This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation (born in 1960, so FRA is 67) and have been trying to figure out the earnings limit rules. Reading through everyone's experiences and the clarifications about the $1 for every $3 reduction in the FRA year vs the usual $1 for every $2 really helps. One thing I wanted to add for anyone else reading this - I learned from my financial advisor that you can also request to have federal taxes withheld from your Social Security benefits when you apply. Since you'll still have significant earnings from work during those first few months, you might want to consider this to avoid a big tax bill in April 2027. The withholding rates are 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your monthly benefit. Also, Amara, your point about tracking everything carefully is so important. I've started keeping a monthly spreadsheet of my gross earnings specifically for this purpose. Better to be over-prepared than scramble to reconstruct earnings records later if SSA has questions!

This has been such an informative discussion! As someone approaching my own retirement decisions, I've learned so much from reading through everyone's experiences. A few key takeaways that might help others in similar situations: 1. The Claimyr service mentioned seems like a game-changer for actually reaching SSA by phone - I've had the same frustrating experience with long hold times and disconnections. 2. The distinction between the regular earnings limit and the higher limit in your FRA year is crucial - I didn't realize there were two different thresholds. 3. The advice about being proactive with earnings estimates when filing is excellent - transparency upfront seems much better than dealing with overpayments later. For anyone else navigating this transition, it sounds like the key is getting official confirmation from SSA rather than trying to piece together information from multiple sources. The rules are complex enough that even well-meaning advice can sometimes miss important nuances. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - communities like this are invaluable for navigating these complicated government programs!

One more important point: The earnings limit applies only to earned income (wages or self-employment). It does NOT apply to investment income, pension payments, annuities, capital gains, or other government benefits. So if some of your $38,000 comes from these sources, it wouldn't count toward the earnings limit.

Don't panic! This is actually a pretty common situation and it's not as bad as it seems. The key thing is to report your expected earnings to SSA as soon as possible - don't wait until tax time. You can do this through your mySocialSecurity account online or by calling them. They'll adjust your payments going forward rather than demanding a lump sum repayment. Since you're earning $38K and the limit is $22,320, they'll withhold about $7,840 total ($15,680 over ÷ 2 = $7,840). This typically means they'll stop your monthly checks for several months until that amount is recovered, then resume payments. The silver lining is that when you reach your Full Retirement Age, SSA will recalculate your benefit to account for those withheld months, giving you a permanently higher monthly payment. So while it's stressful now, you're not actually losing that money long-term.

I went through a similar situation with my disabled adult child and multiple minors a few years ago. One thing that really helped me was creating a spreadsheet to track all the different scenarios before making applications. Here's what I'd suggest documenting: - Your current family maximum ($2,675) - Each person's theoretical full benefit amount (50% of your PIA) - The proportional reduction when everyone applies vs. different combinations For your disabled daughter specifically, make sure you understand that once she switches from SSI to DAC benefits, she can't easily switch back if the numbers don't work out as expected. The good news is that DAC benefits typically provide more stability and freedom than SSI long-term. Also, don't forget that your minor children's benefits come with an earnings test if they work - something to consider as your 14-year-old approaches working age. The key is getting those actual calculations from SSA rather than trying to estimate. Every family's situation is unique, and the bend points in the family maximum formula make it nearly impossible to calculate accurately without their system.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - disabled adult child on SSI plus minor children eligible for benefits on my record. One thing I learned that might help you is that the Social Security Administration has local offices that can sometimes provide more detailed, personalized assistance than the national phone line. I made an appointment at my local SSA office and brought all my documentation - my disabled child's medical records, proof of disability onset before age 22, and information about everyone's current benefits. The representative was able to run actual calculations showing exactly how much each person would receive under different scenarios. What really surprised me was that even though the family maximum seemed like it would drastically reduce everyone's individual benefits, the total household income was still higher when everyone applied. The key factor was exactly what others mentioned - my disabled child's SSI just adjusted down to fill the gap, so we weren't really "losing" money, just shifting the source. The other huge advantage of switching from SSI to DAC benefits is that your daughter won't have to worry about those restrictive asset limits anymore. She could potentially save money, have a small inheritance, or even get married without losing benefits - none of which is possible with SSI. I'd definitely recommend making an in-person appointment if possible. The local office staff seemed much more knowledgeable about these complex family situations than the phone representatives.

After reading everyone's responses, I'm feeling much better about this situation. It sounds like the process is pretty straightforward - they'll catch the overage through my tax return, send me a letter explaining the situation, and then make small deductions from my payments until the $350 is recovered. I'll make sure to budget for slightly smaller payments for a few months next year. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and expertise!

I'm in a similar situation - turned 62 last month and just started collecting benefits. I've been so worried about accidentally going over the limit! Reading through everyone's responses really helps calm my nerves. It sounds like SSA has a pretty reasonable process for handling overages, and the fact that they spread the repayment over several months instead of taking it all at once makes it much more manageable. Thanks for asking this question Paolo - I'm sure there are lots of us early retirees who needed to hear these answers!

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!