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One other thing to be aware of: Your January 15th payment date suggests you were born between the 1st and 10th of the month. Social Security payment dates are based on your birth date: - Born 1st-10th: Payment on 2nd Wednesday (around the 8th-14th) - Born 11th-20th: Payment on 3rd Wednesday (around the 15th-21st) - Born 21st-31st: Payment on 4th Wednesday (around the 22nd-28th) This schedule is consistent month to month, so all your future payments should arrive on the second Wednesday of each month.
Yes, I was born on the 5th, so that explains the second Wednesday schedule. Thank you for laying out all the payment dates so clearly!
Just wanted to add - make sure to check your MySocialSecurity account online in December for your official COLA notice. It should show exactly how much your benefit will increase starting with the January 2025 benefit (paid in February). The notice will break down your old amount vs. new amount so there's no guessing. Also, if you haven't already, I'd recommend setting up direct deposit notifications with your bank so you know exactly when each payment hits your account!
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As someone who's been through this process, I'd say the estimates are generally pretty reliable if your earnings record is accurate. I claimed at FRA about 6 months ago and my actual benefit was within $15 of what the statement showed. The key is definitely reviewing your earnings history carefully - I caught a missing year from when I changed jobs and got that corrected before filing. Since you're planning to work until April 2025, your estimate should be quite accurate. Just remember to apply about 3 months before you want payments to start to avoid any delays!
That's really reassuring to hear from someone who just went through this! I'm definitely going to go through my earnings record with a fine-tooth comb now. Good tip about applying 3 months early - I hadn't thought about potential processing delays. Did you find the application process itself pretty straightforward once you had everything ready?
I'm in a similar situation - turning 67 next year and have been reviewing my SSA statements. One thing I learned from my financial advisor is that the estimates don't include future Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs), so your actual first payment might be slightly higher than what's shown on your current statement if there's a COLA increase for 2025. Also, make sure to factor in Medicare Part B premiums which will be automatically deducted from your Social Security payment unless you're still covered by employer insurance. The Medicare premium can be around $175/month, so don't forget to account for that in your budgeting. Overall though, if your earnings record is accurate, you should be able to trust the estimate pretty closely.
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Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! Just to summarize what I've learned: 1. My 2024 earnings won't affect my benefits starting in January 2025 2. Since I'm not working in 2025, I won't have any earnings test issues 3. I understand I'm taking a permanent reduction by claiming at 63.4 4. My 2024 earnings might actually increase my benefit slightly when SSA recalculates I think I'm good to proceed with filing in early December for my January start date. Really appreciate all the advice!
Perfect summary! Good luck with your retirement!
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement, Sean! You've got a solid plan and the community has given you excellent advice. One small tip from my own experience - when you file in December, make sure to ask SSA specifically about your first payment date. Sometimes there can be processing delays, especially during busy periods, and you want to make sure your January start date is locked in. Also, keep copies of all your filing paperwork just in case there are any questions later. Enjoy your retirement!
Great advice about keeping copies of everything! I learned this the hard way with other government benefits - documentation is so important when dealing with federal agencies. Sean, you might also want to screenshot or print out any confirmation numbers or reference numbers they give you when you file. Having that info handy can save you a lot of time if you need to call back for any reason.
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whatever u decide DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!! save emails texts everything about what they promised and how they said it would work. SSA can audit u years later and u need proof!!!
That's excellent advice. I'll start a folder with all communications about this arrangement just in case questions come up later.
Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a similar situation last year. I was 68 and took on some consulting work with a bonus that was structured as an employer 401k contribution. The key things I learned: 1) Since you're past FRA, no worries about earnings limits affecting your SS benefits, 2) Make sure you get clarity on whether this is deferred compensation (counts as income for the year you work) or an employer contribution (different tax treatment), and 3) The timing of the deposit matters less than when the income is considered "earned" by IRS standards. I ended up having my tax preparer review everything beforehand and it saved me from any surprises. The documentation advice from others here is spot on - keep everything in writing!
Tony Brooks
Thank you all for the helpful information! I'm going to start gathering my medical records and look into disability attorneys in my area. I'm still nervous about the application process and potential wait time, but at least now I know that IF I get approved, I'll receive my full benefit amount without reduction. That's a huge relief. I'll also check out that Claimyr service when I need to call SSA - sounds much better than sitting on hold all day with my painful joints! I'll update this thread once I get started with the process in case it helps others with similar conditions.
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Dyllan Nantx
Best of luck with your application, Tony! Your approach sounds smart - gathering all medical records upfront and getting legal help early can really make a difference. One thing I'd add from my experience helping my mom with her SSDI claim: keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit to SSA. They sometimes lose paperwork and having your own copies saved us from having to re-request records from doctors. Also, if your rheumatologist hasn't already, ask them to specifically document in your records how your arthritis affects your ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, and grip - SSA focuses heavily on these functional limitations. The waiting is the hardest part, but you're going into this well-informed which puts you ahead of many applicants. Wishing you a smooth process and quick approval!
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Edison Estevez
•Great advice about keeping copies of everything! I learned this the hard way when dealing with other government agencies. Also wanted to mention - if your rheumatologist hasn't done it already, you might want to ask about getting a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form completed. This is what SSA uses to determine what work activities you can still do despite your limitations. Having your doctor fill this out proactively (rather than waiting for SSA to request it) can really strengthen your case. It asks specific questions about how long you can sit/stand, how much you can lift, etc. - exactly what they need to see for arthritis cases.
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