make sure u bring up retroactive benefits in ur call!!!! SSA doesnt always tell u about this unless u ask. if u wait til 70 u can actually get up to 6 months of retroactive benefits if u want them

Just wanted to add that you should also ask the SSA representative during your November call to confirm your earnings record is complete and accurate. Since you're self-employed, sometimes there can be delays in reporting that might affect your benefit calculation. They can pull up your earnings history during the call and verify everything looks correct for maximizing your age 70 benefit. Better to catch any issues now rather than after you start receiving payments!

the whole social security system is designed to confuse people so they take benefits early and get less money lol

Have you considered just waiting until your FRA to file? If you can manage financially, that would give you the full $2,070 per month, which is significantly more than the reduced $1,450. Plus, if you need to claim spousal benefits later (like if your husband passes away), you wouldn't have the early filing reduction affecting those benefits. Just something to consider if it's financially feasible for you.

One more important thing to consider - taxation of benefits. If you and your husband have other income (investments, pensions, etc.), up to 85% of your Social Security benefits could be taxable. Ask how taking benefits at different ages might affect your overall tax situation. Also, since you mentioned potentially going back to work or working more hours, ask how that would impact not just the earnings test but also the taxation of your benefits. Sometimes earning a bit more can push your combined income into a range where more of your Social Security becomes taxable. Finally, bring a notepad and pen to write everything down. The information can be overwhelming, and it's easy to forget important details. Some offices won't let you record the conversation, so taking good notes is essential.

Just wanted to add a couple more things that helped me when I had my appointment last year: 1. Ask them to explain the "file and suspend" rules - this strategy was mostly eliminated in 2016, but understanding why can help you better grasp your current options. 2. If you have any government pension from work where you didn't pay Social Security taxes (like some teaching or state jobs), ask about the Government Pension Offset (GPO) - it can reduce spousal benefits. 3. Request a written summary of your options before you leave. Don't feel pressured to make a decision on the spot - you can always come back or call later. 4. Ask about Medicare enrollment too since you're turning 62. Even if you don't take Social Security benefits right away, you'll need to think about Medicare when you turn 65. The appointment can feel overwhelming with so much information, but having all these questions prepared will really help you make the best decision for your situation. Good luck!

To summarize the accurate information in this thread: 1. When you claim spousal benefits at your Full Retirement Age, you'll receive 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the benefit he would receive at his FRA regardless of when he actually claimed. 2. Your husband's decision to claim early at 62 reduces HIS benefit by approximately 30%, but it does NOT affect the calculation of YOUR spousal benefit (as long as you wait until your FRA). 3. If YOU claim spousal benefits before YOUR FRA, then YOUR spousal benefit would be permanently reduced. 4. You'll receive either your own retirement benefit or your spousal benefit, whichever is higher - not both. 5. Your own retirement benefit can increase with delayed retirement credits if you wait past FRA, but spousal benefits do not increase after FRA. This is a perfect example of why personalized planning is so important with Social Security - the rules can be complex but understanding them can significantly impact your lifetime benefits.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help others in similar situations. My parents went through this exact scenario about 5 years ago. Dad claimed at 62 due to health issues, and Mom was worried she'd get a reduced spousal benefit when she reached her FRA. The key thing that helped them was getting everything in writing from SSA. When Mom applied for spousal benefits at her FRA, she brought documentation showing Dad's estimated benefit at HIS full retirement age (his PIA), not what he was actually receiving. This made the process much smoother and ensured she got the correct amount - 50% of his PIA as everyone here has explained. One tip: keep copies of your husband's Social Security statements that show his estimated full retirement age benefit. It can be helpful documentation when you apply for spousal benefits later. The SSA should have this information, but having your own records can speed things up. Also wanted to echo what others said about the application process - definitely follow up to make sure you're getting the right amount. The system is complex and mistakes do happen.

by the way my brother had this happen last year and his still didnt show up in april so he had to call them. turns out his employer messed up his ssn on the forms! check with your hr department first if u still dont see it in april

I went through this exact same situation last year! Like others mentioned, it's completely normal for there to be a delay. What helped ease my anxiety was setting a calendar reminder for mid-April to check again. That way I wasn't constantly worrying about it but also wouldn't forget to follow up if needed. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking when you're used to seeing your earnings update promptly, but the system just needs time to process everything from millions of employers across the country.