Just wanted to add one more important detail that might affect your planning - if you're still working when you become eligible for survivor benefits, the earnings test still applies. If you're under your full retirement age and earning above certain limits ($22,320 for 2024), your survivor benefits could be temporarily reduced. This is different from delayed retirement credits - you don't get those extra credits for waiting past your survivor FRA like you do with your own retirement benefits. Also, survivor benefits are generally not taxable if they're your only income, but if you have other income sources, up to 85% could be taxable depending on your total income level. Worth factoring into your financial planning since you mentioned you're still several years from retirement.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you understand the difference between survivor Full Retirement Age and regular Full Retirement Age. For survivor benefits, your FRA might be different than for your own retirement benefits. For example, if you were born in 1966, your regular FRA is 67, but your survivor FRA might be 66 and 8 months. Also, there's a "widow(er) limit" that caps your survivor benefit. Even if you wait until your survivor FRA, you won't necessarily get 100% of what your husband was entitled to at his FRA - you get the higher of: what he was actually receiving when he died, OR 82.5% of his full benefit amount. This mainly comes into play if he had delayed his benefits past his own FRA to get delayed retirement credits. I'd strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with your local SSA office while you're both still healthy to get personalized projections for different scenarios. They can run the numbers based on your actual earnings records and give you a clearer picture of your options.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm finding this discussion incredibly valuable! I'm in a similar situation where my spouse has a teacher's pension and we've been trying to understand how GPO might affect our Social Security planning. The point about monthly vs. annual increases for delayed retirement credits was really eye-opening - I had assumed it was calculated yearly too. And the sequencing advice about filing the primary application first before the spousal application makes total sense from a systems perspective. I'm also curious about the GPO repeal timing that was mentioned. Like others, I thought any potential changes were still in the proposal stage. It would be great to get clarity on what's actually been enacted vs. what's still being discussed in Congress. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and knowledge - this is exactly the kind of real-world insight that's so hard to find elsewhere!

As someone new to this community, I really appreciate how thorough and helpful everyone has been with their responses! I'm currently dealing with my own Social Security timing questions and this thread has clarified several misconceptions I had. The point about monthly DRC calculations was particularly valuable - I had also assumed it was an annual adjustment. And the sequencing advice about filing the primary application first before spousal benefits makes perfect sense from an administrative standpoint. Regarding the GPO situation mentioned in the original post, I think there might be some confusion about current vs. proposed legislation. From what I've researched, GPO is still in effect as of 2025, though there have been various bills introduced in Congress to modify or repeal it. It would definitely be worth clarifying this directly with SSA during your appointment. One additional suggestion for your phone appointment: consider asking about the "six-month retroactive limit" rule and how it might interact with your specific timing strategy. Sometimes there are nuances in how retroactive benefits are calculated that aren't immediately obvious. Best of luck with your appointment! Please consider updating us on what you learn - these real-world experiences are so valuable for others navigating similar situations.

