Based on what you've shared, I'll offer some perspective on realistic timeframes: 1. Simple spousal claims (no offset): 7-14 days 2. Spousal claims with pension offset calculations: 21-30 days 3. Complex cases with multiple factors: 30-45 days Since your application moved to a Processing Center and it may involve pension offset calculations, you're looking at category 2 or 3. I'd recommend waiting until you're at day 25 before becoming concerned. One important note: if you check your application status online, it won't show detailed progress once it's at the Processing Center - just that it's under review. This is why it appears "stuck" at step 2.

I'm going through something similar right now! Filed my spousal application 3 weeks ago and it's been bouncing between offices too. Started at my local office in Tampa, then moved to Birmingham Processing Center, and now it's showing Atlanta. I was panicking thinking something was wrong but after reading everyone's experiences here, it seems like this office-hopping is just how they manage their workload. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part - I keep checking the tracker multiple times a day even though I know it probably won't change. At least now I have a better idea of realistic timelines. Sounds like anything under 30 days for cases with complications is actually pretty normal. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

To directly answer your planning question: the optimal Social Security strategy when concerned about future cognitive decline often involves: 1. If you're married: Consider having the higher-earning spouse delay benefits until 70 while the lower-earning spouse claims earlier. This maximizes potential survivor benefits if one spouse requires long-term care. 2. For single individuals: The calculation depends on your specific state's Medicaid income limits and personal health indicators. If early-onset Alzheimer's (before 65-70) runs in your family, claiming earlier might make more sense. 3. Document preparation: Regardless of your claiming strategy, make sure you have a durable power of attorney, healthcare directive, and possibly a revocable trust in place BEFORE any cognitive decline begins. 4. Long-term care insurance: If you're 58 and concerned about Alzheimer's, explore long-term care insurance NOW while you're still insurable. Traditional policies or hybrid life insurance/LTC policies can provide significant protection and more care options than Medicaid alone.

I want to share some perspective as someone who works in eldercare social services. Your situation highlights why advance planning is so crucial for families with genetic predispositions to dementia. One thing not mentioned yet: consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner who has experience with Special Needs Planning. They can model different Social Security claiming strategies alongside potential Medicaid scenarios specific to Ohio's rules. Also, since you're 58 and proactively planning, you might benefit from exploring Ohio's PASSPORT waiver program. This Medicaid waiver allows people to receive long-term care services at home or in community settings rather than nursing facilities. Having this knowledge now could influence your Social Security timing decisions later. The fact that you're thinking about this while still cognitively able puts you ahead of many families who face these decisions in crisis mode. Document your preferences clearly - not just legally, but your actual wishes for care settings, financial priorities, etc. This will help your family make decisions that align with your values if the time comes. Keep asking these hard questions. The intersection of Social Security timing and long-term care planning is complex, but understanding it now gives you real power to make informed choices.

To summarize for the original poster: Since you just reached FRA last month and want benefits ASAP, select the current month as your benefit start date. Just be prepared that it might take 2-3 months for your application to be processed and payments to begin. Once they do start, you'll receive any back payments owed to you. And since you're already at FRA, there are no penalties or reductions regardless of when you start.

One additional tip that might help - when you submit your application online, make sure to print or save a copy of your receipt/confirmation number. If there are any delays or issues with processing, having that reference number will make it much easier when you need to follow up with SSA. Also, you can check your application status online at ssa.gov using your my Social Security account. Good luck with your application!

Just curious, have u considered working more hours now to intentionally go over the earnings limit by a lot? If ur gonna get most benefits withheld anyway, might as well earn more $$ now, right?

I went through a similar situation a few years back and want to share what I learned. The key thing to understand is that there are actually THREE different mechanisms at play here that people often confuse: 1) **Early filing reduction**: This is permanent and can't be undone after 12 months 2) **Delayed retirement credits (DRCs)**: 8% per year if you suspend benefits 3) **Earnings test adjustment**: Happens automatically at FRA if benefits were withheld due to work In your case, since you're earning $35K and working 30 hours/week, you're definitely over the earnings limit. Here's what I'd suggest: Don't suspend voluntarily. Instead, let the earnings test do its thing and withhold your benefits naturally. You'll get the adjustment at FRA AND you won't lose out on any months where your earnings might dip below the limit. The earnings test adjustment can be surprisingly generous - in my case it brought my benefit up to about 90% of what the full FRA amount would have been. Not perfect, but much better than I expected when I first claimed early. Also, Lucas makes a great point about working more hours if you're comfortable with it. The earnings test has a cliff effect, so earning $25K vs $40K might result in the same benefit withholding.

Congrats on reaching FRA! I just went through this last month and found it pretty easy. Just make sure you're on the official ssa.gov website - there are some scam sites out there.

I went through this process about 6 months ago and it was much smoother than I expected! The save feature is definitely reliable - I actually had to use it three times because I kept getting interrupted by phone calls. Each time I came back with my re-entry number, everything was exactly where I left it. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: make sure you have your most recent W-2 or self-employment tax records handy. The system asked me to verify some earnings information from recent years. Also, if you've ever changed your name (marriage, divorce, etc.), having those documents nearby can be helpful just in case. The whole thing really is designed for people like us who want to avoid those long office waits. Just take your time with each section - there's no rush once you start!