I'm confused about something... If we have to wait a year for earnings to be added, how does SSA know what we earned? Do they get it from our tax returns or from employers directly? And what if there's a mistake in what's reported?

One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is that if you're still working and earning wages while collecting Social Security, you should also be aware of the earnings test implications. Since you mentioned you started collecting at your full retirement age (67), the earnings test doesn't apply to you anymore - which is good! But for anyone reading this who started collecting early, high earnings can temporarily reduce benefits. Also, @Caesar Grant, when your 2025 earnings do get factored in next October, the impact could be quite significant since $87K is likely much higher than many of your earlier career years. The indexing formula SSA uses tends to favor more recent high-earning years, so you might see a nice bump in 2026. Just remember that the maximum taxable earnings for Social Security in 2025 is $176,100, so your $87K will definitely count fully toward your calculation.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! Based on what I've learned, I'm going to:1. Double-check my mySocialSecurity preferences to ensure everything possible is set to electronic delivery2. Get a PO box specifically for the government documents that must come by mail3. Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery to monitor when mail is coming4. Try that Claimyr service to speak with SSA directly about my specific situationReally appreciate all the insights - this community is always so helpful!

I work at a local post office and can confirm that mail theft has been a real problem in many neighborhoods lately. One thing that might help while you're setting up your paperless preferences - you can request "Hold for Pickup" service for your address through USPS. This means all your mail gets held at the post office and you pick it up when convenient. It's free for up to 30 days and can be extended. This could be a temporary solution while you get your PO box sorted out. Also, if you do get a PO box, make sure to update your address with SSA through your mySocialSecurity account - don't just rely on mail forwarding since some government mail doesn't get forwarded properly.

One important thing no one has mentioned yet: if you exceed your monthly limit, Social Security will withhold your ENTIRE benefit for that month, not just the amount you went over. This trips up a lot of people. For example, if your monthly limit is $1,950 and you earn $2,000, you don't just lose $50 in benefits - you lose your entire SS payment for that month. Plan accordingly!

Mason, I went through this exact situation when I retired at 62 in 2023. The payment date rule saved me! I actually worked overtime in December 2022 but didn't get paid until January 2023 (after my retirement started), and those earnings counted toward my January limit. One tip that really helped me: I created a simple spreadsheet tracking my expected pay dates vs. work dates for the first few months. This let me see exactly which paychecks would hit which months and plan my hours accordingly. Also, don't forget that vacation payouts, bonuses, and any other compensation follow the same rule - it's all about when you actually receive the money. I had a small bonus that got delayed from February to March, which actually worked in my favor for staying under the limit. You're smart to plan this out carefully ahead of time! Good luck with your retirement next month!

I think there's a misunderstanding in your post. You said you're turning 69 in September, but then talk about maximizing benefits which happens at 70. Are you planning to claim at 69 or wait until 70? If you want the absolute maximum, you need to wait until you're 70 (September 2026) to apply. For every month you claim before 70, you're leaving some potential increase on the table. Each month of delay between FRA and 70 adds about 2/3 of 1% to your benefit amount. The online calculator is probably just showing you what your benefit would be based on different claiming scenarios.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who recently went through this process. I turned 70 last August and had the exact same confusion about the timing! The key thing to remember is that you're not actually losing any money - it's just a quirk of how the SSA processes the final delayed retirement credits. I applied about 6 weeks before my 70th birthday and specified my birthday month as the start date. Got my first payment the following month, then saw the full increase kick in during January processing (showed up in my February payment). The "delay" in seeing your maximum benefit is purely administrative - you'll get every penny you're entitled to. My advice: don't overthink it! Apply before you turn 70, specify your 70th birthday month as the start date, and you'll be all set. The system works, it's just not as straightforward as we'd like it to be.

One important thing I don't see mentioned yet - when you file for your children's benefits, make sure you have certified copies of their birth certificates, not just regular copies. SSA requires certified copies for proof of age and relationship. Also, if your divorce decree doesn't clearly show custody arrangements, you may need additional court documents proving you have primary custody. I learned this the hard way when I applied for my daughter's benefits and had to make multiple trips to get the right paperwork. It's worth calling ahead to your local SSA office to confirm exactly what documents they need in your specific situation to avoid delays.

My husband is 64yrs old we have two minor kids. I am a SAHM. If he signs up for retirement benefits when should he leave his job? Will the first social security check be reduced? I am trying to not have a month with no income. Thanks