my neigbor tried getin her exs benefits and said they asked for his social security number... did u guys need to provide that?? my sister didnt mention that part

Just wanted to add that you can actually get an estimate of what your ex-spouse benefit would be without applying yet! If you create a my Social Security account online, you can see your own estimated benefits. Then you can call SSA (or use that Claimyr service someone mentioned to skip the wait) and ask them to give you an estimate of what 50% of your ex's benefit would be at your full retirement age. This way you can compare and plan ahead without committing to anything. I did this before I turned 62 and it really helped me decide on my timing!

In case anyone finds this thread later, here's a summary of key points about earnings after 60 and Social Security benefits: 1. Earnings at any age count toward your benefit calculation if they're among your highest 35 years 2. After age 60, earnings are counted at their actual dollar value (not indexed for inflation) 3. Your MySocialSecurity estimates assume you'll continue earning at your current level until you claim 4. Higher earnings between 62-70 can significantly increase your benefit, especially if replacing lower-earning years 5. There's no earnings limit after reaching Full Retirement Age (FRA) 6. Waiting until 70 to claim gives you the maximum possible monthly benefit (an extra 8% per year beyond FRA) 7. Check your earnings record annually to ensure all your income is properly recorded I hope this helps the original poster and others in similar situations!

This is such valuable information for anyone navigating Social Security planning! I'm 59 and considering a career change that could potentially increase my earnings significantly over the next few years. Reading about your situation and everyone's responses gives me hope that it's not "too late" to improve my SS benefits. The explanation about the 35-year calculation using your highest earning years regardless of when they occurred is particularly helpful. I had always assumed there was some kind of cutoff where later earnings didn't matter as much. It's encouraging to know that even at our age, career improvements can still have a meaningful impact on our retirement security. Best of luck with your new position - what an exciting opportunity at 62!

wait ur turning 70 next month and havnet applied yet?? i thought u had to apply 3-4 months before? Will u still get all the back payments??

I'm a financial advisor and see this situation frequently with clients approaching 70. The SSA online system has a built-in "draft" feature that saves your application automatically as you complete each section. You can literally start the application, see the benefit estimate they provide, then close your browser and return later (up to 6 months) to complete it if you're satisfied with the amount. However, I always recommend my clients get the exact figure directly from SSA before applying. The online estimate can be off due to recent earnings not being posted, incorrect delayed retirement credit calculations, or missing COLA adjustments. Since you've waited until 70 to maximize your benefit, you deserve to know the precise amount you'll receive. Pro tip: Try calling SSA early in the morning (right at 7am local time) or late in the afternoon. The hold times are usually shorter than mid-day. If you can't get through, the local SSA office might be worth a visit for something this important.

Has anyone actually received MORE than their online estimate? All these comments about getting less is making me nervous!

Thanks everyone for the helpful information! I'm going to try to speak with a representative to get the exact figure before I make my final retirement decisions. I'll make sure to check my earnings record again too, and I'll look into that Claimyr service since calling has been impossible. I didn't realize the Medicare premiums would affect the net amount either, so I need to factor that in. Really appreciate all the responses!

I'm glad this discussion has been so helpful! One thing I'd add is that you might want to consider the "earnings test" if you do decide to do any part-time work between now and your FRA. If you earn more than $23,400 in 2024 (the limit changes each year), Social Security will reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit - but only if you're actually claiming benefits. Since you're planning to wait until FRA to claim, this won't affect you. Just something to keep in mind if your plans change. Also, don't forget that Social Security benefits may be taxable depending on your total income, so factor that into your retirement planning too!

Just wanted to add something that might be helpful for others in similar situations - if you're considering stopping work early but want to maximize your Social Security benefit, you can actually run scenarios using the SSA's detailed benefit calculator at ssa.gov. It lets you input different retirement dates and earnings to see how they impact your benefit amount. I used it when I was deciding whether to retire at 65 or push through to 67, and it really helped me visualize the trade-offs. The difference in my case was only about $80/month between stopping work at 65 vs working until FRA, so I decided my sanity was worth more than that! Also, remember that Medicare eligibility starts at 65 regardless of when you claim Social Security, so you'll need to sign up for Medicare even if you're not claiming SS yet. Don't want anyone to miss that enrollment window!