One thing nobody's mentioned - if you're earning enough to have to pay back benefits, you might want to consider whether it makes sense to just suspend your benefits until you reach FRA. I did that when I went back to work, and it saved me the hassle of paying back benefits. Plus, for each month your benefits are suspended, you get a little boost when they restart (they recalculate to remove some of the early retirement reduction).

To address your specific situation more directly: Since your 2023 earnings were from a period when you were still receiving your own retirement benefits (before switching to survivor benefits in September), those earnings could indeed replace a lower year in your 35-year calculation. However, there's an important timing element here. The SSA doesn't apply new earnings to your record until after the employer W-2 forms are processed, typically around September of the following year. So you might not see any change in your record until late 2024, and any increase to your own PIA wouldn't be relevant while you're receiving survivor benefits (unless your own benefit eventually becomes higher).

Since you mentioned cancer recovery - don't forget that the SSA has compassionate allowances and expedited processing for serious medical conditions. If your condition worsens or you need to apply for disability, make sure to mention your cancer diagnosis as it might qualify you for faster processing. Sending healing thoughts your way.

its so confusing my sister got more from her ex husband than her second husband when he died but they told me different rules when i called????????

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!!

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.

Just wanted to add - make sure your wife knows exactly what paperwork she'll need if something happens. My mom had to provide: death certificate (certified copy), marriage certificate, both their Social Security cards, birth certificate, and photo ID. The SSA website lists everything but having it all ready saved her a second trip. Also tell her she should apply in the month of death - they don't pay benefits retroactively beyond a certain point.

To answer your follow-up question about optimal strategy: Generally, yes - claiming the lower benefit first then switching to the higher one later can maximize lifetime benefits. For example, if your wife's own benefit at age 70 would be higher than your survivor benefit (unlikely with the numbers you provided, but possible for others), she could take reduced survivor benefits at 60, then switch to her own maximized benefit at 70. More commonly for couples with disparate earnings like yours, she might take her own reduced retirement benefit at 62, then switch to the full survivor benefit at her FRA. The optimal approach depends on: 1. Both benefit amounts 2. Her life expectancy 3. Whether she's still working (earnings test) 4. Any other income sources during potential gap years The SSA won't automatically tell her about these strategies, so it's good you're researching now.