Has anyone calculated exactly how long you need to live to break even if you wait from 67 to 70? I keep getting confused trying to do the math.

As someone who recently went through this exact decision process, I can share what ultimately helped me decide. I'm 68 now and chose to delay until 70 after being on the fence for months. The key factors that swayed me were: 1) I genuinely enjoy my work and don't need the money immediately, 2) My health is good and I have longevity in my family, and 3) The guaranteed 8% return is unbeatable in today's market. What really sealed the deal was running different scenarios with a fee-only financial planner who showed me that even if I only live to 85, the extra monthly income in my later years when I might have higher healthcare costs would be invaluable. The peace of mind knowing I maximized my benefit has been worth the wait so far. Since you're in a similar situation - still working and enjoying it - the math seems to favor waiting in your case too.

dont forget to ask funeral home if they reported it! ours said they would but didnt and it caused problems later

I'm so sorry for your loss, Kyle. Losing a parent is never easy, especially at 95 after such a long life together. The Social Security payment situation is confusing and stressful when you're already dealing with so much. From what I understand based on others' experiences here, the February payment your father received should stay in his account since it was payment for January (when he was alive the whole month). Just make sure the death gets reported to SSA promptly - either through the funeral home or by calling directly. Take care of yourself during this difficult time, and don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions as you work through everything.

I just want to echo what others have said about being proactive - it really makes all the difference! I went through a similar situation last year where I took on some freelance work while receiving SS benefits. One thing that helped me tremendously was setting up automatic calendar reminders to check my earnings totals at the end of each month. It only takes 5 minutes but keeps you from any nasty surprises down the road. Also, if you do end up using that Claimyr service that Miguel mentioned, I can confirm it works well. Used it myself when I couldn't get through on the regular SSA phone lines. Sometimes it's worth the small fee to actually talk to someone who can answer your specific questions rather than trying to navigate their website or sitting on hold forever. Your plan sounds very well thought out. The fact that you're planning this carefully and asking the right questions upfront tells me you'll handle whatever comes up just fine. Good luck with the new position!

This has been such a comprehensive and helpful discussion! As someone who's been hesitant about working while receiving SS benefits, reading through everyone's real-world experiences has really demystified the process for me. I wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful - many states have SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Everyone) programs that provide free Medicare and Social Security counseling. The counselors are trained volunteers who can help walk through these earnings scenarios and answer questions about working while on benefits. They're often available through Area Agencies on Aging or senior centers. StarSeeker, your systematic approach to this decision is really impressive. Between filing the SSA-131 form, keeping detailed earnings records with that 90% safety buffer, setting up monthly check-ins, and having backup resources like Claimyr if needed, you've created a solid plan that should help you avoid any surprises. One small addition to consider - when you do start working, you might want to keep a simple log of not just your earnings but also your work hours. Sometimes having that level of detail can be helpful if there are any questions later about how your earnings were calculated, especially if you're doing any overtime or getting bonuses. Best of luck with your temporary position! Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences - this thread is going to be a valuable reference for anyone facing similar decisions.

dont stress abt it too much mine took like 5 months n then i got a letter saying nothing changed. they just do these reviews to scare ppl tbh

I went through a similar CDR about 2 years ago when I started doing some freelance work. The whole process was nerve-wracking, but it ended up being pretty straightforward. Mine took about 5 months from start to finish. A few tips that helped me: - Keep copies of everything you send them - Respond to all forms quickly (they have deadlines) - Be honest but thorough about your limitations on the forms - If they schedule a consultative exam, don't skip it - that can really hurt your case The good news is that since you're earning under the SGA limit and they confirmed no TWP months were used, your work activity isn't the issue here. This is likely just a routine medical review based on your approval date and condition type. Try not to stress too much about it (easier said than done, I know!). The majority of CDRs result in continued benefits, especially if your condition hasn't significantly improved. Just make sure you document how your disability still affects your daily life and ability to work full-time.

I just wanted to thank everyone for the helpful responses. I think I understand my options much better now. I'm going to: 1. Finish my current divorce process 2. Try to set up an appointment with SSA (will look into that Claimyr service if I can't get through) 3. Bring documentation for both marriages to get accurate benefit estimates 4. Make a decision about when to file based on the actual numbers It's still confusing, but at least I have a path forward now! I appreciate everyone's help.

Just wanted to add one important point that might help with your planning - make sure to ask SSA about the "family maximum" when you speak with them. If your first ex-husband has other people claiming on his record (current spouse, other ex-spouses, children), there's a cap on the total benefits that can be paid out on his earnings record. This could potentially reduce what you'd receive. Also, since you mentioned you're 62 now, keep in mind that if you do decide to claim early (whether on your own record or as an ex-spouse), you'll be subject to the earnings test if you're still working. For 2024, you can earn up to $22,320 without affecting your benefits, but they reduce $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit until you reach full retirement age. These are just additional factors to consider when you're weighing your options with the SSA representative. The more complete picture you have, the better decision you can make for your situation.