To summarize the accurate information in this thread: 1. When you claim spousal benefits at your Full Retirement Age, you'll receive 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the benefit he would receive at his FRA regardless of when he actually claimed. 2. Your husband's decision to claim early at 62 reduces HIS benefit by approximately 30%, but it does NOT affect the calculation of YOUR spousal benefit (as long as you wait until your FRA). 3. If YOU claim spousal benefits before YOUR FRA, then YOUR spousal benefit would be permanently reduced. 4. You'll receive either your own retirement benefit or your spousal benefit, whichever is higher - not both. 5. Your own retirement benefit can increase with delayed retirement credits if you wait past FRA, but spousal benefits do not increase after FRA. This is a perfect example of why personalized planning is so important with Social Security - the rules can be complex but understanding them can significantly impact your lifetime benefits.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help others in similar situations. My parents went through this exact scenario about 5 years ago. Dad claimed at 62 due to health issues, and Mom was worried she'd get a reduced spousal benefit when she reached her FRA. The key thing that helped them was getting everything in writing from SSA. When Mom applied for spousal benefits at her FRA, she brought documentation showing Dad's estimated benefit at HIS full retirement age (his PIA), not what he was actually receiving. This made the process much smoother and ensured she got the correct amount - 50% of his PIA as everyone here has explained. One tip: keep copies of your husband's Social Security statements that show his estimated full retirement age benefit. It can be helpful documentation when you apply for spousal benefits later. The SSA should have this information, but having your own records can speed things up. Also wanted to echo what others said about the application process - definitely follow up to make sure you're getting the right amount. The system is complex and mistakes do happen.

Update: I finally got through to someone at SSA after being on hold for 2 hours. They said my provisional payments should start within the next 2-3 weeks and that my case has been assigned to an examiner for review. Feeling a bit relieved but still worried about making it until then. Thanks everyone for the advice and support!

That's such great news! I'm so happy you finally got through to someone who could give you actual information. 2-3 weeks for provisional payments sounds much more reasonable than what some people are experiencing. Make sure to keep that reference number or case number from your call if they gave you one - it can help speed things up if you need to call again. You've been through the hardest part already by getting all your paperwork submitted quickly. Hang in there, you're almost through this nightmare!

I'm in a similar situation - turning 70 next year and trying to figure out the COLA timing. Based on what everyone's saying here, it sounds like I should budget for my statement amount PLUS whatever the 2025 COLA ends up being. Does anyone know when SSA typically announces the official COLA percentage? I want to update my retirement budget as soon as the real number comes out rather than guessing.

Just to add another perspective here - I work at a local AARP office and help people navigate Social Security questions daily. Everything that's been said about COLA not being included in your statement estimates is absolutely correct. One thing I'd also mention is that since you're planning to file in March 2025, you might want to consider filing a month or two earlier in January/February. There's no additional benefit increase after age 70, and filing earlier ensures you don't miss any payments due to processing delays. SSA has been experiencing longer processing times lately, so giving yourself that buffer could be helpful. Your first payment would still reflect the full age-70 benefit amount plus any applicable COLA adjustments.

One more important thing I forgot to mention: If you're concerned about the overpayment, you should know that SSA will provide several options for repayment. They can: 1) Withhold from future benefits (but limited to no more than 10% of her monthly benefit unless you agree to more) 2) Set up a monthly payment plan 3) Take a partial lump sum payment and set up a plan for the remainder Given her high earnings, they might expect a more aggressive repayment schedule, but you still have rights regarding how much you can afford to pay back monthly. Also, the ARF recalculation I mentioned earlier is completely separate from the overpayment issue. They'll increase her ongoing benefit based on months withheld, regardless of whether the overpayment has been fully repaid.

Yes, unfortunately SSA can withhold from future benefits to recover overpayments, even after you reach FRA. The overpayment debt doesn't disappear just because you hit full retirement age - it's considered money that was paid incorrectly based on the earnings limit rules that were in effect when benefits were received. However, there are protections in place. By law, they can only withhold up to 10% of your monthly benefit amount unless you voluntarily agree to a higher withholding rate. So if her recalculated benefit ends up being $3,500/month, they could only take a maximum of $350/month unless she agrees to more. The good news is that with a $50K debt and potential monthly withholding of a few hundred dollars, it would take several years to fully repay. During that time, she'd still be receiving the majority of her benefit each month. Plus, as @e062c331c939 mentioned, the ARF recalculation should increase her base benefit amount, which means more money coming in even after the withholding. It's definitely frustrating, but the system is designed to eventually make people whole while still recovering overpayments. Just make sure to negotiate a reasonable repayment plan that works with your budget!

As someone who went through this exact decision process two years ago, I want to add another perspective on the life expectancy vs. breakeven calculation. You're absolutely right to question whether the breakeven point relates to SSA's life expectancy data - it doesn't directly, but there's an important connection you should know about. The SSA's actuarial assumptions built into the delayed retirement credit system were designed decades ago when life expectancies were shorter. What this means is that if you have reason to believe you'll live longer than the "average" person from those older tables (better healthcare, higher education, good genes on one side of the family), the 8% annual increase for delaying becomes even more valuable. But here's what really struck me about your situation: you mentioned your wife is younger and would likely outlive you. Have you looked into the "claim and invest" strategy? Some people in your position claim at FRA, then invest the difference between what they would have received versus what they'll eventually get at 70. If you're disciplined about investing that money, you might come out ahead even if you don't live to the traditional breakeven age. One more thought - at 63 with some health concerns, consider getting a more comprehensive health evaluation. Sometimes blood pressure issues can be early indicators of other cardiovascular risks that might influence your longevity projections. Knowledge is power in this decision!

This is such a great discussion! As someone who's been wrestling with similar questions about Social Security timing, I wanted to add a perspective that might help others in this situation. One thing I've learned from talking to a fee-only financial planner is that the "breakeven analysis" most people focus on is actually pretty limited because it only looks at the cumulative dollars received. But there are several other factors that can tip the scales: 1. **Inflation protection**: Social Security benefits get annual COLA adjustments, but other retirement income sources might not. The larger base benefit you get from delaying means more inflation protection over time. 2. **Tax considerations**: Depending on your other income sources, the timing of SS benefits can significantly impact your tax situation. Sometimes claiming earlier pushes you into higher tax brackets or triggers more taxation of your benefits. 3. **Medicare planning**: If you're considering delaying Social Security, make sure you still sign up for Medicare Part A at 65 to avoid potential penalties, even if you're not claiming SS yet. Connor, given that you mentioned you're still working part-time, you might want to also consider how your current earnings will affect your future benefit calculation. SS uses your highest 35 years of earnings, so if you're earning well now, those years might replace some lower-earning years from earlier in your career and boost your eventual benefit. The family longevity piece is tricky because we're all living longer than our parents' generation on average, but individual health factors definitely matter. Have you considered talking to your doctor about your actual health risks rather than just relying on family history?