I'm a newcomer to this community and currently facing a similar decision. My spouse passed away last year and I'm 58, so I've been researching this extensively. One thing I've learned that might help you is that there's actually a "do-over" rule if you change your mind within the first 12 months of claiming benefits. If you file for survivor benefits at 60 and then realize it's not the optimal strategy (maybe due to higher earnings than expected), you can withdraw your application, pay back what you received, and start fresh. This only works once and only within 12 months, but it provides a safety net. Also, I found the SSA's online benefit estimator tool helpful for getting rough numbers before scheduling an appointment. You can access your earnings record and get estimates for both your own retirement and survivor benefits at different claiming ages. It's at ssa.gov/myaccount. The fact that you're thinking about this at 56 puts you ahead of many people - you have time to really plan this out properly!

I'm new to this community and going through a similar situation. My husband passed away two years ago when I was 54, and I've been trying to navigate all these Social Security decisions. Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful! One thing I learned from my financial advisor that might be worth mentioning is that if you do decide to take survivor benefits early while still working, you should also consider how it affects your future Social Security earnings record. Those additional work years can sometimes increase your own retirement benefit calculation, which could make the "switch strategy" even more beneficial later. Also, I wanted to add that some local senior centers and AARP chapters offer free Social Security workshops where they walk through these exact scenarios with real examples. I attended one last year and it really helped me understand the concepts before my SSA appointment. The presenter even had handouts with sample calculations for widow strategies. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it's so helpful to hear from people who have actually been through this process rather than just reading the confusing government websites!

One last piece of advice: Get the name and direct extension of the person who helps you at the in-person appointment. This is invaluable if you need to follow up later. Also, I recommend checking your Medicare.gov account about 4-6 weeks after your appointment to see if your premium amount has been adjusted, as you might not receive a formal letter right away. If nothing changes after 6 weeks, that's when you should follow up.

I've been through the IRMAA appeal process twice now and want to add a few more tips. First, if you do get through to schedule an appointment, ask specifically for a "field office appointment for IRMAA reconsideration" - this helps them route you correctly. Second, bring a calculator and be prepared to show the math on how your current income differs from 2023. The agents appreciate when you can clearly demonstrate the income change. Also, if your local office has online appointment scheduling through their website, that sometimes works better than calling. Finally, don't be discouraged if your first attempt gets denied - you can appeal again with additional documentation. The whole process is frustrating but persistence usually pays off!

I'm so glad to hear your update worked out! This is exactly why communities like this are so valuable - people helping each other navigate these complex government systems. Your experience will definitely help others who find themselves in similar situations. It's terrible that SSA doesn't proactively inform people about survivor benefits, but at least you were able to get it sorted out relatively quickly once you knew what to ask for. Wishing you all the best during this transition.

Sara, I'm so sorry for your loss and glad to see you were able to get this resolved! Your story really emphasizes how crucial it is for people to know about these benefits. As someone who works with seniors in my community, I see this situation far too often - people missing out on survivor benefits simply because no one tells them about it. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, I'd recommend also checking if you're eligible for any other widow/widower benefits like reduced Medicare premiums or property tax exemptions at the local level. Sometimes there are additional benefits beyond Social Security that can help during this difficult transition. Thank you for sharing your experience - it will definitely help others who find themselves facing similar circumstances.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses! Based on your advice, it sounds like claiming 2 months early shouldn't cause major issues in my situation. I'll double-check the tax implications and make sure I clearly communicate my earnings expectations to SSA when I apply. I'll also be careful to watch for any calculation errors in the first few months. Really appreciate all the insights!

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand how the "do-over" rules work. If you start benefits early and then change your mind within the first 12 months, you can withdraw your application and pay back everything you received. This gives you a one-time safety net if your circumstances change. After 12 months, you can't do this anymore, but you can suspend benefits at FRA to earn delayed retirement credits until age 70 (though this doesn't undo the early filing reduction). Just good to know your options!

Thank you for this professional perspective. We're definitely going to maintain both and use them strategically as you suggested. It makes sense to use the ABLE account for the monthly management and keep the trust for long-term planning. I appreciate everyone's input! This has been incredibly helpful in making our decision.

As someone new to navigating SSI and disability benefits for my brother, this entire thread has been incredibly educational! I'm dealing with a similar situation where his monthly benefits are accumulating and we're approaching that $2,000 limit. Reading everyone's experiences with both ABLE accounts and special needs trusts has really helped clarify the pros and cons of each approach. I'm particularly interested in the state tax deduction benefits that @Kai Rivera mentioned - I'll definitely need to research what's available in my state. And the idea of using both tools strategically rather than choosing one over the other makes so much sense after reading the attorney's perspective. One quick question for the group: when you're making regular transfers to an ABLE account to stay under the SSI limit, is there a recommended frequency? Should I be doing it monthly, or is it okay to wait until we're closer to the $2,000 threshold? I want to make sure I'm not creating any compliance issues with SSA reporting. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to navigate the government websites alone!