As someone who just went through this process myself, I can share what worked for me. First, definitely calculate your "combined income" using the formula Emily mentioned earlier - it's crucial for determining if your benefits will be taxable. I used the IRS withholding calculator online and it was really helpful. One thing I learned is that you can change your withholding election at any time during the year by submitting a new W-4V form, so don't stress too much about getting the perfect percentage right away. I started with 10% and adjusted it after a few months once I had a better sense of my total tax situation. Also, keep good records of all your income sources throughout the year - SS benefits, part-time work, pension, any investment income, etc. This will make tax time much smoother and help you fine-tune your withholding for next year. The learning curve is steep but you'll get the hang of it!

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me - if you're still working part-time, check with your payroll department about how your Social Security benefits might affect your tax bracket. I found out that my combined income pushed me into a higher bracket than I expected, so I ended up needing more withholding than I initially calculated. Also, if you have any 401k or IRA distributions planned, factor those in too since they'll add to your "combined income" calculation. The whole system is definitely confusing at first, but once you get through your first tax season with SS benefits, it becomes much clearer how everything fits together!

I'm new to this community but wanted to offer some support and additional thoughts. As someone who has helped family members navigate SSA claims, I'd suggest also looking into whether you have any old credit reports or loan applications from that time period where you might have listed each other as co-applicants or references. Sometimes people forget about these documents, but they can show financial interdependence during your common law period. Also, if you had any joint memberships (gym, Costco, etc.) or shared cell phone plans during those 2 years in Colorado, those records might still be available. The key is building a comprehensive picture of your life as a married couple before the legal ceremony. I know it's overwhelming to gather all this documentation while grieving, but Colorado's recognition of common law marriage really does give you a legitimate shot at meeting that 10-year requirement. Don't let the bureaucracy intimidate you - you have every right to pursue these benefits after an 11+ year relationship. Sending you strength for your upcoming appointment!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Felicity. What you're going through sounds incredibly stressful on top of an already difficult time. I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your situation really resonates with me. The advice about Colorado recognizing common law marriage seems really promising! One thing I wanted to add that might help - have you considered looking for any old correspondence between you two during that period? Things like emails, letters, or even text messages (if you still have old phones or backups) where you referred to each other as husband/wife or discussed shared future plans? Sometimes these personal communications can be powerful evidence of how you viewed your relationship. Also, if you had any shared subscriptions during those years - magazines, newspapers, streaming services - those records might show joint household management. I know it feels overwhelming to dig through old records while you're grieving, but the fact that so many people here have had success with similar cases in Colorado gives me hope for you. You've got this, and this community clearly has your back!

I'm really sorry to hear about the financial challenges you're facing with this transition. As a newcomer to this community, I'm learning so much from reading everyone's experiences and advice. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is checking if your state has a "Medicare Savings Program" (MSP) - it's different from the Extra Help program others mentioned. MSP can help pay your Medicare Part B premiums, deductibles, and co-payments if your income falls below certain thresholds after your LTD ends. Every state runs this program, but they sometimes have different names for it. Also, since you mentioned multiple cancer battles, you might want to look into whether there are any cancer-specific financial assistance organizations in your area. Groups like CancerCare and the American Cancer Society sometimes have emergency financial assistance programs that can help with things like insurance premiums, transportation to medical appointments, or utility bills during transitions like this. The community here has given you such comprehensive advice - it's clear that while this transition is challenging, there are people who understand what you're going through and resources available to help. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really moved by how supportive everyone has been in sharing their experiences and knowledge about this challenging transition. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational for me as well. I wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful - many states have "Aging and Disability Resource Centers" (ADRCs) that serve as one-stop shops for information about benefits and services. They can often help coordinate applications for multiple programs at once, which might save you time since you'll likely be applying for several different assistance programs. Also, if you haven't already, consider reaching out to any local senior centers in your area. Even if you're not quite in the "senior center activities" mindset yet, many of them have benefits counselors on staff or host regular visits from social workers who specialize in helping people navigate exactly these kinds of transitions. The fact that you're planning ahead and asking these questions now puts you way ahead of where many people are when they face this cliff at 65. It's going to be tough, but it sounds like you're building a good support network and resource list to help you through it. Wishing you all the best with this transition!

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I've learned there's no "magic month" to file that increases benefits, but I should apply now for March benefits to give SSA enough processing time. I'm going to check my earnings record first, then submit my application. I appreciate the tip about Claimyr too - might use that if I run into problems reaching someone at SSA. I'll update once I get everything submitted!

Just wanted to add one more consideration that might help with your decision-making process. Since you mentioned being in a tough financial spot, you might want to look into whether your state offers any additional assistance programs that could bridge the gap between when your temporary disability ends and when your Social Security payments begin. Some states have emergency assistance programs or food assistance that can help during transitions like this. Also, if your wife isn't already working, she might want to consider part-time employment to help with the financial pressure while you're waiting for benefits to start. The stress of financial uncertainty can really impact your recovery from surgery, so having multiple backup plans in place might give you both some peace of mind during this transition period.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some information that might help with your situation. I work as a benefits counselor, and I see families dealing with this exact issue regularly. Unfortunately, what everyone has confirmed is correct - your 12-year-old's benefit won't increase when your older child ages out. The Social Security system calculates each child's auxiliary benefit individually (typically 50% of your PIA), and these don't get redistributed when a sibling becomes ineligible. What I always recommend to families in your situation is to create a "transition timeline" starting about 8-10 months before the anticipated change. This gives you time to gradually adjust spending, explore supplemental income options, and research local assistance programs. Many states have specific transition assistance for families experiencing benefit reductions due to aging out. I'd also suggest documenting everything when you do get through to SSA - ask for written confirmation of benefit amounts and termination dates. Sometimes there are small delays or extensions (like the high school provision others mentioned) that can provide a few extra months of breathing room. The system definitely has gaps that hurt families like yours who are still supporting the same household. Planning ahead is really your best strategy for managing this transition successfully.

I'm new to this community but wanted to add my perspective as someone who just went through this exact situation with my family. My oldest daughter aged out last month at 18, and my younger son's benefits stayed exactly the same - no increase at all. It was really disappointing because like you, we were hoping that money would continue to help with our household expenses. What I found most helpful was actually calling SSA about 4 months before my daughter's 18th birthday to get everything documented and understand the exact timeline. The representative explained that each child's benefit is calculated individually (50% of my PIA in our case), and when one child becomes ineligible, that portion just stops - it doesn't get redistributed to other family members within the family maximum. I'd strongly recommend getting your benefit verification letter online through your my Social Security account if you haven't already. Seeing the actual numbers really helped me start planning our budget transition. We started cutting back on non-essential expenses about 6 months early, which made the actual change much less shocking when it happened. Also, definitely look into that high school extension for your 15-year-old that others mentioned. Even if they graduate right around their 18th birthday, there might be a small window where you could benefit from those extra payments. I know it's frustrating that the system works this way, but having a clear plan forward really does help with the stress of uncertainty.