Just wanted to add something that might help your friend - she should also consider getting a Social Security statement (available at ssa.gov/myaccount) to see her own work history and estimated benefits. This will help her compare her potential retirement benefit at 70 versus the survivor benefit she can get now. Also, regarding the rental properties, I'd suggest she keeps detailed records of her time spent on property management activities. Even if it's currently considered passive income, SSA can review this later, and having documentation showing minimal hours spent will protect her if questions arise. A simple log showing dates and hours for property-related tasks should be sufficient. One last tip - when she does apply, she should ask specifically about "protective filing." This can establish an earlier application date even if she doesn't have all documents ready immediately, which could mean backdated benefits in some cases.

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who recently went through this process. Your friend's situation sounds very similar to mine - I was widowed young and had to navigate the survivor benefits system at 60. A few things that really helped me: First, I'd strongly recommend she creates a my Social Security account online BEFORE applying. This lets her see her late husband's earnings record and get an estimate of what her survivor benefit would be. It also shows her own work history so she can compare benefits. Second, regarding the rental income concern - I also own rental property and was worried about this. The key distinction is whether you're a "real estate professional" under tax law. If she's spending less than 750 hours per year AND less than half her working time on rental activities, it stays passive income. Sounds like with only a few properties and using management companies, she's nowhere near that threshold. The application process itself was actually smoother than I expected once I got connected to SSA. I used that Claimyr service others mentioned after weeks of busy signals - worked exactly as described. The whole call took about 45 minutes and I had my first payment within 6 weeks. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - she can apply up to 4 months before her 60th birthday, so if she's turning 60 next month, she could potentially start the process now. The benefits can start the month she turns 60, but there's often processing time involved. Hope this helps your friend! Feel free to ask if you have other questions.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Serene. This is unfortunately a very common situation for working widows. The SSA rep was correct - with your $85,000 income, you're well above the 2025 earnings limit of $22,320, so any widow's benefits would be completely offset by the earnings test reduction. However, I'd strongly recommend getting a written benefit estimate that shows the exact calculations. Sometimes if the deceased spouse's benefit was very high, there might be edge cases where a small amount could still be payable. Also, definitely consider whether reducing your hours might make financial sense - you'd need to run the numbers on lost wages vs. potential widow benefits. And remember, once you hit your FRA at 66 and 10 months, you can earn unlimited income without any reduction in benefits. The waiting is frustrating, but those benefits will be there when you're ready to claim them!

I'm really sorry for your loss, Serene. This is such a difficult situation to navigate while you're still grieving. The SSA representative was technically correct about the earnings test, but I'd definitely encourage you to dig deeper into the specifics of your case. With your husband receiving $2,800/month, that's a substantial benefit amount - and your potential widow's benefit could be close to that figure. Here's what I'd suggest: Request a detailed written analysis showing exactly how much your widow's benefit would be before any reductions, then ask them to calculate the earnings test at different income levels. For example, what if you reduced your hours to earn $60k? $50k? $40k? You might find there's a sweet spot where the combination of reduced wages plus partial widow's benefits actually puts you ahead financially. Also, definitely ask about filing strategies for when you reach your FRA. You might be able to claim widow's benefits then while letting your own retirement benefit grow until age 70 - but only if your own projected benefit would eventually be higher than the widow's benefit. The timing and strategy can make a huge difference in your lifetime benefits. Good luck navigating this complex system!

Thank you all for the helpful advice! I'm going to: 1. Gather documentation about when my vacation time was earned 2. Fill out that SSA-131 form to report it as a special payment 3. Try using Claimyr to actually reach someone at SSA (thanks for that tip!) 4. Continue tracking my monthly earnings carefully for the rest of 2025 It's such a relief to know the vacation pay likely won't count against me. This community has been more helpful than hours of reading the SSA website!

