I really appreciate all the responses! I'm going to call SSA tomorrow to find out if I'm under the new proportional withholding system or still on the old all-or-nothing approach. Either way, it's good to know that changes are happening, even if gradually. And just to be clear - I understand I'll still lose the same TOTAL amount to the earnings test either way. I'm just hoping for smaller reductions spread throughout the year rather than zero benefits for half the year. Makes budgeting so much easier!

I'm a newcomer here but this conversation is really helpful! I'm 62 and just started receiving survivor benefits last year. My local SSA office mentioned something about changes to how they handle the earnings test, but they weren't very clear about the details. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like the new proportional system would definitely be better for budgeting purposes, even though the total withholding amount stays the same. Has anyone found out which specific SSA processing centers or regions have implemented this new system yet? I'm in Texas and wondering if I should even bother calling to ask about it or if it's not available here yet. Also, for those who have successfully gotten through to SSA - what's the best time of day to call to avoid those crazy wait times?

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I've decided to take those last few days of December off. My manager was understanding once I explained the situation. Going over by even a little bit sounds like it creates a huge headache. I'll save the extra hours for January when I have a fresh earnings limit to work with. Really appreciate all the insights!

Good call on taking the time off! I went through something similar a couple years ago and learned the hard way that SSA is very strict about the "when earned" rule. Even though it seems unfair that a January paycheck for December work counts against the previous year's limit, that's exactly how they calculate it. The peace of mind is worth more than those few extra hours of pay. Plus, you'll have that higher 2025 limit to work with starting in January. Better to be safe than deal with overpayment notices and benefit reductions later!

Just wanted to add one more thing that helped me when I went through this - make sure to keep detailed records of your last day of work and any final payments. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking my earnings by month for 2025, which made it much easier when SSA asked for documentation later. Also, if you do decide to move your retirement date up to May 31st like you mentioned, double-check that you won't lose any employer benefits (like health insurance coverage) by leaving a few weeks earlier. Sometimes there are month-end cutoffs for benefits that could affect your transition to Medicare eligibility. One last tip: when you call SSA to discuss your situation, ask them to put notes in your file about the conversation. This creates a paper trail that can help if there are any issues later with the earnings test calculation.

I'm in a very similar situation - turning 64 next month and planning to retire in August after earning about $38K so far this year. This thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my local SSA office: if you're planning to do ANY contract or freelance work after retiring (even just occasional consulting), make sure you understand how that income gets counted. They told me that self-employment income is handled differently and there's something called "substantial services" that could affect your eligibility for the monthly test. Also, for anyone else reading this - I called the SSA customer service line three times before I got someone who actually understood the first-year rule. Don't give up if the first person you talk to seems confused about it. Ask to speak with someone who specializes in earnings test calculations. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here. It's so much more helpful than the confusing official publications!

I work at a Social Security field office and can tell you that situations like your husband's are more common than you might think. The fact that you have the court order for the name change puts you in a good position. A few things that might help: 1. When filling out the application, be very specific about the dates - when he started using the stepfather's name and when the legal change occurred in 2008. 2. In the remarks section, briefly explain that he used an assumed name (stepfather's surname) from childhood until getting a court-ordered name change in 2008, and that all his earnings are properly recorded under the SSN. 3. Since his entire earnings record is already under the assumed name until 2008, and you've verified it's accurate on the SSA website, that actually works in your favor - it shows continuity. For your adoption situation - yes, list your pre-adoption name. Even with an amended birth certificate, there may still be early records under your original name depending on when you got your SSN. The key is documentation and clear explanation. Your husband's case sounds straightforward with the court order you have.

I went through something very similar with my mother's Social Security application last year. She had used her stepfather's surname informally for decades before getting a legal name change in the 1990s. The process was actually smoother than we expected once we had all the right documentation organized. Here's what worked for us: We created a simple timeline document that we attached to her application showing when she used which name, along with copies of her birth certificate and the court order. The SSA representative we worked with said this kind of proactive documentation really helps speed things up. One thing I'd add - if your husband has any old employment records or tax documents from before 2008 showing the stepfather's name, those can be helpful backup documentation too, though not strictly necessary since his earnings record is already accurate. The whole process took about the same time as a regular application. Good luck with everything!

has your husband looked into Extra Help for his Medicare costs? with his kidney disease and low income he might qualify. they could cover his premiums and maybe even the copays for his meds. my mom got on that program last year and it saved her over $200/month!

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's health struggles. As someone who works in benefits advocacy, I wanted to add a few things that might help your situation: 1. **Medicare Secondary Payer for ESRD**: Since your husband has kidney disease and you're still working with employer insurance, make sure Medicare is coordinating properly with your work coverage. This could reduce some out-of-pocket costs. 2. **State Kidney Programs**: Many states have kidney disease programs that provide additional financial assistance for dialysis patients. Contact your state's health department to see what's available. 3. **Medicaid Spend-Down**: Even though his income might be slightly above Medicaid limits, some states have "spend-down" programs where high medical expenses can qualify someone for Medicaid coverage of costs that Medicare doesn't cover. 4. **Contact your local Area Agency on Aging**: They often have benefits counselors who can do a complete review of all programs he might qualify for - sometimes there are programs people don't even know exist. The spousal benefits question is complex, but don't overlook these other potential sources of help while you're deciding on the Social Security strategy. Sometimes combining multiple smaller programs can provide significant relief.