I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since it might help! I had my spousal benefit appointment about 3 months ago and was terrified about missing the call too. They ended up calling from a number that looked like a local business - nothing that would indicate it was Social Security at all. What really saved me was that I had called SSA the day before my appointment (took forever to get through, but I finally did around 7 AM) and asked them to note in my file that I was concerned about missing the call due to call blocking. The representative was actually really understanding and said she'd put a note to try calling twice if I didn't answer the first time. Sure enough, when appointment time came, I missed the first call because I was in the bathroom! But they called back about 5 minutes later and I was able to answer. The whole process took about 40 minutes and was much less stressful than I expected once we got started. Since you're already 67 and past your FRA, you should get the full spousal benefit without any reductions. In my case, it increased my monthly benefit by almost $400, and I also got several months of back payments since I was eligible earlier but hadn't applied yet. Good luck with your appointment - it sounds like you're super well prepared! All the advice in this thread is excellent.

I'm new to this community and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - need to apply for spousal benefits but have been putting it off because the phone system seemed so intimidating. Reading everyone's experiences and tips here has really given me the confidence to move forward with scheduling my own appointment. The advice about temporarily disabling all call blocking features, answering every call during the appointment window, and having a backup plan to call SSA directly if they don't call within 30 minutes is exactly what I needed to hear. It's also reassuring to know that the representatives are understanding about these phone issues and that the actual application process is straightforward once you get connected. For those mentioning the potential for significant monthly increases and retroactive payments - that really drives home how important it is to not keep delaying this process. Joshua, your systematic preparation approach is inspiring and I'm definitely going to follow a similar game plan when I schedule my appointment. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and tips. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complicated government processes! Good luck with your Tuesday appointment Joshua - please do update us on how it goes!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have discovered this incredibly comprehensive thread! I'm 59 and will be facing this same decision in a few years after my 14-year marriage ended recently. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has been more educational than anything I've found on official websites. The step-by-step approach that's crystallized from all your shared experiences is exactly what I needed: creating the my Social Security account first, visiting the local SSA office early in the morning with all documentation ready, and requesting printed benefit estimates at multiple claiming ages. I had no idea about so many crucial details - the earnings test implications (since I plan to continue working part-time), the deemed filing process, and especially that ex-spouse benefits don't receive delayed retirement credits past full retirement age. Those real dollar amounts people have shared, like the $180 monthly difference between claiming at 63 vs 64, make this so much more tangible than just reading percentages on government sites. It's also reassuring to learn that my ex doesn't need to have filed for his benefits yet since we've been divorced for over 2 years. I'm bookmarking this entire thread as my go-to resource and feel so much more confident about navigating this process when my time comes. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your real-world experiences and creating such a supportive community for those of us dealing with these complex financial decisions!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by how comprehensive and helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm 60 and will be eligible for ex-spouse benefits in a couple of years after my 10-year marriage ended. This thread has provided more practical, actionable guidance than months of trying to decipher government websites on my own. The systematic approach everyone has outlined is incredibly valuable: creating the my Social Security account online first, visiting the local SSA office early in the morning with all necessary documentation, and requesting printed benefit estimates at multiple claiming ages. I had no idea about so many critical factors - the earnings test (which will definitely apply to me since I'm planning to work part-time), the deemed filing rules, and especially that ex-spouse benefits don't grow with delayed retirement credits past full retirement age like regular benefits do. The real dollar examples people have shared, particularly that $180 monthly difference between claiming at 63 vs 64, really help translate those percentages into concrete financial decisions. It's also reassuring to learn that my ex doesn't need to have filed for his benefits yet as long as we've been divorced for over 2 years (which we have). I'm saving this entire thread as my reference guide and feel so much more prepared to navigate this process when my time comes. Thank you all for creating such a supportive environment and for being so generous with sharing your real-world experiences - this community is truly special for how it helps people through these complex life transitions!

I'm going through almost the exact same situation! Filed my retirement application on January 7th and I'm now at week 6 with the same "processing" status. This entire thread has been such a lifesaver - I had no idea about the COLA processing delays or that January is typically their busiest month for new applications. Like many others here, the complete silence from SSA was really starting to worry me, but reading everyone's experiences shows this is completely normal. I was beginning to think my application got lost or I made some error during submission. The text alert suggestion is genius - I've been checking MySocialSecurity obsessively multiple times per day! And learning that we'll receive full backpay once approved really takes away the financial stress I was feeling. Based on all the timelines shared here, it sounds like those of us who filed in early January should see movement in the next couple of weeks. This community support has made the waiting so much more manageable - thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences and helping newcomers understand what's normal with current SSA processing times!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share that I'm going through a very similar experience right now! I filed my retirement application on January 20th and I'm currently at about 5 weeks with the same "processing" status that everyone is describing. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring - I had no idea that January applications specifically face these delays due to COLA adjustments and high application volumes. Like many others here, the complete silence from SSA was starting to make me really anxious, but seeing so many people with nearly identical timelines shows this is just the current reality. I'm definitely going to set up those text alerts that several people mentioned since I've also been obsessively checking MySocialSecurity multiple times daily! And learning about the automatic backpay once approved really helps ease the financial concerns. Based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like those of us who filed in mid-to-late January should expect to see movement in the next few weeks. This thread has been such a valuable resource for understanding what's normal with SSA processing right now. Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences and creating such a supportive discussion!

