Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who's been through this process! I claimed at FRA and continued working for 4 more years. The key thing to understand is that the recalculation happens automatically each year, but you might not see the increase until the following October. Also, if you have any years with $0 earnings in your record (maybe from being a student, unemployed, or caring for family), those are the easiest to replace and will give you the biggest benefit boost. Even if all 35 years have earnings, your new higher consulting income could still bump out a lower year from early in your career when wages were much lower. Congratulations on the great consulting opportunity - sounds like a win-win situation!

As someone new to this community, I wanted to thank everyone for this incredibly informative discussion! I'm approaching 62 and have been trying to understand all the nuances of Social Security planning. Reading through these real-world experiences has been so much more helpful than wading through the official SSA publications. The point about Medicare premiums potentially masking benefit increases is something I never would have thought of. And learning about the AERO process gives me confidence that continuing to work past FRA won't just avoid penalties but could actually provide modest increases. It's reassuring to see a community where people share their actual experiences - both the successes (like the $90/month increase) and the reality checks (like the $11/month bump). This kind of practical knowledge is invaluable for planning decisions. Thanks to everyone who contributed their insights!

As someone who just joined this community and is currently navigating the Social Security system for the first time, this thread has been incredibly educational! I'm scheduled to receive my first disability payment next month and was already worried about potential delays. Reading about the extra verification steps for first-time payments really helps set proper expectations. The banking industry perspective from Andre and the personal experiences shared by Mateo and others provide such valuable real-world context that you just don't get from official SSA documentation. I'm definitely saving this thread as a reference and will remember the 24-48 hour rule for first payments. Thanks to everyone for creating such a helpful resource for newcomers like me who are trying to understand how the system actually works in practice!

I'm new to this community and really appreciate finding this discussion! I'm currently going through the Social Security retirement application process and have been anxious about what to expect with my first payment. Reading everyone's experiences here has been so helpful - especially learning that 24-48 hour delays for initial payments are completely normal due to verification processes. The practical advice about waiting until the next business day before calling, and the banking perspective explaining how different payment types are processed in batches, really puts things in perspective. It's reassuring to know there's such a knowledgeable and supportive community here for when I have questions. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and made this such an informative thread!

I went through this exact same situation with my daughter's benefits earlier this year! The 6-month protective filing window is correct, so you're definitely still covered until January 2025. But here's what I wish someone had told me - don't just rely on getting those SSA-4-BK forms submitted. When you do finally get your interview (whether in January or sooner), bring EVERYTHING with you: your original approval letter showing the July filing date, copies of any correspondence from SSA, birth certificates, Social Security cards, school enrollment records, and most importantly - write down exactly what you want to tell them about your July protective filing date before you go in. The interviewer might not automatically connect your kids' applications to your original filing date, so you need to be very clear about it. I had to interrupt the interview halfway through because I realized the representative wasn't coding it correctly. Don't assume they'll figure it out on their own - you have to advocate for yourself and your kids. Also, once everything is processed, keep checking your mySSA account regularly. There can be delays in the system updating, and sometimes you need to follow up if payments don't start when expected. Good luck!

I work as a benefits coordinator and deal with SSA protective filing dates regularly. You're absolutely correct that the 6-month window protects your children through January 2025. However, I want to emphasize something crucial that I see missed often: when you submit those SSA-4-BK forms, make sure to write "PROTECTIVE FILING DATE: July 2024" clearly at the top of each form AND in your cover letter. Also, consider requesting a "receipt of application" (Form SSA-820) when you submit the paperwork. This creates an official record that you've filed within the protective period, which can be invaluable if there are any disputes later about timing or eligibility dates. One more tip: if your local office continues to have scheduling issues, you can request to have the children's applications processed at a different SSA field office in your area. Sometimes nearby offices have better availability, and SSA can transfer your case. This might help you get those interviews scheduled sooner than January. The key is creating multiple paper trails that clearly establish your intent to file for the children under your original protective filing date. Don't rely on verbal promises or assumptions - get everything documented!

I'm going through something very similar right now and this thread has been incredibly enlightening! My disabled adult son (23, disabled since childhood) started receiving DAC benefits on my husband's record when he retired last year. I'm 60 and was considering applying for child-in-care benefits, but after reading all these experiences, I realize I need to be much more strategic about documentation. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - has anyone dealt with the situation where the disabled adult child has a representative payee? My son has me as his rep payee for his benefits, and I'm wondering if that helps establish the "parental control and responsibility" that SSA is looking for, or if it's irrelevant to the child-in-care determination. Also, for those who were successful, did you find that having the disabled adult child's consent/participation in the application process mattered? My son has limited cognitive ability but can understand basic concepts - should we involve him in documenting that he needs and receives parental-level care? Douglas, I really hope your reconsideration goes smoothly with all the great advice you've gotten here. It's clear you have a strong case once you get the documentation sorted out!

I'm a benefits specialist who has helped many families navigate this exact situation. The denial you received is unfortunately very common - SSA field offices often misunderstand the child-in-care provisions for disabled adult children. Here's what you need to know: Your wife absolutely can qualify for child-in-care spousal benefits with a disabled adult child, but SSA requires very specific evidence of "parental control and responsibility." For your reconsideration (Form SSA-561), include: 1. Medical statement using exact phrase "requires ongoing parental supervision and care due to disability" 2. Detailed log of daily care activities (medication management, appointments, decision-making) 3. Copy of your stepson's benefit letter showing DAC benefits on your record 4. Statement establishing your wife as primary caregiver/decision-maker The key is framing this as parental supervision, not just assistance. SSA needs to see she's functioning as a parent would for a minor child. Your stepson being on your record actually strengthens your case - the denial seems to be a documentation issue rather than true ineligibility. File the reconsideration within 60 days and be very thorough with evidence. These cases often succeed on appeal when properly documented. Don't let the initial denial discourage you - this is exactly what child-in-care benefits were designed for!

Thank you all for the advice! I think I'll try to reach SSA using that service someone mentioned because I really need to understand my specific situation. It sounds like I was wrong about several things - especially about my husband needing to stop working to collect benefits. If he can file at 70 while still working, that changes our planning quite a bit. I also didn't realize that taking my benefit early would permanently reduce my spousal benefit later. Lots to think about!

I'm in a very similar situation at 63 with my husband being 67. What really helped me was creating a spreadsheet to compare different scenarios - claiming now vs waiting until FRA vs waiting until 70 (though that doesn't apply to spousal benefits). One thing that might be worth considering is your household's overall financial picture. If you don't need the income immediately and have other retirement savings or your husband's business income to cover expenses, waiting until your FRA could maximize your lifetime benefits significantly given the large gap between your benefit and potential spousal benefit. Also, I learned that if you're still working and earning above the earnings limit ($22,320 for 2024), your benefits would be reduced anyway if you claim before FRA. So factor that in if you're still employed. The file-and-suspend strategy that used to exist is no longer available for people born after 1954, so don't get confused by older advice online. The current rules are what matter for your decision. Good luck! This stuff really is unnecessarily complicated.