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As someone who recently went through this exact process with my elderly father, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help! First, regarding the FRA question - at 66, your mom is definitely at her Full Retirement Age, so she doesn't need to report her new job earnings. But I'd still recommend setting up that my Social Security account because it's incredibly useful for so many other things. Here's what I learned from our experience: When you help her create the account, try to do it during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) when the SSA servers are less busy. We had several failed attempts during midday that I think were just due to heavy traffic on their system. Also, if you go the mail verification route that was mentioned earlier, make sure her mailing address is exactly correct in SSA's records first. My dad had an issue where his address was slightly different in their system (missing apartment number) and it delayed the verification letter. One last thing - even though she doesn't need to report wages, keeping a simple log of her work dates and earnings might be helpful for her own records, especially if she ever needs to reference them for tax purposes or if any questions come up later. Better safe than sorry! Hope this helps, and kudos to you for helping your mom navigate this confusing system!
These are fantastic practical tips, thank you! The timing advice about avoiding midday server traffic is something I never would have thought of - that makes total sense though, especially given how overloaded SSA's systems probably are. And the point about double-checking the exact address in their records before requesting mail verification is really smart. Those kinds of small details can cause major delays. I like your suggestion about keeping a simple log of work dates and earnings too, even if reporting isn't required. My mom is pretty good about keeping records anyway, so this would probably give her extra peace of mind. Thanks for sharing what you learned from actually going through this process - these real-world tips are so much more valuable than anything you'd find in official documentation!
This is really solid advice! I especially appreciate the tip about checking the exact address in SSA records beforehand - those little discrepancies can cause so much unnecessary delay. The off-peak hours suggestion is brilliant too. My mom and I were planning to work on this over the weekend, so early morning would probably be perfect timing. She's definitely the type to keep detailed records anyway, so maintaining a work log even without the reporting requirement will probably make her feel more secure about everything. Thanks for sharing these practical insights from your own experience!
As a newcomer to this community, I'm really grateful to have found this thread! I'm helping my 67-year-old aunt who just started a small business and was panicking about whether she needed to report her earnings to Social Security. Like so many others here, we were completely confused by the SSA website and dreading those impossible phone wait times. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring - learning that there's no earnings limit after Full Retirement Age is such a relief! The practical tips about setting up the my Social Security account have been invaluable too, especially the advice about mail verification for those who struggle with online identity questions. What strikes me most is how this thread demonstrates that so many families are dealing with the same confusing situation, yet the official SSA resources make it nearly impossible to get clear answers. Thank goodness for communities like this where people share real experiences and practical solutions! I'm definitely going to help my aunt set up her online account using the tips shared here - the off-peak timing suggestion and address verification advice will be especially helpful. Thanks to everyone who contributed their knowledge and experiences!
Welcome to the community! I'm so glad you found this thread helpful for your aunt's situation. It's amazing how many of us are dealing with the exact same confusion about Social Security rules - you'd think this would be more straightforward given how common it is for people to work after reaching FRA! The fact that your 67-year-old aunt doesn't need to report her small business earnings must be such a weight off both your minds. I love that she's starting a business at 67 - that's inspiring! The community here really has been incredible with sharing practical, real-world advice that you just can't get anywhere else. Good luck helping her set up the my Social Security account, and I hope her new business venture goes wonderfully!
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my mom said back in the day COLA used to be way bigger like 5-8% every year... we really getting the short end now with these tiny increases while everything costs way more smh
Your mom is right that COLAs were much higher in the late 1970s and early 1980s - there was an 11.2% increase in 1981 and a 14.3% increase in 1980! But those were times of much higher inflation. The COLA is designed to match inflation as measured by the CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers). So while the increases may seem small, they're supposed to be keeping pace with inflation.
Yeah it's frustrating but like @Liam said, the COLA is tied to actual inflation rates. The problem is that the CPI-W they use might not fully capture what seniors actually spend money on - like healthcare costs which tend to rise faster than general inflation. There have been proposals to use a different index that better reflects senior spending patterns, but nothing's changed yet. At least we're getting something though - there have been years with 0% COLA when inflation was really low.
