My husband finally applied for his SS retirement benefits in early December (Dec 8th) and requested a January 2025 start date. We're still waiting to hear back from SSA after 50+ days which is making me anxious. I understand that January benefits come in February, but I'm really confused about this new 2025 payment schedule I've been reading about. My husband's birthday is on the 27th, so from what I understand, his payment would fall on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Looking at my calendar, that would be February 26th for his first payment. Is this correct? Does this mean he won't get his first retirement payment until February 26th even though his benefits start in January? This seems like such a long wait! Also, will they notify us when his application is approved, or do we just wait and see if money shows up in February? Getting worried about our budget planning for early 2025.

I spent about 28 years working various retail jobs (mix of part-time and full-time) but didn't quite reach the 30 years needed for full Social Security credits. Then I worked for a county school district for 16 years before getting caught in budget cuts last year. Had to retire at 62 because my hours were getting slashed and positions were being eliminated. Just started collecting both my pension from the school district and my Social Security, but was shocked when my SS check arrived with a WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) reduction! It knocked almost $500 off what I was expecting to get monthly. Wasn't prepared for that hit at all. Here's what I'm wondering: 1) My husband turns 65 next month but plans to keep working for 2 more years until his full retirement age of 67. Can he claim some spousal benefits based on MY record now while he's still working, then switch to his own benefit later? 2) When he does retire and starts collecting his Social Security, can I get a "top-up" from his record? His benefit will be more than twice what I'm getting now after that WEP reduction. This WEP thing has really messed up our retirement planning and I'm trying to figure out how to maximize what we can get. Any advice would be appreciated!

I need help figuring out a complicated Social Security situation for our family. I'm turning 60 next month and my husband is only 49. He's the primary earner (makes about $125,000/yr) while I've been mostly a stay-at-home parent with sporadic part-time work. We have 4 kids - our oldest is 22 with autism spectrum disorder (has medical diagnosis but no SSA disability determination), another who's 19, and twins who are 11. I'm trying to understand if I should: 1. Apply for reduced retirement benefits at 62 so my 11-year-olds could get child benefits until they're 18 2. Somehow get our oldest established as a Disabled Adult Child with SSA so he could potentially receive benefits on my record 3. Figure out if my husband could collect spousal benefits on my record while continuing to work I'm confused about the calculations - if I take benefits early at 62, my benefits will be permanently reduced by about 30%, but would that reduction apply to what my kids could get too? Would it be better financially to wait until my FRA? Can the Social Security office run different scenarios to help us decide the best approach? I'm completely lost trying to understand all these interconnected family benefits.

I'm in a bit of a dilemma about when to start my Social Security benefits. I'm 62 and still working (though I downshifted to a lower-paying position last year - needed less stress in my life!). My husband is 69, already collecting his SS benefits, and fully retired. He had the higher-earning career between us. I'm considering claiming my benefits now while continuing to work, but someone told me that if I start collecting at 62, it would somehow reduce my husband's current SS payment. That sounds crazy to me, but is there any truth to it? We could really use the additional income from my benefits, but obviously not if it's going to cut into what he's already receiving. The whole thing seems unfair if true. Has anyone dealt with this specific situation? Any insights about spousal benefits when one person is already collecting and the other starts early?

I'm seriously considering pulling the trigger on retirement in the next few months. I'm 62 and single, but was previously married for just over 10 years (divorced now). My ex is 64 and already started collecting Social Security at 62. I'm pretty sure I've contributed more to Social Security than they have based on our work histories. If I start collecting now at 62, am I permanently stuck with that reduced amount for the rest of my life? No chance of an increase later? Also, can my ex potentially claim on my record once I start collecting? They've already been collecting their own benefit for about 2 years now. Thanks in advance for helping me figure this out before I make this big decision!