I'm sorry you're going through this difficult situation on top of losing your wife. Based on what you've described, it sounds like there may be an error in how they're calculating the withholding amount. The fact that you only owe $712 according to your Medicare account but they're withholding thousands in benefits suggests this is likely a system error during your benefit transition. When switching from survivor to retirement benefits, the Medicare premium collection sometimes gets confused and triggers incorrect withholding amounts. Here are a few things that might help: - When you call, ask specifically for a "Medicare Premium Recovery Review" - Request they explain the exact calculation they're using for the withholding - Ask about setting up a payment plan for the $712 rather than withholding full benefits - If they can't resolve it immediately, ask for a supervisor who handles "premium collection disputes" Document everything - dates, times, names, and what each person tells you. This will be crucial if you need to file an appeal. The good news is that once this gets straightened out, you should receive all the back benefits they've been withholding. Hang in there - this type of issue is unfortunately common but is fixable once you get the right person who understands the system.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare while grieving must be incredibly overwhelming. What you're experiencing is unfortunately common when there's a transition between different types of Social Security benefits. The key issue here seems to be that SSA's system flagged unpaid Medicare premiums during your benefit type transition (survivor to retirement), but their automated withholding calculation appears to be completely wrong. You should NOT have thousands withheld for a $712 premium debt. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. **Get the right person on the phone**: When you call SSA, specifically ask to speak with someone in "Medicare Premium Collections" - don't just accept being transferred to general customer service. 2. **Use these exact phrases**: Say you need a "Medicare Premium Withholding Review" and ask for form SSA-561 for reconsideration. Also mention you want to understand the "limitation on recovery" rules that should prevent excessive withholding. 3. **Gather your documentation**: Print out your Medicare.gov account showing the $712 balance, and have your recent premium payment records ready. 4. **Request immediate relief**: Ask about "benefit continuation pending reconsideration" so you can receive benefits while they review the case. This is absolutely worth fighting - the math doesn't add up, and you deserve those benefits. Keep pushing until you get someone who understands Medicare premium collection rules. You've got this!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation as a newcomer to understanding these benefits. My husband passed away 6 months ago, and our 25-year-old daughter has intellectual disabilities but recently started working 20 hours a week at a local grocery store through a supported employment program. She's earning about $900/month, which is under SGA, so she's still receiving her SSDI payments. I've been getting Child-in-Care benefits, but I'm worried about what happens if she gets more hours or a raise that puts her over the SGA limit. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly helpful - it sounds like the moment her earnings go above SGA and her benefits get suspended, I'll lose my Child-in-Care benefits too, even though she'll still need my daily support with transportation, meal planning, and managing her finances. It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one navigating this confusing system, but also frustrating to see how the rules can discourage our loved ones from achieving more independence.

As someone who's been through the disability benefits maze with my own family, I want to add that it's worth documenting everything during this process. Keep records of your son's monthly earnings, any changes in his work status, and all communications with SSA. The EPE period can be confusing because benefits can start and stop based on monthly earnings, and having clear documentation helps if there are any disputes later. Also, consider reaching out to your local AREA (Aging and Disability Resource Center) or a disability advocacy organization - they often have benefits counselors who specialize in work incentives and can help you understand all your options. Sometimes they know about state or local programs that can provide additional support during these transition periods. The system is definitely not intuitive, but you're doing great advocating for both yourself and your son.

As someone who just went through this decision process last year, I can confirm what others have said - 401k distributions absolutely do NOT count toward the earnings limit. I was worried about the same thing when I started claiming at 65 while still doing some part-time work. One thing I'd add is to consider the timing of when you start your consulting work. Since you're filing in April 2025, SSA will use the monthly earnings test for the remainder of that year (rather than the annual test). This means you can earn up to $1,950 per month ($23,400/12) from April through December without any penalty. This might actually work in your favor if you're planning to ease into consulting gradually. Also, keep in mind that your reduced benefit at 66 will increase slightly each month until you reach full retirement age due to delayed retirement credits. It's not a huge amount, but every little bit helps! Good luck with your transition - it sounds like you've got a solid plan in place.

As someone who has been navigating the Social Security system for a few years now, I wanted to add a couple of additional points that might be helpful for your situation. First, regarding your 401k distributions - everyone is absolutely correct that these don't count toward the earnings limit. However, do keep in mind that if you're taking distributions from a traditional 401k (rather than Roth), these will still be taxable income that could affect how much of your Social Security benefits are subject to federal taxes. It won't impact the earnings test, but it's worth factoring into your overall tax planning. Second, since you mentioned you've been at your company for 32 years, make sure to check if your employer offers any kind of phased retirement or emeritus consulting arrangement. Some companies will hire back recent retirees as consultants at favorable rates, and since you already know the business, it could be a great way to ease into your reduced work schedule while maintaining some income continuity. The monthly earnings test that others mentioned for your first partial year is definitely something to take advantage of - it gives you much more flexibility in how you structure your consulting income in 2025. Best of luck with your transition!