Yes, I do have my SSA account set up and have been looking at the estimates. My husband also has one, though it doesn't specifically show what his converted amount will be - it just shows his current SSDI payment. I assume that'll be the same at FRA based on what everyone has said here. Thank you again for all your help!

As someone who went through this exact situation with my spouse, I can confirm what others have said - definitely keep the SSDI going until FRA! We made the mistake of overthinking it initially and almost considered having my husband switch to early retirement at 62 (thankfully we didn't). One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: when you do get to the point of potentially claiming spousal benefits for your husband, make sure SSA calculates it correctly. The spousal benefit is based on 50% of YOUR Primary Insurance Amount (not your actual benefit if you delay past FRA). So if you wait until 70 to claim, your benefit will be higher due to delayed retirement credits, but his potential spousal benefit is still calculated from your PIA at FRA. Also, since you mentioned you're almost 60, you might want to start thinking about whether you can afford to delay your own benefits. The extra years of delayed credits can really add up, especially as the higher earner. But I know that's easier said than done depending on your work situation!

can u work part time while collecting survivors benefits? asking for my aunt

Miguel, you've gotten some excellent advice here! Just want to reinforce what others have said - since you reached your FRA in February, you are absolutely in the clear to earn your full $8,000/month salary alongside your survivor benefits with zero penalties. I went through something very similar when I was caring for my father through his Social Security maze. The misinformation from SSA reps is unfortunately very common, especially on these earnings limit rules. I'd recommend documenting this conversation thread and maybe even calling back to SSA to get the correct information on your record. One additional tip: since you mentioned you're planning to retire fully in 4 months, now might be a good time to create a my Social Security account online if you haven't already. You can track your benefits, get verification letters, and monitor any changes without having to call and wait on hold. Congratulations on navigating this successfully - it sounds like you have a solid plan for maximizing both income streams during your transition to retirement!

I want to thank everyone for their helpful responses! I feel much better knowing I can manage my annual earnings rather than worrying about each individual month. I'll definitely keep track of my total earnings to make sure I stay under the $22,680 limit for the year. I'm going to call SSA just to confirm this information for my specific situation, but at least now I have a much better understanding of how the earnings test works. This community has been so helpful!

I've been dealing with survivor benefits for about 2 years now and went through a similar confusion with earnings limits. What really helped me was getting everything in writing from SSA. When I called, I asked the representative to send me a letter confirming the annual earnings test applies to my situation (since I'm past my first year of benefits). Having that documentation gave me peace of mind and also serves as proof if there's ever a discrepancy later. The annual limit approach is definitely correct for ongoing survivor benefits, but I totally understand the anxiety about potentially losing benefits - those payments are so important for making ends meet. One more tip: if you do end up earning close to the $22,680 limit later in the year, you can always reduce your hours in December to stay under. I did that last year just to be safe. Good luck with your part-time job - it sounds like a rewarding place to work!

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses. I just spoke with my sister-in-law and we're going to try calling SSA tomorrow morning. If we can't get through, we'll try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. She had no idea my niece would qualify for benefits, so this will really help with future expenses. I appreciate all the advice about documentation and what to expect.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. This is such a difficult time, and it's wonderful that you're helping your sister-in-law navigate this process. Just wanted to add a few practical tips from when I went through this with my own family: 1) When you call SSA, have your sister-in-law be the one on the phone since she's the surviving parent - they won't discuss details with other family members due to privacy rules, even with good intentions. 2) Consider calling your local SSA office directly rather than the national number. Sometimes local offices are easier to reach and can schedule in-person appointments if phone wait times are impossible. 3) If your niece has any disabilities or special circumstances, mention this during the call as there may be additional benefits available that continue beyond age 18. 4) Keep in mind that once the benefits start, they'll be deposited monthly and your sister-in-law will need to report them on taxes (though they're often not taxable depending on total household income). The benefits will make a real difference for your niece's future. Take care of yourselves during this difficult time.

One more important point regarding your situation: When you reach out to SSA, specifically ask about the "Disability Freeze" (also called an "Earnings Record Freeze"). This is different from converting from retirement to disability benefits. The disability freeze protects your earnings record by excluding periods of low earnings due to disability from your benefit calculation. Since your benefit amount is based on your lifetime earnings, this could potentially increase your monthly payment even though you're past FRA. To apply for a disability freeze, you'll need to complete form SSA-16 (Application for Disability Insurance Benefits) and provide medical evidence supporting that your disability began before you applied for early retirement. The key is proving your disability onset date was before your early retirement application.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation. As a fellow community member who has dealt with Social Security issues, I want to add a few practical suggestions that might help: 1. **Document everything**: Before you contact SSA, gather all your medical records from 2020 and earlier that show your conditions were severe enough to prevent substantial work. Your VA C&P exam records will be particularly valuable. 2. **Consider getting help**: Given the complexity of your case and the potential financial impact, you might want to consult with a Social Security disability attorney or advocate. Many work on contingency, so they only get paid if they recover benefits for you. 3. **Don't give up**: While the 12-month window is generally firm, there can be exceptions for veterans, especially if you can demonstrate that your disabilities affected your ability to understand your options when you first applied. The difference between what you're getting now and what you might have received with SSDI could be substantial over your lifetime. Even if the disability freeze only removes part of the early retirement reduction, that could mean hundreds more per month. Keep pushing for answers - you've served our country and deserve every benefit you're entitled to. Wishing you the best of luck with this process!