I scheduled my bills around my SS deposit dates! For end of month birthdays (21-31) payments come on 4th Wednesday. April 23, May 28, June 25, July 23, August 27, September 24, October 22, November 26, and December 24 are the 4th Wednesdays for rest of 2025.

I work at a local SSA field office and can confirm what others have said about the website issues - we've been getting a lot of calls about this lately. The MySocialSecurity portal has been having intermittent problems since they started rolling out security updates last month. If you're still having trouble after trying the browser suggestions, you might want to wait until after their scheduled maintenance this weekend. Also, just wanted to mention that if you do visit a field office, calling ahead to schedule an appointment will save you a lot of waiting time. We're usually less busy on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings if that helps with planning.

Just to add more detail about what's actually on the matrix that you can't see online: It breaks down your benefit amount by both year AND month of claiming, showing the exact percentage reductions/increases. It also shows your exact PIA calculation based on your top 35 years of earnings (already indexed for inflation). And it factors in any already-applied COLAs. For someone who's trying to determine the optimal claiming age with precision, especially if you're planning to retire at an unusual age (like 64 years and 9 months), seeing the exact impact of waiting just a few more months can be extremely valuable. Sometimes waiting even 2-3 months can make a significant difference in your lifetime benefits.

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!

I'm just wonder if it's even worth working part time with these stupid limits. After taxes and the SS reduction if you go over, seems like you barely keep anything. Anyone done the math on this? Seems like the system punishes people who want to work. I'm 63 and thinking about applying but don't want to deal with all this nonsense.

Here's a breakdown of the Social Security earnings limit rules for 2025 that apply to your situation: 1. Monthly earnings limit: $2,190 (for those under FRA) 2. Annual earnings limit: $26,280 (for those under FRA all year) 3. First year rule: During your first year receiving benefits, you can use the monthly test Since you're starting work in February after already receiving benefits, the monthly earnings test applies. For each month in 2025, you can earn up to $2,190 without affecting your benefits for that month, regardless of your total earnings for the year. Starting in 2026, only the annual limit will apply. If you exceed the annual limit, SSA withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit. This continues until you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), when the earnings limit no longer applies and you can earn any amount without reduction in benefits.

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!!

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I think our next step is to get the exact benefit amounts from SSA and then run the calculations for different scenarios. It sounds like there's no simple answer - we need to look at our specific numbers and situation. Really appreciate all the responses!

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned - make sure you also consider the Medicare implications. If your wife waits until 67 to claim any Social Security benefits, she'll need to think about how to handle Medicare Part B enrollment at 65. She can delay Part B if she has qualifying employer coverage, but if not, there could be late enrollment penalties. Just another factor to weigh in your decision-making process alongside the benefit calculations everyone else has outlined!