Thank you all for the helpful responses! I really appreciate this community. Based on your answers, it sounds like the amount I'm seeing ($4,217) does already include the 2025 COLA, but I should be prepared for possibly small adjustments before my first payment. I'll also remember to account for Medicare premiums and tax withholding. I think I'll try that Claimyr service mentioned above just to get final confirmation from SSA directly. After months of paperwork and waiting, I want to make sure everything is 100% correct before I start making financial plans based on this income. Will update once I get my award letter!

Congratulations on your approval, Miguel! It's such a relief when that finally comes through after all the waiting. Just wanted to add one more thing that others touched on - when you get your first payment, make sure to check your bank account carefully. Sometimes SSA will send a separate notice if there are any adjustments, but the first indication might just be a slightly different deposit amount than expected. Also, since you mentioned budgeting accurately, don't forget that Social Security benefits may be subject to federal income tax depending on your total income. If your combined income (Social Security + other income + half of your SS benefits) exceeds certain thresholds, up to 85% of your benefits could be taxable. Just something to keep in mind for tax planning! Good luck with everything and thanks for sharing your experience - it helps others going through the same process!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Anastasia. What you're going through sounds incredibly overwhelming, especially while you're still grieving. I want to address a few key points that might help clarify things for you: Regarding your husband's SSDI approval - yes, even though he never received a payment, his approval establishes the foundation for survivor benefits. The SSA essentially treats it as if he had been receiving benefits, which is why both you and your son are eligible. For your son's transition from SSI to DAC benefits, this is typically a very positive change. DAC benefits are usually significantly higher than SSI (often $1,500+ vs the current SSI rate of $943), and he'll eventually get Medicare coverage. The SSA representative was right to start this process. One thing to be prepared for with your own appointment next month: they'll likely ask about your work history and future work plans. Since you mentioned you don't currently work because you care for your son, make sure to mention this - there may be additional considerations for caregivers in your situation. Also, don't worry too much about the timing of applications. The SSA will backdate benefits appropriately based on when your husband passed away, so waiting until after April shouldn't negatively impact either of your benefit amounts. Keep all your documentation organized and don't hesitate to ask for written confirmation of anything they tell you. You're doing everything right in advocating for both yourself and your son during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Anastasia. What a difficult situation to navigate while grieving. I just wanted to add one important point that I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure to ask about the potential for retroactive payments when you have your appointment next month. Since your husband was approved for SSDI in January and passed away at the end of January, there might be some retroactive survivor benefits available from his date of death. The SSA sometimes pays survivor benefits back to the month after the worker's death, which could mean you're eligible for February and March payments. Also, regarding your concern about the "locked" account - this is actually pretty standard when someone passes during the SSDI waiting period. The SSA has to convert the disability claim to survivor claims, which involves some backend processing that temporarily restricts access to the record. It sounds like your son's appointment went well and they're moving forward with his DAC benefits, which is great news. One last thing - keep detailed notes of every conversation you have with SSA representatives, including names, dates, and reference numbers. This has saved me so much trouble when dealing with government agencies in the past. You're doing an amazing job advocating for both yourself and your son during such a challenging time.

I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this for weeks! From what I've gathered reading through various forums and SSA resources, the detailed month-by-month matrix is unfortunately only available through their internal systems. However, I did discover a few workarounds that might help: 1. You can call SSA and specifically request the "month-by-month benefit calculation worksheet" - they can mail it to you if you can get through on the phone 2. Some local libraries have SSA liaisons who can help you navigate the system 3. If you have access to a fee-only financial planner who specializes in Social Security, they often have software that can create similar detailed projections I'm still debating whether to make the office visit myself, but it sounds like several people here found it worthwhile, especially if you have complicating factors like WEP, spousal benefits, or want to optimize down to the month level. The $200/month difference that Dylan mentioned for just waiting 4 more months really puts it in perspective - that's $2,400 more per year for life!

