I'm really sorry for your loss, and I want to echo what others have said about how confusing this system can be during such a difficult time. I went through something similar when my father passed a few years ago. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given is to be prepared for the fact that even when you get through to SSA, different representatives may give you different answers to the same question. I literally had three different reps tell me three different things about my situation within the same week! What helped me was keeping a detailed log of every conversation - date, time, rep name (if they gave it), and exactly what they told me. When I finally got connected to a supervisor, having that documentation made a huge difference in getting accurate information. Also, if you're considering the strategy of taking survivor benefits at FRA and switching to your own at 70, make sure to ask about how Medicare enrollment timing works with that plan. The timing of when you start receiving benefits can affect when you need to enroll in Medicare Part B to avoid penalties - another layer of complexity they don't always explain clearly. You're being really smart by researching all this before making decisions. Take your time and don't let anyone pressure you into filing before you're confident in your strategy.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Going through this while grieving is incredibly difficult, and you're being very wise to research everything thoroughly before making decisions. I wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - when you do finally get through to SSA (whether through traditional phone lines or services like Claimyr that others mentioned), ask specifically about "protective filing." This allows you to establish an intent to file date while you're still gathering information and making your final decision. It can protect you from losing any potential back benefits if you decide to claim retroactively later. Also, since you mentioned making $68k annually and are concerned about the earnings test, consider whether your income varies significantly by month or if you have any control over the timing of bonuses, commissions, or other variable income. In the year you reach FRA, strategic timing of when you receive certain income could help you stay under the $59,520 limit for the months before your FRA. One more practical tip: if you have access to your late husband's Social Security statement or know his earnings history, you might be able to get a rough estimate of your survivor benefit amount using online calculators before speaking with SSA. This can help you verify whether the amounts they quote you are in the right ballpark. The strategy others outlined (survivor benefits at FRA, then switching to your own at 70) does sound promising based on your situation, but definitely get those exact numbers confirmed in writing before proceeding.

I'm new to receiving Social Security benefits and this community has been so helpful! Reading through everyone's experiences with these unexpected deposits is really reassuring. It sounds like these small retroactive adjustments are much more common than I realized. I've been worried every time I see any change in my account, thinking something was wrong. Now I know to look for the explanation letter and check my Medicare account first before panicking. Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences - it makes navigating all this so much easier!

I experienced something very similar about 6 months ago - got an unexpected $38 deposit that turned out to be exactly what others have described here. In my case, it was a Medicare Part B premium adjustment related to IRMAA recalculation. The letter arrived about 8 days later and explained that my income from two years prior had been re-evaluated (they use a 2-year lookback for IRMAA calculations), which resulted in a lower premium tier and a refund for the overpaid amount. One thing I learned is that SSA automatically reviews these premium calculations periodically, especially when they receive updated tax information from the IRS. Since you mentioned updating your tax withholding recently, that could have triggered a broader review of your account that led to discovering the premium overpayment. The $32 amount is very consistent with typical IRMAA adjustments I've seen discussed here and in other forums. You should definitely receive an explanation letter soon - don't stress about it in the meantime!

Update: Just received my letter in the mail today explaining the COLA adjustment! It says my first increased payment will be on the 4th Wednesday of this month, and the lump sum for retroactive adjustments will come within 10 business days after that. Going to mark my calendar and stop worrying. Thanks everyone for the helpful info!

Just wanted to share my experience for anyone still waiting - I'm also on the 4th Wednesday payment schedule and haven't received mine yet, but after reading all these responses I'm feeling much more confident about the timeline. It's really helpful to see that the SSA website doesn't update right away and that the money often shows up before any letters. I've been checking my bank account obsessively but now I know to just wait for my regular payment date. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and especially to those who provided the official schedule breakdown - this community is so valuable for getting real information when the official channels are hard to reach!

just to clarify I said 2023/2024 earlier but I mean't 2022/2023... I have covid brain fog today lol

As someone who went through this exact same decision process a few years ago, I can confirm what others have said - there's absolutely no automatic enrollment at any age. I was so paranoid about it that I actually printed out SSA's official guidance just to have it on hand! One thing I'd add to the excellent Roth conversion advice already given: consider doing "practice runs" with smaller conversion amounts in your first year to see how it affects your overall tax situation. I learned this the hard way when I did a larger conversion than planned and it pushed me into a higher bracket than I anticipated. Also, since you mentioned you're turning 62 in December, that gives you almost a full year to fine-tune your conversion strategy for 2025. Perfect timing to work with a tax professional to map out multi-year projections before you start the conversions.

I'm dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what I've learned from my research and speaking with SSA representatives. The key thing to understand is that there are really two separate calculations happening here: 1. Your son's DAC benefit amount (50% of your husband's PIA - this doesn't change based on when your husband files) 2. The Family Maximum Benefit limits that could reduce everyone's payments From what I've gathered, if your husband is the only one receiving benefits on his record initially, the family maximum won't be an issue. But once your son starts receiving DAC benefits, the combined payments might hit that ceiling, especially if your husband took reduced benefits early. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - consider whether your earnings record might provide better benefits for your son than your husband's. DAC benefits can be claimed on either parent's record, so it's worth having SSA calculate both scenarios. Also, regarding timing - your son can potentially start receiving DAC benefits as soon as your husband begins receiving retirement benefits, assuming he meets the disability requirements and has the proper documentation. The age 18/22 confusion often comes from mixing up DAC benefits with student benefits or other programs. Definitely start gathering all medical documentation now and consider that SSI application to establish the disability determination!

I'm a newcomer to this community but have been researching this exact situation for my own family. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! One thing I want to emphasize that several people have touched on - the timing of starting the disability application process is critical. Even though your son is only 17, beginning the SSI application now can establish that crucial disability determination before he turns 18. This creates a paper trail that will be invaluable when applying for DAC benefits later. From what I've learned, the Social Security Administration requires extensive medical documentation proving the disability began before age 22. Having that SSI application in process (even if denied due to family income) creates an official record of the disability evaluation that can streamline future DAC applications. Also, I noticed someone mentioned considering both parents' earnings records for potential DAC benefits - this is huge! Many families don't realize they can choose which parent's record provides better benefits for their disabled adult child. Definitely have SSA run calculations for both scenarios. The complexity of how early retirement affects family maximum benefits seems to vary case by case, so getting those personalized calculations from SSA will be essential for your decision-making process. Good luck navigating this - it's overwhelming but you're asking all the right questions!