One more important thing - in your Scenario 3, if your wife passes away while you're both 64, and you want to take survivor benefits immediately, remember you'd need to apply for those benefits. They're not automatic. And if you're still working, the earnings test would apply until you reach FRA as someone else mentioned. Also be aware that taking survivor benefits doesn't affect your own retirement benefit growth. Your retirement benefit would still grow with delayed retirement credits until 70, regardless of whether you're receiving survivor benefits.

I'm also navigating this maze of survivor benefits planning with my spouse! Reading through all these responses, it's clear that getting accurate information is half the battle. One thing I learned from my own research that might help - the SSA has Publication 05-10084 "Survivors Benefits" that breaks down the reduction percentages more clearly than their website does. Also, regarding the conflicting information about survivor benefits when someone dies after FRA but before claiming - I believe Mei Lin is correct. If you die between your FRA and age 70 without having claimed, your survivor would get your benefit INCLUDING the delayed retirement credits you've earned up to that point, not just your FRA amount. This is different from if you had already started claiming reduced benefits. The earnings test complication is real though. We're in a similar situation where we're both still working, and it really does throw a wrench into any early claiming strategies. Have you considered whether either of you might reduce work hours or retire early to make survivor benefit claiming more feasible if needed?

Just to clarify a technical point about survivor benefits: if your spouse claims survivor benefits before her own FRA, she would receive a reduced percentage (between 71.5% and 99% depending on how early she claims). But if she waits until her FRA, she'll receive 100% of your benefit amount - either your reduced benefit if you keep your early claim, or your full FRA benefit if you withdraw and later reapply. Also, remember that while you can withdraw now and reapply at your FRA (66 and 10 months), you could alternatively withdraw and then wait until age 70 to maximize your benefit (and subsequently your wife's survivor benefit). This would give you an additional 28.8% above your FRA amount through delayed retirement credits.

As a newcomer here, I just wanted to say this is such a helpful discussion! I'm not in this exact situation yet, but at 58, I'm starting to think seriously about when to claim Social Security. Reading about the withdrawal option and how it affects survivor benefits is really eye-opening. I had no idea you could essentially "reset" your application within that first year. The technical details from @Ava Rodriguez and the real-world experience from @Miguel Diaz really help paint the full picture. It sounds like this decision requires careful consideration of both your financial situation and your spouse's long-term security. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experiences!

Thanks for all the great advice everyone! I'm definitely going to file in May/June when I hit my FRA. I'll also look into increasing my 401k contributions - that's a great suggestion for managing the tax situation. This has been incredibly helpful!

Great decision on filing in May/June! Just wanted to add one more tip - when you do file, make sure to ask SSA about having federal taxes withheld from your monthly benefits if you're concerned about owing taxes next year. You can have 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% withheld automatically. Given that you'll have both work income and SS benefits, this might save you from having to make quarterly estimated tax payments or owing a big chunk at tax time. You can always adjust the withholding later if needed!

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm going to try calling with my mother present first so she can give verbal authorization. Then I'll look into the Form SSA-1696 for longer-term help. I'll specifically ask about the GPO reduction, maximum survivor benefits, and those Medicare assistance programs mentioned. Really appreciate all the advice!

Just wanted to add - if your mom gets overwhelmed during the call or has trouble remembering information, don't hesitate to ask the SSA representative to slow down or repeat things. They're usually understanding about helping elderly callers. Also, have a pen and paper ready to write down any important information they provide, like case numbers, benefit amounts, or next steps. Sometimes they speak quickly and it's easy to miss details. Good luck with getting through - the wait times can be brutal but it's worth it to get her benefits sorted out properly.

Thank you all so much for the helpful advice! I've made an appointment with a financial advisor who specializes in federal benefits, and I'm going to apply for my own benefits next month when I turn 62. Based on the numbers we worked through here, that seems to make the most sense for now. I also plan to look into part-time work that stays under the earnings limit. Feels good to have a clearer plan now!

Great to hear you have a plan in place! Just wanted to add one more consideration - since you mentioned health issues, make sure to ask your financial advisor about the impact of Medicare premiums on your Social Security benefits when you turn 65. Your Medicare Part B premiums will be automatically deducted from your SS payments, and if you're getting the reduced early retirement benefit, that deduction can feel pretty significant. Also, keep detailed records of any part-time work earnings throughout the year. The SSA earnings test can be tricky, and it's based on your total annual earnings, not monthly amounts. If you accidentally go over the limit one year, they'll withhold benefits temporarily, but you do get credit for those withheld benefits later when you reach full retirement age. Sounds like you're making a smart, informed decision given your circumstances. Wishing you the best with your transition!