As someone who works in benefits administration, I wanted to add a few practical tips for your AFLAC claim process. Make sure you get all your medical documentation ready BEFORE you submit - doctor's notes stating you're unable to work, surgery date confirmation, and expected recovery timeline. AFLAC typically requires a "elimination period" (waiting period) before benefits start, usually 0-14 days depending on your policy. Also, if you have both accident and disability coverage through AFLAC, the accident policy might pay a lump sum for the surgery itself while the disability policy covers your lost wages during recovery. Don't assume one policy covers everything - read both carefully or call them to clarify which benefits apply to your situation.

I went through something similar with my shoulder surgery a couple years ago. One thing that really helped me was creating a detailed budget beforehand to see exactly how much income I'd need during recovery versus what AFLAC would actually pay out. Most AFLAC short-term disability policies only pay around 60-70% of your wages, and there's usually a weekly maximum benefit cap. Since you're working part-time at 20 hours/week, your AFLAC benefit might be lower than you expect. I'd also suggest asking your surgeon's office if they have a patient financial counselor - they often know about programs or payment plans that can help bridge any income gaps during your recovery period. The good news is that knee replacements really do have great outcomes these days, and most people are glad they did it once they're healed up!

I went through this process last year and want to echo what others have said - definitely apply online and start early! I applied exactly 4 months before my intended start date and it worked out perfectly. The online application saved me so much time compared to my friends who went in person. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet: make sure you have your most recent tax return handy when you apply. They asked me about my previous year's earnings during the application process. Also, create your my Social Security account online beforehand if you haven't already - it makes the application process smoother and you can track the status afterward. Good luck with your retirement!

As someone who just went through this process 6 months ago, I can't stress enough how important it is to apply early! I applied exactly 3 months before my target date (which is what SSA officially recommends) and everything went smoothly. The online application was surprisingly user-friendly - took me about 45 minutes total, including gathering my documents. One tip that really helped me: before starting the application, I called SSA to verify my earnings record was accurate. There was actually a small discrepancy from 2019 that they were able to fix quickly, which could have delayed my application if I'd discovered it later. Also, don't forget that your first payment won't arrive until the month AFTER your benefits begin - so January benefits come in February. This caught me off guard with my budgeting! Overall, the 3-month timeline worked perfectly for me, but if you're anxious about it, 4 months gives you extra cushion.

Just to follow up - this is definitely a Medicare premium refund. One thing to know is that SSA works on a month-behind schedule for Medicare premiums. So when you get your February payment, it will have January's Medicare premium deducted. The system is basically refunding you for premiums you directly paid that will now be covered through the automatic deduction system. It should all straighten out within 1-2 payment cycles.

I had a similar experience when I started my benefits last year! Got a mystery deposit of $265 about two weeks before my first official payment. Like others have said, it was definitely a Medicare premium refund. The timing can be confusing because SSA processes these refunds as soon as they set up your benefit deductions, but your actual monthly payments follow a different schedule. The good news is once everything is set up, it runs smoothly. Just make sure to keep records of all these transactions for your taxes - those Medicare premium payments and refunds can affect your medical deductions.

Great question! I went through this exact process 3 years ago when I turned 62. Here's what I learned: Yes, apply in March for June benefits - that 3-month window is perfect. Your first payment will arrive in July (SS pays the month after). But here's what nobody tells you: make sure you have a cushion for living expenses during that transition period! One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - when you apply online, PRINT everything and keep copies. I had to reference my application details multiple times during the process. Also, if you have any periods of military service, make sure those are reflected correctly in your earnings record as they can boost your benefit calculation. The online application is pretty straightforward, but don't rush through it. Take your time on the sections about when you want benefits to start and whether you plan to work. Those choices matter more than you might think! Good luck with your retirement planning!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're planning to apply online in March, make sure you have all your documents ready beforehand! You'll need your birth certificate, W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for the previous year, military discharge papers if applicable, and bank account information for direct deposit. I'd also recommend creating your mySocialSecurity account NOW if you haven't already. It takes a few days to verify your identity, and you'll want to review your earnings history and benefit estimates before applying. Plus, once you're receiving benefits, you'll use this account to manage everything - tax documents, address changes, benefit verification letters, etc. The whole process was much smoother than I expected when I applied at 62, but having everything organized ahead of time definitely helped. And definitely agree with everyone about budgeting for that gap between your last paycheck and first SS payment!

Thank you all SO MUCH for the helpful advice! I feel much better understanding that: 1. My actual monthly SS benefit won't be reduced (huge relief!) 2. The withdrawal will only affect how much of my SS might be taxed 3. I should calculate the total income impact for the year I think I'm going to take the suggestion to split the difference - use about half from the IRA and finance the rest with a small loan. And maybe even split the IRA withdrawal across December/January to spread the tax impact. This community has been incredibly helpful - navigating retirement finances isn't easy!

Great to see you've got a solid plan worked out! Just wanted to add one more consideration - since you mentioned you and your husband both work part-time, you might also want to factor in any state taxes on the IRA withdrawal depending on where you live. Some states don't tax retirement income at all, while others do. Also, when you do withdraw from the IRA, make sure to have taxes withheld if you think you'll owe them - nothing worse than getting hit with a big tax bill next April! Most IRA custodians will withhold 10-20% for federal taxes if you request it during the withdrawal process. Sounds like you've really thought this through carefully with everyone's input here. Best of luck with the car shopping!