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!

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 don't think I can pay back everything! Ugh, I should have researched more before filing. I just assumed taking it at 62 was best because I needed the money then. Nobody told me about all these exceptions and special rules!

This is such valuable information! As someone new to navigating Social Security, I had no idea about the RIB/LIM rule. It's incredible that you were able to increase your monthly benefit by $1,250 just by knowing to ask about this specific provision. I'm wondering - for those of us who might face similar situations in the future, are there any resources you'd recommend for learning about these lesser-known rules? It sounds like even the SSA agents aren't always familiar with them, so it seems like we need to educate ourselves to be effective advocates. Also, congratulations on your successful claim! It must be such a relief to have that financial security, especially during what I'm sure is already a difficult time dealing with your loss.

I went through something very similar about 3 years ago. I'm a widow who was receiving survivor benefits, and I met someone who was also collecting on his ex-wife's record. We spent months agonizing over this decision because we'd both take significant financial hits. What we ended up doing was sitting down with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning. They helped us calculate not just the benefit changes, but also the tax implications, healthcare costs, and other financial factors that come with marriage. In our case, the combined household income after marriage (even with lower SS benefits) plus shared living expenses actually worked out better financially than we initially thought. We also looked into whether either of us qualified for any spousal benefits on each other's records that might offset some of the losses. The calculations are complex, but it's worth exploring all angles before making your decision. The emotional toll of having to choose between love and money is real though. Whatever you decide, make sure you're both fully informed about the financial consequences first. Good luck!

I'm facing a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a 65-year-old widow receiving survivor benefits, and I've been seeing someone for two years who gets benefits on his ex-wife's record. We've been putting off marriage discussions because of the financial concerns. Reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like I might be able to keep my survivor benefits since I'm over 60, but my partner would definitely lose his ex-spouse benefits. The suggestion about consulting with a Social Security specialist is something I hadn't considered - it makes sense to look at the complete financial picture, not just the benefit changes. Has anyone here actually called SSA recently to get definitive answers? I've been hesitant to call because of the horror stories about wait times, but maybe I need to bite the bullet and get official guidance for our specific situation.

One thing to keep in mind is that the earnings limit applies to the year you're under Full Retirement Age, not just when you start collecting benefits. So if you turn 63 in the middle of 2025, the full year's earnings count toward that $22,750 limit. Also, if you do go over, SSA typically sends you a letter asking you to estimate your expected earnings for the year so they can adjust your monthly payments accordingly rather than creating a big overpayment situation. It's much better to be proactive about this!

Just want to add another important detail - if you're self-employed or have 1099 income, the earnings limit applies to your NET self-employment income (after business expenses), not gross like it is for W-2 wages. So if you do any freelance or consulting work alongside your part-time job, make sure you're calculating that portion correctly! I made this mistake my first year and had to scramble to figure out my actual countable earnings.