my neighbor tried doing what ur talking about and ended up owing ssa money at the end of the year!!! be careful cuz they don't always explain everything up front!!

I've been following this discussion and wanted to add one more consideration that might be helpful. If you do decide to wait until your FRA (which sounds like the smart move based on everyone's advice), make sure you understand what happens to any delayed retirement credits. While ex-spouse benefits don't earn delayed retirement credits past FRA, YOUR own retirement benefit does continue to grow by about 8% per year until age 70 if you delay claiming. So if your own benefit might eventually be higher than the ex-spouse benefit, waiting until 70 to claim could maximize your monthly payment for life. Also, just a heads up - even though the earnings test goes away at FRA, you'll still need to consider the tax implications of Social Security benefits combined with your work income. The taxation thresholds are pretty low, so you might end up paying taxes on a significant portion of your benefits even after FRA. It's frustrating how complicated they've made this system, but it sounds like you're getting good advice here to wait it out!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for someone just starting to navigate this process! I'm approaching my FRA in May 2026 and was completely overwhelmed after getting contradictory advice from different sources. Reading through everyone's real experiences has made this so much clearer. The key insight about the difference between application submission date and benefit start month selection was huge for me - I had no idea these were separate things! It explains why there's so much conflicting advice out there. Based on all the successful approaches shared here, I'm planning to apply online at ssa.gov in February 2026 (3 months early), select May 2026 as my benefit start month, and create that visual timeline several people mentioned to keep everything organized. It's so reassuring to see that despite the initial confusion with phone agents, everyone who followed this basic approach got their benefits processed correctly. Thank you to this amazing community for turning what seemed like an impossible maze of bureaucracy into a clear, manageable process!

This discussion has been incredibly enlightening! I'm approaching my FRA in August 2026 and was feeling completely lost after getting wildly different advice from SSA representatives. One told me to apply on my exact birthday, another said to wait until September, and a third insisted I needed to apply six months early. The inconsistency was making me anxious about missing something important. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - it's clear that getting conflicting information from phone agents is unfortunately standard, not an exception. The crucial distinction between when you submit your application versus what benefit start month you select on the form was a complete revelation to me! Based on all the successful strategies shared here, I'm going to apply online at ssa.gov in May 2026 (3 months before my August FRA), make absolutely sure I select August 2026 as my benefit start month, and skip the phone system entirely. I'm also going to create that visual timeline that so many people have recommended - it sounds like a great way to keep all these important dates straight. Thank you to everyone who shared their real-world experiences and practical advice. This community has transformed what felt like an impossible bureaucratic puzzle into a clear, actionable plan. It's so reassuring to know that despite all the initial confusion, people are successfully getting their benefits processed when they follow this straightforward approach!

This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone new to navigating Social Security, I'm amazed at how complex these rules are. @Diego, your situation sounds very similar to what my aunt went through a few years ago. One thing I'd add based on her experience - when you do talk to SSA, consider asking about the "break-even" point between claiming now versus waiting. She found it helpful to know approximately how many years it would take for the delayed retirement credits to make up for the benefits she'd miss by waiting. Also, don't forget to factor in potential COLA increases when doing your calculations. The annual cost-of-living adjustments can really add up over time, especially if you're looking at a multi-year delay strategy. Good luck with your decision!

As someone who recently went through the Social Security application process myself, I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help. First, when you call SSA (whether through regular channels or the Claimyr service others mentioned), have all your documentation ready - marriage certificate, divorce decree, and your ex-husband's SSN if you have it. This speeds things up considerably. Second, I'd recommend asking specifically about how your current earnings affect the calculation. At $40k, you're definitely subject to the earnings test, but the SSA rep can show you exactly how much would be withheld monthly versus annually. Third, consider timing - if you're planning to reduce your work hours or retire completely in the next year or two, that could significantly impact which strategy makes more sense. The break-even analysis someone mentioned earlier becomes much more favorable if your earnings will drop below the earnings test threshold soon. Finally, don't feel pressured to decide immediately. You can gather all the information first, then take time to really think through your options. This is a decision that will affect your finances for decades, so it's worth getting it right!

One other thing to consider - your mother should look into whether she should claim her own retirement benefit or the survivor benefit first. This depends on her own work history. If her own retirement benefit at her FRA would be LOWER than the survivor benefit, she might want to: 1. Take the reduced survivor benefit now at 62 2. Switch to her own retirement benefit at 70 when it will have maximized with delayed retirement credits If her own benefit would be HIGHER than the survivor benefit, she might want to: 1. Take her reduced retirement benefit now 2. Switch to the survivor benefit at her FRA when it wouldn't be reduced This is complex territory and very specific to her situation. I strongly recommend she schedule an appointment with SSA to discuss these options.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Based on what you've shared, your mom should definitely qualify for divorced widow's benefits. The fact that your dad remarried doesn't affect her eligibility at all - both his current widow and your mom as his divorced widow can receive benefits simultaneously. A few key points for your mom's situation: - She meets the 10+ year marriage requirement (25 years) - She's over 60 and hasn't remarried before age 60 - She can apply immediately - benefits can start as early as the month of his death Given that her work history is limited, the survivor benefit will likely be much higher than any retirement benefit she'd get on her own record. At 62, she'll receive about 71.5% of your dad's full benefit amount. I'd strongly recommend calling SSA as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Have her gather the marriage certificate, divorce decree, his death certificate, and her birth certificate before the call. The sooner she applies, the sooner benefits can begin. Don't let the phone wait times discourage you - this is worth pursuing and will likely provide significant financial support for your mom.

To answer your direct questions: 1. No, there is NO minimum amount you can earn without it potentially counting as a Trial Work month. ANY month where you perform "services" can count, though typically only months where you earn over $1,020 (2025 figure) will automatically count. 2. Yes, you MUST report ALL work activity regardless of amount earned. 3. Using your TWP isn't necessarily bad - it's a safety net designed to let you test your work ability. 4. After you use your 9 TWP months (which don't have to be consecutive), you move to the 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility where benefits are only suspended in months you earn over SGA ($1,550/month in 2025). Report your work activity by calling your local office, through my.ssa.gov, or by visiting in person.

I understand how scary this situation is - facing potential loss of your home while trying to navigate complex disability rules. Here are some additional options to consider beyond just working: 1. **Housing assistance programs**: Contact your local housing authority about emergency rental/mortgage assistance, especially programs for disabled individuals. Many areas have specific programs for people at risk of foreclosure. 2. **Utility assistance**: If you're behind on utilities too, programs like LIHEAP can help free up money for your mortgage. 3. **Food assistance**: Maximizing SNAP benefits and using food banks can free up more of your SSDI for housing costs. 4. **Disability advocacy organizations**: They often know about local emergency assistance funds specifically for people with disabilities facing housing crises. 5. **Credit counseling**: Non-profit housing counselors can sometimes negotiate with mortgage companies for modified payment plans or forbearance. The roommate suggestion is also excellent - rental income typically doesn't affect SSDI benefits as long as it's not considered "work activity." If you do decide to work, definitely get that WIPA counseling first. But explore these other options too - sometimes there are resources available that people don't know about.