Wow, I learned so much from this thread! Thank you all for clearing this up. I'm going to tell my buddy at work that he's completely wrong about the 5-year thing before he scares anyone else. I checked my earnings record carefully, and all 42 years of my work history are there. My recent part-time earnings definitely won't be in my highest 35 years, so my benefits won't be affected like I feared. I'm still planning to claim at 62 next March because honestly, I'm ready to be done working. My mortgage will be paid off by then, and I have some savings. Even with the reduction for claiming early, I think I'll be okay.

As someone who just went through this process myself, I can confirm everyone here is absolutely correct - Social Security uses your highest 35 years of earnings, not your last 5 years. I was in a similar situation where I reduced my hours in my late 50s due to health issues and was worried it would tank my benefits. What really helped me was not just looking at the earnings record on ssa.gov, but also understanding that they "index" your older earnings for inflation. So that $15,000 you made in 1985 might be worth $40,000+ in today's calculation. This indexing process ensures your older full-time earnings aren't unfairly penalized compared to recent years. One tip: if you have any years showing zero earnings that you think should show income, definitely contact SSA to get those corrected. Missing or incorrect earnings records can definitely impact your benefit calculation since they need those 35 years of data.

Just wanted to give a quick update. I called SSA today and spoke with a rep who confirmed what most of you have said. As long as I apply in January WITH January as my benefit month, I can use the annual earnings test for all of 2025. I made sure to specifically tell them I wanted January 2025 as my benefit month, not February. The rep did initially try to set it for February saying "that's our normal procedure" but I politely insisted on January, and they were able to do it. So relieved I don't have to track monthly earnings! Thanks for all your help everyone.

Congratulations on getting it sorted out! You made the right call pushing for January as your benefit month. I'm a retired SSA employee and can confirm this is one of those rules that even some current staff get confused about, which is why that rep initially tried to set you up for February. One small tip for the year ahead: even though you're using the annual limit, I'd still recommend keeping a simple running total of your earnings throughout the year. Not for monthly reporting, but just so you know where you stand. With variable income, it's easy to lose track and accidentally go over that $25,410 threshold. Also, remember that if you do exceed the annual limit, SSA will ask for overpayment recovery the following year, so it's much better to stay aware and avoid that situation entirely. Enjoy your semi-retirement!

I'm also navigating SSI issues as a newcomer here and this thread has been incredibly informative. What strikes me is how many families are dealing with this exact same problem - it seems like there's a real gap in how SSA handles custody changes and ensures benefits follow the child's actual living situation. For anyone starting this process, I'd suggest creating a simple spreadsheet to track everything: dates your child is with you, expenses you cover, medical appointments, therapy sessions, school activities, etc. Having this organized from day one will make the SSA application much smoother. Also, if your custody agreement specifies overnight percentages like 70/30, make sure you have certified copies - SSA will want official documentation. One question for those who have been through this: did any of you face retaliation from the other parent during the process? I'm worried about potential complications with visitation or other custody issues while pursuing the payee change.

I'm new to this community but have been following this discussion closely as I'm in a very similar situation. My 13-year-old son with intellectual disabilities receives SSI, but his mother is the representative payee even though he lives with me about 65% of the time following our recent custody modification. Reading through all these responses has given me so much valuable information - especially about Form SSA-11 and the fact that SSA typically prefers to assign payee status to whoever has majority physical custody. I had no idea about the annual Representative Payee Report requirement either, or that SSA can investigate how current benefits are being used. What really resonates with me is how many families are dealing with this exact issue. It seems like there's a systemic problem where SSA doesn't automatically review payee arrangements when custody situations change. I'm definitely going to start documenting everything like everyone has suggested - expenses, overnight stays, medical appointments, therapy sessions - and look into that Claimyr service to actually get through to SSA. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice. It's encouraging to know that others have successfully navigated this process and gotten the benefits properly allocated to follow their child's actual living situation. The money should be supporting our kids wherever they spend their time, not just benefiting one parent's household.

That's fantastic news! So happy to hear your appeal was successful. Thanks for updating us - it's helpful for others who might face similar issues in the future.

Congratulations on winning your appeal! This is such encouraging news for families dealing with similar situations. Your experience really highlights how important it is to gather comprehensive documentation and not give up after the initial denial. The fact that you got backpay too is huge - that makes such a difference for families who rely on these benefits. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone with the successful outcome and the specific steps that worked. This thread is going to be incredibly valuable for other parents navigating SSA's confusing policies around non-traditional schools.

Regarding your medical conditions: The SSA evaluates the combined impact of all your conditions. This is important in your case with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and PTSD. While one condition might not qualify you, their combined effect on your ability to work often does. For your PTSD documentation, make sure you're seeing a mental health professional regularly who can document how it affects your concentration, ability to handle workplace stress, and interact with others. These functional limitations, when combined with your physical limitations, strengthen your case significantly. Also, at 62, you benefit from special rules that make it easier to qualify for disability as you approach retirement age. The Medical-Vocational Guidelines (the "Grid Rules") are more favorable for applicants over 55, especially with physical limitations that prevent past work.

Based on your situation, you absolutely should apply for disability benefits! I went through something very similar - took early retirement at 62 due to chronic pain, then realized I could potentially get the full amount through disability. A few key points from my experience: 1. **Time is critical** - You need to apply before reaching full retirement age (probably 66-67 for you). After that, the option disappears forever. 2. **Documentation is everything** - Start gathering ALL your medical records now. For your osteoarthritis, make sure you have imaging showing the bone-on-bone condition, notes about failed treatments (those cortisone shots), and your doctor's assessment of your functional limitations. Don't forget to document your anesthesia complications too - that's medically relevant for why surgery isn't an option. 3. **The 12-month rule** - SSA only looks back 12 months from your application date for backpay, so don't delay if you're considering this. 4. **Combined conditions matter** - Your osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and PTSD will be evaluated together. Even if one condition alone wouldn't qualify you, their combined impact on your ability to work often does. I'd suggest calling SSA directly to confirm the details before applying. If you can't get through (their wait times are brutal), try that Claimyr service someone mentioned - I used it too and it really works. Good luck! Many people successfully make this transition, especially with solid medical documentation like you seem to have.