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Thank you all SO much for these insights. I'm learning toward waiting until my FRA now to avoid the headache of documentation and possible disputes with SSA. But if I do decide to claim early, I'll definitely: 1. Get professional advice about structuring my practice 2. Set up meticulous documentation of all work hours 3. Create clear boundaries showing reduced work schedule 4. Use that Claimyr service to actually speak with someone at SSA before making my decision Never realized what a complicated mess this would be as a self-employed person. The SSA publications make it seem much simpler than it actually is in practice!
That sounds like a prudent approach. One final recommendation: regardless of when you claim benefits, consider a consultation with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies. Sometimes the optimal claiming age isn't obvious and depends on your overall financial situation, health status, and life expectancy. The few hundred dollars for specialized advice could potentially translate to tens of thousands in lifetime benefits.
As someone who's been through the self-employment SS claiming process, I'd strongly recommend creating a detailed work log NOW, even if you don't claim for another year or two. I wish I had started documenting earlier - SSA wanted records going back months when I applied. For your therapy practice specifically, track: actual client session hours, documentation/notes time, insurance billing hours, and any administrative work. Also note when you're genuinely "off" - weekends, evenings, vacation days. This creates a clear picture of reduced work activity that SSA looks for. One thing that helped me was establishing set office hours (like 9-3, M-Th only) and sticking to them religiously. It shows intentional retirement from full-time work, not just temporary reduced income. Your gradual client reduction plan over 4-5 years could work well if properly documented as a retirement transition rather than just business fluctuation. The burnout factor is real - sometimes the peace of mind from claiming early (even with reduced benefits) outweighs the financial optimization of waiting. Just make sure you understand exactly what you're getting into with the earnings test compliance.
This is incredibly helpful advice, thank you! I'm definitely going to start that detailed work log right away. You're so right about establishing set office hours - I currently see clients scattered throughout the week from 7am to 7pm, which probably doesn't look like "retirement" to SSA at all. Moving to something like 9-3, M-Th would actually help with my burnout too. Did you find that SSA was pretty strict about sticking to your stated hours, or did they allow some flexibility for occasional client emergencies or makeup appointments? Also, when you say "months" of records - how far back did they want to see? I'm wondering if I should start this documentation process a full year before I plan to claim.
This advice about documentation is spot-on! I'm actually going to start implementing this immediately. The set office hours idea makes so much sense - right now my schedule is all over the place which definitely doesn't scream "transitioning to retirement." For the work log, should I be tracking things like time spent reviewing treatment notes between sessions or phone calls with insurance companies? I'm trying to figure out how granular to get with the documentation. Also, did SSA seem to understand the difference between direct client contact time versus all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into running a therapy practice? Starting this a year early seems smart given how thorough they apparently are with self-employed applicants!
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OMG this makes me so nervous! I'm turning 60 next month and planning to apply for survivor benefits. Now I'm scared they'll give me wrong info too! Did you research before going in or just trust what they told you? I've been reading so many articles but they all say different things about how survivor benefits work!
I did some research but not enough, obviously. I trusted what the SSA representative told me, which was a huge mistake. If I could go back and do it differently, I would have consulted with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security benefits first. Definitely read up on survivor benefits before your appointment, specifically about the reduction for claiming early versus waiting until your Full Retirement Age. And get everything in writing if you can! Good luck with your application.
If you're turning 60 and planning to apply for survivor benefits, here's my professional advice: 1. Know your Full Retirement Age (FRA) for survivor benefits (between 66-67 depending on birth year) 2. Understand that taking benefits at 60 reduces them to about 71.5% of the full amount 3. Each year you wait increases the benefit amount 4. At FRA, you get 100% of your deceased spouse's benefit 5. Create a My Social Security account and look at your own benefit estimates too 6. Consider if a restricted application strategy might work in your situation Most importantly, get advice from multiple sources before making your decision. The claiming strategy that's right for you depends on your own work history, financial needs, and life expectancy.
This is exactly the kind of bureaucratic nightmare that makes people lose faith in the system. I'm a retired federal employee (not SSA) and have seen this pattern countless times - contradictory information, lost paperwork, and reps who don't understand their own procedures. Your situation highlights a critical flaw: you were given incorrect information that cost you potentially thousands of dollars, then when you tried to correct it, the system failed you again. The fact that your withdrawal has been in limbo for 6 months is unacceptable. Here's what I'd recommend as your next steps: 1. File a complaint with your Congressional representative's office - they have staff specifically for SSA issues and can often get faster results than going through normal channels 2. Document everything in writing and send a certified letter to your local SSA office manager outlining the timeline and requesting immediate action 3. Request all communications be provided in writing going forward The "misinformation provision" mentioned earlier is real and could protect you from penalties, but you need to document that initial incorrect advice you received. Don't let them rush you into decisions at appointments - if something doesn't sound right, ask for time to verify the information. You shouldn't have to become an expert in Social Security law just to get the benefits you're entitled to. This system is broken and your experience proves it.