This is really helpful information, everyone! I'm new to Social Security (just turned 62 and considering when to file) and had no idea about the timing confusion with COLA increases. It makes sense now why people get confused - when they say "January COLA" they really mean the January payment which is for December benefits. One question for the group: does the COLA apply the same way if you're receiving survivor benefits instead of retirement benefits? My neighbor mentioned she gets survivor benefits and wasn't sure if the timing was different. Thanks for all the explanations - this community is so knowledgeable!
Welcome to the community! Yes, COLA increases apply the same way to survivor benefits as they do to retirement benefits - same timing, same percentage. Your neighbor would have received her COLA increase in her January payment (for December benefits) just like everyone else. The 3.2% increase applies across all Social Security benefit types including retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. The only difference might be in how much the actual dollar increase is, since that depends on the benefit amount, but the timing and percentage are identical.
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my financial guy told me the best thing is usually for the lower earner to claim at 62 and higher earner wait till 70. that way u get some money flowing in early but also maximize the survivor benefit for later. worked good for us!
This approach works well for many couples, but it depends on factors like age difference between spouses, health/longevity expectations, and immediate income needs. It's definitely worth running the numbers for your specific situation.
As someone new to understanding Social Security benefits, this conversation has been incredibly enlightening! I'm 58 and my husband is 61, so we're starting to think seriously about these decisions. One thing I'm still unclear on - if my husband files for his benefits at 62 but I wait until my FRA to claim spousal benefits, will I get the full 50% of his PIA even though he filed early? From Diego's examples, it looks like the answer is yes, but I want to make sure I understand correctly. Also, does anyone know if there are any recent changes to these rules? I feel like every time I think I understand Social Security, someone mentions that the rules changed a few years ago!
Welcome to the conversation! You're correct based on Diego's examples - if your husband files at 62 but you wait until your FRA to claim spousal benefits, you would get 50% of his PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), not his reduced benefit amount. The spousal benefit calculation is always based on what his benefit would have been at his FRA, regardless of when he actually claimed. Regarding rule changes, there were some significant changes that took effect in 2016 that eliminated certain claiming strategies like "file and suspend" and restricted "claim now, claim more later" strategies. But the basic spousal benefit rules we're discussing here haven't changed recently. The key principles still apply: you get the higher of your own benefit or the spousal benefit (never both), and timing matters for reductions. At 58, you have plenty of time to plan this out carefully. I'd definitely recommend getting your Social Security statements updated and maybe consulting with a fee-only financial advisor who specializes in Social Security optimization before making any final decisions.
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Thank you all for the responses! This has been incredibly helpful. I've made an appointment with SSA for next month and will specifically ask about surviving divorced spouse benefits. I'm gathering all my documents, including our marriage certificate, divorce decree, and her SSN. From what you've all shared, it sounds like I might be eligible since we were married over 10 years, even though we both remarried. I'll update once I learn more from SSA - this forum has already given me a much better starting point than I had before!
Sounds like you're on the right track! One additional tip: when you have your appointment, make sure to ask them to run calculations showing how different claiming ages would affect both your retirement benefit and any potential survivor benefit. Sometimes delaying one type of benefit while claiming another can maximize your lifetime payout. Good luck!
Just wanted to add that you should also ask SSA about the timing of when to claim these benefits. Since you're still working and have 3 years until FRA, you might want to understand how the earnings test works if you claim survivor benefits early (you can claim as early as 60, but at a reduced rate). Also, survivor benefits don't earn delayed retirement credits like your own retirement benefit does, so there's no advantage to waiting past your FRA to claim them. The strategy might be to claim survivor benefits at FRA and let your own retirement benefit grow until age 70 if that would result in higher lifetime benefits. Definitely worth discussing all the timing options with them!
This is really valuable information about timing strategies! I hadn't thought about the fact that survivor benefits don't earn delayed retirement credits past FRA. So if I understand correctly, if my survivor benefit would be higher than my own retirement benefit, I should claim the survivor benefit at FRA and let my own retirement benefit continue growing until 70? That could potentially give me the best of both worlds - the full survivor benefit now, then switch to my own higher benefit later if it grows beyond the survivor amount?
