After reading all these comments, it sounds like you'd really benefit from getting a personalized analysis of your situation from SSA directly. When I finally got through to them after using Claimyr, the agent ran several different claiming scenarios specifically for our financial situation. They showed us the lifetime benefit totals under different life expectancy assumptions. For a decision this important affecting potentially hundreds of thousands in lifetime benefits, it's worth getting expert advice tailored to your specific circumstances rather than general opinions.

did u check what ur spousal benefit would be when u retire?? my friend got more from her husbands record than her own even tho she worked 30 years

Have u tried contacting your congressional representative? My friend is a retired police officer who had issues with WEP and his congress person's office helped straighten it out. They have staff who specifically handle SS problems!

After learning about how WEP works, I discovered that SSA had missed some of my substantial earnings years from when I worked summers during my teaching career. I was able to get my WEP reduction decreased by providing proof of those earnings. The WEP formula provides a 5% reduction in the penalty for each year of substantial earnings over 20 years, so each additional year you can document is worth fighting for.

just want to point out something nobody mentioned - when ur husband files makes NO difference to your spousal benefit amount!! your spousal benefit is based on his PRIMARY INSURANCE AMOUNT (his benefit at full retirement age), not whatever benefit he actually receives when he files. so if his PIA is $2000, your max spousal is $1000 (50%) whether he files at 62, 67, or 70!!!

The previous commenter is absolutely correct, and it's an important point that's often misunderstood. Your spousal benefit is based on 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is his benefit at full retirement age - NOT the increased amount he would get by delaying beyond FRA. So from a spousal benefit perspective, there's no advantage to your husband waiting to file beyond his FRA, as your benefit amount won't increase. This is different from survivor benefits, which ARE based on the actual amount he was receiving (including any delayed retirement credits). Given this information, if your financial situation allows it, it often makes mathematical sense for the higher-earning spouse to file at FRA if the other spouse is eligible for spousal benefits only. The exception would be if there are strong reasons to maximize the survivor benefit (e.g., significant age difference or health considerations).

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.

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

My wife worked for 33 years before claiming at 62 and kept working pt and they still increased her benefit every year! Even tho she was over the earnings limit at first. its been 5 years now and her check is almost $200 more than when she started! But like someone else said she did have to wait till FRA to get the full increase.

To summarize what's been discussed: 1. Your 35-year calculation continues throughout your lifetime 2. New earnings can replace lower years, potentially increasing your benefit 3. The earnings limit applies until FRA ($21,240 for 2025) 4. Benefits withheld due to the earnings limit are partially returned at FRA through a recalculation 5. These recalculations happen automatically 6. The taxation of benefits is a separate consideration If you're replacing very low earning years from when you cared for your parents, you could see a meaningful increase over time, especially considering you'll potentially have many years of part-time work ahead of you.