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Thank you all for the helpful information. I didn't realize how complicated this would be! So if I understand correctly: 1. If we both claim at 62 and my husband passes away before his FRA (which is 67), I'd get the larger of either 82.5% of his PIA or what he was actually receiving at 62 2. If he passes after his FRA, I'd just get what he was actually receiving 3. My own claiming decision creates separate reductions if I'm not at my FRA when applying for survivor benefits Based on this, should we reconsider our plan? Maybe he should wait longer even if I claim early? I really appreciate all the guidance.
You've got it right, and yes - a common strategy is for the higher earner to delay claiming even if the lower earner claims early. Each year your husband delays claiming past 62 increases his retirement benefit by about 7-8% per year until 70. This not only increases his lifetime benefits but also potentially increases your survivor benefits if he predeceases you. You might consider claiming at 62 as planned if you need the income, but have him wait as long as financially possible. This creates a higher survivor benefit "insurance policy" for you later. Run the numbers for your specific situation, but this approach often maximizes lifetime household benefits for couples with significant differences in earnings history.
This is such a helpful discussion! I'm in a similar situation but haven't made any decisions yet. One thing I'm wondering about - if AstroAce's husband delays claiming but she takes benefits at 62, what happens to her own retirement benefit when she eventually switches to survivor benefits? Does she lose her own benefit completely, or does SSA somehow combine them? Also, are there any tax implications to consider when switching from your own retirement benefit to survivor benefits? I know Social Security can be taxable depending on your total income, but I'm not sure if the type of benefit matters.
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If your waiting till FRA anyway, why not just file a restricted application for spousal benefits only? That way you can collect half of her benefit while still letting yours grow until 70. My financial advisor told me this was possible if you were born before 1954.
Unfortunately, that strategy (restricted application) is only available to people born on or before January 1, 1954. Based on the ages given in the post, the person asking the question would have been born around 1961-1962, so they're not eligible for that approach. The rules changed with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.
Oh man, I didn't realize that! Thanks for correcting me. These rule changes are so confusing.
Thanks everyone for the really helpful information. I think I understand better now - my wife can get the spousal supplement but only AFTER I file for my own benefits, and it'll be based on my FRA amount not my increased age 70 amount if I delay. If I'm understanding correctly, our best strategy is probably: 1. I continue working and delay my benefits until 70 to maximize my own amount 2. Once I file, my wife will automatically get the difference between her reduced benefit and half of my PIA 3. If I pass away before her, she'd then be eligible for survivor benefits equal to my full benefit including delayed credits Is that right? I think we need to run the numbers to see whether it makes sense financially for me to file earlier so she can get the spousal supplement sooner, or if the increase to my own benefit from waiting is worth more in the long run.
You've got it exactly right! Running the numbers is definitely smart. The key factors to consider are: 1. Your health/longevity expectations (longer life expectancy favors delaying) 2. How much your wife's benefit will increase with the spousal supplement 3. Your current income needs Since your wife is already 67, for every year you delay filing, that's a year she misses out on the higher spousal amount. But if you live well into your 80s, the higher amount from delaying would make up for it over time.
Lucas Notre-Dame
congratulations! glad it went smooth for you. my mom did this same thing last year (survivor to own benefits at 70) and she had no problems either. i think people mostly post when things go wrong not when they go right lol
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Maya Patel
•That's so true! We tend to hear all the horror stories but not the successes. It's reassuring to hear your mom had a smooth experience too!
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Brady Clean
I'm so glad to hear about your positive experience! As someone who will likely face a similar transition in a few years (currently 67 and on survivor benefits), this gives me hope. I've been dreading the process after reading so many horror stories here. Quick question - did you need to provide any additional documentation during the call, or did they have everything they needed from your previous survivor benefits application? I'm wondering if I should start gathering paperwork now or if the transition is more straightforward than I'm expecting. Also, did they explain how the cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) would work during the transition? I'm curious if there's any timing issue with getting the full COLA increase when switching benefit types.
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