I'm experiencing the exact same delays! Filed my retirement application in early December and it's been stuck on "processing" for over a month now. Initially panicked when I passed the 30-day mark, but reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring. What really stands out to me is how consistent everyone's timelines are - it seems like 60-90 days is genuinely the new normal, despite what SSA's website claims. I wish they would update their processing estimates to reflect reality instead of setting false expectations with that 30-day timeframe. The explanation about application date vs approval date protecting our benefits has been huge for my peace of mind. I'm requesting a March start date, so hopefully there's still plenty of time for processing. One question for those who've been through this - did any of you receive any kind of acknowledgment or interim communication from SSA during the processing period, or does it really just stay silent until suddenly switching to "approved"? Just trying to set my expectations for the next month or two of waiting!

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Filed my spouse's retirement application in mid-November and we're approaching the 8-week mark with just "processing" status showing online. Like everyone else here, I was initially told 30 days but clearly that's not happening. What's been most helpful from reading all these responses is understanding that this seems to be the unfortunate new normal - 60-90 days appears to be much more realistic than the outdated 30-day estimate on their website. I really wish SSA would update their processing timeframes to reflect current reality instead of setting false expectations. The clarification about application date vs approval date has been huge for my peace of mind too. Since we applied in November for a February start date, our benefits should still begin as requested even if the approval comes later. That takes so much pressure off the financial planning aspect! I attempted calling once but gave up after 75 minutes on hold. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the phone system is completely overwhelmed and not really worth the frustration unless there's an urgent issue. Thanks for posting this - it's so reassuring to know we're not alone in these delays, and this community has been way more informative than anything I could find on SSA's official channels!

dont forget to ask funeral home if they reported it! ours said they would but didnt and it caused problems later

I'm so sorry for your loss, Kyle. Losing a parent is never easy, especially at 95 after such a long life together. The Social Security payment situation is confusing and stressful when you're already dealing with so much. From what I understand based on others' experiences here, the February payment your father received should stay in his account since it was payment for January (when he was alive the whole month). Just make sure the death gets reported to SSA promptly - either through the funeral home or by calling directly. Take care of yourself during this difficult time, and don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions as you work through everything.

This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who's been considering going back to work while on SS benefits, I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and practical advice. One thing I'd like to add that might help others - I discovered that some local AARP offices offer free one-on-one counseling sessions specifically about working while receiving Social Security. They helped me understand my specific situation and even walked through some earnings scenarios with me. It might be worth checking if there's something like that available in your area as another resource beyond calling SSA directly. StarSeeker, your methodical approach to planning this out is really smart. The 90% safety buffer suggestion from Yara is excellent - I think I'm going to use that rule myself if I decide to take on some part-time work. And keeping those monthly calendar reminders to check earnings totals is such a simple but effective way to stay on track. Thanks to everyone for making this such a valuable discussion. I feel much more confident about the possibility of returning to work now that I understand how the earnings test actually works in practice!

This has been such a comprehensive and helpful discussion! As someone who's been hesitant about working while receiving SS benefits, reading through everyone's real-world experiences has really demystified the process for me. I wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful - many states have SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Everyone) programs that provide free Medicare and Social Security counseling. The counselors are trained volunteers who can help walk through these earnings scenarios and answer questions about working while on benefits. They're often available through Area Agencies on Aging or senior centers. StarSeeker, your systematic approach to this decision is really impressive. Between filing the SSA-131 form, keeping detailed earnings records with that 90% safety buffer, setting up monthly check-ins, and having backup resources like Claimyr if needed, you've created a solid plan that should help you avoid any surprises. One small addition to consider - when you do start working, you might want to keep a simple log of not just your earnings but also your work hours. Sometimes having that level of detail can be helpful if there are any questions later about how your earnings were calculated, especially if you're doing any overtime or getting bonuses. Best of luck with your temporary position! Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences - this thread is going to be a valuable reference for anyone facing similar decisions.

Victoria, I wanted to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - you should also ask SSA about potentially filing a "restricted application" strategy. Since you're disabled and receiving SSI, there might be specific timing considerations that could work in your favor. Also, when you do contact SSA, make sure to ask them to run scenarios for BOTH your own retirement benefit AND the divorced spouse benefit to see which gives you the higher total monthly income (including any remaining SSI). Sometimes the calculations aren't as straightforward as they seem, especially with the SSI income exclusions and state-specific Medicaid rules. One more tip: if you do end up going to the office, try to schedule an appointment rather than walking in. Many offices now allow you to schedule appointments online or by phone, which can save you hours of waiting time. Good luck with everything!

Victoria, I went through a very similar situation when I turned 62 last year while on SSI disability. Here are a few things I learned that might help: First, don't panic about the lower retirement benefit amount - you're right that you'll likely still get some SSI to supplement it up to close to what you're getting now. The key is timing everything correctly. When I called SSA, I specifically asked them to calculate my "deemed filing" scenario since they automatically consider you for both your own benefit and spousal benefits when you file. In your case, with your ex's estimated numbers, you might actually end up with the spousal benefit being slightly higher than your own $587. One thing nobody mentioned - if your ex remarries before you file, it doesn't affect your eligibility for divorced spouse benefits. That was something I was worried about but learned it doesn't matter. Also, keep detailed records of all your conversations with SSA. I had to call back multiple times because different agents gave me different information, and having notes really helped me stay consistent with my questions. The Medicaid continuation varies by state, but in most cases you'll keep it. Just make sure to report your benefit changes promptly to your state Medicaid office so there's no disruption. You've got this! The transition was less scary than I thought it would be once I actually went through it.

I'm currently going through my second CDR (first one was about 4 years ago) and wanted to share some perspective for anyone feeling anxious about the process. My first CDR took about 5 months total and resulted in continued benefits with no issues. This time around, I'm about 3 months in and just had my consultative exam last week. One thing I learned from my first experience is to treat the CE seriously - dress appropriately, arrive on time, and be honest about your limitations during the exam. The doctor asked me to do various movements and activities, and I made sure to explain when something caused pain or difficulty rather than just pushing through it. Also, I'd recommend requesting a copy of the CE report afterward (you can do this through your local SSA office). During my first CDR, I found an error in the report and was able to submit a correction, which I think helped my case. For anyone just starting the process - try not to panic. The vast majority of CDRs result in continued benefits, especially if your condition hasn't significantly improved. Focus on being thorough and accurate in your paperwork, and remember that they're looking at whether you can maintain substantial gainful activity, not whether you have some good days mixed in with the bad ones. Hang in there - the waiting is definitely stressful, but most of us get through it just fine!

I'm currently about 8 weeks into my CDR process and wanted to add my experience to this helpful thread. Got my initial notice in late January, completed all the disability report forms about 3 weeks ago, and now I'm in the waiting phase to see if they'll schedule a consultative exam. One thing I've found really helpful is keeping a detailed symptom log while going through this process - not just for the forms, but also to have concrete examples ready if they call with follow-up questions or if I need to appeal. I track things like how many hours I can concentrate, what household tasks I can/can't complete, sleep quality, and pain levels on a 1-10 scale. My local SSA field office told me that my state's DDS is currently running about 4-5 months for CDR decisions, which seems pretty consistent with what others have shared here. They also mentioned that if they need a CE, they typically schedule it around month 3-4 of the process. For anyone just starting - definitely echo what others have said about being thorough on those forms. I probably spent 2-3 hours on each section really thinking through how to accurately describe my functional limitations. The waiting is nerve-wracking, but reading everyone's experiences here has really helped manage my anxiety about it. Thanks to everyone who's shared their timelines and advice!