Yes, SSA can absolutely provide you with benefit projections at different claiming ages! When you call or visit a local office, ask them to run what's called a "benefit estimate" or "what-if" scenario. They can show you exactly what your retirement benefit would be at 62, at your Full Retirement Age, and at age 70, while you continue receiving your current survivor benefit. You can also get some of this information by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov - it will show your estimated retirement benefits at different ages. Just remember that as long as you're receiving survivor benefits, you have the luxury of time to let your own retirement benefit grow. Take advantage of having all the numbers before making your decision!

Just wanted to add one more resource that might help - many local libraries offer free AARP tax preparation services that often include Social Security counseling. The volunteers are usually trained on these complex claiming strategies and can help you run the numbers without any sales pressure. Also, some libraries have computers set up specifically for accessing government websites like ssa.gov if you need help navigating the online tools. Since you're dealing with the survivor benefit complexity, having someone sit with you while you explore your options online might be really valuable. Good luck with your decision!

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I'm going to try to set up an appointment with SSA to discuss our specific situation. The Medicaid considerations are especially important since my son uses several Medicaid-funded services. It sounds like I should:1. Apply for both DAC and CIC benefits at the same time2. Check with our state Medicaid office about continued eligibility under DAC3. Understand that my son's benefits get priority before mine4. Know that applying for CIC now won't affect my future retirement/spousal benefitsI really appreciate all of you taking time to help me understand this complicated system!

You've got a great plan laid out! Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you go to your SSA appointment, bring documentation showing you're your son's caregiver (medical records, care plans, etc.) and ask them to run the exact calculations for your family's situation. They can tell you the precise family maximum amount and how the benefits would be distributed between DAC and CIC. Also, definitely contact your state Medicaid office BEFORE making any changes. Some states have "Medicaid buy-in" programs for disabled individuals who lose SSI eligibility due to other income, but the rules vary widely by state. You want to make sure there won't be any gaps in his healthcare coverage during the transition. Good luck with everything! This system is incredibly complex, but it sounds like you're asking all the right questions.

Wow, this thread has been incredibly educational! I'm 61 and was planning to file at 62 while keeping my consulting work that brings in about $5,000/month. After reading everyone's experiences, especially the reality that you can receive $0 in benefits while still being locked into that permanent early filing reduction, I'm completely reconsidering my timeline. The math seems pretty clear - if you're earning significantly above the annual limit, there's really no advantage to filing early unless you're planning to drastically cut your income right away. What really struck me was Santiago's point about using these high-earning years to maximize retirement contributions instead of trying to claim reduced Social Security benefits you won't even receive. I think I'm going to follow the advice here and schedule an in-person appointment at my local SSA office to run my specific numbers. The idea of seeing the lifetime benefit comparisons laid out clearly sounds like exactly what I need to make an informed decision. Has anyone found that the local offices are more helpful than the national phone line for getting these detailed projections? I'm hoping to avoid the phone system nightmare that several people mentioned! Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this community discussion has been far more valuable than anything I've found on the official SSA website.

This discussion has been incredibly valuable for understanding the real-world implications of the earnings test! I'm 60 and was considering filing at 62 while continuing my part-time work that brings in about $4,500/month. Reading through everyone's experiences has made it clear that the SSA's explanation of "withholding $1 for every $2 over the limit" doesn't capture how brutal this can be in practice - especially the fact that it's all-or-nothing, not a monthly reduction. What really opened my eyes was learning that even if benefits are completely withheld due to earnings, you're still permanently locked into that early filing reduction for life. So you could literally receive $0 for years while still getting penalized forever with a smaller benefit amount. That seems like the worst of both worlds! I'm definitely going to schedule an in-person appointment at my local SSA office based on all the positive feedback about getting personalized calculations there. The idea of seeing actual lifetime benefit projections for different scenarios sounds essential for making this decision properly. Has anyone found it helpful to bring a spouse or financial advisor to these appointments, or is it pretty straightforward to understand the information they provide? Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this thread should be required reading for anyone considering early filing while still working!

Great question and I'm glad you're planning ahead! As others have confirmed, your pension and 401k/IRA withdrawals won't count toward the earnings test during those two years before your FRA. One additional thing to consider: if you do decide to claim at 65, make sure you understand how the monthly earnings test works. The annual limit everyone mentions gets divided by 12, so if you have any part-time work, you need to stay under about $1,833 per month (based on the ~$22,000 annual limit). They look at it month-by-month in your first year of claiming, not just the annual total. Also, don't forget that once you hit your FRA at 67, any benefits that were withheld due to the earnings test will be gradually added back to increase your monthly payment for life. So even if you did go over the limit occasionally, it's not permanently lost money. With your pension and retirement savings, you seem well-positioned for retirement at 65 if that's what you decide!

As someone who just went through this exact decision process last year, I wanted to share my experience. I was in a very similar situation - eligible for pension at 65, substantial 401k balance, and FRA of 67. After reading through all the great advice here, I ultimately decided to wait until my FRA to claim Social Security. Instead, I'm living off my pension ($1,800/month) plus strategic withdrawals from my 401k. Yes, it means dipping into my retirement accounts earlier, but the permanent 13.3% reduction in SS benefits for claiming at 65 just didn't make financial sense given my family's longevity. One thing that helped me make the decision: I calculated my "break-even" point. For me, if I live past age 78, waiting until FRA will have provided more total lifetime benefits despite getting payments for 2 fewer years. Given that both my parents lived well into their 80s, the math favored waiting. The peace of mind knowing I'll get my full Social Security benefit for life was worth the temporary inconvenience of managing retirement account withdrawals for those two years. Just another perspective to consider as you make this important decision!

Thank you everyone for the helpful replies! I think I understand better now - I get 9 months where I can earn any amount, then after that I need to stay under $1,550 to keep benefits. I've scheduled a call with SSA through that Claimyr service someone mentioned to confirm everything before I accept this job. Really appreciate all the detailed explanations!

Just wanted to add a couple of important points for anyone else reading this thread: 1. **Report earnings immediately** - Don't wait until the end of the year! SSA requires you to report any work activity within 10 days of starting work, and then report monthly earnings by the 6th of the following month. Late reporting can cause overpayments that you'll have to pay back. 2. **Keep detailed records** - Track every paycheck, work expense, and any correspondence with SSA. If there's ever a dispute about your earnings or work status, having documentation is crucial. 3. **Consider getting help** - If your work situation is complicated (like irregular hours, self-employment, or multiple income sources), consider working with a disability advocate or attorney who specializes in SSA work incentives. The initial consultation is often free. The work incentives are really designed to help people transition back to work gradually, but the key is understanding and following the rules precisely. Good luck to everyone trying to get back into the workforce!