Thank you all for the helpful responses! I think I understand my options better now. Since my own benefit at my FRA would be higher than the spousal benefit, I need to decide whether to take my reduced benefit now or wait until 67 for the full amount. I'm leaning toward waiting since the permanent reduction seems substantial, but I'll need to look at our overall financial situation. I'm definitely going to try to speak with someone at SSA directly before making my final decision.

I had to make this exact decision last year. The way I looked at it was: if I claim at 63, I'd get about 30% less forever. The break-even point where waiting until FRA pays off is usually around age 78-82 depending on your specific numbers. If you think you'll live past that age (and most women do!), waiting until at least FRA is usually better financially in the long run. I ended up claiming at 64 because I had some unexpected expenses, but I wish I could have waited longer. Definitely try to speak with SSA directly before deciding!

I'm a new retiree and going through the exact same thing right now! My first payment was way less than expected and I was so confused. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the prorated first month or that payments are made the month after you earn them. It's such a relief to know this is normal and not an error. The lack of clear communication from SSA really does make this unnecessarily stressful for new beneficiaries. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and explanations!

I work as a customer service representative for a government benefits office and see this confusion all the time. What you experienced is completely normal! Your first Social Security payment is typically prorated based on your entitlement date, and then you have regular deductions like Medicare premiums and any tax withholding you elected. The key thing to remember is that Social Security pays in arrears - so your February payment (received in March) will be for the full month of February and should be much closer to your expected amount minus only the standard deductions. I always tell people to wait for their second payment before panicking, as that's when you'll see the true monthly amount. If you're still concerned after your March payment, definitely contact SSA or check your online account for a detailed breakdown.

I went through this exact same situation 3 years ago and can definitely confirm what others have said - you absolutely CAN enroll in Medicare without starting Social Security benefits! One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet: when you apply for Medicare online, make sure you have your employer's EIN (tax ID number) handy. They'll ask for it on the application to verify your current coverage situation. Also, keep documentation of when your employer coverage actually ends - I had to provide a letter from HR stating my coverage end date. The timing sounds perfect for you - applying now for May 1st coverage gives you plenty of buffer time. I applied about 75 days before I needed coverage and everything went smoothly. And waiting until your FRA in September for SS benefits is absolutely the right financial move if you can swing it. One last tip: once you get your Medicare card, don't forget to notify any current healthcare providers about the insurance change so they can update their billing systems before your first appointments under Medicare.

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 65 and losing my employer coverage in June, but my FRA isn't until 67. Reading everyone's experiences has given me the confidence to move forward with Medicare-only enrollment. One question I haven't seen addressed - for those who did Medicare without SS benefits, how did you handle the Medicare premium payments? Did you set up automatic bank withdrawals, or do you just pay the quarterly bills when they arrive? I'm trying to plan out my budget for the transition period. Also, has anyone had experience with appealing IRMAA adjustments? My 2023 income was higher than what it will be in retirement, so I'm expecting to pay the higher premiums initially but hoping to get them reduced once I file the life-changing event form.

One last important point: The earnings limit only affects your benefits while you're under FRA. Once you reach FRA, SSA will recalculate your benefit amount and give you credit for months they withheld benefits due to excess earnings. So even if you lose some benefits due to working, you'll eventually get the money back in the form of a higher monthly benefit starting at FRA. It's not a true "penalty" - more like a deferral of benefits.

Ugh, all these rules make my head hurt!! I'm 63 and just trying to figure out if I should keep working or not. Why does social security have to be so COMPLICATED?? Every time I think I understand something, there's another rule or exception!

Here's a simplified explanation of your situation: 1. January-May 2025 (before FRA): Higher annual earnings limit applies (approximately $60,000 adjusted for 2025 COLA) 2. June 2025 and beyond (FRA attained): No earnings limits whatsoever The monthly earnings limit only applies in a non-FRA year when you have a "grace year" - the first year you retire and claim benefits mid-year. This is often confused with FRA rules. For official verification, see SSA's page on Special Earnings Limit Rule: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/rule.html

Just wanted to add one more important point that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand how the earnings test calculation works in practice. SSA looks at your ANNUAL earnings for the months before FRA, but they deduct benefits on a monthly basis if you exceed the limit. So if you earn $70,000 from January through May 2025 (exceeding the ~$60K limit), they'll withhold $1 for every $3 over the limit, but they spread that withholding across the remaining months of the year. It's not like they take a lump sum - they adjust your monthly benefit payments. This might affect your cash flow planning even though you'll be within your rights to earn that much.