Great question about seasonal consulting work! I actually dealt with this exact situation during my first year of claiming benefits while doing tax preparation work. The key thing to understand is that SSA applies the annual earnings test on a calendar year basis, so it doesn't matter if your income is seasonal or spread evenly - they just look at your total net self-employment earnings for the entire year. However, there are a few important considerations for seasonal work: 1. Cash flow management becomes critical since you might have benefits withheld during your high-earning months but still need to cover expenses during slower periods. 2. The substantial services test can actually work in your favor with seasonal work. During your off-season months, if you're not actively working (less than 15 hours/month typically), you can receive full benefits even if your annual total will exceed the limit. 3. For tax season work specifically, consider spreading some services across calendar years if possible. For example, business consulting or bookkeeping services that aren't tied to specific tax deadlines could be shifted to early January rather than late December. 4. Keep detailed monthly records of both income and hours worked. This documentation becomes even more important with seasonal work since the timing discrepancies are more pronounced. I ended up having about 3 months of benefits suspended during tax season, but received full benefits the rest of the year. The key was planning for those suspended months financially and making sure SSA understood my work pattern upfront. The accounting field actually offers some advantages for managing this since you understand the tax implications better than most!

This entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who's 62 and was recently laid off from my corporate job, I've been considering claiming Social Security early while potentially doing some freelance marketing consulting work. Reading through all these real-world experiences has completely transformed my understanding of what's involved. I had no idea about the substantial services test or how complex the timing issues could be with project-based work. The strategic approaches shared here - quarterly earnings reviews, milestone payment structures, using business expenses and retirement contributions to manage net income - are brilliant and something I never would have thought of on my own. What really strikes me is how proactive you need to be with SSA rather than just reacting to problems after they arise. The suggestion to report estimated earnings upfront and get their guidance on your specific situation seems crucial for avoiding overpayment headaches later. I'm definitely planning to use Claimyr based on all the positive reviews here - the time and frustration savings sound well worth the small cost. And I'm going to implement the separate business account and detailed record-keeping from day one if I move forward with consulting work. One thing I'm particularly grateful for is learning about how withheld benefits aren't lost forever - that they result in higher permanent benefit amounts after reaching FRA. That makes the decision to work while claiming benefits much more palatable knowing there's still long-term value. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences so openly. This community knowledge is absolutely priceless for navigating these complex decisions!

I'm 66 and just went through this decision myself last year, so I wanted to share what worked for me! After reading all these excellent responses, I'm convinced January is definitely the way to go for most people. Here's what clinched it for me: I called SSA in October to get exact benefit estimates, and my financial advisor helped me calculate the long-term impact. The COLA difference alone was worth about $58/month - that's nearly $14,000 over 20 years! Plus, having everything fall in one tax year made my 2024 tax filing so much cleaner. One thing I learned that might help others: when you call SSA, specifically ask for a "benefit comparison analysis" between your widow benefits and projected retirement benefits at your current age. The rep I spoke with was able to show me side-by-side numbers that made the decision crystal clear. Also, don't underestimate the processing time! I filed in early November for January benefits and I'm glad I did - SSA called me twice asking for clarification on details that could have delayed everything if I'd filed later. The earnings test timing that others mentioned is spot-on too. Since your work season is May-October, you're in the clear for December/January earnings, but the January start still gives you that fresh annual limit and COLA advantage. Bottom line: January filing gives you the COLA increase immediately, cleaner taxes, and better long-term financial outcomes. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I'm 64 and will be facing this exact same decision soon while also receiving widow benefits! This entire thread has been incredibly enlightening - I had no idea there were so many strategic considerations beyond just the basic timing question. The consensus around January filing seems overwhelming, and the real dollar amounts people have shared ($47-63/month COLA differences) really put it in perspective. When you compound that over 20+ years, we're talking about substantial money that could make a real difference in retirement security. What's really opened my eyes is learning that widow benefits might actually be higher than reduced retirement benefits at 65. I've been assuming my retirement benefit would automatically be better, but clearly I need to get those actual calculations done before making any assumptions. A few key things I'm taking away from everyone's experiences: - File in November for January start to avoid processing delays - Get specific benefit estimates IN WRITING comparing both options - The COLA advantage for January is significant and compounds over time - Tax planning benefits of having all SS income in one year - Early morning calls to SSA (8 AM) for shorter wait times Thank you to everyone who shared their real-world experiences and specific dollar amounts - this kind of practical advice is invaluable and impossible to find anywhere else. This community is an amazing resource for navigating these complex decisions! For those still deciding: based on everything shared here, January seems like the clear winner unless you desperately need that one month of earlier payments.