That sounds like a smart decision! Just wanted to add one more thing to consider - if you do decide to delay starting benefits, make sure you factor in the delayed retirement credits you'll earn. For each month you delay claiming benefits past your full retirement age (up until age 70), your benefit increases by about 0.67% per month, which adds up to 8% per year. So depending on how close you are to your FRA, delaying might actually work out better financially in the long run, even without the earnings limit complications. Good luck with your semi-retirement planning!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact scenario last year. I was 63 and planned to work part-time while collecting benefits. The monthly limit in the first year is absolutely enforced - learned that the hard way! One thing that might help with your planning: SSA has a really useful online tool called the "Retirement Earnings Test Calculator" that lets you plug in your specific earning pattern and see exactly how it would affect your benefits. It's buried pretty deep on their website, but if you search for "earnings test calculator" it should come up. Also, don't forget that if you're married, your spouse's benefits could also be affected by your earnings if they're claiming spousal benefits. Something to factor into your decision-making process. The delayed retirement credits that Ava mentioned are definitely worth considering too - that 8% annual increase is guaranteed and better than most investment returns these days!

Just wanted to add one more thing that helped me when I applied - create your MySocialSecurity account online BEFORE you actually apply for benefits. This way you can familiarize yourself with the interface and also monitor your application status after you submit it. I created mine about 6 months before applying and it made the whole process much smoother. You can also use it to double-check your earnings history and benefit estimates before you commit to a start date. The account setup takes a few days to verify, so don't wait until the last minute!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you have all your documents ready before you apply! SSA will need your birth certificate, W-2s or tax returns, and bank account info for direct deposit. I applied online but then had to mail in documents which delayed my processing by almost 2 months. If you have everything uploaded or ready to mail when you submit your application, it'll go much smoother. Also keep copies of everything you send them - I learned that the hard way when they "lost" my birth certificate the first time!

As someone who works with Social Security disability cases, I want to emphasize something that several people have touched on but bears repeating: make sure you get everything in writing from SSA. When you call to set up your restricted application for survivor benefits, ask them to send you a written confirmation of what benefits you'll be receiving and confirmation that your son's DAC benefits will remain unchanged. I've seen too many cases where verbal assurances from SSA representatives didn't match what actually happened in their system. Having that written documentation becomes crucial if there are any processing errors down the line. Also, keep copies of your son's current benefit statements and your own earnings record. If any issues arise later, you'll have baseline documentation to reference. The strategy you're planning is absolutely valid and should work exactly as others have described, but SSA's computer systems sometimes flag changes that shouldn't affect other beneficiaries, so having your paperwork organized ahead of time can save you months of headaches if something goes wrong.

I'm going through a very similar situation right now! My 29-year-old son has autism and receives DAC benefits from his father who passed away 5 years ago. I was terrified about how my own benefit decisions would affect his payments, but after working with a Social Security advocate and going through the process myself, I can confirm what others have said - these benefits are completely independent. What really helped me was creating a simple timeline document before calling SSA. I wrote down: 1) What benefits my son currently receives and from which record, 2) What I wanted to apply for and when, and 3) What I expected to happen to each benefit over time. Having this organized made the conversation with the SSA rep much clearer and helped ensure we were on the same page. One small tip that made a huge difference: when I called, I started the conversation by saying "I need to discuss a restricted application for survivor benefits that should not affect my son's existing DAC benefits." Leading with that framework seemed to immediately put me in touch with representatives who understood the nuances better. Your strategy is exactly what financial planners recommend for people in our situation - maximize your own benefits while protecting your child's existing income stream. You're making the right choice!

I called my local SSA office today after getting advice here, and they confirmed that for an April 2025 start date, I should apply in January 2025. They also mentioned that since I'm turning 67 in May (my FRA), taking benefits just one month early in April will only reduce my monthly amount by less than 1%. I've decided to go ahead with that plan. Thanks everyone for your helpful advice!

Great to hear you got official confirmation from SSA! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread - make sure you have all your documents ready before you apply in January. You'll need your birth certificate, Social Security card, W-2 forms or tax returns from the previous year, and bank account information for direct deposit. Having everything organized beforehand will make the online application process much smoother. Good luck with your retirement!

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact situation two years ago. My ex-husband was also on SSDI when I applied for ex-spouse benefits at 62. The process took about 6 weeks from application to first payment, and you're right that his SSDI counts the same as retirement benefits for your calculation. One thing I wish someone had told me - even though you can't contact your ex directly, SSA can tell you during your appointment approximately what your benefit would be before you commit to filing. They won't tell you his exact amount, but they can give you a good estimate of what you'd receive. This helped me decide whether to file immediately or wait. Also, definitely try visiting your local SSA office in person if the phones aren't working. I had much better luck just walking in with all my documents. They were able to answer all my questions and process my application the same day. Good luck with your decision!

I'm new to this community but wanted to chime in since I'm dealing with a very similar situation. My ex-husband is also on SSDI and I'm trying to figure out the best timing for filing. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning about the difference between his PIA and what he actually receives, and that the reduction for filing at 62 is permanent. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen mentioned - does anyone know if there are any differences in how quickly ex-spouse benefits based on SSDI get processed versus regular retirement benefits? I've heard disability cases can sometimes take longer to verify, but I'm not sure if that applies to derivative benefits like ex-spouse claims. Also, for those who have gone through this process, did you need to provide any medical documentation about your ex's disability, or does SSA already have all that information in their system? I want to make sure I'm prepared with the right paperwork when I apply.