my aunt said u should also look at state taxes cuz some states tax SS and some dont!!! depends where u live

One strategy to consider for future years (won't help for 2024): if you have the ability to control income sources, you might be able to stay below the taxation thresholds. For example, taking distributions from Roth accounts (which aren't counted in the combined income formula) rather than traditional IRAs, or timing certain investment decisions. This requires advance planning but can reduce the tax impact on your Social Security benefits.

I was in a similar situation but reversed (I'm female). Started widow benefits at 60 and they were about 70% of what I would've gotten at FRA. But it was worth it for me because I needed the income. One thing no one mentioned - if you're planning to work past 60 while collecting, remember those benefits will be reduced if you earn over the limit (which was around $19k when I started but is higher now). For every $2 over the limit, they take $1 from your benefits.

Good question about withheld benefits due to excess earnings! Those benefits aren't permanently lost. Once you reach your Full Retirement Age, Social Security will recalculate your benefit amount to give you credit for the months when benefits were withheld. It's essentially a recoupment over time. But also consider: if your own retirement benefit will ultimately be higher than the widow benefit, and you plan to switch to your own benefit at FRA anyway, it might be worth analyzing whether taking a reduced widow benefit that's further reduced by the earnings test makes financial sense. Sometimes waiting until you're closer to FRA or working part-time to stay under the earnings limit can be more advantageous.

Just my 2 cents - everybody's situation is different. My wife and I decided I'd file at 62 and she'd wait til 70 since her benefit was bigger. Worked great for us, we're 15 years into retirement and no regrets. Health problems can change everything tho so dont just think about the math, think about QUALITY OF LIFE!!

Has anyone mentioned survivor benefits yet? This is HUGE in your planning! When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse basically continues with the HIGHER of the two benefit amounts. So if you delay till 70 and get say $4200/month, then pass away, your husband would get that $4200/month for the rest of HIS life (assuming it's higher than his own benefit). So even if you delay and don't live super long, your husband could benefit from your higher amount for DECADES, especially with that 3 year age difference. This is especially important with his WEP situation limiting his own benefit.

One more thing I forgot to mention - when you call back, try to use their exact terminology. Instead of just saying your daughter "needs care" or "has disabilities," be specific about the "exercise of parental control and responsibility" and that you "provide personal services, supervision and direction" - those are the exact phrases from their policy manual that they're trained to look for.

good luck!! update us after u call again! my aunt might be in same situation soon

they asked me for a letter from his doctor about his care needs and why he cant be left alone. i also gave them his guardianship papers and IEP from when he was in school showing his severe disability. and my work schedule showing i only work part time now to care for him

To answer the recent question - grandparents can qualify for this benefit in place of parents if they are the legal guardian providing care for a disabled individual receiving survivor benefits. The same criteria apply regarding care requirements and work limitations. One important note for everyone: If approved, the Mother's/Father's benefit is generally 75% of the deceased person's primary insurance amount, but may be reduced by the family maximum benefit limit if multiple people receive benefits on the same earnings record. This is something to be aware of when calculating potential benefit amounts.