I'm 64 and claimed at 62, and honestly it's been one of the best decisions I've made. My monthly benefit is about $1,580 instead of the $2,300 I would have gotten at FRA, but having that steady income has completely changed my retirement planning stress levels. What really convinced me was watching my father-in-law agonize over the decision for years, constantly running calculations and worrying about "optimal timing." He finally claimed at 66 but spent so much mental energy on the decision that he couldn't enjoy his early retirement years. Meanwhile, I've been collecting for two years now and have used that guaranteed income to reduce my 401k withdrawals during market downturns. The other thing that worked in my favor - I was able to negotiate a part-time arrangement with my old employer specifically because I had SS coming in. Without that financial pressure, I could take a 20-hour/week consulting role that keeps me engaged but gives me tons more flexibility. The earnings limit hasn't been an issue since I keep it around $18k annually. Yes, I'm "leaving money on the table" in theory, but in reality I've gained peace of mind, financial flexibility, and two extra years of guaranteed income. Sometimes the emotional and practical benefits outweigh the pure mathematics. With your health concerns and solid savings, it sounds like you're thinking about this the right way.

I claimed at 62 last year and it was definitely the right call for my situation. My monthly benefit is $1,695 instead of the $2,450 I would have gotten at FRA, but I've already received over $20,000 that I wouldn't have had otherwise. What really helped me decide was looking at it from a risk management perspective rather than just the break-even math. Yes, if I live to 85+ I'll theoretically lose money, but I've eliminated several major risks: market crashes affecting my 401k withdrawals, potential changes to Social Security, and most importantly, the risk of not being healthy enough to enjoy the money later. I've been able to pay off my mortgage early with the extra cash flow, which eliminated a monthly expense and gave me even more financial breathing room. That psychological benefit of being debt-free has been huge for my peace of mind. One practical tip: I opened a separate savings account just for my SS payments and treat it as "bonus" money for travel and experiences. My regular retirement accounts cover my basic expenses, so the SS feels like found money that I can spend guilt-free on enjoying life. Given your health concerns and solid savings cushion, I think claiming early makes a lot of sense. The bird in the hand really is worth more than two in the bush when you're talking about your health and happiness in your 60s.

Since you mentioned you're in good health and longevity runs in your family, have you considered the tax implications of your decision? If you claim now while working, more of your SS benefits might be taxable. If you wait until 70, you'll have a higher benefit, but potentially more of it subject to taxation depending on your other income sources in retirement.

I've been following this discussion and wanted to add my perspective as someone who went through a similar decision process. The key factors that helped me decide were: 1) Getting the actual WEP calculation from SSA (not estimates), 2) Understanding that the 8% delayed retirement credits apply AFTER the WEP reduction, making them even more valuable, and 3) Realizing that working those extra years could potentially move me up the WEP reduction scale. Given your excellent health and family longevity, plus the fact that you're planning to work anyway, waiting until 70 seems like the mathematically sound choice. The break-even analysis becomes even more favorable when you factor in the potential WEP reduction from additional substantial earnings years. Just make sure to get those exact calculations from SSA before making your final decision!

Oh meant to say, when your husband files at FRA, make sure he specifically mentions the kids' eligibility. Sometimes the claims specialists forget to ask about eligible children, then you have to start the whole process over again. Ask me how I know lol

Just wanted to add from personal experience - when you go to apply for the children's benefits, bring extra copies of all your documents! I made the mistake of only bringing one copy of each and they needed to keep copies for their files. Also, if you can, try to schedule your appointment for first thing in the morning - the wait times are usually shorter then. And don't forget that the benefits will be backdated to when your husband first becomes eligible (his FRA), so there might be a nice lump sum payment when everything gets processed. Good luck with everything!

All this is so confusing my head hurts tryin to figure out all these rules... no wonder people hire those retirement planners. My neighbor said she paid $3000 for someone to figure all this out for her!!!

I just went through this exact situation with my mom last year! The key thing everyone's saying is correct - the spousal benefit is based on YOUR full PIA ($2,850), not what you're actually receiving. So she'd get her own $1,200 plus a $225 spousal "top-up" for $1,425 total. One thing I'd add is to definitely apply online if possible - it's much faster than trying to call. And make sure when she applies that she specifically mentions she's married and wants to be considered for spousal benefits too. The system should automatically calculate it, but it's better to be explicit. Also, don't stress too much about the timing - as long as she applies within a few months of her FRA, any back payments will be calculated correctly. The hardest part is just understanding how it all works, which sounds like you've got figured out now!

I'm in a very similar boat as many of you - I'm 64 and have been receiving survivor benefits from my late husband for the past 3 years. I recently started dating someone who's 66 and gets benefits based on his ex-wife's record. We've been talking about marriage but keep putting it off because of all the uncertainty around Social Security. After reading through this entire thread, I think I have a better understanding now. It sounds like I could potentially keep my survivor benefits since I'm close to the age 60 threshold, but my boyfriend would definitely lose his ex-spouse benefits. The suggestion about getting a comprehensive financial analysis from a Social Security specialist really resonates with me - I hadn't thought about looking at taxes, shared living costs, and the long-term picture. Has anyone here used a specific financial advisor or Social Security specialist they'd recommend? I'd love to get a professional analysis before we make any decisions. It's frustrating that the system makes us choose between financial security and marriage, but at least understanding all our options will help us make an informed choice.

I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I'm 69 and have been receiving survivor benefits from my late husband for 4 years now. I recently reconnected with an old friend who's 71 and receives benefits based on his ex-wife's record (they were married for 15 years). We've been discussing marriage but were completely confused about the Social Security implications. Reading through everyone's experiences has been eye-opening. It sounds like I should be able to keep my survivor benefits since I'm well over 60, but he would lose his ex-spouse benefits. The advice about consulting with a Social Security specialist is invaluable - I never considered looking at the complete financial picture including taxes, shared expenses, and Medicare costs. I'm definitely going to look into finding an RSSA certified planner as someone suggested. It's heartbreaking that the system forces seniors to choose between love and financial security, but at least now I feel like we can make an informed decision. Thank you all for sharing your stories and advice - it means more than you know when you're facing such a difficult choice!