I'm a newcomer to this community but wanted to share what I learned when helping my uncle with a similar situation last year. One thing that really helped us was downloading the SSA-11 form ahead of time from the Social Security website and filling it out completely before going to the office. This saved us a lot of time and the SSA staff seemed to appreciate that we came prepared. Also, I'd suggest asking the nursing home for a written statement explaining exactly how much they expect to receive monthly and how they'll handle the personal needs allowance. Having this documentation helped us when we met with the SSA representative - they wanted to see that we understood the financial arrangement. The whole process felt overwhelming at first, but breaking it down into steps made it manageable: 1) Get all documents together, 2) Fill out the form, 3) Visit SSA office, 4) Coordinate with nursing home. Don't hesitate to ask questions at each step - everyone we worked with was more helpful once they saw we were actively trying to do things correctly.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since I just went through this exact process with my grandmother three months ago. The nursing home staff kept using confusing terminology that made everything sound more complicated than it needed to be. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: You're essentially becoming your sister's "financial representative" for Social Security purposes, which is separate from your POA. Think of it as SSA's own version of power of attorney specifically for benefits. A few practical tips that saved me time: - Bring a medical statement from your sister's doctor confirming she cannot manage her own affairs (this speeds up approval) - Get the nursing home's exact banking information in writing before your SSA appointment - Ask specifically about your state's personal needs allowance amount so you know what to expect The nursing home social worker should be helping you with this transition - if they're not being helpful, ask to speak with their financial coordinator or administrator. This is literally part of their job since they handle Medicaid residents regularly. Don't let them rush you, but also don't delay too long. Most facilities are understanding if they see you're actively working on the process. You're doing everything right by seeking information and asking questions!

I'm so sorry for your loss and the frustrating situation you're dealing with. As others have mentioned, the GPO rules haven't changed - you're still looking at a 2/3 reduction ($2,800) from your $4,200 pension that would be applied against any survivor benefit. However, I'd encourage you to apply anyway for a few reasons: 1) You'll get an official determination letter with exact calculations for your records, 2) Sometimes there are nuances in individual cases that aren't immediately obvious, and 3) If anything changes with the pending Social Security Fairness Act legislation, having a recent application on file could be helpful. Also, keep in mind that if your pension amount ever decreases in the future (cost of living adjustments work both ways), the GPO calculation would change accordingly. It's worth staying informed about your rights even if the current situation isn't favorable.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this complicated situation on top of losing your husband. The GPO rules are incredibly frustrating for educators and other public servants. Just wanted to add one thing that others haven't mentioned yet - when you do contact SSA (whether through Claimyr or directly), make sure to ask them to document in your file that you inquired about survivor benefits in 2025. Sometimes there can be retroactive payments if rules change, and having that inquiry on record could be important. Also, if you do decide to reapply, consider bringing documentation of exactly when you started receiving your teacher's pension and any changes in the amount over time. Sometimes the timing of when benefits started versus when pensions began can affect calculations in ways that aren't immediately obvious. It's worth the effort to get that official determination, even if the outcome is disappointing. At least you'll have clarity on your exact situation.

I'm in a similar situation as a freelance writer at 64. What I've learned from my experience and talking to SSA is that documentation is absolutely key. I use a simple spreadsheet to track daily hours and project earnings, and I photograph my work calendar at the end of each week as backup. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you do go over the earnings limit accidentally, you can sometimes avoid penalties by stopping work immediately when you realize it. SSA has a monthly earnings test where they won't withhold benefits for any month you earn under $1,860 (in 2025), even if your annual total goes over. This can be helpful if you have an unexpectedly busy month. Also, as a graphic designer, your work would likely be considered "skilled" so SSA might scrutinize hours more closely than someone doing simpler tasks. I'd definitely stick to that under-40-hours plan you mentioned. Better safe than dealing with overpayments later!

I'm 65 and just went through this exact situation last year as a freelance photographer. Here's what I learned the hard way: SSA does distinguish between "employee" work and "self-employment" work, and the rules are definitely stricter for us self-employed folks. What saved me was creating a simple tracking system: I use a basic calendar app where I log start/stop times daily, plus a separate spreadsheet for income tracking. Every Sunday I total up my weekly hours and make sure I'm on track to stay under 40 hours for the month. The "substantial services" rule is real - I had a friend who got caught working 50+ hours even though his income was low, and SSA still considered it substantial work. They don't just look at your tax return; they can request detailed work logs during an audit. One tip: if you have months where you anticipate needing more hours, try to balance it with lighter months. I do more work in fall/winter and take it easier in summer to average out. Just make sure you document everything meticulously. The peace of mind is worth the extra paperwork!

Great thread! I'm in a similar situation - turning 62 next year and considering early retirement with some consulting work. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the "grace year" rule that might be relevant. In your first year of retirement (the year you start collecting benefits), SSA uses a monthly earnings test instead of the annual test. For 2025, that's $1,950 per month instead of the $23,400 annual limit. This can be helpful if you're starting benefits mid-year and want to work more in the months before your benefits begin. Just make sure to factor this into your planning along with the hour restrictions everyone's discussed!

This is such a valuable discussion! As someone who's been navigating SS benefits and self-employment for a few years now, I wanted to add one practical tip that's helped me stay compliant. I use a simple spreadsheet to track not just my hours worked, but also the TYPE of work I'm doing each day. For example, I differentiate between "direct production work" (actually making furniture) versus "administrative tasks" (ordering supplies, answering emails, bookkeeping). The SSA considers managerial and administrative work differently than hands-on production when evaluating material participation. If a significant portion of your weekly hours are administrative rather than direct craftsmanship, that can sometimes work in your favor during reviews. Also, consider seasonal planning - if your furniture business naturally has busy and slow periods, you might structure your work to stay under limits during SSA's typical review periods (usually first quarter of the year). Just another angle to think about as you plan your business structure!

I'm in a similar boat - 66 and planning to work part-time while delaying SS until 70. This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea about the provisional income thresholds or that you could have taxes withheld directly from SS payments. One question for those already navigating this: how do you handle the timing if your part-time income varies significantly month to month? I'm planning to do seasonal consulting work, so some quarters will be much higher income than others. Should I base my withholding/quarterly payments on my highest earning quarters to be safe, or is there a better way to smooth this out? Also, has anyone found good resources for modeling different scenarios? I keep seeing mentions of various calculators but would love specific recommendations for tools that handle the SS taxation piece well.

I'm 68 and have been collecting SS since my FRA while working part-time as a bookkeeper. Here's what I learned the hard way - the taxation of Social Security benefits creates what I call a "double hit" because not only do you pay taxes on your work income, but that work income can also push more of your SS benefits into taxable territory. My strategy has been to have 12% withheld directly from my Social Security payments (using Form W-4V) and then adjust my workplace withholding based on how much I expect to earn that year. I also keep a spreadsheet tracking my monthly income so I can make an estimated payment in Q4 if needed. One thing that caught me off guard: if you have any traditional IRA/401k withdrawals planned, those count toward your provisional income too and can really bump up your tax liability. I ended up spreading my IRA withdrawals across multiple years to keep from hitting the higher taxation thresholds. The key is running scenarios with different income levels before you start collecting. It's much easier to plan ahead than to scramble with estimated payments after you're already getting hit with the taxes!