Just to add one more thing - if you create a my Social Security account online (ssa.gov/myaccount), you can see your earnings record and make sure all your work is being properly credited. It's a good way to verify everything's in order without having to call SSA directly.

As someone who's been through a similar situation, I can confirm what others have said - your contributions aren't lost! I started collecting at 62 and continued working part-time until 67. The key thing to understand is that Social Security uses your highest 35 years of earnings to calculate your benefit, so if your current earnings are higher than some of those earlier years, they'll replace the lower years in the calculation. The timing can be confusing though - the recalculation typically happens in October following the year you worked, so there's often a delay. I'd recommend keeping track of your earnings and checking your annual Social Security Statement to see how your benefit calculation changes over time. Even small increases can add up significantly over the years, especially since you'll likely be receiving benefits for a long time. One more tip: if you're planning to work until your Full Retirement Age, remember that once you reach FRA, the earnings limit disappears completely, so you can earn as much as you want without any benefit withholding.

I just wanted to thank everyone for the helpful information. I have a much better understanding now. It sounds like my husband should definitely continue with his plan to work part-time, as it may increase his benefit somewhat (even if it's modest) since he has fewer than 35 years of earnings. And there's no downside since he's at his full retirement age and can earn unlimited amounts without any reduction in benefits. It's great to know the recalculation happens automatically too. One less thing to worry about!

You're absolutely right to pursue this! Since your husband has some zero earning years, working part-time could definitely help boost his benefit amount over time. Just wanted to add that you can actually get a rough estimate of the potential increase by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. It shows his complete earnings record, so you can see exactly which years have low or zero earnings that could potentially be replaced by his new part-time work. The earnings record will also show you his current benefit calculation, which can help you understand how much room there is for improvement. It's a great tool for planning!

Thank you all so much for your helpful advice. I'm going to try to schedule an appointment with SSA this week to get the process started. I'll make sure to bring all the documents mentioned and copies of everything. Based on your suggestions, I think I'll apply for the survivor benefits now since I'm not earning that much at my part-time job, and then possibly switch to my own retirement benefit later if it ends up being higher. And I'll definitely check out that Claimyr service if I have trouble getting through on the phone. I really appreciate all your help during this difficult time!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Keisha. Just wanted to add one more important point that I don't think anyone mentioned yet - you should apply as soon as possible because survivor benefits can be paid retroactively for up to 6 months from your application date, but NOT before the month of death. So the sooner you apply, the better, especially since you're already eligible at 62. Also, when you do apply, make sure to ask the SSA representative to explain both your survivor benefit options AND your own retirement benefit projections. Sometimes people focus so much on the survivor benefit that they don't realize their own benefit might actually be higher if they wait and keep working. The SSA can run scenarios for you to help you make the best decision. Good luck with everything, and again, my condolences.

I just want to thank everyone for their insights! The Social Security system is so complicated, and it helps to hear from others who've navigated it. One thing I didn't mention in my original post - I almost gave up waiting about 2 years ago when my car broke down and I needed a new roof. Those were tough months living on my small retirement benefit. But I'm glad I stuck with the plan. For those currently deciding, don't forget to factor in Medicare premiums when you turn 65 - that was an expense I hadn't properly calculated and it took a bite out of my budget!

Thank you for sharing your experience with such detail! As someone who's currently 59 and will face this decision next year when my husband's survivor benefits become available, your story is incredibly helpful. I'm particularly interested in how you managed the emotional aspect of this decision - it must have been difficult to keep delaying something that represented financial security during what I imagine was already a challenging time grieving your wife. Did you ever have moments where you questioned your decision to wait, especially during those tough financial periods you mentioned? I'm trying to prepare myself mentally for potentially making a similar choice, but I worry about the uncertainty of not knowing exactly what the benefit will be until you actually claim it. The SSA estimates can be helpful, but your actual amount being so much higher than the early estimate really shows how much can change over those waiting years. Also, do you have any advice for keeping track of the annual COLA adjustments while waiting? I'd like to be able to roughly monitor how my potential benefit is growing each year.

My neighbor's kid got approved for benefits continuation by enrolling in a program that combined GED prep with vocational training. It was technically a "transition program" for students with special needs. Maybe look into whether your county has something similar? Sometimes they're run through the school district or county services.

I went through something similar with my nephew a few years ago. The key thing SSA looks for is that the education is "full-time" - typically 20+ hours per week. For GED prep, you'll need documentation showing he's actively enrolled in a structured program, not just self-studying. Many community colleges offer GED prep programs that would qualify, and some even have integrated vocational components. The audio engineering mentorship sounds great, but it needs to be part of a formal training program to count for SSA purposes. Trade schools or community colleges often have audio production certificates that could work. I'd recommend calling your local SSA office to discuss his specific situation - they can sometimes provide guidance on what documentation they'd need to approve the continuation. Don't wait too long though - you'll want to have everything in place before his 18th birthday to avoid any gaps in benefits.