my aunt got widows benefits even tho she worked and had her own ss. they told her something about FRA and delayed retirement credits? i dont really understand it but maybe theres exceptions?

Just to add some clarity from someone who recently went through this process with my parents - the timing of when you contact Social Security after a death is important. You need to report the death promptly to avoid overpayments that would need to be returned later. Also, if you're currently receiving spousal benefits instead of your own worker benefits (which can happen if your spouse's benefit was higher), the calculation changes. The surviving spouse would then compare their own worker benefit to 100% of the deceased spouse's benefit and take whichever is higher. In your case with identical amounts, you'd definitely want to verify both of you are receiving your own worker benefits rather than spousal benefits, as this could affect the survivor calculation.

One more thing to consider - since you're retiring at 64, have you thought about health insurance coverage? Medicare doesn't start until 65, so you'll need to bridge that gap somehow. Some options: 1. COBRA from your employer (expensive but straightforward) 2. ACA marketplace plan (might qualify for subsidies) 3. Spouse's insurance if applicable This isn't directly related to your Social Security application timing, but it's a critical piece of early retirement planning that catches many people by surprise.

I went through this exact process two years ago when I retired at 64! Here's what I learned from my experience: Apply in September 2025 (4 months early) rather than October. I applied exactly 3 months early and it was cutting it close - any small delay could have pushed my first payment back a month. The extra month buffer gave me peace of mind. When you apply online, you'll see a question asking when you want benefits to start. Select January 2026. The system will automatically calculate your reduced benefit amount based on taking it 32 months before your FRA. Regarding the earnings test - since you're making $72k annually, you'll definitely exceed the 2025 limit. But the good news is that the "special rule" for your first year of retirement will apply. As long as you don't perform any substantial work in January 2026 (and beyond), you'll get your full monthly benefit starting then, regardless of what you earned earlier in 2025. One tip: when you submit your application, screenshot every page and keep confirmation numbers. Also, set up your my.ssa.gov account if you haven't already - you'll be checking it frequently to track your application status. The gap between your last paycheck and first SS payment is unavoidable, but at least you know to budget for it. Good luck!

Great summary Anna! You've got all the key points right. One small addition - since you mentioned you might need another $10k from your 401k before year-end, that's totally fine and won't affect your Social Security benefits at all. The earnings test really is just about wages and self-employment income, so you can withdraw as much as you need from retirement accounts without penalty from SSA. Just keep track of your consulting income to make sure that stays under the limit. Sounds like you're in great shape!

One thing I'd add that might be helpful - if you're doing consulting work, make sure you're properly tracking your expenses! Since it's self-employment income, you can deduct legitimate business expenses which will reduce your net earnings for the SSA earnings test. Things like office supplies, mileage, equipment, etc. So if you made $14,000 but had $2,000 in valid business expenses, only $12,000 would count toward the limit. Just make sure you keep good records in case SSA ever asks. This could give you even more breathing room under that $22,320 threshold!

dont forget to setup direct deposit!!! my first check got mailed and i almost missed it cause it went to my old address

I'm in a similar boat - turning 67 next month and planning to work until my birthday before starting benefits. Reading through all these responses is really reassuring! Just wanted to add that I called SSA last week using the number on their website (1-800-772-1213) and got through after about 45 minutes on hold. They confirmed my application was received and processing normally. The agent told me that as long as you're past FRA, working right up to your benefit start date is totally fine and very common. She also mentioned that you can check your application status anytime through your my Social Security account online, which I didn't know before. Good luck with everything!

I work as a disability advocate and want to add a few important points that might help. First, when you call SSA, ask if they can do a "concurrent application" - this means they'll process both the termination of her child benefits and the start of her DAC benefits at the same time to minimize any gap. Second, make sure to ask about retroactive benefits if there's any delay in processing - sometimes they can backdate the effective date. Finally, keep detailed notes of every phone call and interaction with SSA, including names and dates. If something goes wrong, having that documentation can be crucial for appeals. The DAC benefit is really designed for situations exactly like yours, so don't let anyone try to steer you toward regular SSDI. You've got this!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - definitely call SSA ASAP and specifically ask for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits, not regular SSDI. My cousin went through this transition last year and her benefits actually increased slightly under DAC. One thing that really helped was bringing a timeline of her daughter's medical history organized chronologically - the SSA rep said it made the disability determination much clearer since they could see the progression from early childhood. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to doesn't seem familiar with DAC benefits - it's unfortunately common. Just politely ask to speak with someone who specializes in disabled adult child cases. The whole process took about 6 weeks for my cousin, but because she applied early there was no gap in payments. You're being proactive by asking these questions now!