As someone who just went through this process last month, I can confirm that the detailed matrix is absolutely worth getting! I was in the exact same boat - didn't want to make the trip to the office, but the online estimates just weren't detailed enough for my planning needs. I ended up calling SSA (took about 6 tries over 2 weeks to get through) and requested the "month-by-month benefit calculation worksheet." They were able to mail it to me within 10 business days. The worksheet showed me that waiting until age 66 and 8 months instead of my original plan of 66 would increase my monthly benefit by $75 - that's $900 more per year for the rest of my life! The matrix includes your exact PIA calculation, shows the percentage reduction/increase for each claiming month, and factors in all COLAs. Way more precise than the basic online estimates. If you're having trouble getting through on the phone, try calling right when they open at 7 AM local time - that's when I finally got through after all those failed attempts. One tip: when you call, have your Social Security number and recent tax return handy. They'll verify your identity before processing the request.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation with your husband's illness. As someone who went through a similar experience with my late spouse, I want to share a few practical considerations that might help with your decision. Given your immediate financial need and depleted savings, option 1 (taking reduced benefits now) makes sense in your circumstances. You're right that having guaranteed income starting in January, plus Medicare in June, will provide crucial financial stability during this challenging time. One thing to keep in mind: when you do eventually apply for survivor benefits, you'll want to time it strategically. If your husband passes before you reach FRA (67), you could choose to delay applying for survivor benefits until your FRA to get the full $2,850 instead of a reduced amount. During that gap, you'd continue receiving your $1,650 retirement benefit. Also, don't underestimate the peace of mind that comes with having a steady income during a health crisis. The stress of financial uncertainty can be overwhelming when you're also dealing with caregiving responsibilities and medical decisions. Whatever you decide, make sure to keep detailed records of all your Social Security communications and decisions. The system can be confusing, but having documentation helps tremendously when you need to make changes later.

I'm really sorry about your husband's diagnosis - pancreatic cancer is incredibly tough, and I can only imagine how overwhelming this must be while also trying to navigate these complex Social Security decisions. From everything I've read here and my own experience helping my parents with their benefits, it sounds like option 1 makes the most practical sense for your situation. You need income now, and the mental relief of having guaranteed monthly payments plus Medicare starting in June will be huge during this stressful time. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - when you do eventually need to apply for survivor benefits, you might want to consider working with a local SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselor. They're free volunteers who help with Medicare and Social Security questions, and they often have more time to walk through scenarios than the overwhelmed SSA staff. You can find your local SHIP office through your state's aging department. Also, while you're dealing with your husband's care, don't forget to take care of yourself too. The caregiver stress is real, and having that financial security from your early retirement benefits will hopefully give you one less thing to worry about during this difficult time. Wishing you and your husband strength during this challenging period.

I went through a CE for my fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue last year, and I know how nerve-wracking it can be! A few things that helped me: arrive a little early so you're not rushed, and don't feel pressured to do any movement or test that will cause you significant pain or a flare-up. The doctor should understand if you need to stop or modify something. Also, if you have a support person who usually helps you with appointments, bring them along - they can wait in the waiting room and drive you home if the exam leaves you exhausted. One thing I wish I'd done was bring a list of my current medications with dosages, as the doctor asked about this and I couldn't remember everything clearly. Most importantly, remember that you deserve these benefits if your conditions prevent you from working. The CE is just a formality in the process, not a test you can "fail." Sending you positive thoughts for tomorrow!

I had my CE for MS and peripheral neuropathy about 8 months ago, so I totally understand your anxiety! The exam itself was actually less intimidating than I'd built it up to be. The doctor spent about 25 minutes with me - checked my reflexes (which were pretty diminished due to the neuropathy), tested my balance and coordination, had me walk heel-to-toe, and asked me to grip his hands to test strength. He also did some pin-prick sensation testing on my legs and feet. What really helped was that I kept a symptom diary for the week leading up to the exam, noting my pain levels, fatigue, and mobility each day. I brought it with me and was able to reference specific examples when he asked about my daily functioning. The doctor seemed to appreciate having concrete details rather than vague descriptions. One thing that surprised me - he spent more time asking about cognitive symptoms than I expected. MS brain fog is real and can be just as disabling as physical symptoms, so don't forget to mention memory issues, concentration problems, or word-finding difficulties if you experience them. The whole process felt more like a medical consultation than an interrogation. Just remember, you're not trying to convince anyone you're disabled - you're simply documenting how your conditions affect your ability to work. Best of luck tomorrow, you'll do great!