Just want to echo what others have said about reporting your earnings IMMEDIATELY - this is crucial! I made the mistake of waiting a few months to report when I went back to work after early retirement, and it created a huge headache with overpayments. One thing that might help you decide between withdrawal vs. earnings test: consider your cash flow needs. With withdrawal, you need that $14,800 upfront to repay, but then you're done with SS complications while working. With the earnings test route, you'll have the ongoing hassle of annual reporting and potential overpayment issues if your income varies. Also, since you mentioned this job was unexpected, make sure you factor in job security. If there's any chance this position might not last the full 3-4 years, that could influence whether paying back benefits now makes sense. The SSA benefit calculators are helpful, but honestly, given the complexity and dollar amounts involved, it might be worth paying for an hour consultation with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security strategies. The withdrawal deadline is firm at 12 months, so you have some time but not unlimited time to decide.

Ben, I'm in a very similar situation! Started taking SS at 62 last year and just got a job offer that would put me way over the earnings limit. After reading through all these responses, I wanted to share what I learned from my research: The withdrawal option (SSA-521) might be your best bet since you're still within that 12-month window. I calculated my situation and even though I'd have to pay back about $18k in benefits, the higher monthly payments from waiting until 66 would break even in about 8-9 years. At our age, that math usually works out favorably. One thing I found helpful was using the detailed calculators on the SSA website - not just the quick estimator, but the more comprehensive ones that factor in your specific earnings history. Since you mentioned your previous job was lower paying, these high-earning years at $85k will definitely boost your benefit calculation. Also wanted to second what others said about calling SSA immediately to report your earnings. I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it was a lifesaver - got through to an actual person in about 30 minutes instead of the hours I was spending on hold. The Medicare enrollment timing is definitely something to keep in mind too if you're approaching 65. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I'm so sorry for what you're going through - losing your husband and now facing your ex-husband's terminal illness must be incredibly difficult. The good news is that yes, you can absolutely switch to the higher survivor benefit when the time comes. Since you were married to your ex for 14 years (well over the 10-year requirement), you're eligible for divorced spouse survivor benefits. A few practical tips from what I've learned: When your ex passes, don't wait - apply immediately since they only backdate survivor benefits 6 months. Make sure to specifically request an application for survivor benefits on his record (don't assume they'll automatically compare the two). And definitely ask them to calculate both benefit amounts to confirm which is actually higher after all adjustments. One thing that might help now is to call SSA and ask them to give you an estimate of what your survivor benefit would be based on your ex-husband's current earnings record. This way you'll know exactly what to expect and can plan accordingly. You can also ask them to make a note in your file about your situation so there's a record when you need to apply later. Stay strong - you're handling a really tough situation with grace and wisdom by planning ahead.

I'm so sorry for your loss and what you're going through with your ex-husband's illness. This community has given you excellent advice - you absolutely can switch to the higher survivor benefit when the time comes. One additional resource that might help: if you're comfortable using online tools, you can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. This will let you view your current benefit information and potentially get estimates for different scenarios. It's especially helpful for keeping track of all your SSA interactions and having a record of your benefit history in one place. Also, when the time comes to make the switch, consider asking SSA to put the approval in writing. Sometimes there can be confusion months later about which benefit you're receiving or why it changed, and having that documentation can save you from having to re-explain your situation. You're being incredibly thoughtful and proactive during such a difficult time. This planning will really help ensure you get the maximum benefit you're entitled to. Take care of yourself.

