One final tip: when you do apply in June 2025, apply early in the month rather than waiting until the end. This gives SSA time to process your application so your payments start without delay. Benefits are paid the month after they're due, so your June benefit would arrive in July. And make sure to set up direct deposit during your application to speed things up.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone approaching 70 myself (turning 70 in September), I've been stressing about the timing and backdating rules. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like the key is to apply right when you turn 70 to avoid any complications. One question though - does anyone know if there are any differences in processing times depending on whether you apply online vs. in person vs. by phone? I'm wondering if one method might be faster or more reliable for getting everything set up correctly at age 70.

This is a common mistake I see people make - they don't realize that with self-employment what counts is what you TAKE HOME after business expenses. My sister-in-law was selling on Amazon and worried about going over the limit but after we sat down and calculated her actual NET income (after all the fees, supplies, shipping, etc) she was way under the limit. Just make sure you can document all your expenses if they ever ask!

Just wanted to add one more important point that might help you - make sure you're reporting your self-employment earnings to SSA promptly when they happen, not just at tax time. They have a form (SSA-1099) you can use to report monthly earnings if needed. I learned this the hard way when I had a really good month on my craft business and didn't report it right away. SSA ended up overpaying me and I had to pay it back later. It's much easier to stay on top of it month by month, especially with something like Etsy where sales can be unpredictable. Also, keep in mind that the $22,320 limit applies to your tax year, so if you started your business partway through 2024, you still get the full annual limit amount.

btw does anybody know if her ex remarries does that affect her getting benefits on his record?? just curious

Just to add one more helpful tip - when December 2025 rolls around and your ex turns 62, don't wait! File for the divorced spouse benefit as soon as possible after his birthday. Social Security benefits can't be paid retroactively for more than 6 months, so any delay could mean losing money. I'd recommend calling SSA or visiting your local office right after he turns 62 in December. Also, keep in mind that even if he doesn't file for his own benefits right away (some people delay to get delayed retirement credits), you can still claim on his record once he's eligible at 62. His decision about when to claim doesn't affect your ability to get divorced spouse benefits.

Thank you! So even though he took his benefit early, I might still get more than what he was receiving when he passed away? That's good to know. I really appreciate your help!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Dominique. I went through something similar when my wife passed last year, and the claiming strategy discussion here is really valuable. One thing I'd add that helped me make the decision: I created a simple spreadsheet to compare the total dollars I'd receive under different scenarios. For example, if you take the survivor benefit now (even slightly reduced) for 5 years, then switch to your higher retirement benefit at 70, versus waiting until 70 for everything. In my case, taking the survivor benefit earlier won out by tens of thousands of dollars over my lifetime, even with the small reduction for claiming before FRA. The key was that my own retirement benefit at 70 was significantly higher than the survivor benefit. Also, regarding contacting SSA - I had luck going to my local office first thing in the morning without an appointment. They have walk-in hours early in the day, and I was able to get concrete answers about my specific situation. Much better than the phone maze! The folks here have given you excellent technical information about COLAs and retroactivity limits. Just wanted to add the practical perspective that running the numbers for your specific situation will give you peace of mind about whichever path you choose.

One important thing to know: Representative Payee status is different from having authority to handle other Social Security matters like appeals or reporting changes. If you need broader authority, there's another option called "Appointed Representative" (Form SSA-1696) that allows you to represent someone for claims and appeals. But for managing the actual benefit payments, Representative Payee (SSA-11) is what you need.

I'm sorry to hear about your father's stroke. I went through something similar with my elderly parent last year. Just wanted to add that when you do get the Representative Payee process started, make sure to ask about setting up direct deposit to the special account they require. The SSA representative will explain this during your interview, but it's helpful to know ahead of time that you'll need to open a new bank account specifically for his benefits - it can't be mixed with your personal funds or even his existing accounts. Also, keep detailed records of every expense from day one, even before you're officially approved, since they'll want to see how the money is being used for his care and living expenses. The annual reporting isn't too complicated if you stay organized from the start.