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.

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!

One quick tip - take detailed notes during any conversation with SSA. I always write down the date, time, name of the person I spoke with, and what they told me. Saved me multiple times when different reps gave conflicting info!

As someone who recently went through this exact process, I can confirm that having all your documents ready is crucial. I'd also suggest calling ahead to ask specifically for an "AERO computation" or "benefit comparison calculation" as others mentioned - using the right terminology really helps. One thing I learned that might save you some time: if you have a my Social Security account online, you can actually get some preliminary benefit estimates there first. It won't show the full ex-spouse benefit comparison, but it'll give you your own benefit estimates at different claiming ages. This can help you prepare better questions for when you do speak with SSA. Also, regarding timing - if your ex is already receiving benefits (which is likely if he's older), that can actually make the process smoother since his benefit amount is already established in their system. The 2-year post-divorce rule you've already satisfied means you can claim independently of his filing status. Good luck with getting through to them! The phone system is definitely frustrating, but persistence pays off.

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!

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!

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!!!

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!

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm going to try making an in-person appointment at my local office as suggested. If that doesn't work or the wait is too long, I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. It's frustrating that there's no way to see this information online when everything else seems to be available in my MySocialSecurity account. I'll update once I get some answers!

One tip that worked for me - try calling SSA first thing in the morning right when they open (7 AM local time). The wait times are usually much shorter then. I got through in about 15 minutes when I called at 7:05 AM versus the 2+ hour waits later in the day. Also, if you do get disconnected, they sometimes have a callback feature where they'll call you back instead of making you wait on hold again. Just make sure you have all your documents ready - your Social Security card, divorce decree, and any recent benefit statements. The rep will need to verify your identity before they can access your ex's earnings record to calculate the estimate.