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THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!!! They got rid of file and suspend, they eliminated restricted application, they tax our benefits, and they STILL haven't fixed the WEP/GPO problems!!! When will Congress stop treating seniors like ATM machines????
While there are certainly issues with how Social Security has evolved, the changes to file and suspend and restricted application were actually intended to eliminate strategies that primarily benefited higher-income households. Most people who could afford to delay benefits were higher earners. That said, I do agree that more transparency and consistency in the rules would help everyone.
Thank you all for the helpful information. I'm disappointed but at least now I understand my options better. I think I'll wait until 70 to maximize my benefit since I can afford to do so at this point. It's frustrating that the rules changed and eliminated this strategy, but I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain it so clearly!
That's a good decision if you can afford it. Every year you wait after your FRA adds approximately 8% to your lifetime benefit amount, and that increase is permanent and includes future COLAs. At current life expectancies for women your age, waiting until 70 tends to pay off in the long run.
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One other thing to consider is that if your brother passes away (hopefully not for many decades!), your SIL would be eligible for survivor benefits. Those are calculated differently than spousal benefits. As a widow, she could get 100% of what your brother was receiving if she's at her full retirement age when she claims survivor benefits. However, if she claims survivor benefits early, they'll be reduced. The reduction factors for survivor benefits are different than for retirement or spousal benefits. This is why Social Security planning for couples often involves considering the higher earner delaying as long as possible (to age 70 ideally) to maximize the survivor benefit for whichever spouse lives longer.
This is a really good point. My financial advisor always said the higher earning spouse should try to delay until 70 if possible, especially if there's a big difference in benefit amounts between spouses.
After reading through this whole thread, I think your SIL has essentially three options: 1) Claim now at 63 and accept permanent reductions to both her retirement AND spousal benefits. This gives her income now but less income later. 2) Wait until her FRA to claim either benefit. This maximizes her spousal benefit when your brother claims. 3) A compromise approach: If she absolutely needs income now, she could consider whether she qualifies for any other benefits (like spousal benefits from a previous marriage if applicable) or look at other income sources to bridge the gap until FRA. The deemed filing rules that took effect for people born after January 1, 1954, eliminated many of the clever claiming strategies that used to exist. Now, when you file for one benefit, you're effectively filing for all benefits you're eligible for.
This summary is incredibly helpful. I'll discuss these options with them. I think they were hoping there was some clever strategy that would let her claim now without penalizing her later spousal benefit, but it sounds like those loopholes have been closed. Really appreciate everyone's insights!
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To clarify a key point that's causing confusion: Once you reach age 70, there is NO BENEFIT to waiting longer to apply. Age 70 is the maximum age for delayed retirement credits (DRCs). If you're already 70 in 2025, you should apply now. Waiting until 2026 will not increase your benefit amount through DRCs. The only thing that could potentially increase your benefit by waiting would be if you're still working and replacing a lower-earning year in your calculation with a higher-earning 2025 year. The difference between someone who turned 70 and applied in 2024 versus 2025 is due to the wage indexing in the initial calculation, not because of some advantage to waiting past 70.
Thank you for emphasizing this! I'll definitely apply now rather than waiting. My highest earnings years were already within my top 35, so working longer wouldn't help my calculation anyway. I appreciate everyone's help in understanding this confusing system!
wait so if I'm turning 66 this year should I wait till 70? will I get more $$$ that way? or should I just take it now? i'm so confused by all this!!!!
That's a different question from what the original poster asked, but generally: Yes, waiting until 70 will give you a significantly higher monthly benefit (approximately 32% more than at your full retirement age of 66). Whether that's the right choice depends on your health, financial situation, and other factors. But if you're trying to maximize your lifetime benefit and expect to live past roughly age 80, waiting is mathematically advantageous.
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my dad just went through this whole thing and was so confused by all this FRA and earnings test stuff. he ended up waiting until his FRA to claim just to avoid the headache lol
I understand the feeling! I considered waiting until FRA too, but I really need the additional income now, and since I'm confident I'll stay under the annual limit, it made sense for me to start in January.
Based on everything you've shared, you're approaching this correctly. Let me summarize to make sure everything is clear: 1. You're subject to the ANNUAL earnings test of $62,160 for 2025 (not the monthly test) 2. Only your earnings from January through November 2025 count toward this limit 3. As long as you stay under $62,160 through November, no benefits will be withheld 4. In December 2025 when you reach FRA, a separate higher limit applies ($16,560) 5. After you reach FRA in December, no earnings limits apply at all Keep track of your earnings, report your estimates to SSA, and you should be all set!
Thank you so much for this clear summary! You've all been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident now about my situation and how the earnings test will affect my survivor benefits.
Oliver Brown
Thank you everyone for the responses! I'm going to apply online in March 2025 (4 months before my July payment). I feel much better knowing I don't have to worry about the earnings limit after reaching my FRA in June. One last question - do I need my birth certificate for the online application? I have my passport but not sure where my birth certificate is right now.
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Mary Bates
•You'll need to provide proof of age, but a passport is sufficient if you don't have your birth certificate readily available. The online application will tell you what documents are acceptable. Just make sure your passport isn't expired!
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Kai Santiago
word of caution about applying online - i did that but there was a GLITCH and my application disappeared!!! had to start all over by phone. maybe things are better now but that was only last year. i'd recommend calling AND applying online to be safe
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Carmella Popescu
•While technical issues can occasionally happen, applying twice (both online and by phone) would actually cause more problems. It could create duplicate applications in the system, leading to processing delays. The online system is generally reliable, and you receive a confirmation number when your application is successfully submitted. Save that number and follow up if you don't receive an acknowledgment within a week.
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