Just wanted to add one more consideration that might be helpful - since you're already on SSDI, you should also think about Medicare timing. If you've been on SSDI for 24 months, you're automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and B. When you switch to any other type of Social Security benefit (like ex-spouse benefits), your Medicare coverage continues without interruption. This is important to keep in mind as you navigate these benefit decisions, especially if you have ongoing medical needs. The transition between benefit types won't affect your healthcare coverage, which is one less thing to worry about!

I work as a benefits counselor and see situations like yours frequently. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here is that you should also ask SSA about "protective filing" when you call. If there's any chance your ex-spouse benefit would be higher than your SSDI, you can establish an application date while they calculate the exact amounts. This protects you from losing any retroactive benefits if there are processing delays. Also, since you mentioned your ex-husband has always earned more than you, there's a good chance his PIA is high enough that 50% would exceed your current $1,450 SSDI. High earners often have PIAs in the $3,000-4,000 range, which would make your potential ex-spouse benefit $1,500-2,000. Don't forget that if you do switch to ex-spouse benefits, you'll still be protected by cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) just like with SSDI. The benefit type changes but the annual increases continue.

This is such valuable information from everyone! I'm also approaching my FRA situation and wanted to add one more consideration that might help others in similar situations. If you're like me and have been putting off claiming benefits specifically because of earnings test concerns, don't forget that delaying benefits past your FRA can actually increase your monthly payment through Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs). You earn about 8% more per year for each year you delay up until age 70. So for those of you who are financially able to keep working without needing the Social Security income right away, it might be worth running the numbers to see if delaying a few more months or even years could result in significantly higher lifetime benefits. Of course, this depends on your individual situation - health, financial needs, life expectancy expectations, etc. But it's another factor to consider alongside all the great earnings test information shared here. The SSA website has a calculator that can help you compare different claiming scenarios, though as others have mentioned, actually getting through to speak with someone can be challenging!

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm also dealing with the FRA timing issue - mine is in October 2025 and I've been stressing about whether to reduce my work hours beforehand. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: I called my local SSA office directly instead of the national 800 number and had much better luck getting through. The local office staff seemed more knowledgeable about these timing scenarios too. They confirmed what everyone here is saying - once you hit FRA, the earnings test is completely done. No more monthly limits, no more worrying about overpayments. But they also emphasized checking your exact FRA date like Ana mentioned - mine is actually October 14th, not my birthday on October 15th. For anyone still worried about the calculations, the SSA representative told me they have internal systems that automatically handle the month-by-month calculations for your FRA year, so you don't need to do complex math. They'll send you a clear explanation if any adjustments are needed. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to decode the official SSA publications!

I'm in a similar situation planning ahead - my daughter wants to buy our family home next year when I turn 65. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! A few additional thoughts from my research: 1. Make sure to keep detailed records of the entire transaction - purchase agreement, closing documents, proof of mortgage payoff, etc. Even though regular SS retirement benefits aren't affected by assets, having everything documented gives peace of mind. 2. Consider timing if you're close to any income thresholds. Since IRMAA looks at tax returns from 2 years prior, the timing of when you realize any capital gains could matter for future Medicare premiums. 3. If your son is planning major renovations for the mother-in-law suite, you might want to clarify upfront how much of the sale proceeds (if any) you'll contribute to those improvements, as this could affect your tax situation. 4. One thing I learned from my research - if you do end up paying your son some monthly amount for utilities/maintenance, make sure it's documented properly. The IRS likes clear paper trails for family financial arrangements. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread has been a goldmine of practical information!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful information! I'm not in this exact situation yet, but my aging parents have been talking about potentially selling their home and moving in with one of us kids in the next few years. Reading through this thread has been incredibly educational - I had no idea about the distinction between regular Social Security retirement benefits and SSI, or about the IRMAA Medicare premium adjustments. The point about keeping detailed documentation and the capital gains exclusion for primary residences is especially valuable. One question that comes to mind after reading all these responses: For those who have gone through similar family arrangements, how did you handle the emotional/family dynamics aspect? Obviously the financial and legal considerations are crucial, but I imagine there might be some adjustment challenges when parents move in with adult children, even with separate living spaces. Any advice on making that transition smoother for everyone involved? Thanks again to @Paolo Esposito for asking such a relevant question, and to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise!

The SSA website is TERRIBLE abt explaining this stuff clearly!! No wonder ppl get confused when it talks abt "earnings" limits but doesnt clearly say it means WORK income not pensions! Glad u asked and got good answers here!

As a new member here, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped clarify this! I was in a similar situation last year - also a teacher with TRS pension and was completely confused about survivor benefits after my spouse passed. The distinction between earned income (from working) and pension income for the earnings test is SO important and not explained well anywhere official. I ended up getting my full survivor benefits on top of my pension once GPO was repealed. For anyone else in this situation - definitely explore those claiming strategies mentioned above about timing different benefits. It can make a huge difference in your total lifetime benefits!

One thing to keep in mind with the withdrawal option - make sure you have the cash flow to handle both paying back the 4 months of benefits AND potentially waiting several more months for your contract payments to come in. Contract work can sometimes have delayed payment schedules, and you don't want to be caught short on funds. Also, since you mentioned this is lucrative work, consider setting aside money for self-employment taxes (15.3% for Social Security and Medicare) if you'll be working as an independent contractor rather than an employee. The tax hit on a $60K contract can be pretty substantial when combined with repaying your SS benefits.

Just a heads up - when you file Form SSA-521 for withdrawal, SSA will send you a letter showing the exact amount you need to repay, including any interest. You typically have 60 days to make the repayment, but they may grant extensions if needed. The process usually takes 4-6 weeks from when they receive your form to when they send the repayment letter. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of everything - the withdrawal form, repayment documentation, and any correspondence with SSA. You'll need these for your taxes and when you eventually reapply for benefits. Some people forget that the repayment amount might include spousal or survivor benefits if applicable, so double-check all the details before proceeding.