One more consideration: If you're planning to stop working before your FRA, you might recalculate. Let's say you decide to stop working in August 2025, a few months after turning 66. You could apply for survivor benefits then, and the earnings test would only apply to the months in 2025 before you reach FRA. The SSA would use a monthly earnings test calculation rather than annual for the year you retire mid-year. This might make taking survivors before your exact FRA worthwhile, depending on exactly when you stop working.

Thank you all for such thoughtful responses! Based on everyone's advice, I think waiting until FRA makes the most sense in my situation since I don't need the extra income now and it avoids the complications with the earnings test. I'll use my SSA appointment to confirm the exact date of my FRA for survivor benefits and get more details about making the switch to my own benefits at 70. Really appreciate all the insights!

If you're struggling to reach someone at Social Security to get clarification on the earnings limit, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It helped me get through to an agent in under 10 minutes after spending days trying to reach someone. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU I had a similar earnings limit question with my husband retiring early, and getting clear answers directly from SSA saved us from making a costly mistake. Totally worth it to speak with someone who can look at your specific situation rather than trying to figure out these complicated rules on your own.

To answer your follow-up questions about bonuses and timing: 1. For year-end bonuses: Under Social Security rules, bonuses count when they're earned, not when they're paid. However, a year-end performance bonus is typically considered earned when it's paid. So if your husband receives a bonus in December 2025, that would likely count toward December's earnings. 2. Regarding starting benefits in January 2026: If he begins benefits in January 2026, that becomes his "grace year" and he can use the monthly earnings test for all of 2026. This means he could earn any amount in January-November but still receive benefits for any month he earns under the monthly limit (which will be slightly higher in 2026 due to COLA). These earnings test rules are genuinely confusing, so it's smart to plan carefully. I'd recommend scheduling an appointment with SSA about 3-4 months before your husband plans to retire to discuss your specific situation.

My friend's situation was kinda similar and I think there was a surprise with how much she got so def have your husband ask very specific questions during his phone appt! Good luck

Just to clarify one more point that sometimes confuses people: The decision about when to file is separate for each of you. You've already filed, but your husband still has options. If your husband files at 62, he gets approximately 70% of his FRA benefit (the $749). If he waits until FRA, he gets 100% of his FRA benefit (probably around $1070). If he waits until 70, he gets 132% of his FRA benefit (around $1412). The spousal benefit doesn't increase after FRA, so there's no spousal advantage to waiting beyond FRA. But his own benefit continues to grow until 70. Since his own benefit is already higher than the reduced spousal benefit, waiting longer would just increase that gap.

Something else to consider - has your sister checked her own Social Security record lately??? My friend thought her benefit would be really small because of her government job, but when she actually checked her SS statement online, it was higher than she expected because of all the years she paid in. Your sister should create a my Social Security account on ssa.gov if she hasn't already!!! That way she'll know her own benefit amount before even talking to anyone.

i think everyones overthinking this lol. just have her apply and see what they say. my aunt got dinged with gpo and still got like $400 a month from my uncles record. anything is better than nothing right?

wait im confused about something... if shes born in 1964 isnt her regular FRA 67 not 66 and 8 months? why are there different FRAs for different benefits?? thats so confusing!

Thank you all for the amazingly helpful advice! I've made notes of everything and have a much clearer plan now: 1. Get specific benefit amounts from SSA (what my SSDI converts to at 67, projected amount at 70, and widow's benefit at 66+8mo) 2. At 66+8mo, file restricted application SPECIFICALLY for widow's benefits only if they're higher than my SSDI 3. At 70, reassess and take whichever is higher - my maximized retirement or the widow's benefit I'll use that Claimyr service to actually reach SSA since the regular phone line has been impossible. I'll update when I have more information, in case it helps someone else in a similar situation.