we got a letter from ssa about the taxes thing. u can choose to have federal taxes withheld from ur ss payments if u want. i think its 7%, 10%, 12% or 22% options. might be easier than messing with his work withholding

This is such a helpful thread! My husband is in a similar situation - he'll be 67 next year and we've been going back and forth on this decision. Reading everyone's experiences with the tax implications is really eye-opening. I had no idea about the automatic benefit recalculation that @StarStrider mentioned - that's actually a nice bonus! One thing I'm curious about - for those who started collecting while working, did you notice any changes in how your coworkers or management treated you? I know legally there's no requirement to disclose, but I'm wondering if there are any subtle workplace dynamics to consider. My husband is in a pretty competitive field and I worry that even the perception that he might be "one foot out the door" could affect opportunities. Also, does anyone know if there are any advantages to applying online versus in person? We're pretty tech-savvy but want to make sure we don't miss anything important in the process.

One more important point - you mentioned having a permanent disability but not qualifying for SSDI. If your disability meets SSA's criteria but you were denied because of insufficient recent work credits (which happens when people develop disabilities after being out of the workforce), you might want to explore SSI (Supplemental Security Income). It's needs-based rather than work-based, and while the benefit is typically lower than SSDI, it could provide some income before you turn 62. SSI has strict asset and income limits, but it's worth investigating if your resources are limited while waiting to reach 62.

Based on everyone's responses, it sounds like you have a pretty clear picture now of your options. Since you can't file until 62 and will be deemed filing for both benefits, the key is really comparing those numbers from your SSA account. One thing I haven't seen mentioned - have you considered whether you might be eligible for any other benefits in the meantime? Some states have disability programs, and you might qualify for COBRA continuation or marketplace health insurance subsidies if you haven't explored those options. The gap between now and 62 is significant, so it's worth looking at all possible income sources. Also, regarding the SSDI denial - disability law can be complex, and many people get approved on appeal with proper representation. If your condition truly prevents you from working, it might be worth consulting with a disability attorney who works on contingency. They only get paid if you win, and they're often more successful than self-representation. Just a thought, since getting SSDI would change your whole timeline and potentially give you higher benefits.

Just wanted to update - I called the SSA this morning using that Claimyr service I mentioned, got right through to an agent who confirmed that the husband should absolutely receive those 6 months of retroactive benefits! She said it happens all the time that people don't know to ask, and that's why it's so important to have all your questions ready before you apply. Hope this helps!

I'm a new member here but wanted to share my experience since this exact thing happened to my mom last year! She filed 9 months after her FRA and we had no idea about the retroactive benefits either. When we called SSA, they were actually very helpful and processed the adjustment quickly. The key is to be persistent but polite - sometimes you get different answers from different representatives, so if the first person says no, politely ask to speak with someone else or call back later. My mom received about $8,500 in back payments about a month after we made the request. Don't give up on this - it's money you've already earned! Also, make sure to ask them to confirm the exact date they're using as the start of benefits so you know you're getting the full 6 months.

Social Security specialist here. There's some confusion in some of these responses. Let me clarify: 1. WEP affects your own retirement benefits if you have a pension from non-covered work. 2. GPO affects spousal or survivor benefits if you have a pension from non-covered work. In your case, since your husband has a teacher's pension from work not covered by Social Security AND only has 20 years of substantial earnings under Social Security, he: - Already sees his own SS retirement benefit reduced by WEP - Would likely have any survivor benefits from your record reduced by GPO The GPO reduction is 2/3 of his gross monthly pension. So if his teacher's pension is $3,200, the GPO reduction would be about $2,133. If your SS benefit is $2,650, after the GPO reduction, he would receive about $517 in survivor benefits. Here's the official SSA fact sheet on GPO: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf

I'm going through something similar with my own family planning. My wife is a retired teacher with a state pension, and we've been trying to understand these rules for months. One thing that might help is to request a detailed benefit estimate from SSA that shows exactly how WEP and GPO would affect your specific situation. You can do this online through your my Social Security account or by calling them directly. Also, I've heard that some financial planners who specialize in public employee benefits can help you model different scenarios and plan accordingly. Given that your husband would still receive around $517 in survivor benefits (based on the calculation above), plus his teacher's pension, it might not be as dire as it first seemed. The key is getting the official numbers from SSA so you can plan with certainty rather than estimates. Have you considered reaching out to your husband's teacher retirement system too? They sometimes have resources or counselors who understand how their pensions interact with Social Security benefits.

i applied online last year it was ok but then they needed more info and i had no idea until i checked my account a month later. they dont always email you so make sure you keep checking your mySS account every few days after you apply!! they put messages in there that you'll miss if you don't login

As someone who just went through this process myself at 67, I can confirm that the online application really is the way to go! A few additional tips from my experience: 1. Make sure you have your most recent tax return handy - they may ask about your previous year's earnings 2. If you're married, they'll ask about your spouse's work history too, even if they're not applying 3. The system will save your progress if you need to take a break, so don't feel pressured to complete it all in one sitting 4. After you submit, you should get an email confirmation within 24-48 hours. If you don't, definitely log back into your account to check The hardest part for me was just getting started! Once I began the application, it really did guide me through each step clearly. You've got this - and starting your benefits at 69 means you'll be getting those maximum delayed retirement credits. Smart move!