Your strategy is sound, and it's great that you're planning ahead! One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given: consider requesting a formal benefit estimate in writing from SSA that specifically outlines your survivor benefit options. When you visit the local office (as Katherine suggested), ask them to document not just your current benefit amounts, but also what your survivor benefit would be at different claiming ages. Also, since you mentioned your husband is 74 and already collecting, make sure you both understand how his benefit amount could change if he decides to suspend and restart at a later age (though this becomes less advantageous the older he gets). This probably won't affect your strategy, but it's worth confirming. One last thought: have you considered consulting with a fee-only financial planner who specializes in Social Security strategies? Even a one-time consultation could help validate your calculations and potentially identify any scenarios you haven't considered. The peace of mind might be worth the cost given the complexity of your situation.

Yes, there are financial planners who specialize specifically in Social Security optimization! Look for advisors who hold certifications like RSSA (Registered Social Security Analyst) or NSSA (National Social Security Advisor). The National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts has a directory on their website where you can search by location. You can also check the XY Planning Network or NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) websites - both have search filters that let you find fee-only planners who specialize in Social Security strategies. A good Social Security specialist should be able to run scenarios using software that models different claiming strategies and can factor in variables like your part-time income, tax implications, and life expectancy assumptions. They typically charge anywhere from $300-800 for a comprehensive Social Security analysis. One thing to ask any planner you're considering: make sure they're up to date on the current rules around survivor benefits and deemed filing exceptions, since these rules have changed several times over the past decade and some advisors may not be current on all the nuances.

Hi Jenna! I'm new to this community but your situation hits close to home - I'm currently on SSDI and approaching my FRA in about 18 months, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about this transition process. Reading through all the responses here has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like you've gotten some really solid advice, especially from folks who have recently been through the exact same situation. The consensus seems clear that you're definitely entitled to additional spousal benefits. One thing I noticed from the responses is that multiple people mentioned the importance of calling early (right at 8am) and using specific terminology like "auxiliary spousal benefits" when you call. It's amazing how much difference the right words can make when dealing with government agencies! I'm really hoping your call goes smoothly tomorrow. That potential $1,200 in retroactive payments plus the ongoing $150/month would make such a difference. Please do update us on how it goes - as someone who will likely be in your shoes soon, I'd love to learn from your experience. Good luck, and don't let them wear you down! You've clearly done your homework and you know what you're entitled to. You've got this! 💪

Hi Jenna! I'm new to this community but your post really resonates with me. I went through almost the exact same situation about a year ago when I transitioned from SSDI to retirement benefits at my FRA. The disappearing information on the SSA website is SO frustrating - it's like they deliberately make it harder once you convert! Just wanted to add a few things that helped me: 1. Your current monthly payment IS your PIA at FRA - all those COLA increases from your SSDI years are already included in that amount. 2. Based on your numbers ($1,250 vs your husband's $2,800), you're definitely leaving money on the table. You should be eligible for about $150/month in additional spousal benefits. 3. When I called SSA, I found that asking for the "excess spousal benefit" got me transferred to the right department faster than just saying "spousal benefits." 4. Don't forget to ask them to make it retroactive to when you first became eligible! That 8 months of back pay could be around $1,200. One more tip: if you're dreading the phone call (totally understandable), try calling right when they open at 8am. The wait times are usually much shorter in the early morning. You're absolutely entitled to these benefits - don't let the bureaucracy discourage you from claiming what's rightfully yours! Looking forward to hearing how your call goes. This thread has been really helpful for understanding the process better.

I applied for early retirement benefits at 62 last year and can confirm the process was pretty smooth! The key is making sure you understand exactly what you're requesting. When you select November as your start month, that's when your benefit period begins, and yes, you'll get paid in December (SS always pays the month after). The online application clearly asks "What month do you want your retirement benefits to start?" and you just pick from the dropdown. One thing I wish I'd known - double check that your estimated benefit amount shown during the application matches what you expected from your yearly statements. Mine was slightly off due to a small error in my earnings record that I caught just in time. The whole process from submission to first payment was about 3 weeks for me. Don't stress too much about the timing - applying in late October for November start is totally doable!

One more thing to keep in mind - if you're applying online, make sure you have a stable internet connection and set aside enough time to complete the application in one sitting. The system can time out if you leave it idle too long, and while it should save your progress, it's better to be safe. Also, after you submit, you'll get a confirmation number - definitely save that! You can use it to check your application status if needed. The SSA will also send you a letter confirming receipt of your application within a few days. Since you're cutting it close with the October deadline for November benefits, I'd recommend applying as early in the day as possible when the servers are typically less busy. Best of luck with your retirement!

One additional important point: Your husband will only be able to collect spousal benefits when YOU file for your retirement benefits. Since you're planning to wait until 70, he won't be able to receive spousal benefits until then, even if he's already retired from his federal job. There used to be a strategy called "file and suspend" that would have allowed him to collect while you delayed, but that option was eliminated in 2015 with the Bipartisan Budget Act. So factor that timing into your retirement plans.

Just wanted to add some clarity on the timing aspect that Matthew mentioned. Since your husband is retiring at 62 but you're waiting until 70, you might want to consider whether it makes sense for you to file earlier if the spousal benefit would be substantial for your household budget during those gap years. Remember that even if you file at your full retirement age instead of 70, you'd still get your full Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), and your husband could get up to 50% of that amount as a spousal benefit (assuming no GPO reduction as a FERS employee). You'd miss out on the delayed retirement credits that boost your benefit by 8% per year until 70, but you'd both have income coming in sooner. It's a trade-off calculation: your higher benefit at 70 vs. having both benefits starting earlier. A financial planner familiar with Social Security strategies might be helpful for running the numbers on your specific situation.

As someone new to this community and approaching 62 myself, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences here! This thread has been incredibly educational. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all the different rules and calculations, but reading about everyone's real-world experiences with the earnings limit has been so much more helpful than the confusing official SSA materials I've been struggling through. It's clear there are a lot of nuances and strategies that you only learn from people who've actually navigated this system. I'm bookmarking this discussion to reference as I start planning my own early retirement timeline. The tips about being conservative with earnings estimates, understanding the grace year monthly limit, and keeping detailed records are exactly the kind of practical advice I needed. Thanks again to this community for being such a valuable resource!

As a newcomer to this community, I just have to say this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm 61 and planning to claim benefits next year, and honestly, I was completely overwhelmed trying to understand the earnings limit rules from the SSA website. The way everyone has broken down the different scenarios - the annual vs monthly limits, the grace year rule, what income actually counts, and all the practical tips about reporting earnings upfront - has made this so much clearer. I had no idea about things like the timing of vacation payouts mattering, or that withheld benefits aren't actually "lost" but get credited back at FRA. I'm definitely going to use that earnings test calculator mentioned and be very conservative with my estimates. It's amazing how much real-world wisdom is shared here that you just can't get from official sources. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space for people navigating these complex decisions!