Thank you all so much for your helpful advice. I'm going to try to schedule an appointment with SSA this week to get the process started. I'll make sure to bring all the documents mentioned and copies of everything. Based on your suggestions, I think I'll apply for the survivor benefits now since I'm not earning that much at my part-time job, and then possibly switch to my own retirement benefit later if it ends up being higher. And I'll definitely check out that Claimyr service if I have trouble getting through on the phone. I really appreciate all your help during this difficult time!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Keisha. Just wanted to add one more important point that I don't think anyone mentioned yet - you should apply as soon as possible because survivor benefits can be paid retroactively for up to 6 months from your application date, but NOT before the month of death. So the sooner you apply, the better, especially since you're already eligible at 62. Also, when you do apply, make sure to ask the SSA representative to explain both your survivor benefit options AND your own retirement benefit projections. Sometimes people focus so much on the survivor benefit that they don't realize their own benefit might actually be higher if they wait and keep working. The SSA can run scenarios for you to help you make the best decision. Good luck with everything, and again, my condolences.

This is really helpful information! I'm 64 and planning to work until 70 while collecting benefits starting at my FRA. One question I have - does the automatic recomputation also apply to delayed retirement credits? I know you get 8% per year for delaying past FRA, but if I'm working those years too, do I get both the delayed credits AND the benefit recalculation from higher earnings? Or is it one or the other? I'm trying to figure out if working those extra years gives me a double benefit boost or if there's some limitation I should know about. Thanks for all the insights everyone has shared!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the timing of when you'll actually see the money. Even though SSA does the automatic recomputation every year, there can sometimes be delays in processing, especially if there are any discrepancies in your earnings record. I'd recommend keeping copies of your pay stubs and W-2s from these high-earning years just in case you need to provide documentation later. Also, if you're self-employed or have any 1099 income in addition to your W-2 wages, make sure you're reporting all of it correctly on your tax returns since that's what SSA uses for the recomputation. The extra documentation might save you headaches down the road if there are any questions about your earnings record.

Wow, this thread has been incredibly educational! I'm in a somewhat similar situation - planning to sell my home in the next year and start collecting Social Security around the same time. Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has given me so much to think about that I hadn't considered before. A few quick questions based on what I've learned here: 1. For those who mentioned separating the house sale and SS start dates - is there a "sweet spot" for how far apart these should be timing-wise? Like, would separating them by just a few months make a meaningful difference, or do you really need to put them in completely different tax years? 2. Has anyone actually used the SSA-44 form to successfully reduce their IRMAA surcharges? I'd love to hear about real experiences with how that process works and how long it takes. 3. @Carmen Diaz mentioned the distinction between improvements vs repairs - does anyone know if there's a dollar threshold where this matters more? Like, if you've only spent a few thousand on improvements over the years, is it even worth tracking down all those receipts? Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed and practical advice. This community has been more helpful than any government website I've tried to navigate!

I successfully used the SSA-44 form to reduce my IRMAA surcharges after a similar situation! Here's how it worked for me: I had a large capital gain from selling rental property in 2022, which triggered higher Medicare premiums for 2024. Once my income dropped back to normal levels in 2023, I filed the SSA-44 in early 2024 with documentation showing my reduced income (tax returns, Social Security statements, etc.). The process took about 6-8 weeks, but they approved my request and reduced my premiums retroactively. I actually got refund checks for the extra premiums I'd already paid! The key is having clear documentation that shows your income has significantly decreased due to a "life-changing event" - retirement, death of spouse, etc. Definitely worth filing if your situation qualifies. The form itself is pretty straightforward, and you can submit it online through your Medicare.gov account or mail it in. Just make sure to keep copies of everything you submit!

I went through this exact same situation last year when I turned 67 and started collecting SS while still working! The frustration with getting clear answers from both SSA and IRS is so real - I must have spent 6 hours on hold between the two agencies. What you're doing with the extra $200 withholding is perfect. I did something similar and had no issues at tax time. The key thing I learned is that as long as your total withholding (regular + extra) covers either 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax, you're golden. No penalties, no quarterly payment forms needed. One tip: keep good records of when you started the extra withholding and how much. It helped me when I filed my taxes to have everything documented. Also, don't let anyone scare you into thinking you need to do BOTH withholding AND quarterly payments - that's overkill and completely unnecessary. You're handling this the smart way. The extra withholding from your paycheck is actually better than quarterly payments because the IRS treats it as if you paid evenly throughout the year, even though you didn't start until August.

I'm going through something very similar right now - started collecting SS at 66 while still working part-time. The runaround between SSA and IRS is absolutely maddening! I spent an entire afternoon being transferred back and forth with no real answers. Your approach with the extra $200 withholding is exactly what I ended up doing too after getting nowhere with the phone calls. What really helped me was using the IRS withholding calculator on their website (irs.gov) - you can plug in your expected SS benefits, work income, and current withholding to see if you're on track. Just make sure to account for the fact that your SS benefits will likely be 85% taxable given that you're working full-time. I was surprised how much that added to my tax bill! But the good news is that extra withholding from your paycheck absolutely counts toward any estimated tax requirements. You're definitely on the right path and shouldn't need to mess with quarterly payment forms on top of what you're already doing.

UPDATE: I successfully created my my Social Security account! It was actually pretty straightforward. I had to verify my identity through my cell phone and answer some questions about my credit history. The statement has EVERYTHING my accountant needed - all my earnings year by year, estimated benefits at different ages, and even a breakdown of SS and Medicare taxes I've paid. Thanks to everyone for the advice!

That's fantastic news! You'll find that having access to your online account is really convenient - you can check your statement anytime and even see projected benefits if you work a few more years or delay retirement. Pro tip: bookmark the login page and consider setting a calendar reminder to review your statement annually. It's also worth noting that your accountant can help you understand how working additional years might impact your benefit calculation, since Social Security uses your highest 35 years of earnings. If you have some lower-earning years in your record, continuing to work could potentially replace those and increase your future benefits.