i always get confused about FRA. isn't it different for everyone?? mine is 67 according to my SS statement i got

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - make sure you keep good records of your monthly earnings during those 10 months before your FRA! SSA sometimes asks for documentation if your reported earnings seem inconsistent with what employers report. I learned this the hard way when I had irregular consulting income. Also, if you're doing 1099 contract work, remember that self-employment income is counted when it's earned, not when you get paid. So if you complete a project in month 8 but don't invoice until month 11 (after FRA), it still counts against your pre-FRA limit. Keep track of when work is actually performed vs. when payment is received. The $59,520 limit for 2025 is really generous compared to previous years, so you should be in good shape with that consulting work!

I definitely will! I'm planning to call tomorrow morning right when they open. Based on everyone's feedback, I'm pretty confident the first agent was mistaken, but I'll update with what I find out.

I've been through a similar situation and want to emphasize something important that others have mentioned - even though you received incorrect information from an SSA agent, you're still responsible for any overpayments. However, don't let this discourage you from appealing if you do exceed the limit based on their advice. When you call back, ask to speak with a supervisor and document EVERYTHING - get the agent's name, ID number, time of call, and ask them to note your file that you're calling to clarify conflicting information you received. If possible, ask them to send you written confirmation of the correct earnings limits. Also, since you're doing 1099 work now, consider spreading your income strategically. You could potentially defer some payments until 2026 when the higher limit applies (January-March), or structure your contracts to minimize 2025 earnings. Just make sure any deferral strategies don't create tax complications. The earnings limit rules are confusing enough without getting wrong information from SSA agents. Stay strong and keep advocating for yourself!

Great to see this got resolved! Just want to emphasize one more important point for anyone else reading this thread: if you're planning large withdrawals from retirement accounts or annuities, consider spreading them across multiple years if possible. While they won't affect your Social Security benefit amount, bunching large withdrawals into one year can push you into higher tax brackets and increase the taxation of your SS benefits significantly. A tax professional can help you strategize the timing to minimize the overall tax impact.

As someone who works in retirement planning, I want to add one more clarification that might help others: the Social Security Administration has a very specific definition of "earnings" that only includes wages from employment (W-2 income) and net earnings from self-employment. This is clearly outlined in their Publication 05-10069 "How Work Affects Your Benefits." What does NOT count as earnings for the Social Security earnings test: - Annuity payments - Pension benefits - IRA/401(k) withdrawals - Investment income (interest, dividends, capital gains) - Rental income - Social Security benefits themselves The confusion often comes from the fact that these same income sources DO count for determining if your Social Security benefits are taxable - but that's handled by the IRS, not SSA, and it's a completely separate calculation. Owen, you're absolutely safe withdrawing from your annuity without affecting your monthly benefit amount. Just keep good records for tax purposes!

I just went through this process myself in January when I turned 67! I applied exactly 3 months before my FRA and received my first payment right on time. The key thing to remember is that SSA processes applications much faster when you apply online versus going to an office or calling. I'd definitely recommend the 3-month timeframe - it gives them enough processing time without your application sitting in the system too long. One tip: make sure to create your my Social Security account first if you don't already have one, as you'll need it to apply online and track your application status. The whole process took me about 45 minutes to complete online, and I got confirmation immediately with a receipt number. Don't overthink it - June would be perfect timing for your September FRA!

As someone who works in benefits administration, I can confirm that the 3-4 month window is absolutely correct. I see these applications daily, and the online system is definitely your best bet - it's much faster than phone or in-person applications. One thing I'd add is that you should double-check that your Direct Deposit information is set up correctly in your my Social Security account before applying, as this can prevent delays in receiving your payments. Also, make sure your legal name exactly matches what's on file with SSA - any discrepancies can slow things down. Since you're planning to stop working in August, that timing works perfectly with a June application for September benefits. The system is actually running pretty efficiently right now despite what some people are saying about delays.

hey did ur husband ever work in the US at all? my uncle worked in both canada and US and my aunt got benefits from both places when he died!

Rachel, I'm so sorry for your loss. I went through a similar situation when my Irish husband passed away. Since your husband never worked in the US, you'll need to focus on the UK system for any benefits based on his work record. The UK does have "Bereavement Support Payment" which is different from their State Pension and has different age requirements - it's available to widows/widowers under State Pension age. You should definitely call that UK International Pension Centre number that Seraphina posted (+44 191 218 7777) and specifically ask about bereavement benefits, not just pension benefits. They have a whole separate system for widows that I wish someone had told me about earlier! Also, even with only 8 years of US work credits, you might still have some options through the totalization agreement if your husband had any UK National Insurance contributions. Don't give up - these cases are complex but there are often benefits available that aren't obvious at first.