Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I think I'm going to go ahead with my plan to claim survivors benefits at 64 while continuing to work, understanding that: 1) Yes, they'll reduce my benefit now due to early claiming and the earnings test 2) The earnings test will completely disappear at my FRA 3) I'll get some adjustment at FRA for completely withheld months, but not a full payback 4) I can let my own retirement benefit grow until 70 which might be the better long-term strategy I really appreciate all the insights and personal experiences shared here. Social Security decisions are so complicated, and it helps to hear from others who've been through it!

Great summary of your plan! Just wanted to add one more consideration that might help with your budgeting - make sure to factor in that your survivor benefits will be subject to federal income tax if your combined income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + half of your Social Security benefits) exceeds certain thresholds. Since you're continuing to work full-time, you'll likely hit those thresholds. This doesn't change the math much, but it's good to plan for the tax implications when budgeting for the next few years. The earnings test and tax on benefits are separate issues that both affect your net income from Social Security.

Great thread! As someone who works in benefits administration, I can confirm everything said here is accurate. One small detail to add - when you file for Social Security at FRA while still working, make sure to let them know about your work status during the application process. This helps prevent any automated systems from incorrectly applying earnings limits. Also, since you're planning to work 3-4 more years, those continued earnings could potentially increase your benefit amount through annual recalculations if any of those years end up in your top 35 earning years. The system automatically checks this each year and adjusts your benefit upward if warranted (though it never goes down). You're making a smart financial move!

Just want to echo what everyone else has said - you're golden once you hit FRA! I'm 69 and have been collecting SS while working part-time ($35k/year) for the past two years with zero issues. The key thing that helped me was getting everything set up properly from the start. When I applied, I made sure to explicitly tell them I was planning to continue working and provided my expected annual earnings. This seemed to prevent any system glitches or automated holds on my benefits. One thing I'd suggest is keeping good records of your earnings throughout the year - not because SSA will reduce your benefits (they won't!), but because it helps with tax planning. With your $86k salary plus SS benefits, you'll definitely want to consider quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid a big bill at tax time. The "good problem to have" of managing two income streams! Best of luck with your application process.

one more thing - they only withhold whole percentages (7%, 10%, 12%, 22%) nothing customized so you might still owe some or get refund

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this exact same situation a few months ago. I also didn't see any tax withholding options during my online SS application and was confused about it. I ended up calling the SSA directly and they confirmed that you have to submit the W-4V form separately - it's not part of the initial application process at all. The representative I spoke with was actually pretty helpful and explained that they can't process tax withholding requests until your benefits are officially approved and set up in their system. I submitted my W-4V form about 2 weeks after my application was approved, and the withholding started with my third payment. So there was about a 2-month gap where I had to handle the taxes myself. I'd recommend getting that form ready now so you can submit it as soon as you get your approval notice. Also, if you're tech-savvy, you can actually submit the form electronically through your my Social Security account once your benefits are active, which might be faster than mailing it in. Hope this helps!

Based on those benefit amounts, your strategy makes perfect sense. Take your own benefit at 62 (around $1,240/month with the reduction), then switch to the survivor benefit at 67 (the full $3,200). This maximizes your lifetime benefits given your specific situation and the significant difference between your benefit amounts. Just be sure to explicitly tell SSA that you are restricting your application to retirement benefits only when you apply at 62.

Just wanted to add one important detail that might help others in similar situations - when you do make the switch from your retirement benefit to survivor benefits at 67, there's no gap in payments. SSA will automatically adjust your monthly payment starting the month you reach FRA, so you don't need to reapply or worry about missing payments during the transition. Also, since you mentioned tight finances, remember that survivor benefits aren't subject to the earnings test once you reach FRA, so if you're still working part-time at 67, that income won't affect your survivor benefit amount. This is different from regular retirement benefits which are subject to earnings limits until FRA. Good luck with your strategy - it sounds like you've got a solid plan given your circumstances!

I was in a somewhat similar situation last year. I found that the local Social Security office was actually more helpful than trying to call. I made an appointment (still had to wait a few weeks) but the in-person meeting was so much more productive than trying to get answers on the phone or online. The rep pulled up both my record and my ex's and showed me exactly what I'd get under different scenarios. Just sharing in case that's an option for you. The online appointment system was relatively painless compared to the phone nightmare.

Welcome to the community! I've been following Social Security topics here for a while and wanted to share something that might help with your decision-making process. One thing I don't see mentioned yet is that you should also ask SSA about the "restricted application" rules that might still apply in certain situations, even though most of those strategies were eliminated. Since you're dealing with divorced spouse benefits and you were born before 1954, there might be some nuances worth exploring. Also, when you do get your benefit estimates, make sure to ask them to run the numbers assuming your ex-husband claims at different ages (62, FRA, age 70) if he hasn't filed yet. His claiming decision won't affect your divorced spouse benefit amount, but it's good to understand the full picture. One more tip from my own experience: when you call or visit SSA, have all your documentation ready - marriage certificate, divorce decree, your Social Security statement, etc. It speeds up the process significantly and helps ensure they can give you the most accurate estimates possible. Good luck with your decision! The fact that you're taking time to research and ask questions shows you're approaching this thoughtfully.