Update: We finally got through to SSA yesterday and started the application. The representative confirmed what several of you said - my nephew can receive both benefits, but the OPM benefit will be reduced by whatever he gets from Social Security. She estimated his monthly SS benefit will be around $1,875. We also got the OPM paperwork started with a benefits specialist (thank you for that suggestion!). They're estimating about $2,140 monthly, so if those numbers are accurate, he would get the full SS benefit ($1,875) plus the difference from OPM ($265). Thank you all SO much for the help and guidance. This has been an overwhelming time and your expertise made a huge difference.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. As someone who works in federal benefits administration, I want to emphasize how important it is that you got the correct information from SSA. The HR person's initial explanation was misleading - while technically your nephew can't receive the "full" amount of both benefits simultaneously due to the offset, he absolutely should apply for both to ensure he receives the maximum possible benefit. One additional thing to keep in mind: make sure your sister understands that these benefits will continue until your nephew turns 18 (or 19 if still in high school). The OPM benefit can extend to 22 if he's a full-time college student, but the Social Security portion stops at 18/19. This might affect financial planning for his later college years. Also, definitely follow up on the FEGLI suggestion - federal employees often have basic life insurance that's separate from these survivor annuities, and that could provide additional financial support for your nephew's future.

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I really appreciate this community. Based on your answers, it sounds like the amount I'm seeing ($4,217) does already include the 2025 COLA, but I should be prepared for possibly small adjustments before my first payment. I'll also remember to account for Medicare premiums and tax withholding. I think I'll try that Claimyr service mentioned above just to get final confirmation from SSA directly. After months of paperwork and waiting, I want to make sure everything is 100% correct before I start making financial plans based on this income. Will update once I get my award letter!

Congratulations on your approval, Miguel! It's such a relief when that finally comes through after all the waiting. Just wanted to add one more thing that others touched on - when you get your first payment, make sure to check your bank account carefully. Sometimes SSA will send a separate notice if there are any adjustments, but the first indication might just be a slightly different deposit amount than expected. Also, since you mentioned budgeting accurately, don't forget that Social Security benefits may be subject to federal income tax depending on your total income. If your combined income (Social Security + other income + half of your SS benefits) exceeds certain thresholds, up to 85% of your benefits could be taxable. Just something to keep in mind for tax planning! Good luck with everything and thanks for sharing your experience - it helps others going through the same process!

btw don't send original documents!!! only send COPIES. my friend sent originals and ssa lost them all!! make sure u keep ur originals safe

Just wanted to add - make sure you request a copy of your complete SSA file well before your hearing if you haven't already! You can submit Form SSA-L725 to get your entire administrative file. This will show you exactly what the ALJ will be looking at and help you identify any missing documents. I did this for my hearing and discovered they were missing several key pieces of correspondence that proved my timeline. Having your own copy of their file also helps you reference specific documents during the hearing by their exhibit numbers. Good luck with your Monday deadline!

To make sure we've got this clear for the original poster: If your FRA is 67 and 4 months and you were born on September 17th, your FRA is January 17th. You can file for benefits up to 4 months before January (as early as September) and specify January as your start month. Your benefits will start in January (the full month is credited to you even though your FRA is on the 17th), and your first payment will arrive in February on the third Wednesday. There's no advantage to waiting until January to file - in fact, filing 2-3 months early (while still specifying January as your start date) is recommended to avoid processing delays.

Just want to add one more helpful tip for anyone reading this - when you do file your application (whether online or by phone), make sure to have your most recent tax return handy and any W-2s from the current year. SSA will need to verify your earnings history to calculate your benefit amount. Also, if you're married, they'll ask about your spouse's Social Security number and birth date even if they're not filing yet, as this affects potential spousal benefits down the line. The online application at ssa.gov is usually the fastest way to apply and you can save your progress if you need to gather documents. Good luck with your retirement planning!

Thank you everyone for the thoughtful responses! Based on your advice, I'm leaning toward delaying until 70 while continuing to max out my 457(b) contributions and drawing from my brokerage accounts as needed. Given my family history of longevity and current good health, the guaranteed 24% increase seems worth waiting for. I'll schedule a meeting with my financial advisor to map out a year-by-year withdrawal strategy that minimizes taxes during this bridge period. Really appreciate all the insights!

Sounds like you've gotten some excellent advice here! As someone who works in retirement planning, I'd add one more consideration: review your projected monthly expenses during retirement to make sure you have adequate bridge funding for those 3 years between FRA and age 70. Since you're consulting part-time and have that $48K income, you might want to calculate whether continuing that work (even at a reduced level) plus 457(b) contributions plus brokerage withdrawals will comfortably cover your lifestyle. The peace of mind from having a solid cash flow plan during the delay period is just as important as the math behind the decision. Also consider setting up a spreadsheet to track how your "combined income" calculation will change once you start SS at 70 - it'll help with tax planning in those early retirement years.