I'm really sorry you're going through this incredibly frustrating process. Having dealt with disability applications myself, I know how draining it can be to navigate the system while managing a serious medical condition. Based on everything you've shared, I'd strongly recommend pursuing the Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) route immediately. Since you were diagnosed with cystinuria at 13 (well before age 22) and your mother is receiving SSDI, you should definitely qualify. The fact that an SSA rep even mentioned this suggests it's your strongest path forward. A few practical suggestions: 1. Don't wait for your current SSI case to resolve - file the CDB application as a completely separate claim under your mother's record 2. When you apply, specifically request a "protective filing date" back to when you first inquired about benefits, as this could get you retroactive payments 3. Focus on getting medical documentation that clearly states how your condition prevents you from working consistently (not just the diagnosis, but functional limitations) For your stalled case, try visiting your local field office in person rather than calling. Phone reps often can't see the detailed case notes that might explain the delay. The requirement for 4-5 surgeries annually plus constant ER visits absolutely sounds disabling - don't let anyone make you question the legitimacy of your claim. Keep advocating for yourself!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this exhausting process on top of managing such a complex medical condition. Cystinuria requiring 4-5 surgeries annually is absolutely debilitating - the unpredictability alone would make it nearly impossible to maintain steady employment. Based on everything you've shared and the great advice from others here, I'd definitely prioritize the CDB application under your mother's record. Since you were diagnosed at 13 with a genetic condition and your mom has been on SSDI since 2007, this seems like your strongest path forward. A couple of additional thoughts that might help: 1. **When documenting your condition**, emphasize the unpredictable nature - employers need reliability, and when you never know when you'll need emergency surgery, that's a huge barrier to employment that SSA should understand. 2. **For your stalled case**, 13 months at Step 3 suggests they might be waiting for additional medical evidence or there could be a clerical issue. Definitely try the in-person visit to your local office. 3. **Consider keeping a symptom diary** going forward - documenting pain levels, ER visits, work days missed, etc. This can be powerful evidence of how your condition actually impacts daily functioning. The financial stress while waiting is awful, and your partner burning out as sole provider adds another layer of difficulty. You're dealing with so much, and you absolutely deserve support through this system you've been paying into. Don't give up - your claim is legitimate and you will get through this process.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation with my neighbor who's 79 and has mild dementia. Based on everything shared here, I'm planning to: 1. Download the SSA-1696 form and the CMS-10106 (Medicare) form 2. Make sure to specifically check box 7 and write "1099-SSA forms" for tax document access 3. Bring multiple copies of everything including POA documents 4. Set up online access while we're at the office 5. Ask about expiration dates and renewal requirements One question I have - for someone with mild cognitive decline, do I need any medical documentation to support the SSA-1696 application, or is that only required for representative payee status? I want to make sure I'm fully prepared before making the 2-hour drive to our nearest SSA office. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when navigating these complex government processes!

As someone who went through this exact process with my aunt last year, I want to add a few practical tips that saved me headaches: 1. **Call ahead to schedule** - Don't just show up! Many SSA offices require appointments for representative paperwork. Ask specifically for a "representative appointment" not just a general visit. 2. **Bring a folder with dividers** - You'll be juggling multiple forms and documents. Having everything organized made the process much smoother. 3. **Take photos of completed forms** - Before you hand anything over, take pictures with your phone. I had to reconstruct forms twice because of "processing delays." 4. **Get a receipt/confirmation number** - Make sure they give you some kind of tracking number or receipt showing you submitted the SSA-1696. This was crucial when following up weeks later. 5. **Ask for the agent's name and direct number** - Some agents are more helpful than others. If you get someone knowledgeable, get their contact info for follow-up questions. The whole process took about 6 weeks from submission to being able to actually use my representative status, so don't expect immediate results. But once it's active, it makes everything so much easier! Your friend is lucky to have someone willing to navigate this bureaucracy for her.

Great discussion here! I'm actually facing a similar decision and this thread has been incredibly helpful. One thing I'd add is that you might want to consider running the numbers through the SSA's online benefit calculators or getting a personalized benefit statement to see exactly how those replacement years would affect YOUR specific situation. I used the "anyPIA" software (it's free from SSA) to model different scenarios, and in my case, replacing three $35k years with $75k years only increased my monthly benefit by about $45 total - nowhere near the $320/month I'd get from the 24% increase by waiting until 70. Also, don't forget about Medicare premiums being deducted from your SS benefits if you're already enrolled. That reduces your net benefit amount when doing these calculations. The consensus seems right - unless you have immediate financial needs or health concerns, the delayed retirement credits are usually the better mathematical choice for most people.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through this exact decision process. I'm 66 and was planning to claim at FRA while continuing to work, but after reading through resources like this thread, I decided to wait until 70. What really sealed it for me was running the numbers on my specific situation. Like others mentioned, I had several low-earning years in my 20s and 30s (around $25k-35k), and I'm now making $85k. But when I calculated the actual impact of replacing those years, it was surprisingly small - maybe $30-40 per month increase total over 3 years of additional work. Compare that to the guaranteed 8% per year (24% total) I'll get by waiting until 70, which would be about $480 more per month on my estimated $2,000 FRA benefit. That's a huge difference! The tipping point for me was also considering my wife's situation. She'll likely rely on survivor benefits from my record someday, and that extra 24% will make a real difference in her financial security. I know it's hard to leave money on the table for 3 years, but the math is pretty clear if you're in good health and don't have immediate financial pressures. The breakeven analysis shows I'd need to live past about 82 to come out ahead - and given my family history, that seems likely. Good luck with your decision! This community has been incredibly helpful in thinking through all the angles.