This is such a valuable thread! As a newcomer to the community, I'm amazed at how knowledgeable everyone is about navigating SSA issues. Mei, congratulations on your success - your persistence really paid off! For others who might be reading this, I think this case perfectly illustrates why it's so important to understand that SSA errors are often systemic rather than intentional. The key seems to be knowing the right language and getting to the right specialist who can actually help. I'm bookmarking this thread as a reference guide. The specific phrases like "manual adjustment for underpayment" and requesting a "Claims Specialist" are golden nuggets of information that could save people months of frustration. It's also encouraging to see how this community rallies around members with practical, actionable advice rather than just sympathy. Thanks to everyone who contributed their expertise here - you've created a really helpful resource for anyone dealing with similar SSA processing errors!

As someone new to this community, I'm really impressed by the wealth of knowledge shared here! Mei, congratulations on getting this resolved - your story is incredibly helpful for understanding how to navigate SSA effectively. What really stands out to me is how crucial it is to use the right terminology. The fact that saying "manual adjustment for underpayment" was like a key that unlocked the right help shows how important it is to speak the agency's language. I had no idea there were specific phrases that could make such a difference in getting proper assistance. This thread is also a great example of why persistence matters when dealing with government agencies. It's easy to get discouraged after multiple frustrating calls, but your success shows that the right approach combined with determination really does pay off. Thank you to everyone who contributed their expertise here - this is exactly the kind of practical, actionable advice that makes this community so valuable for people navigating complex benefit issues!

Just wanted to add that you should also consider requesting a Social Security Statement (online at ssa.gov/myaccount) to see your exact FRA benefit amount before you make the final decision. This will give you the precise numbers rather than estimates. Also, if you're still working, remember that withdrawing your application means you can continue earning credits toward your Social Security record, which might increase your benefit amount even more by the time you reach FRA. Good luck with your decision!

I went through this exact process about 18 months ago and wanted to share my experience. The withdrawal process itself was straightforward - I submitted Form SSA-521 with a certified check for the full gross amount I'd received. The tricky part was calculating exactly what to repay since I had to include not just the net benefit but also any taxes that were withheld. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: keep detailed records of everything! I saved copies of all my benefit statements and the withdrawal paperwork because when I reapplied at my FRA, they asked for documentation. Also, don't forget that if you had any family members receiving benefits on your record (like a spouse), their benefits will also be affected by the withdrawal. The peace of mind knowing I'll get my full FRA benefit was worth the temporary inconvenience. Just make sure you can financially manage without the payments until you reach your FRA - that gap can be longer than you think!

Thanks everyone for the helpful information! I think I have a much better understanding now. I'll keep my earnings under $22,320 for 2025, and be mindful of that higher threshold in early 2026 before I hit my FRA in June. I'm going to set up a spreadsheet to track my earnings monthly to make sure I don't accidentally go over.

Just wanted to add a heads up about timing - if you're planning to retire mid-year in 2026 when you hit FRA, SSA uses a monthly earnings test for that transition year. So if your FRA is in June 2026, they'll look at your earnings from January-May separately from June onward. This means you could theoretically earn the full $59,520 in those first 5 months, then unlimited after June. But be careful with the monthly breakdown - if you earn too much in any single month before FRA, it can still trigger penalties even if your total for those months is under the limit.

This is such valuable information for those of us navigating work after FRA! I'm 68 and have been working part-time since starting my benefits. One thing I'd add is that you can also create an account at ssa.gov to track your earnings record and see how your benefits are calculated. It's really helpful to understand which years might get replaced by your current earnings. The portal shows your complete earnings history and you can estimate potential increases. Also, don't forget that you'll still pay Social Security taxes on your current earnings even though you're collecting benefits - but as everyone mentioned, those contributions can increase your future payments through the automatic recalculation. Keep working if you enjoy it and can handle it - the financial and health benefits are worth it!

This is such a helpful discussion! I'm 65 and planning to start benefits at my FRA next year while continuing to work. One question I haven't seen addressed - does the type of work matter for the AERO calculation? I'm considering switching from full-time W-2 employment to consulting work (1099). Would both types of earnings be treated the same way in the automatic recalculation, or are there any differences in how Social Security processes W-2 vs 1099 income for benefit adjustments? I want to make sure I understand this before making the transition. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this gives me much more confidence about my retirement planning!

To summarize the key points that might help you decide: 1. Filing at 62 means a permanent 30% reduction to your retirement benefit 2. Later, when your husband files, you'll be eligible for spousal benefits equal to the greater of: - Your own reduced benefit, OR - A reduced spousal benefit 3. The reduced spousal benefit would be calculated as: [50% of your husband's PIA - 100% of your PIA] plus a reduction factor based on your age when you first filed (62) 4. Since your husband's benefit is about twice yours, you'll likely get some additional amount when he files, but it won't be the full difference between your benefit and 50% of his If possible, I'd recommend setting up an appointment with an SSA claims specialist who can run the exact numbers for your situation.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation and wanted to add a perspective on the health factor you mentioned. I had to make this decision last year due to a chronic condition that made full-time work difficult. While it's true that filing at 62 permanently reduces your benefits, sometimes the financial security of having that income stream outweighs the optimization calculations. The stress of not having income while dealing with health issues can be significant. One thing that helped me was calculating the "break-even" point - how many years I'd need to live to make up for the money I'd lose by not taking benefits early. Given your husband's higher benefit, you'll still get some boost when he files later, even though it won't be the full spousal amount. Have you looked into whether you might qualify for SSDI based on your health issues? Sometimes people overlook that option, and SSDI isn't subject to the early retirement reductions.