After reading through this thread again, I realized I need to correct something in my earlier response. The provision about disabled spouses collecting as early as 50 only applies to surviving spouses (widows/widowers) whose partners have passed away. Since you're still living, your wife wouldn't qualify under that provision. As the expert correctly pointed out, for your situation, your wife would generally need to wait until age 62 to collect spousal benefits once you start receiving your retirement benefits. The only exception would be if she were caring for your child who is under 16 or disabled. I apologize for my error and the confusion it may have caused.

has she tried applying for disability again? sometimes ppl get denied first time but approved when they appeal. my sister got denied twice but then got a lawyer and won her case!!

I'm in a very similar situation - turned 70 three months ago and still working full-time. Reading all these responses is making me panic! I had no idea the benefits stopped growing at 70. I thought I was being smart by waiting since I don't need the money right now and my employer insurance is great. But losing $15k-40k like some of you mentioned is terrifying! I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned because I've been trying to get through to SSA for weeks with no luck. Question though - when you all applied late like this, did you have any issues with the application process being more complicated? I'm worried they'll ask why I waited so long and make it difficult.

As someone who works in retirement planning, I can't stress enough how important it is to file immediately! You're absolutely correct that benefits stop growing at 70 - those delayed retirement credits max out then. The good news is you've only been 70 for about a month, so your losses are minimal compared to some of the horror stories shared here. A few quick tips for your application: - You can apply online at ssa.gov/retire which is often faster than calling - If you do need to call, try early morning (8 AM) when lines are less busy - Have your W-2s from the last 2 years handy - Since you're still working, make sure to tell them about your current employer insurance when discussing Medicare The retroactive benefits (up to 6 months) should help minimize your losses. Don't beat yourself up too much - this is unfortunately a very common situation because SSA doesn't actively notify people about this rule change at 70. The important thing is you're taking action now!

I just went through this exact same situation last month! I was scheduled for a virtual SSA appointment and didn't receive my Teams link until literally the day before my appointment. I was checking my email obsessively for weeks thinking they had forgotten about me. When it finally came, it was from an address like "noreply.ssa.gov" and had "SSA Virtual Appointment Confirmation" in the subject line. A couple of things that might help while you wait: First, make sure you have the SSA office locator bookmarked (ssa.gov/locator) so you can call your local office directly if needed - they're sometimes easier to reach than the main 800 number. Second, definitely test Microsoft Teams ahead of time, even if it's just joining a test meeting by yourself. The SSA rep will expect your camera and microphone to work right away. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking, but from what I've experienced and seen others post here, getting the link 1-3 days before seems to be their standard (though frustrating) timeline. Hang in there!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! I have my SSA retirement appointment scheduled for March 15th and haven't received my Teams link yet either. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so helpful - it sounds like the 2-3 day timeline is pretty standard, even though it's anxiety-inducing for those of us waiting. I'm definitely going to start checking my spam folder daily and use that office locator tool to get my local SSA office number as backup. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - it's making me feel much more prepared and less worried that they forgot about me!

Great point about Medicare, Andre! That's something a lot of people overlook. Another consideration is that if your wife does decide to wait until you file at 67, she should still create her my Social Security account online and check her earnings record now to make sure everything is accurate. Any corrections need to be made before she claims benefits. Also, even though the "file and suspend" strategy was eliminated in 2015, there are still some nuances around timing that could affect your overall household strategy. For instance, if you have significant age gaps or health differences, that might influence the optimal timing. The SSA's "When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits" publication has some good worksheets to help with these calculations.

As someone who recently went through the Social Security claiming process, I can confirm what others have said about the 2015 rule changes. The old "claim now, switch later" strategy is no longer available. However, I'd suggest one additional step that really helped me: consider meeting with a fee-only financial planner who specializes in Social Security optimization. Yes, there's a cost, but given the permanent nature of these decisions and the potential dollar amounts involved over your lifetimes, it might be worth the investment. They can run multiple scenarios using software that accounts for inflation, life expectancy, and other factors that the basic SSA calculators don't always capture. Also, don't forget that if either of you has government pension benefits (like from teaching or other public service), the Windfall Elimination Provision or Government Pension Offset rules might further complicate your calculations. Good luck with your planning!

I work at a local Social Security office and wanted to add a few insider tips that might help you when the time comes. First, if you need to visit an office in person, you can make an appointment online or by phone - this will save you hours of waiting compared to just walking in. Appointments typically get you seen within 15-30 minutes of your scheduled time. Second, bring multiple certified copies of the death certificate if you can afford it. We need to keep one for our records, and you'll likely need originals for banks, insurance companies, and other agencies. Getting extras upfront saves you from having to order more later. One thing people don't realize is that we can often handle simple death notifications over the phone, but more complex situations (like suspected overpayments or questions about survivor benefits) usually require an in-person visit or extensive phone verification. Also, if your mom ever moves or changes banks, make sure she updates her address and direct deposit information with us promptly. Outdated information can cause significant delays and complications after someone passes away. The fact that your mom is still managing her own affairs is actually ideal - it shows she's maintaining her independence and mental capacity, which makes the eventual transition much cleaner from an administrative standpoint.

I'm going through a very similar situation with my elderly father right now, so this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add that I learned from our family's estate planning attorney - make sure to ask your mom about any pension benefits she might receive in addition to Social Security. Some pensions have survivor benefits that need to be claimed separately, and the deadlines can be much stricter than Social Security's requirements. Also, if your mom has a Medicare Advantage plan or supplemental insurance, those will need to be cancelled separately from Social Security - they don't automatically stop when SSA is notified of a death. I made a spreadsheet with all of my dad's benefits and insurance plans so I don't forget to contact anyone when the time comes. The advice about having those conversations now while she's mentally sharp is so important. My dad was initially reluctant to discuss these topics, but I framed it as "helping me feel prepared to honor your wishes" rather than dwelling on the sad aspects. That seemed to make the conversations easier for both of us. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of real-world advice is so much more helpful than trying to navigate government websites alone!