One more consideration: have you looked into whether you might qualify for any needs-based assistance programs that could help bridge the gap until you reach your full retirement age? Things like SNAP benefits (food stamps), energy assistance programs, etc. might help you manage if you decide to stop working before claiming Social Security. Also, some states have additional supplemental programs for seniors with limited income. These resources could potentially help you delay claiming until at least 65 when Medicare kicks in, which would reduce your healthcare costs significantly compared to marketplace insurance before 65.

Sean, as someone who went through this exact decision two years ago, I can share what worked for me. I was 61, similar health concerns about physical work, and also had limited retirement savings. Here's what I wish I'd known: the earnings test isn't just about losing money now - those "lost" benefits actually get credited back to you at full retirement age, so it's more like forced savings than a penalty. BUT the real issue is cash flow - you need money to live on TODAY. My recommendation based on your situation: try to find less physical work (even if it pays less) and aim for claiming at 64-65. This gives you a much smaller permanent reduction (13-20% vs 30%) and gets you closer to Medicare eligibility. I ended up taking a part-time customer service job that paid about $10k/year - enough to qualify for some assistance programs but not enough to trigger major earnings test issues. It was tough for a year, but claiming at 65 instead of 62 means I get an extra $400/month for life. Don't let fear push you into a hasty decision. Talk to SSA directly (use that Claimyr service someone mentioned), and maybe consider contacting your local Area Agency on Aging - they often have benefits counselors who can help you explore all your options.

My bad on my early response, I think I misunderstood your situation. That monthly earnings test is right - I didn't qualify for it because I worked part-time all year rather than fully retiring at a specific date. Good luck with your retirement!

Great discussion everyone! Just wanted to add one more tip for anyone in a similar situation - when you apply for benefits, make sure to clearly indicate your retirement date on your application. SSA uses this information to determine whether you qualify for the monthly earnings test in your first year. If there's any confusion about when you actually retired versus when you started collecting benefits, it can cause processing delays or errors like some folks mentioned here. Also, keep copies of everything - your retirement letter from HR, final paystub, and any documentation showing you stopped working on your stated retirement date. This will save you headaches if SSA needs clarification later!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Applied in October for January benefits and my MySocialSecurity account is completely blank too. It's so frustrating that in 2025 we still have to wait for snail mail to get basic information about our own benefits. I've been checking my mailbox obsessively every day hoping for that award letter. At least now I know from reading everyone's responses that I should expect my first payment on the second Wednesday of February (my birthday is the 8th). Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know this is normal even though it's anxiety-inducing!

I'm in a very similar boat - applied for benefits to start in January and my MySocialSecurity account shows absolutely nothing about payment amounts or schedules either. It's really frustrating that their online system is so outdated when we're trying to plan our finances around this income. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though! Now I understand the payment timing (month behind schedule) and know to watch for that award letter. It's crazy that in 2025 we still have to rely on snail mail for such important financial information. Has anyone had luck calling the local SSA office directly instead of the main 1-800 number? I'm wondering if that might have shorter wait times.

As someone new to this community but dealing with a similar WEP situation, I wanted to share what I've learned from my research and conversations with SSA representatives. The WEP reduction is calculated using a sliding scale based on your years of substantial earnings in Social Security-covered employment. With 18 years of covered work, you're likely looking at a significant reduction, but as others have mentioned, there's a maximum cap on how much they can reduce your benefit. One thing I discovered that might help you is that SSA has a specific WEP Guarantee provision - they can never reduce your Social Security benefit by more than half of your government pension amount. So if your teacher's pension is $2,000/month, the most they could reduce your SS benefit would be $1,000/month, even if the WEP formula suggests a larger reduction. Also, I'd strongly recommend creating a detailed timeline of all your employment to verify those 18 years. Sometimes jobs we think were SS-covered actually weren't, or vice versa. I found discrepancies in my own records that affected my calculation. The waiting game is tough, but getting that official WEP calculation before you file will give you peace of mind and help you plan your retirement finances more accurately. Good luck with your application process!

As someone new to navigating the WEP situation, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help you prepare for your application. First, when you're gathering those old W-2s and employment records, pay special attention to any jobs where you might have worked for both government and private employers in the same year - sometimes this can affect how your substantial earnings are calculated. Second, I've found it helpful to create a simple spreadsheet tracking each year of employment, the employer type (government vs. private), approximate earnings, and whether SS taxes were likely withheld. This makes it much easier when you're on the phone with SSA or filling out forms. Also, since you mentioned you're planning to file at your full retirement age in November, you might want to start the application process a few months early. I've heard the WEP calculations can sometimes take longer to process, and you don't want any delays in receiving your first payment. One last thing - if you're married, make sure to ask about how WEP might affect any potential spousal benefits, as the Government Pension Offset (GPO) is a separate issue that could also impact your household's Social Security planning. The rules are different but equally important to understand. Best of luck with your application - it sounds like you're asking all the right questions and doing your homework!

I'm sorry to hear about your health challenges, Charlie. Unfortunately, the other commenters are correct - you cannot switch to SSDI after reaching your Full Retirement Age. However, I'd strongly encourage you to follow up on that benefit recalculation suggestion! Since you worked part-time until recently, those earnings from ages 62-67 might have increased your benefit amount. SSA is supposed to automatically recalculate annually, but sometimes they miss it or there are delays. Call them and specifically ask for a "benefit recalculation" based on your recent work history. Even a small increase would help with your medical expenses. Also, make sure to check if you qualify for any Medicare assistance programs for your arthritis medications - every little bit helps when you're on a fixed income.

I'm a disability advocate and wanted to add some additional perspective here. While everyone is correct that you cannot switch to SSDI after FRA, I want to emphasize how important it is to pursue that benefit recalculation that others mentioned. I've seen cases where people who worked even part-time after claiming early retirement got meaningful increases - sometimes $50-100+ per month - which really adds up over time. Also, given your rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative disc disease, please make sure you're aware of all the disability-related assistance programs available through Medicare, Medicaid (if you qualify), and your state. Many people don't realize there are programs specifically for medication costs, medical equipment, and even home modifications. Your local Area Agency on Aging can be a great resource for navigating these programs. Don't let the early retirement penalty discourage you from getting every benefit you're entitled to!