That's exactly the right mindset, CosmicCaptain! Starting to learn about these systems a few years early is one of the smartest things you can do. I wish I had done the same - I ended up scrambling to understand everything just months before I needed to make decisions. The Social Security and Medicare rules can seem overwhelming at first, but when you break them down piece by piece like we did with Liam's birthday timing question, they become much more manageable. Plus, having time to plan means you can optimize your strategy rather than just taking the first option that seems reasonable. Feel free to post questions as they come up - even hypothetical "what if" scenarios can generate really helpful discussions that benefit everyone!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm still several years away from my FRA, but seeing how you all broke down the birthday timing rules so clearly has given me confidence that I'll be able to navigate these decisions when the time comes. The fact that such a seemingly simple question about "can I start benefits in my birthday month" actually has specific rules based on what day of the month you're born shows just how complex the Social Security system can be. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences - it's exactly this kind of detailed, practical information that makes this community so valuable for people trying to understand government benefits!

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - when you do apply online in October, make sure you have a stable internet connection and set aside a good chunk of time (maybe 1-2 hours) to complete the application in one sitting. The system can time out if you're away too long, and while you can save your progress, it's easier to just power through it all at once. Also, double-check that your direct deposit information is correct! A friend of mine had a typo in her account number and it delayed her first payment by almost a month while they sorted it out. The bank routing number and account number have to be exactly right. You sound very well-prepared now - I'm sure everything will go smoothly for you! 🙂

Another thing to consider - if you have any pension income or other retirement accounts you're planning to tap into, make sure you coordinate the timing with your Social Security start date. I made the mistake of not thinking through how my 401k withdrawals would affect my tax situation when combined with Social Security benefits. Also, since you mentioned other income ending in January, you might want to consider whether starting benefits in January instead of February could actually work better for your cash flow, even if it's not ideal timing. Sometimes an extra month of benefits early in the year can help with January expenses when other income stops. Just a thought to run through your financial planning one more time! The online application really is straightforward once you have everything ready. I was surprised how user-friendly it was compared to what I expected from a government website.

UPDATE: You all were right! I finally got a letter in the mail today explaining the payment. It was indeed a Medicare IRMAA adjustment based on my 2023 tax return showing lower income than 2021. They had me in a higher premium bracket and are refunding the difference for the first part of 2024. Mystery solved! Thank you all for your help and suggestions!

This is exactly why I love this community - so helpful to see everyone's experiences! I had a similar surprise payment last year that turned out to be a windfall elimination provision (WEP) adjustment. The waiting and wondering is the worst part, but it sounds like most of these unexpected payments are legitimate corrections that work in our favor. Katherine, I'm glad you waited for the explanation rather than spending it immediately - that's always the smart move with SSA payments!

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! To summarize what I've learned: 1. I CAN work during my first month of eligibility (month after turning 62) 2. I need to stay under the monthly earnings limit of $2,340 for 2025 3. SSA counts gross wages when EARNED, not when paid 4. After my first year on benefits, they'll switch to an annual test I'll be careful to reduce my hours enough to stay safely under the limit. My birthday is mid-month so my first eligible month will be the following month. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!

Great summary! One additional point that might be helpful - if you do accidentally exceed the monthly earnings limit in your first year, don't panic. SSA will send you a notice and you'll just need to repay the benefits for that specific month. It's not the end of the world, though obviously it's better to avoid it. Also, since you mentioned your HR department gave you conflicting information, you might want to double-check with them about how they report wages to SSA. Some payroll systems report earnings based on pay date rather than work date, which could affect your calculations. Make sure you're both on the same page about when your earnings will be reported for each month. Good luck with your retirement planning!

Thank you all so much for the helpful information! I've learned so much from this discussion. Based on everything shared, I think I'm going to: 1. Schedule an appointment with SSA to get exact benefit calculations for different scenarios 2. Consider that my ex won't even be eligible to file for 7+ years (when he's 62+) 3. Remember that remarriage would eliminate spousal benefits but not survivor benefits 4. Factor in the WEP/GPO phase-out timeline for my pension The timing elements are particularly important - I hadn't fully considered the age gap between me and my ex. Even if I stay single, I can't get spousal benefits until he files, which is years away. It's a lot to consider, but I feel much better informed now. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!

Great summary of your action plan! One additional tip - when you call SSA, ask them to run calculations for both your own benefit record AND what spousal benefits would look like on your ex's record (using his current earnings). They can give you estimates even though he hasn't filed yet. This will help you see the actual dollar difference between staying single for spousal benefits vs. remarrying. Also, since you mentioned your ex has health issues, you might want to ask about survivor benefit amounts too - that could be significantly higher than spousal benefits and would be available regardless of your marital status (since you're already over 60). The WEP/GPO phase-out is definitely real - I work in benefits administration and we're already preparing for the 2025 changes. For someone with a $2,600 teacher's pension, you'll see meaningful increases in your Social Security benefits over the next few years. Good luck with your decision!