I'm so sorry for your loss, Justin. This is exactly the kind of frustrating bureaucracy that families shouldn't have to deal with while grieving. You are absolutely correct - your mother's July Social Security payment should NOT be returned to SSA. The rule is crystal clear: beneficiaries are entitled to Social Security benefits for any complete month they were alive, regardless of when the payment is deposited. Since your mother lived through all of July, that payment (deposited in August) rightfully belongs to her estate. Banks often have blanket policies to return ALL Social Security payments when notified of a death, but they're not trained to understand the timing nuances. What you need is official documentation from SSA to override their standard procedure. I'd recommend visiting your local Social Security office in person rather than trying to get through on the phone - the wait times are brutal right now. Bring her death certificate and request written confirmation that the July payment is legitimate. Once you have that documentation, take it to the bank manager (not just a regular teller) and firmly explain that this is not an overpayment. Don't let them bully you into returning money that legally belongs to your mother's estate. You have enough to handle right now without giving up funds that are rightfully yours. Stay strong and advocate for what's correct - the law is on your side here.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Justin. This is such a common and frustrating issue that adds unnecessary stress during an already overwhelming time. You are absolutely right to question the bank's decision - your mother's July Social Security payment should definitely remain in her estate. The rule is straightforward: Social Security beneficiaries are entitled to benefits for any complete month they lived through, regardless of when the actual payment is deposited. Since your mother was alive for all of July, that payment belongs to her estate, even though it arrived in August after her passing. Banks often have automatic procedures to return ALL Social Security payments upon death notification, but they don't always understand the nuances of the timing rules. What they should be preventing is any August payment (which would typically arrive in September), since she passed away partway through August. Based on what others have shared here, I'd strongly recommend visiting your local Social Security office in person rather than trying to get through on their overwhelmed phone lines. Bring her death certificate and request written documentation confirming that the July payment is legitimate and belongs to her estate. This official paperwork will give you the leverage you need when dealing with the bank manager. Don't let them pressure you into returning money that's rightfully part of your mother's estate. You're dealing with enough right now without having to fight for what's already legally yours. Stand firm - the law is definitely on your side here.

Based on what you're describing (concerns about back payments and work income), it sounds like you might be dealing with a potential overpayment situation or the earnings test for early retirement benefits. These are complex areas where getting accurate, personalized advice is crucial. While you can get general information anonymously, at some point, you'll need to discuss your specific case with SSA. When you do, remember that being proactive about reporting changes or concerns almost always leads to better outcomes than waiting for SSA to discover issues later.

As someone who's navigated SSA inquiries before, I'd recommend starting with the SSA's Publication 05-10003 "How Work Affects Your Benefits" - it's available online and covers most scenarios without needing to contact anyone. You can also check out the detailed FAQs on their website about the Annual Earnings Test. If you do call, another approach is to frame your questions around helping a family member or friend understand their options. Representatives are usually happy to explain how the rules work in general terms when you position it that way. Just remember that phone calls to federal agencies can be recorded, so there's always some level of tracking involved. The key is getting enough general information to make informed decisions before you need to provide your personal details for case-specific advice.

I'm deeply sorry for what you and your husband are going through. Having navigated the SSA system myself as a benefits counselor for seniors, I wanted to clarify a few key points that might help with your planning. Your survivor benefits will definitely be based on his SSDI amount ($2,700), not any hypothetical early retirement reduction. SSDI is calculated at full retirement age value, so that's your baseline. One thing to keep in mind: you can potentially file for survivor benefits as early as age 60 (or earlier if you become disabled). The reduction schedule is different from regular retirement benefits. At 60, you'd get about 71.5% of his benefit, increasing each month until you reach 100% at your full retirement age. Since you mentioned doing some part-time work, be aware that if you claim survivor benefits before your FRA, there's an earnings limit ($22,320 for 2024). They reduce benefits $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. I'd also suggest documenting his current SSDI award letter and keeping it with your important papers. Sometimes SSA records can be incomplete, and having that documentation helps establish the correct benefit amount for survivor calculations. Thinking of you both during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis and what you're both going through. My heart goes out to you during this incredibly difficult time. I wanted to share something that might be helpful - when you do get through to SSA (and you will eventually, though it can take persistence), ask them about the "deemed filing" rules for survivor benefits. Since you're over 62, there are some nuances about how claiming survivor benefits might affect your ability to claim your own benefits later, or vice versa. Also, don't forget that you may be eligible for other survivor benefits beyond Social Security - things like any pension benefits your husband might have through work, life insurance policies, or veterans benefits if he served in the military. It's worth making a comprehensive list of all potential survivor benefits while you have time to plan together. One practical tip: if your husband is up for it, consider having him present when you call SSA or visit the office. Sometimes they can discuss more details about his account when he's there to give permission, which might save you steps later. Wishing you both strength and peace during this time. This community is here for you as you navigate these challenges.

As someone who's been through this process, I can confirm that the automatic recalculation definitely works! I started collecting at 66 and continued working for three more years. Each year, I got a modest bump (around $25-40 monthly) beyond the COLA increase. The key thing I learned is to be patient - the recalculation typically doesn't show up until late in the following year, sometimes as late as December. Also, don't forget that if you're still working and earning good money like you are, you might also be subject to taxes on your Social Security benefits depending on your total income. But the recalculation feature is one of the nice perks of delaying retirement while collecting - you get credit for those continued contributions to the system!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm 69 and just started collecting benefits 6 months ago while still working part-time as a consultant. My earnings are irregular - some months I make $15k, other months nothing. Does anyone know if the SSA looks at your total annual earnings for the recalculation, or do they care about the monthly fluctuations? I'm trying to figure out if I should try to smooth out my income somehow or if it doesn't matter as long as the annual total is high enough to replace one of my lower earning years from the past.

I'm glad to see you figured out the birth year error in your account! That's actually more common than people realize. Just wanted to add that when you do call SSA to correct your birth year, make sure to have your original birth certificate handy - they'll likely need the document number and issuing authority to verify the correction. Also, after they fix it, I'd recommend taking a screenshot of your updated MySocialSecurity account showing the correct FRA, just for your records. It's smart that you're planning to wait for your full FRA at 66+10 rather than taking the early reduction. That extra 1.1% might seem small now, but over 20+ years of retirement it really adds up!

I went through something very similar last year! My SSA account had my birth year wrong by one year, which completely threw off my FRA calculation. Here's what I learned from the experience: First, definitely get that birth year corrected ASAP - it affects not just your FRA but potentially other benefits calculations too. When you call SSA, ask them to email you a confirmation of the change or give you a reference number for the correction. I'd also suggest checking your earnings record while you're at it to make sure all your work history is accurate. The good news is that once they fix the birth year, your online account updates pretty quickly (mine updated within 24 hours). Since you've already given notice at work, you might want to have a backup plan ready - either negotiate extending your end date by 2 months or be prepared for a small gap between employment and full benefits if you decide to retire early. The peace of mind of getting your full benefit amount is usually worth the wait!