I'm in a similar boat - turning 66 next year and trying to plan ahead! One thing I learned from my financial advisor is that you can also request a "benefit verification letter" through your mySocialSecurity account that shows your estimated monthly benefit. It's different from the regular statement and might give you a clearer picture. Also, if you're married, don't forget to factor in spousal benefits or survivor benefits in your planning - those calculations can be tricky and might affect your timing decision. The delayed retirement credits are definitely worth it if you can afford to wait!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can also schedule a phone appointment through your mySocialSecurity account instead of calling the general number. I did this last month and got a callback within 2 days instead of waiting on hold forever. The representative was able to give me my exact benefit calculation including all recent earnings and explained exactly how the delayed retirement credits were applied. She also walked me through the Medicare premium deductions so I knew my actual take-home amount. Much easier than trying to get through on the main phone line! The appointment scheduling feature is under "Contact Us" in your online account.

I work at a local SSA field office and see this situation fairly regularly. Here's what you need to know: 1. **Act fast** - You have 12 months from your entitlement date to withdraw, but don't wait 2. **Form SSA-521** - You can download it from ssa.gov or pick it up at any office 3. **Don't return money yet** - Wait for SSA's instructions on how they want repayment 4. **Visit in person if possible** - This ensures proper processing and you get a receipt The good news is that once your withdrawal is processed, your Medicare Part B enrollment will automatically terminate, and since you have employer coverage, you won't face any penalties when you eventually enroll. One important note: Make sure you understand that this is your ONE lifetime withdrawal opportunity. If you're not absolutely certain about your retirement timing, you might want to consider benefit suspension instead (available at Full Retirement Age), which preserves your withdrawal option for true emergencies. The process typically takes 4-6 weeks once all paperwork and repayment are complete.

I went through this exact situation two years ago! The stress is real, but you're going to be fine. Here's what worked for me: I called the national number (1-800-772-1213) first thing Monday morning around 8:15 AM - got through in about 25 minutes. The key is calling right when they open. The agent walked me through everything and actually started the Form SSA-521 process over the phone, then mailed me the completed form to sign and return. For returning the money, they gave me specific instructions - DO NOT just send a check back on your own. They need to process it through their system properly or it can create more problems. They'll either send you a Treasury check to return or give you wire transfer instructions. One thing that really helped my peace of mind: the agent explained that as long as you're within that 12-month window and haven't spent the money, this is considered a routine transaction for them. They handle withdrawals regularly and have clear procedures. The whole process took about 5 weeks from start to finish for me. My advice: get that form submitted ASAP, but don't panic - you caught this early and you're taking the right steps!

I'm so glad to hear your update worked out! This is exactly why communities like this are so valuable - people helping each other navigate these complex government systems. Your experience will definitely help others who find themselves in similar situations. It's terrible that SSA doesn't proactively inform people about survivor benefits, but at least you were able to get it sorted out relatively quickly once you knew what to ask for. Wishing you all the best during this transition.

Sara, I'm so sorry for your loss and glad to see you were able to get this resolved! Your story really emphasizes how crucial it is for people to know about these benefits. As someone who works with seniors in my community, I see this situation far too often - people missing out on survivor benefits simply because no one tells them about it. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, I'd recommend also checking if you're eligible for any other widow/widower benefits like reduced Medicare premiums or property tax exemptions at the local level. Sometimes there are additional benefits beyond Social Security that can help during this difficult transition. Thank you for sharing your experience - it will definitely help others who find themselves facing similar circumstances.

So glad to hear your brother was able to get through to SSA and get this sorted out! This is actually a really valuable thread for anyone else who might find themselves in a similar situation. Just wanted to add one more tip - if anyone else is considering Social Security timing, the SSA website has a really helpful "Retirement Estimator" tool that can show you exactly how much your monthly benefit would be at different ages (62, full retirement age, 70, etc.). It's at ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/estimator.html and can help you make a more informed decision upfront. Your brother is smart to wait until his FRA - that extra $450/month really adds up over time!

Great to see this worked out! As someone who works in retirement planning, I see this situation ALL the time. The Social Security claiming decision is one of the most important financial choices people make, and unfortunately the system doesn't make it easy to understand the long-term impact. A few additional thoughts for anyone reading this: 1) The "break-even" analysis is crucial - figure out how many years you'd need to live to make waiting worthwhile (usually around 12-15 years), 2) Don't forget about spousal claiming strategies if you're married, and 3) Consider your other retirement income sources. Sometimes it makes sense to delay SS and draw from 401k/IRA first. The SSA-521 form mentioned here is definitely the right move when you catch the mistake early like this!

As someone new to this community, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who explained IRMAA so clearly! I'm 63 and planning to retire in a few years, and I had no idea about these Medicare premium increases based on income from 2 years prior. This thread is a perfect example of why these discussions are so valuable. I was actually considering selling some stocks next year to pay off my mortgage before retirement, but now I realize I need to think about the timing much more carefully to avoid jumping into higher IRMAA brackets. Does anyone know if there are good resources or calculators to help plan these kinds of transactions? It sounds like spreading sales across multiple years could make a huge difference in avoiding these premium increases.

Welcome to the community! As someone who just went through this exact situation with my parents, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to understand these rules BEFORE making large financial moves. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - if your mom or aunt have any major life changes coming up (like moving to a nursing home, death of a spouse, etc.), they might qualify for an IRMAA appeal even for investment sales. The SSA considers "life-changing events" that reduce income, and sometimes selling assets is part of restructuring finances after these events. Also, for future planning, consider looking into tax-loss harvesting in December if they have other investments. If they know they'll need to sell something with gains, they can potentially sell losing positions in the same tax year to offset some of the income impact. The 2-year lookback is brutal because by the time you see the Medicare premium increase, it's too late to do anything about that particular year. But at least now you know what to expect and can plan accordingly!