Gabriel Freeman
I'm also new to early Social Security benefits and dealing with the same earnings limit confusion! Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that ALL earnings from January count toward the annual limit, not just earnings after benefits start. One thing I wanted to add that might help others in similar situations: I found the SSA publication "How Work Affects Your Benefits" (SSA-10069) on their website, which has some helpful examples of how they calculate the earnings test. It's still confusing, but seeing the actual math helped me understand how the $1-for-$2 withholding works. Also, for anyone struggling with SSA's phone system like I have been, I noticed some people mentioned specific times of day that work better for getting through. Has anyone found particular days of the week or times that are less busy? I've been trying mid-morning with no luck so far. The tax professional advice really resonates with me too. I've always done my own taxes but the combination of 1099 income, Social Security benefits, and these earnings limits seems like it's worth paying for expertise, at least this first year while I'm learning the ropes. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real-world experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to decode the official SSA materials on your own!
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Paige Cantoni
•Thanks for mentioning that SSA publication! I'll definitely look up "How Work Affects Your Benefits" - seeing actual examples of the math would really help me understand how they calculate everything. As for getting through to SSA on the phone, I've had better luck calling right when they open at 8 AM ET on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Mondays and Fridays seem to be their busiest days. I also heard that calling later in the month (after the 20th) can be less busy since that's when most people have already received their benefit payments and aren't calling with immediate concerns. One tip someone shared with me is to have all your information ready before you call - your Social Security number, estimated annual earnings broken down by month if possible, and specific questions written out. The representatives can help more efficiently if you're prepared, which means shorter call times for everyone. I'm also leaning toward hiring a tax professional this first year. Between the 1099 complications and trying to figure out if any of my Social Security benefits will be taxable, it seems like the peace of mind would be worth the cost. Better to invest in getting it right than deal with expensive mistakes later!
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NebulaNinja
Welcome to the club of early Social Security recipients trying to navigate the earnings maze! I went through this exact same confusion when I started benefits at 62 two years ago while still working as a freelance graphic designer. Unfortunately, everyone here is correct - ALL your earnings from January through December count toward the $22,320 limit, even income earned before your benefits started. It's frustrating because SSA doesn't make this clear upfront, but that's how the system works. Based on your numbers ($18,500 + $10,000 = $28,500), you'll be $6,180 over the limit. They'll withhold $1 for every $2 you're over, so expect about $3,090 to be withheld from your 2025 payments. The good news is this money isn't lost forever - you'll get credit for it through higher monthly payments once you reach full retirement age. Here's my practical advice: Call SSA IMMEDIATELY to report your expected annual earnings. Yes, their phone system is awful (try calling right at 8 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday for better odds), but it's crucial to avoid surprise benefit suspensions. I learned this lesson the hard way when they withheld my entire January payment with zero warning. Since you're 1099, make absolutely sure you're deducting every legitimate business expense - it's your NET self-employment income that counts toward the limit, not gross receipts. Home office, equipment, software subscriptions, mileage - document everything meticulously. Also look into the monthly earnings test for your first year. If you have any months where you earned under $1,860 AND didn't perform substantial services, you might qualify for full benefits those months despite exceeding the annual limit. For taxes, definitely hire a professional your first year. The intersection of 1099 income, Social Security benefit taxation, and quarterly payments creates complexity that's worth paying an expert to navigate properly. The first year is absolutely the hardest as you learn all these interconnected rules. Once you get through it, managing becomes much more straightforward. You've got this!
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Giovanni Rossi
•This is such a comprehensive breakdown - thank you! As someone completely new to this whole system, having the math spelled out so clearly really helps. The $3,090 withholding calculation makes sense now, and knowing it's not permanently lost does provide some comfort even though the cash flow impact will still sting. Your tip about calling SSA at 8 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday is gold - I've been trying randomly throughout the week with no success. I'll definitely try that timing and have all my information organized before I call. The emphasis on tracking every business expense is really hitting home. I've been pretty casual about documentation as a contractor, but clearly I need to get much more systematic about it since it directly impacts this earnings calculation. Every dollar in deductions helps when you're this close to the limit! I'm also intrigued by the monthly earnings test option you mentioned. My contractor work varies significantly month to month, so there might be some slower periods where I'm under that $1,860 threshold. Even if it only helps for a few months, that could reduce the total withholding. Thanks for the encouragement about the first year being the hardest. Right now it feels overwhelming trying to juggle all these rules, but hearing from people who've successfully navigated this maze gives me confidence I can figure it out too!
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