I just went through this process in January! The application was straightforward, but as others mentioned, check your earnings record first. I found a missing year from 2002 that I had to get corrected before applying. For your tax situation, I'd recommend talking to a tax professional specifically about managing the tax impact of that large profit-sharing payout. There might be ways to offset some of that income or spread it across tax years depending on how it's structured. Also, don't forget to consider how your SS benefits might affect your Medicare premiums in 2027 (they look at your income from two years prior). That profit-sharing payout could potentially bump you into a higher IRMAA bracket for Medicare Part B and D premiums for that year.

As someone who just went through this process last year, I wanted to share a few additional tips that helped me: 1. **Document timing**: Even though you're at FRA, the exact month you start benefits matters for your first payment. If you apply in March when you reach FRA, you can choose to start benefits that same month or delay to a later month if needed. 2. **Direct deposit setup**: Have your bank routing and account numbers ready. Paper checks are still an option but direct deposit is much more reliable and faster. 3. **Medicare coordination**: Since you mentioned you're already enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B, make sure your Medicare and Social Security records are properly linked. Sometimes there are glitches that can cause issues later. 4. **Keep copies**: Save PDFs of everything during the online application process. The confirmation numbers, your completed application, everything. The system occasionally has hiccups and having your own records is invaluable. For your specific tax situation with that $45K profit-sharing payout, starting without withholding and making quarterly estimated payments definitely sounds like the smart approach. You can always add withholding later in 2026 when your income normalizes. Good luck with your application - it really is more straightforward than the horror stories make it seem!

Just want to add another perspective here - I went through this exact situation 2 years ago. I was getting about $1,700 in survivor benefits and switched to my own retirement benefit at age 70. The switch was seamless - SSA automatically gave me the higher amount (my own benefit) and stopped the survivor payments. One thing nobody mentioned yet is that you should contact SSA about 3 months before you plan to make the switch to start the paperwork. Even though it seems automatic, there's still some processing involved. Also, make sure to keep all your benefit statements and tax documents organized because the transition can affect your tax situation slightly. The waiting strategy really does pay off - my benefit at 70 was about $2,800 compared to what would have been around $2,100 at my FRA. That extra $700/month makes a huge difference in my budget!

I'm in a very similar situation - turned 62 recently and have been collecting survivor benefits for about 2 years now. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful, especially hearing from people who actually went through this transition. One question I have that I haven't seen addressed: does anyone know if there are any health considerations I should factor into the decision of when to switch? I'm generally healthy now, but my family history has some concerns. I keep going back and forth between taking my own benefit at FRA (67) versus waiting until 70 for the maximum amount. The extra money would be great, but I also worry about the "what if" scenarios. Also, has anyone used the SSA's online benefit estimator tools? Are they pretty accurate for planning purposes, or should I try to get an actual consultation somehow?

I'm so glad you asked this question because I was in a very similar situation! My husband passed away two years ago and I also had confusion about the earnings limits with survivor benefits. What everyone has said is absolutely correct - once you reach your FRA, there are NO earnings limits at all. You can work full-time, part-time, or start your own business without any reduction to your survivor benefits. The key thing to remember is that the earnings test completely disappears at FRA for all Social Security benefits. Since you reached FRA in May and you're only earning $1,750/month, you're totally in the clear. Even for those months before your FRA (February through April), your earnings were well below the special limit that applies in the year you reach FRA. One tip from my experience: definitely keep good records of your work earnings and when you started receiving benefits, just in case SSA ever has questions. And don't stress about it - you're doing everything right! It's actually wonderful that you're able to work and stay active while receiving your survivor benefits. That's exactly what the system is designed to allow after FRA.

As someone who works with Social Security beneficiaries regularly, I want to emphasize how great it is that you asked this question! The earnings limit rules can be really confusing, especially when you're dealing with survivor benefits and reaching FRA in the same year. Everyone here has given you accurate information - you're completely in the clear. The key points are: 1. Your $1,750/month was below even the pre-FRA limit for 2025 ($4,710/month) 2. After May (your FRA), there are zero earnings limits 3. This applies to all Social Security benefits, including survivor benefits One thing I'd add: since you mentioned the SSA website being confusing, they actually have a really helpful earnings test calculator if you ever need to check scenarios in the future. But in your case, you don't need it anymore since you've passed FRA! Also, regarding the tax implications others mentioned - survivor benefits have the same tax treatment as retirement benefits, so depending on your total income, some portion might be taxable. But that's completely separate from the earnings test and won't reduce your monthly benefit amount. You're doing everything right, and it sounds like the part-time work is good for you both financially and personally. Keep enjoying that peace of mind!

Thank you all for the helpful information! I've got a much better idea of what to expect now. I'll definitely bring all the documentation mentioned (death certificate, marriage certificate, my latest tax returns, etc.) to my appointment. It sounds like I should expect my survivor benefit to be based on my wife's SSDI amount of $2,750, but reduced to about 91% of that (roughly $2,500) if I claim at age 65. Then the earnings test would further reduce it while I'm still working. I'm thinking the smart strategy might be to file the paperwork now so it's in the system, but only actually claim the benefits if I lose my job. Otherwise, I might be better off waiting until either my FRA or even taking my own benefit at 70. I'll update after my appointment in case it helps anyone else in a similar situation.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Levi. I went through something very similar when my husband passed away at 62 while on SSDI. The good news is that survivor benefits are indeed based on the full SSDI amount your wife was receiving, not what she would have gotten with early retirement. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - when you go to your SSA appointment, ask them to run both scenarios for you: taking survivor benefits now (reduced) versus waiting until your FRA, and also ask them to calculate what your own retirement benefit would be at 70. Having those numbers side by side really helped me make the best decision. Also, if you do end up needing to apply due to layoffs, the effective date can be the month after your wife passed away, but you have to apply within certain time limits to get retroactive payments. Don't let them tell you it can only start from when you apply - that's not always true for survivor benefits. Keep all your documentation organized and make copies of everything before you go. The process can take a while, but having everything ready upfront helps avoid delays. Wishing you the best with your appointment.

If ur still caring for ur husband u might want to look into hospice if u haven't already. They helped us so much and medicare covers it. Not SS related but just wanted to mention it.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult time with your husband. The advice you've received here is really solid - you absolutely can claim survivor benefits without being forced to take your own retirement benefits early. One additional thing I'd suggest is requesting a Social Security Statement online at ssa.gov/myaccount to see your projected benefits at different claiming ages. This will help you compare what you might receive as a survivor versus what your own benefit would be at FRA or age 70, so you can make the most informed decision about when to switch. Also, when the time comes to apply for survivor benefits, you can actually apply up to 3 months before you want the benefits to start. This can help avoid any processing delays. The benefits can begin as early as the month after your husband passes away. Take care of yourself during this incredibly challenging time. Having a plan for the financial aspects can be one less thing to worry about.