Great plan, Aaliyah! You're taking all the right steps. Just wanted to add one more tip - when you do connect with SSA, ask them to make a note in your file about the vacation pay discussion so there's a record of it. That way if any questions come up later, they'll have documentation of the conversation. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to isn't sure about the special payment rules - sometimes it takes speaking with a supervisor or someone more experienced with earnings test issues. The key is that you're being proactive about reporting everything correctly. You've got this! It sounds like you're handling a complicated situation really well.

I'm a Social Security claims specialist and can confirm that the representative you spoke with was completely incorrect. As a widow, you absolutely retain the right to choose between your own retirement benefit and your survivor benefit, and you can switch between them at any time to maximize your total lifetime benefits. The confusion likely stems from the 2015 changes to spousal benefits (for married couples), but those changes did NOT affect survivor benefits. The "deemed filing" rule that eliminates choice only applies to spousal benefits, not survivor benefits. Your proposed strategy - taking your own benefit now and switching to survivor benefits at FRA - is a legitimate and often recommended approach. However, before proceeding, I'd suggest getting exact benefit calculations for both scenarios: 1. Your current reduced retirement benefit vs. your full survivor benefit at FRA 2. Your current reduced survivor benefit vs. your delayed retirement benefit at age 70 When you call back, ask specifically for the "survivor benefits unit" and reference Section 404.335 of their regulations regarding benefit switching for survivors. Also request a written benefit estimate for both options. Don't accept verbal estimates - get everything in writing to avoid future confusion. I've seen this misinformation happen far too often, and it's concerning how many widows are getting incorrect guidance on such an important financial decision.

I'm so sorry you had to deal with that incorrect information during an already stressful time! As someone who recently went through the Social Security maze myself, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - you absolutely CAN take your own retirement benefit now and switch to survivor benefits at your FRA. The representative you spoke with was definitely wrong, and unfortunately this seems to happen way too often. I had to call three different times before getting someone who actually understood the survivor benefit rules correctly. What really helped me was calling early in the morning (around 8 AM) and specifically asking to be transferred to someone who specializes in survivor benefits. One thing I'd also suggest is logging into your MySocialSecurity account online before you call back - you can see estimates there for both your retirement benefit and survivor benefit amounts, which will help you ask better questions and verify that the representative is giving you accurate calculations. Don't give up! The rules are definitely on your side here, you just need to find someone at SSA who actually knows them. Wishing you the best of luck getting this sorted out properly.

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly reassuring this entire discussion has been! I'm 63 and have been putting off filing for Social Security partly because I was worried about navigating all the unknowns and potential complications. Reading through everyone's experiences with these mysterious partial payments shows me that what seems scary and confusing at first is actually just part of SSA's standard (albeit poorly explained) process. It's amazing how many people have gone through this exact same situation - getting unexpected smaller payments before their regular benefits start - yet SSA provides zero proactive communication about what to expect. This thread has taught me more about the reality of starting Social Security than months of reading official materials! Thank you to everyone who shared their stories, especially those who provided detailed explanations about partial month payments and entitlement dates. This community is already proving to be an invaluable resource as I prepare to take this big step. It's so comforting to know there are knowledgeable, helpful people here who understand the real-world challenges of dealing with SSA's confusing systems!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience that's almost identical to yours! I just started receiving Social Security retirement benefits last month and got a mysterious $85 deposit about 10 days before my first regular check arrived. Like you, I was completely puzzled and worried it might be an error that SSA would want back later. After reading through all these incredibly helpful responses, it's clear this is just SSA's standard way of handling partial month payments for new beneficiaries - they just do a terrible job of explaining it! What really strikes me is how universal this experience seems to be, yet there's virtually no information about it on SSA's website or in their materials. I spent hours googling and found nothing useful until I discovered this thread. It's honestly frustrating that something so routine isn't better communicated upfront. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and explanations - this discussion has been far more informative than anything I could get from official SSA sources. It's such a relief to know this is completely normal and that we can keep the money without worry!