. Wishing you success with this process - you clearly went above and beyond for your uncle and deserve to be reimbursed for those expenses.

I'm so sorry for your loss and what you're going through with this bureaucratic nightmare. Having cared for elderly family members myself, I know how exhausting and emotionally draining it can be, and then to have to deal with this kind of red tape on top of grieving is just awful. From reading all the responses here, it really sounds like you have a strong case if you can get established as the estate representative. The fact that you have documentation showing you were already handling his affairs (paying bills, medical appointments, etc.) should work in your favor when you apply for that status. One thing I wanted to add that I didn't see mentioned - when you do get through to SSA (whether through regular channels or a callback service), ask them specifically about form SSA-1724 and what supporting documentation they'll need. Sometimes different agents give different answers, so it's worth getting clarity upfront about exactly what they require. Also, don't forget to send any appeals or new applications via certified mail so you have proof of when they received it. Given how strict they are about deadlines, that receipt could be crucial if there are any disputes later. You clearly did right by your uncle when he needed you most. I hope you can get this resolved and get some of those expenses back. Hang in there!

I'm really sorry you're going through this frustrating situation while dealing with the loss of your husband. Based on what you've described and the excellent advice others have shared here, it definitely sounds like there's an issue with your protective filing date that's costing you those September and October payments. As someone new to this community, I wanted to add that it might also be worth requesting a "reconsideration" in writing if your phone calls don't resolve this. Sometimes having a written request triggers a more thorough review of your case. You can submit a Form SSA-561 (Request for Reconsideration) if they won't correct the protective filing date issue over the phone. Also, when you do call, you might want to specifically mention that you're requesting an "escalation to a Claims Specialist" rather than just asking for a supervisor. Claims Specialists are specifically trained in these types of protective filing date issues and might be better equipped to review and correct your case. The $2,900 in missing backpay is absolutely worth pursuing, especially with medical bills pending. Don't let them discourage you - the protective filing date rules exist specifically to protect people in situations like yours where there are delays in completing paperwork after the initial contact. Keep fighting for what you're entitled to!

Welcome to the community! I'm sorry for your loss and the additional stress this benefits issue is causing. Your situation really highlights how important it is to understand protective filing dates - something I wish SSA explained better to applicants upfront. Based on everything shared here, you definitely have a strong case for those missing September and October payments. One small additional tip: when you call, if they try to tell you that your October 18th appointment was your "official" filing date, ask them specifically about SSA POMS (Program Operations Manual System) section GN 00204.010, which covers protective filing dates for survivor benefits. Sometimes referencing the specific policy manual section gets their attention and shows you know the rules. Also, consider asking for an "expedited review" of your protective filing date given that you have pending medical expenses. SSA sometimes prioritizes cases where there are documented financial hardships. The fact that you received approval during your October call but benefits only started in November really does suggest they incorrectly processed your filing date. Stay persistent - you're absolutely right to question this, and this community will be here to support you through the process!

This thread has been incredibly educational! As someone who's been dreading navigating the Social Security maze, seeing all these acronyms explained in simple terms is such a relief. I'm definitely going to print this out and keep it handy. One acronym I haven't seen mentioned yet is OASDI - Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance. This is what most people think of as "Social Security" and it's what you see deducted from your paycheck (along with Medicare taxes). It covers retirement benefits (Old Age), benefits for surviving spouses and children (Survivors), and disability benefits (Disability Insurance). Also, for anyone dealing with disability benefits, you might see CDR which stands for Continuing Disability Review - that's when SSA periodically reviews your case to make sure you still qualify for disability benefits. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making this such a comprehensive guide! It's posts like these that make navigating government benefits feel a little less overwhelming.

This has been such an amazing resource! I'm 58 and starting to think about retirement planning, and like many others here, I was completely intimidated by all the Social Security jargon. Reading through everyone's explanations has been like taking a free crash course. I want to add a few more acronyms that I've encountered that might be helpful: • SGA - Substantial Gainful Activity (earnings threshold for disability benefits) • PEBES - Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement (the old name for what's now called your Social Security Statement) • BEND POINTS - the dollar amounts used in the PIA calculation formula • FUTA - Federal Unemployment Tax Act (different from FICA but sometimes confused) • FICA - Federal Insurance Contributions Act (the law that requires SS and Medicare taxes) One thing I learned the hard way is that when you're researching online, make sure you're looking at current year information since some of these amounts and thresholds change annually. I was using outdated COLA information for months before I realized my mistake! Thank you to everyone who made this thread so educational and welcoming. It's refreshing to find a place where asking "basic" questions doesn't make you feel foolish.