Great summary Sean! You've got a solid understanding now. One additional tip from my own experience - when you do eventually contact SSA to review your earnings record, ask them to show you your "earnings record" (Form SSA-7005) which lists all your years of earnings. This will help you see exactly which years are in your top 35 and whether any future part-time earnings might actually replace lower years from early in your career. Also, you can create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov to view your earnings history and get benefit estimates anytime. It's really helpful for planning and you don't have to wait on hold! The online calculator will show you exactly how your benefits would change if you claim at different ages. Sounds like you're making a smart, well-informed decision. Enjoy your semi-retirement phase!

I'm in a very similar situation - turning 66 next month and planning to cut my hours significantly while delaying my Social Security claim. This thread has been incredibly informative! One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you have a spouse, don't forget to factor in spousal benefits and survivor benefits when making your timing decision. Delaying your claim not only increases your own monthly benefit, but it also increases the survivor benefit your spouse would receive if you pass away first. That 8% annual increase applies to survivor benefits too. Also, I've heard that if you change your mind after filing, you have 12 months to withdraw your application and repay any benefits received (without interest) if you want to restart the delayed retirement credit clock. Haven't had to use this myself, but it's nice to know there's a safety net if circumstances change. The my Social Security online account that Isabella mentioned is definitely worth setting up - I use it to run "what if" scenarios all the time!

As a former SSA field office manager, I can confirm everything that's been shared here is accurate. The 10-year rule is absolute - no exceptions for age, health, or circumstances. One thing I'd add: make sure she understands that if she does qualify for benefits on her own record, she should file her application BEFORE her spousal benefits terminate if possible. This can help avoid any gap in payments. Also, if she worked for the government or railroad, different rules might apply, so she should mention that to SSA. The transition period can be financially devastating for people who aren't prepared, so having all the information upfront is crucial.

I work as a benefits counselor and want to emphasize something that hasn't been fully addressed yet - the emotional impact this will have on your dad's ex-wife. Losing spousal benefits after 7 years can be absolutely devastating, especially for someone in their 70s who may have limited ability to increase their income. The financial shock often leads to depression and anxiety. While your dad understandably wants out of the marriage, I'd strongly encourage him to consider being as generous as possible in any settlement negotiations. Even a modest monthly supplement for a few years could make the difference between her being able to stay in her home or having to move to subsidized housing. The guilt he's feeling now will only get worse if she ends up struggling financially. Sometimes doing the right thing costs money, but it's worth it for peace of mind.

Wow, what a relief that it turned out to be money you were actually owed! This thread has been so educational - I had no idea that SSA could do retroactive adjustments based on actual vs. estimated earnings. I'm in a similar situation (recently widowed and working part-time while receiving survivor benefits) and this gives me a better understanding of how the system works. I'm also impressed that the Claimyr service actually worked - I've been dreading having to call SSA about some questions I have. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone with the resolution!

This is such a valuable thread for anyone dealing with Social Security benefits! I'm relatively new to the survivor benefits process myself (my husband passed away 8 months ago), and I had no idea that SSA could make these kinds of retroactive adjustments based on actual vs. estimated earnings. Your experience really highlights the importance of not panicking when you see an unexpected deposit - sometimes it's actually good news! I'm also really glad you mentioned the Claimyr service because I've been putting off calling SSA about some questions I have, dreading the long hold times. It's reassuring to know there might be a better way to actually reach someone. Thanks for following through and updating everyone with the resolution - it makes this community so much more helpful when people share how things actually turn out!

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is definitely a stressful situation to navigate during an already difficult time, but you're absolutely doing the right thing by asking these questions upfront. From what I understand about Social Security timing, that September payment was most likely for August (since benefits are paid in arrears), which means your father-in-law was entitled to it since he was alive for the entire month of August. However, I'd strongly recommend calling SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213 to get definitive confirmation about which month that specific payment covers. When you call, also verify that the death notification has been properly processed in their system. Even though the funeral home said they'd handle it, it's worth confirming this was actually completed - sometimes there can be processing delays. Make sure to ask for a reference number for your call and keep detailed notes of what they tell you. This documentation will be helpful for estate records and your own peace of mind. You're handling this very thoughtfully by being proactive rather than just waiting to see what happens. That approach will definitely help avoid any potential complications down the road.

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is such a difficult situation to navigate during an already overwhelming time, and you're absolutely right to seek clarity on this before any issues arise. From everything I've learned about Social Security timing, that September payment was almost certainly for August since benefits are paid in arrears (meaning you receive payment in one month for the previous month). Since your father-in-law was alive for all of August, that payment should rightfully belong to his estate and you shouldn't need to return it. However, I'd definitely recommend calling SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213 to get official confirmation on two key points: 1) which specific month that September deposit covers, and 2) that his death has been properly reported and processed in their system. Even though the funeral home said they'd handle the notification, it's always wise to verify this was completed. When you call, have his Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death ready, and ask for a reference number for your call. The wait times can be frustrating, but getting that official confirmation will give you peace of mind and proper documentation for the estate. You're being very responsible by addressing this proactively rather than waiting to see what happens. That approach will definitely help you avoid any potential complications down the road.

Thank you all so much for your helpful advice. I'm going to gather his school records, get statements from family members and his current doctors, and try to get through to SSA to start the application process. I'm feeling much more hopeful knowing that the Disabled Adult Child benefits might be an option, even without childhood medical records. I'll update once we make some progress with the application.

Best of luck with your brother's application! One more tip - when you're gathering those family statements, ask people to be specific about what they observed over the years. Instead of just saying "he always needed help," have them describe specific examples like "I noticed he couldn't manage his money and would get confused counting change" or "he needed reminders to do basic tasks like brushing his teeth even as a teenager." The more concrete details you can provide about his limitations throughout his life, the stronger your case will be. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your brother during such a difficult time.