This is such valuable information! As someone new to Social Security, I had no idea that working past FRA could actually increase your monthly benefits through recalculation. I'm 66 and considering when to start collecting - I was planning to wait until 67 (my FRA) but hadn't thought about the possibility of continuing to work afterward for this additional benefit. Reading through everyone's experiences, it seems like the key factor is whether your current earnings are significantly higher than your lowest years in the 35-year calculation. I've been in tech for most of my career, so my early years in the mid-90s were definitely much lower than what I'm making now (around $95k currently vs maybe $35k back then). A couple follow-up questions: Does anyone know if there's a limit to how many years this recalculation can happen? Like if I work 5 years past FRA, could I potentially see increases each of those 5 years if my earnings stay high? And is the benefit increase permanent once it happens, or does it get recalculated again if you eventually stop working? Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed real-world examples - this kind of practical information is so much more helpful than trying to decipher the SSA website!

As someone who's new to this community and just learning about Social Security, I'm amazed by how much practical information is being shared here! I'm currently 66 and still working, making about $78k annually. Looking back at my earnings history from the late 80s and early 90s, I was making significantly less - probably in the $20k-35k range during those years. Reading through everyone's experiences gives me hope that I might see a meaningful increase when I start collecting at my FRA next year and continue working. The fact that this recalculation happens automatically is such a relief - I was worried I'd have to navigate complex paperwork or procedures. One thing I'm curious about: for those who've experienced these increases, do you find it's better to work consistently for several years past FRA, or can you see benefits even from just one or two additional years? I'm trying to balance the financial advantages with other life goals and would love to hear more perspectives on timing strategies. Thank you all for creating such a welcoming space for newcomers to learn about these important benefits!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this transition last year. I was incredibly anxious about the earnings limit too, especially since I had a good consulting opportunity that would put me well over any previous limits. I'm happy to report that everything everyone has said here is accurate - once you hit FRA, you're completely free from the earnings test. I've been earning significantly more than I ever did before retirement, and my SS benefits have remained exactly the same each month. The only "gotcha" was at tax time when I discovered that yes, a good portion of my benefits were taxable due to my higher income, but that's just regular income tax, not a reduction in benefits. Don't let anyone scare you with incorrect information - the SSA website is very clear on this, and it's one of the few things that actually works exactly as advertised!

As someone who works in benefits administration (though not for SSA), I can confirm what others have said here. The earnings test completely disappears at Full Retirement Age for Social Security retirement benefits. I've seen so many people get confused by this because they mix up different concepts - earnings limits vs. taxation, SSI vs. retirement benefits, etc. Your neighbor might be thinking of the old rules from decades ago, or confusing it with other programs. The key thing to remember is that "earnings test" and "income taxation" are two totally different things. After FRA, there's no earnings test period, but your benefits may still be subject to regular income tax depending on your total income. The SSA has gotten much better at explaining this on their website over the years. Good luck with your application process!

This has been an incredibly informative discussion! As someone who helps people navigate Social Security benefits, I want to add one more consideration that could be crucial for your planning: the restricted application strategy. Since you'll be under your full retirement age when potentially eligible for survivor benefits, you'll have the advantage of being able to claim survivor benefits while letting your own retirement benefit continue to grow with delayed retirement credits until age 70. This could potentially increase your own benefit by 24% beyond your full retirement age amount. However, it's important to understand that once you switch from survivor benefits to your own retirement benefit, you can't switch back. So the timing of that decision becomes critical - you'll want to switch when your own benefit (including delayed retirement credits) exceeds what you'd receive in survivor benefits. Given your income level and the earnings test withholdings, you might find that the optimal strategy is actually to wait until closer to your FRA to claim survivor benefits, then potentially delay your own retirement until 70 if your benefit would be significantly higher. Also consider that if you have any children under 18 (or under 19 if still in high school), they could also be eligible for survivor benefits on your wife's record, which wouldn't be subject to the earnings test. The complexity of these decisions really underscores why speaking with a knowledgeable SSA representative is so valuable for your specific situation.

As a newcomer to understanding Social Security, I have to say this discussion has been incredibly enlightening! I'm in a somewhat similar situation - my spouse and I have a significant age gap, and I had no idea about the flexibility of survivor benefits until reading this thread. One question I have after reading through all these excellent responses: Is there a "best practices" guide or worksheet that SSA provides to help people work through these different scenarios? It seems like there are so many variables (earnings test, delayed retirement credits, FRA timing, etc.) that having a structured way to compare options would be really helpful. Also, I'm curious about the tax implications of survivor benefits. Are they taxed the same way as regular Social Security retirement benefits? This seems like another important factor in the decision-making process that hasn't been mentioned yet. Thank you to everyone who has shared their knowledge here - this is exactly the kind of practical information that's hard to find elsewhere!

As someone who just recently navigated this exact situation, I wanted to add one more important point that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand how they calculate "earnings" versus "income." For W-2 employees like most part-time workers, they count your gross wages (before taxes and deductions). But if you have any self-employment income, they count your NET self-employment earnings after business expenses. This distinction can be really important for your calculations. Also, timing matters for when earnings are "counted." Generally, SSA counts earnings when you perform the work, not when you're paid. So if you work in December 2025 but get paid in January 2026, those earnings count toward your 2025 limit. One last tip: if you're close to the limit later in the year, you might consider asking your employer to defer some income to the next year if possible (like a year-end bonus). Just make sure any arrangement complies with tax laws and your employer's policies. The monthly earnings test really can be a lifesaver in situations like yours where you've already earned money before starting benefits!

As someone who recently went through the Social Security application process, I wanted to share a few additional resources that helped me navigate the earnings limit complexity: The SSA website has a retirement earnings test calculator (though it's pretty basic) that can help you estimate potential benefit reductions. Also, your local SSA field office often has staff who are more knowledgeable about these nuanced situations than the general phone representatives - it might be worth scheduling an in-person appointment if you have a complex earnings situation. One thing I learned is that if you do end up with an overpayment, SSA typically offers several repayment options including having it deducted from future benefits over time, which can be less of a financial shock than a lump sum repayment. The key takeaway from this whole thread seems to be: be proactive about understanding both the annual and monthly earnings test options, keep meticulous records, and don't hesitate to get professional guidance when the rules get complex. Your April start date sounds reasonable given your situation - just make sure you have all the facts before you apply!

One practical tip I forgot to mention: I set a calendar reminder for the 1st of each month to complete my earnings report for the previous month. I use a very simple template I created in Word that has my name, SSN, month being reported, net earnings, and hours worked. Under that I include a brief breakdown of my self-employment activities that month. I make three copies - one to mail to SSA, one for my personal records, and one that I ask the SSA office to date-stamp if I drop it off in person (or I use certified mail if mailing it). This system has worked well for me for over a year with no issues. Once you reach your Full Retirement Age, you can stop the monthly reporting completely - that was a happy day for me!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation and found this thread so helpful! I'm 63 and just started collecting SS benefits while doing some small eBay selling on the side. The lack of clear guidance from SSA has been driving me crazy too. One thing I wanted to add - I called my local SSA office and asked if I could email my monthly reports instead of mailing them. The rep told me they don't accept email submissions for earnings reports due to security concerns with personal information. So it's either mail, fax, or in-person drop-off. Also, I've been using a simple notebook to track my eBay hours by writing down start/stop times for different activities. It might seem old-fashioned, but it's been easier for me than trying to remember to use apps or spreadsheets. At the end of each month, I just add up the hours and include the total in my report. The monthly reporting is definitely a pain, but after reading about people getting hit with huge overpayments, I'm glad I'm being cautious. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one confused by this process!