This thread has been so helpful! As someone approaching FRA myself (though not until 2027), I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge. @Angelina Farar, it sounds like you've gotten some great clarification here. Just to summarize what I'm understanding from all the responses: 1) No earnings limit after FRA in January 2026 for you, 2) SSA should automatically stop applying the test but it's worth monitoring, 3) You may even get a benefit adjustment for any prior withheld amounts, and 4) The only thing to potentially consider is income tax on your combined income, not benefit reductions. I'm bookmarking this discussion for when I get closer to my own FRA!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this discussion has been! I'm still several years away from my own FRA, but reading through everyone's responses has really clarified how the earnings limit works. @Angelina Farar, it sounds like you've gotten excellent advice here - no earnings limit after FRA, automatic system updates (though worth monitoring), and even potential benefit adjustments for previously withheld amounts. The distinction between SSI and regular retirement benefits that @KingKongZilla explained was particularly enlightening. Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences - this is exactly the kind of supportive community that makes navigating Social Security so much easier!

My neighbor waited till 70 to claim and now gets almost $1,400 more per month than his friend who claimed at 62. That's almost $17k more PER YEAR for the rest of his life!!!!

As someone who just went through this exact situation at 62, I can confirm what others are saying - your lower 2024 income won't hurt your benefit calculation! I was terrified about the same thing when I left my job mid-year last year. The SSA really does use your highest 35 years of indexed earnings, so unless 2024 would somehow be one of your top earning years (which seems unlikely if you only worked 3 months), it simply won't factor into your calculation at all. I'd also recommend double-checking your earnings record on MySocialSecurity.gov to make sure everything from your working years is accurate. That's more important than worrying about this partial year. The delay strategy is still mathematically sound - you're getting those delayed retirement credits which compound over time. One thing that helped me decide was calculating my break-even point and considering my health/family longevity. If you're healthy and have good genes, waiting even a year or two can pay off significantly over your lifetime!

As someone who just went through this process myself, I can share what worked for me. First, definitely calculate your "combined income" using the formula Emily mentioned earlier - it's crucial for determining if your benefits will be taxable. I used the IRS withholding calculator online and it was really helpful. One thing I learned is that you can change your withholding election at any time during the year by submitting a new W-4V form, so don't stress too much about getting the perfect percentage right away. I started with 10% and adjusted it after a few months once I had a better sense of my total tax situation. Also, keep good records of all your income sources throughout the year - SS benefits, part-time work, pension, any investment income, etc. This will make tax time much smoother and help you fine-tune your withholding for next year. The learning curve is steep but you'll get the hang of it!

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me - if you're still working part-time, check with your payroll department about how your Social Security benefits might affect your tax bracket. I found out that my combined income pushed me into a higher bracket than I expected, so I ended up needing more withholding than I initially calculated. Also, if you have any 401k or IRA distributions planned, factor those in too since they'll add to your "combined income" calculation. The whole system is definitely confusing at first, but once you get through your first tax season with SS benefits, it becomes much clearer how everything fits together!

I'm new to this community but wanted to offer some support and additional thoughts. As someone who has helped family members navigate SSA claims, I'd suggest also looking into whether you have any old credit reports or loan applications from that time period where you might have listed each other as co-applicants or references. Sometimes people forget about these documents, but they can show financial interdependence during your common law period. Also, if you had any joint memberships (gym, Costco, etc.) or shared cell phone plans during those 2 years in Colorado, those records might still be available. The key is building a comprehensive picture of your life as a married couple before the legal ceremony. I know it's overwhelming to gather all this documentation while grieving, but Colorado's recognition of common law marriage really does give you a legitimate shot at meeting that 10-year requirement. Don't let the bureaucracy intimidate you - you have every right to pursue these benefits after an 11+ year relationship. Sending you strength for your upcoming appointment!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Felicity. What you're going through sounds incredibly stressful on top of an already difficult time. I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your situation really resonates with me. The advice about Colorado recognizing common law marriage seems really promising! One thing I wanted to add that might help - have you considered looking for any old correspondence between you two during that period? Things like emails, letters, or even text messages (if you still have old phones or backups) where you referred to each other as husband/wife or discussed shared future plans? Sometimes these personal communications can be powerful evidence of how you viewed your relationship. Also, if you had any shared subscriptions during those years - magazines, newspapers, streaming services - those records might show joint household management. I know it feels overwhelming to dig through old records while you're grieving, but the fact that so many people here have had success with similar cases in Colorado gives me hope for you. You've got this, and this community clearly has your back!

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I've learned there's no "magic month" to file that increases benefits, but I should apply now for March benefits to give SSA enough processing time. I'm going to check my earnings record first, then submit my application. I appreciate the tip about Claimyr too - might use that if I run into problems reaching someone at SSA. I'll update once I get everything submitted!

Just wanted to add one more consideration that might help with your decision-making process. Since you mentioned being in a tough financial spot, you might want to look into whether your state offers any additional assistance programs that could bridge the gap between when your temporary disability ends and when your Social Security payments begin. Some states have emergency assistance programs or food assistance that can help during transitions like this. Also, if your wife isn't already working, she might want to consider part-time employment to help with the financial pressure while you're waiting for benefits to start. The stress of financial uncertainty can really impact your recovery from surgery, so having multiple backup plans in place might give you both some peace of mind during this transition period.