To address your vacation payout concern: Yes, lump sum vacation pay counts as earnings in the month received, not when earned. However, you could ask your employer if they'd be willing to spread the vacation payout over multiple months instead of one lump sum. Not all employers will do this, but it's worth asking if it helps you stay under the monthly limit. Also, regarding your spouse's SSDI application - if she's approved, you may become eligible for a caregiver spouse benefit once you're both receiving benefits. This is something to discuss with SSA when the time comes.

For caregiver resources check out the Family Caregiver Alliance and your local Area Agency on Aging. They saved my sanity when I was caring for my dad!!

hey did ur disabled son have any trouble with his benefits when u started collecting? my kid is worried cause i might start mine soon but they get ssi not ssdi if that makes a difference

Circling back to your original question about increasing your benefit: While you can't withdraw and reapply, remember that if you continue working, even part-time, Social Security will automatically recalculate your benefit annually to see if your new earnings increase your benefit amount. Also, once you reach age 70, you should check if you might qualify for a higher spousal benefit from your ex-husband's record, especially if he's filed for his benefits by then. The $8,000 annual earnings you mentioned likely won't make a huge difference, but it could cause some small increases over time if those earnings replace lower-earning years in your calculation.

btw that earnings limit goes up when u hit your full retirement age... then it's higher (like $4000/month i think?) and then after your birthday month in your full retirement age year the limit goes away completely and u can earn whatever u want

Thanks everyone for the helpful answers! Just to make sure I've got this straight: I can take money from my 401k for my home repairs without any impact on my Social Security benefits, even though I'm under full retirement age. The earnings limit only applies to actual work income. I'll still need to pay income tax on the withdrawal, and that might affect how much of my Social Security gets taxed, but it won't reduce my monthly SS payment. Does that sound right?

The whole system is SO CONFUSING!!! Why can't they just make it simple to understand??? Every time I think I get it someone tells me something different. And don't even get me started on trying to talk to someone at the actual office! 🤬

To summarize for the original poster: 1) No family maximum concerns for you and your husband since you're claiming on separate work records, 2) Your decision should focus on the early claiming reduction vs. getting payments sooner, 3) Consider survivor benefit implications, and 4) Be aware of potential tax implications of having both benefits coming in. These are the key factors for your situation.

You should definitely keep your appointment. Since you'll be at your Full Retirement Age in June, this is the perfect time to file. Regarding the COVID income concerns: The Social Security benefit formula uses your highest 35 years of indexed earnings, so those lower-earning pandemic years will simply not be included in your calculation if you have 35 other higher-earning years. Also, filing at your appointment in May for benefits to begin in June (your FRA month) is ideal timing. The only reason to possibly delay would be if you wanted to earn delayed retirement credits (8% per year until age 70), but that's a separate strategic decision based on your financial needs and longevity expectations.

After I used Claimyr to get through to SSA, the agent confirmed that each month you delay past FRA gives you approximately 0.67% more (which equals 8% per year). So waiting even a few months does increase your benefit, but you have to decide if the permanent increase is worth missing those months of payments. For me, I decided to start right at my FRA because I needed the income immediately.