Thank you all for the helpful information! I'm feeling much more clear about things now. Just to make sure I understand correctly:1. My January benefit will be paid in February on the third Wednesday (since my birthday is on the 19th)2. I should be able to see my benefit amount in my online account soon3. I'll only get one month's payment at a timeI'm not working anymore so I don't need to worry about the earnings limit. I'll check my online account for the benefit verification letter and if I can't find the information there, I might try that Claimyr service to talk to someone directly.Really appreciate everyone's help!

You've got it exactly right! Just wanted to add one more tip - when you do get that first payment in February, keep the deposit notification or check your bank statement carefully. Sometimes there can be small deductions you weren't expecting (like Medicare premiums if you're enrolled), so it's good to understand what the final net amount looks like. Also, if you don't see the benefit verification letter in your online account within the next week or two, definitely follow up. Having that exact amount ahead of time really helps with budgeting. Congratulations on your retirement!

I just wanted to add - make sure all your work credits and earnings history are correct in your Social Security statement. My mom found errors in hers that would have reduced her benefit by almost $200/month! You can check your statement online at ssa.gov by creating a my Social Security account if you haven't already.

Just to clarify one more important point that might help with your planning - if your husband passes away and you're already receiving your own retirement benefits, Social Security will automatically pay you the higher of the two amounts, not both. So if you're getting your $1100 retirement benefit and become eligible for his $1650 survivor benefit, you'd receive $1650 total (not $2750). This is called the "offset rule" and catches a lot of people off guard. The good news is that since his benefit is higher, you'd definitely come out ahead as a survivor even if you start your own benefits early. Just wanted to make sure you had the complete picture for your decision!

One important thing that no one has mentioned is that you should still be aware of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for your 401k. Starting at age 73, you're required to take minimum withdrawals from traditional retirement accounts regardless of whether you need the money. Those withdrawals won't affect your Social Security earnings test, but they are taxable income and can impact how much of your Social Security benefits get taxed.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who went through this exact situation. I retired at 62 and was also worried about the 401k withdrawals affecting my Social Security. Everyone here is absolutely right - 401k distributions do NOT count toward the earnings limit. However, one thing to watch out for is if you have any stock options or deferred compensation from your previous employer that vest after retirement. Those CAN count as earnings for the test depending on how they're structured. I almost got caught by this when some restricted stock units vested a few months after I retired. Luckily my HR department flagged it for me. Also, if you're married, make sure your spouse understands these rules too if they're also collecting early benefits. The earnings limits apply individually, not to household income.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who works with retirees regularly. The COLA adjustments on survivor benefits are one of the most misunderstood aspects of Social Security planning, so you're smart to get clarity on this now. What you've learned here is correct - your wife will receive your $4,100 benefit PLUS all COLAs applied during the intervening years. This is actually one of the few areas where Social Security is more generous than people expect. One additional consideration for your planning: Since you mentioned having a minor child, remember that if something happens to you before your child reaches 18 (or 19 if still in high school), your wife could potentially receive a "mother's benefit" while caring for your child, even if she's under her own FRA. This benefit would also be based on your earnings record and could provide some income during those years before she's eligible for full survivor benefits. It's worth factoring this into your overall family financial planning, especially given the 12-year age gap you mentioned.

I'm going through a similar planning situation right now, though my husband is only 8 years older than me. We've been trying to get clear answers on this COLA question for months! Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful. It sounds like the consensus is that survivor benefits DO continue to receive COLA adjustments after the worker dies, which is such a relief to know. One thing I'm still wondering about - does anyone know if there's an official SSA publication that clearly states this? I've read through several of their pamphlets and website pages, but they seem to focus more on the basic benefit amounts rather than how COLAs are applied over time for survivors. I'd love to have something in writing to reference when we meet with our financial planner next month. The difference this makes in our projections is substantial, just like in your case!

One thing I'd add that helped me plan - try running different scenarios on the SSA calculators to see how various earning levels affect your total annual income (SS benefits + work income). Sometimes earning a bit less keeps you under the $22,320 limit and actually results in more total money in your pocket than earning more and having benefits reduced. Also, if you're married, don't forget about spousal benefits! Your spouse might be able to claim on your record even if you claim early, though their benefit would also be reduced. The timing strategies can get complex with married couples, so it's worth understanding all your options before making the decision. The calculators are definitely confusing at first, but once you get the hang of them they're really helpful for modeling different scenarios. Good luck with your planning!

Just want to add a practical tip from my own experience - when you're calculating that earnings limit, make sure you understand how they track it. I learned the hard way that if you have irregular income (like seasonal work or commission), Social Security looks at your monthly earnings, not just the annual total. So even if you're under $22,320 for the year, if you earn more than $1,860 in any single month, they can still withhold benefits for that month. Also, if you're thinking about claiming at 62, consider your healthcare situation carefully. Many people don't realize that Medicare doesn't start until 65, so you'll need to bridge that gap somehow. If you're still working part-time with benefits, that might help, but if not, individual health insurance can be expensive and eat into those Social Security benefits pretty quickly. One more thing - keep really good records of your earnings if you do decide to work after claiming. Social Security sometimes makes mistakes in their calculations, and having your own documentation makes it much easier to get things corrected.