I just want to say how CRAZY it is that you have THREE DEGREES and can't find work!!! Age discrimination is so real and nobody talks about it enough. My husband has been dealing with the same thing - he's 62 with an MBA and 30 years experience but nobody will hire him. They never say it's because of age but we all know that's what it is. The whole system is broken!!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this difficult situation. As someone who went through a similar decision process, I wanted to share a few thoughts that might help. First, the reality is that your current financial stress is costing you more than just money - it's affecting your quality of life and probably your health too. Sometimes the "mathematically optimal" choice isn't the right choice for your actual circumstances. That said, before you decide, I'd suggest doing a few things: 1. Use one of those comprehensive calculators others mentioned to see your actual break-even point 2. Look into whether you qualify for any state programs that could pay you as a caregiver (even if your sister resists initially, showing her the financial benefit might change her mind) 3. Consider whether you could supplement SS with some remote work - tutoring, consulting, or even part-time remote positions that wouldn't interfere with caregiving The fact that you're only 64 means you're not taking benefits super early, and the reduction isn't as severe as it would be at 62. Plus, if your employment situation does improve later, you have options to optimize. Whatever you decide, don't let anyone make you feel bad about it. You're dealing with real circumstances that require real solutions, not textbook answers.

Thanks everyone for your help! Just to summarize what I've learned:1) I can stop working anytime in March 2025 without penalty since that's my FRA month2) I should apply about 3 months before (Dec 2024)3) I'll get my first payment in April 2025 for March benefits4) I need to be aware of earnings limits for Jan-Feb 2025 but I'll be fine with my salaryThis community has been SO much more helpful than my HR department! 😊

Perfect summary! You've got all the key points covered. Just one additional tip - when you apply in December, make sure to have your recent tax returns and W-2s handy as they might ask for income verification. Also, if you haven't already, create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to track your application status and eventually manage your benefits online. It's really convenient to have everything in one place. Best of luck with your retirement!

btw you dont have to wait til 67 if you dont want to. you can take reduced benefits at 60 if you need the money now. its like 70% of the full amount i think

I went through a similar situation when my husband passed after receiving disability benefits. One thing that really helped me was calling the SSA first thing in the morning (around 8 AM) when they open - I had much better luck getting through than calling later in the day. Also, if you happen to have a local SSA office nearby, sometimes scheduling an in-person appointment can be easier than trying to get through on the phone. They were very patient with me during the application process and walked me through everything step by step. The most important thing is having all your documents ready beforehand. Good luck with your application - you've got this!

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses! I'm disappointed that the SSA rep gave me completely wrong information, but at least now I know I need to call again. I'll try the early morning trick and if that doesn't work, I might try that Claimyr service or just visit the office in person. I really appreciate knowing I'm not alone in this frustration. Planning for retirement is stressful enough without getting the runaround from SSA. I'll update if I learn anything new when I finally get through to someone.

I'm so sorry for your loss and the frustrating experience you've had with SSA. As someone who went through a similar situation when my spouse passed away last year, I can tell you that the misinformation from representatives is unfortunately common. What helped me was actually requesting to speak with a "claims specialist" rather than just any representative when I called. These specialists tend to be more knowledgeable about survivor benefits. Also, I found that calling right at 8am EST when they open gave me the shortest wait times - usually under 30 minutes versus hours later in the day. One thing that might help while you're waiting: gather all your husband's employment records and your marriage certificate ahead of time. When you do get through, having these documents ready will make the conversation much more productive. The specialist can walk through different claiming scenarios with you since you have that important decision point coming up at 60. Hang in there - it's worth the hassle to get accurate information about your benefits!

I'm a former SSA employee and unfortunately what you experienced is becoming the norm at most field offices. The staffing shortages are real and many offices are operating with skeleton crews. Here's what I'd recommend based on your situation: 1. **Online application is your best bet** - Complete it as a retirement application, then in the remarks section write something like: "I am applying for SPOUSAL BENEFITS ONLY on my husband's record. Husband's name: [Full Name], SSN: XXX-XX-XXXX. I want to file a restricted application for spousal benefits while allowing my own retirement benefit to continue growing until age 70." 2. **Upload documents** - You can upload your marriage certificate directly through the online portal, which will speed up processing. 3. **Don't wait for their call** - In my experience, about 30% of scheduled phone appointments either don't happen or happen late. The online route is much more reliable. 4. **Follow up** - After submitting online, call the 800 number in about 2 weeks to confirm they received everything and understood your intent for spousal benefits only. The whole "I don't have 45 minutes" excuse is ridiculous - that's literally what they're paid to do. But fighting the system won't help you get your benefits faster. The online route with clear instructions in the remarks section is your fastest path forward.

I work as a benefits counselor and see this type of scheduling delay constantly now. The SSA field offices are running on bare minimum staff and using phone appointments to manage their impossible caseloads. Here's my advice: Go with the online application immediately. Don't wait 7 weeks for a phone call that may or may not happen on time. In the remarks section, be very specific: "I am filing a RESTRICTED APPLICATION for spousal benefits only on my husband's record [include his name and SSN]. I do NOT want to file for my own retirement benefits at this time as I plan to delay until age 70 for maximum credits." Since you're 67 and born before 1954, you have this valuable option that younger people don't. Take advantage of it! The online system actually processes these faster than phone applications in most cases. One tip: After you submit online, print out your confirmation receipt and keep calling every 2 weeks to check status. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with SSA unfortunately.