Thank you all for the helpful responses! I think I understand my options better now. Since my own benefit at my FRA would be higher than the spousal benefit, I need to decide whether to take my reduced benefit now or wait until 67 for the full amount. I'm leaning toward waiting since the permanent reduction seems substantial, but I'll need to look at our overall financial situation. I'm definitely going to try to speak with someone at SSA directly before making my final decision.

I had to make this exact decision last year. The way I looked at it was: if I claim at 63, I'd get about 30% less forever. The break-even point where waiting until FRA pays off is usually around age 78-82 depending on your specific numbers. If you think you'll live past that age (and most women do!), waiting until at least FRA is usually better financially in the long run. I ended up claiming at 64 because I had some unexpected expenses, but I wish I could have waited longer. Definitely try to speak with SSA directly before deciding!

I'm a new retiree and going through the exact same thing right now! My first payment was way less than expected and I was so confused. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the prorated first month or that payments are made the month after you earn them. It's such a relief to know this is normal and not an error. The lack of clear communication from SSA really does make this unnecessarily stressful for new beneficiaries. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and explanations!

I work as a customer service representative for a government benefits office and see this confusion all the time. What you experienced is completely normal! Your first Social Security payment is typically prorated based on your entitlement date, and then you have regular deductions like Medicare premiums and any tax withholding you elected. The key thing to remember is that Social Security pays in arrears - so your February payment (received in March) will be for the full month of February and should be much closer to your expected amount minus only the standard deductions. I always tell people to wait for their second payment before panicking, as that's when you'll see the true monthly amount. If you're still concerned after your March payment, definitely contact SSA or check your online account for a detailed breakdown.

I went through this exact same situation 3 years ago and can definitely confirm what others have said - you absolutely CAN enroll in Medicare without starting Social Security benefits! One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet: when you apply for Medicare online, make sure you have your employer's EIN (tax ID number) handy. They'll ask for it on the application to verify your current coverage situation. Also, keep documentation of when your employer coverage actually ends - I had to provide a letter from HR stating my coverage end date. The timing sounds perfect for you - applying now for May 1st coverage gives you plenty of buffer time. I applied about 75 days before I needed coverage and everything went smoothly. And waiting until your FRA in September for SS benefits is absolutely the right financial move if you can swing it. One last tip: once you get your Medicare card, don't forget to notify any current healthcare providers about the insurance change so they can update their billing systems before your first appointments under Medicare.

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 65 and losing my employer coverage in June, but my FRA isn't until 67. Reading everyone's experiences has given me the confidence to move forward with Medicare-only enrollment. One question I haven't seen addressed - for those who did Medicare without SS benefits, how did you handle the Medicare premium payments? Did you set up automatic bank withdrawals, or do you just pay the quarterly bills when they arrive? I'm trying to plan out my budget for the transition period. Also, has anyone had experience with appealing IRMAA adjustments? My 2023 income was higher than what it will be in retirement, so I'm expecting to pay the higher premiums initially but hoping to get them reduced once I file the life-changing event form.

Here's a simplified explanation of your situation: 1. January-May 2025 (before FRA): Higher annual earnings limit applies (approximately $60,000 adjusted for 2025 COLA) 2. June 2025 and beyond (FRA attained): No earnings limits whatsoever The monthly earnings limit only applies in a non-FRA year when you have a "grace year" - the first year you retire and claim benefits mid-year. This is often confused with FRA rules. For official verification, see SSA's page on Special Earnings Limit Rule: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/rule.html

Just wanted to add one more important point that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand how the earnings test calculation works in practice. SSA looks at your ANNUAL earnings for the months before FRA, but they deduct benefits on a monthly basis if you exceed the limit. So if you earn $70,000 from January through May 2025 (exceeding the ~$60K limit), they'll withhold $1 for every $3 over the limit, but they spread that withholding across the remaining months of the year. It's not like they take a lump sum - they adjust your monthly benefit payments. This might affect your cash flow planning even though you'll be within your rights to earn that much.

I've been helping people navigate Social Security for years, and I want to emphasize something important that hasn't been fully addressed: when your ex-husband is receiving SSDI, his benefit amount is calculated differently than regular retirement benefits. His SSDI is based on his Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) at the time he became disabled, not what he would receive at full retirement age. This can actually work in your favor sometimes, especially if he became disabled at a younger age when his earnings were lower, because the SSDI formula can be more generous. However, your ex-spouse benefit will still be calculated as up to 50% of his Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), reduced for early filing at 62. The key thing is that his current SSDI payment amount and your potential ex-spouse benefit are calculated from the same base (his PIA), so you're not getting shortchanged because it's disability versus retirement. Just make sure when you apply that they specifically look at both your record and his disability record to give you the higher amount.

I went through this exact situation about 3 years ago! My ex-husband was on SSDI and I applied for divorced spouse benefits at 62. Here's what I learned that might help you: First, yes you absolutely can get benefits based on his SSDI record since you were married over 10 years and haven't remarried. The amount will be based on his Primary Insurance Amount (the same number his SSDI is calculated from), so you're not penalized because it's disability vs retirement. However, filing at 62 means you'll get about 32.5% of his PIA instead of the full 50% you'd get at your full retirement age. In my case, this ended up being around $850/month. Also, make sure to apply online or by phone rather than going to the office - the online application lets you provide all your info upfront and seemed to process faster. They'll need your marriage certificate, divorce decree, and his Social Security number. The whole process took about 6 weeks for me. One last tip: if you're still working, definitely factor in the earnings test that others mentioned. I had to reduce my hours because I was losing $1 in benefits for every $2 I earned over the limit. Good luck!