I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since it might help. I just went through a similar situation with my disability benefits review that took 3+ months. What finally worked for me was using the "Contact Us" feature in my online SSA account rather than calling. I was able to submit a message asking for a status update on my application, and they responded within 5 business days with specific information about what was causing the delay. It turned out they needed additional documentation from one of my previous employers, but for some reason that request never made it to me. Once I provided what they needed, my case was processed within 2 weeks. The online messaging system seems to be more reliable than phone calls right now, and you get a written record of all communications. Might be worth trying that route alongside calling - sometimes multiple touchpoints help move things along faster.

I'm sorry to hear about the stress you're dealing with - waiting months without communication from SSA is incredibly frustrating! I wanted to add another perspective based on what I've seen in this community. You mentioned your application was straightforward, which is actually good news. Sometimes the simplest cases get delayed not because there's a problem, but because they get deprioritized in favor of more complex cases that require immediate attention. It's backwards, but that's how the system sometimes works. One thing I'd suggest is documenting everything from this point forward - dates you call, who you speak with, what they tell you. If there are any issues with your payment timing later, having that documentation can be really helpful. Also, don't be afraid to escalate if the first person you talk to can't give you specific answers. Ask to speak with a supervisor if needed. The February payment date is still achievable if they process your application in the next couple of weeks, so there's still hope you won't experience any payment delays. Keep us posted on what you find out when you contact them!

To follow up on my earlier comment - since you mentioned your own benefit at 70 would be "quite a bit higher" than half of your husband's benefit, it may be worth calculating exact numbers. Your benefit at 70 would be 132% of your FRA amount (if your FRA is 67). So if your FRA benefit is more than about 38% of your husband's FRA benefit, waiting until 70 will eventually give you more than taking spousal at 62 (which would only be 35% of his FRA benefit due to early filing reduction).

Just wanted to add that you might also want to consider whether you're eligible for any other benefits that could bridge the gap if you wait until 70. For example, if your husband passes away before you start collecting, you could potentially get survivor benefits (which have different rules than spousal benefits). Also, some people don't realize that Medicare enrollment at 65 is separate from Social Security - you can sign up for Medicare even if you're not taking SS benefits yet. Given that your FRA benefit is 80% of your husband's, waiting until 70 definitely sounds like the right mathematical choice, especially since you're still working. The delayed retirement credits you'll earn are essentially a guaranteed 8% annual return, which is hard to beat in today's market!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're in your first year of retirement, they apply a monthly earnings test instead of annual, which can be really helpful. Basically if you retired mid-year after making a lot pre-retirement, they won't count those pre-retirement earnings against you. And yes, definitely expect an increase for 2025. Based on economic indicators so far, I'd guess around a 2.5-3% increase to the earnings limit. That would put it around $22,900 give or take.

Just wanted to add that you can also check your estimated benefits online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. They have a retirement estimator that can help you see how different earning levels might affect your benefits. I found it really useful when I was trying to figure out my work schedule after starting benefits early. Also, keep detailed records of your earnings throughout the year - it makes things much easier if you do need to report to SSA or if there are any discrepancies later.

Thank you so much for this clear summary! Based on everything here, I think I'm going to delay my benefit start date until after I've fully transitioned to part-time work. That way I can avoid dealing with the monthly limit entirely. Really appreciate everyone's help!

That sounds like a smart decision! Just wanted to add one more thing to consider - if you do decide to delay starting benefits, make sure you factor in the delayed retirement credits you'll earn. For each month you delay claiming benefits past your full retirement age (up until age 70), your benefit increases by about 0.67% per month, which adds up to 8% per year. So depending on how close you are to your FRA, delaying might actually work out better financially in the long run, even without the earnings limit complications. Good luck with your semi-retirement planning!

Just to add one more piece of advice - since your husband will be retiring at the end of March next year, you might want to create a my Social Security account online (if you haven't already) to make the application process smoother when the time comes. Also, make sure to apply for benefits about 2-3 months before he wants them to start. While he can apply right after reaching FRA in October for November benefits, giving SSA a little extra processing time is always smart. And remember that even though the earnings test won't apply, his benefits might still be subject to federal income tax if your combined income exceeds certain thresholds. Up to 85% of Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on your overall income.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact scenario two years ago! I reached my FRA in September and filed for benefits in November while still working full-time. Got my full benefit amount with zero issues. The key thing to remember is that Social Security looks at this on a month-by-month basis once you reach FRA, not annually. So even though your husband's total 2025 earnings will be high, SSA only cares about what he earned in the months before reaching FRA in October. One small tip - when he does apply, have his recent pay stubs ready. Sometimes they ask for documentation to verify current employment status, and having everything organized can speed up the process. The whole thing was much smoother than I expected!