I didn't get mine either but then I realized I probably didn't get one because this was my first year on SS benefits (started collecting in September) and I didn't receive enough to need a 1099?? Do they only send them if you got over a certain amount? Anyone know?

just wanted to update - followed the advice and found my 1099 on mysocialsecurity right where you all said it would be!! printed it out for my accountant! thanks everyone!

Just remembered something important - when I was dealing with this, I also had to fill out an SSA-131 form (Statement of Employer). My employer had to verify my reduced work schedule. Ask them if you need this form too if you're still working for the same employer but with reduced hours!

To definitively answer your question: The earnings test applies to the full calendar year, BUT the monthly earnings test for the first year of benefits allows you to receive benefits for any month you earn under the monthly limit ($1,860) and don't perform substantial services in self-employment. What this means in practice: If your monthly earnings from July-December stay under $1,860 per month, you should receive full survivor benefits for those months despite your higher earnings from January-June. Make sure to: 1. Provide a month-by-month breakdown of earnings 2. Specifically mention the "first year monthly earnings test" in your correspondence 3. Keep copies of all pay stubs and documentation 4. Follow up in January to ensure correct application of the rule And yes, you'll need to report earnings annually until you reach FRA, but the special monthly rule only applies to this first year.

I know several people mentioned calling SSA is difficult, and it really is these days. When I was trying to sort out my own benefits (with a similar ex-spouse situation), I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent. They have this system that navigates the phone menus and waits on hold for you, then calls you when an agent is on the line. Their video demo (https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU) shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration and the agent was able to calculate exactly what my options were with specific numbers rather than generalities.

A couple more points that might help you: 1. Your alimony has zero impact on Social Security benefits - they're completely separate systems. 2. If your ex passes away before you (hopefully not!), the rules change completely. As a surviving divorced spouse, you'd be eligible for survivor benefits which could be up to 100% of what he was receiving or eligible to receive. 3. Since you're planning to work until 70+, each additional year of higher earnings can potentially replace a lower-earning year in your benefit calculation. Social Security uses your highest 35 years of earnings (indexed for inflation). 4. When you eventually speak with SSA, ask them to calculate both your projected benefit at 70 based on your earnings AND what your ex-spouse benefit would be. That way you'll know exactly which will be higher. Hope this helps!

I filed at 62 last year and was in a similar situation with my husband. After several calls to SSA where I either couldn't get through or got conflicting information, I finally just went to my local office in person. Took almost 3 hours of waiting but I got clear answers about my specific situation. If you can't get through on the phone, try going in person with all your documents and questions written down. They can run your actual numbers there.

One important correction to my earlier comment: The reduction for taking spousal benefits early is actually calculated differently than for your own retirement benefits. At age 62, the spousal benefit reduction is actually MORE than the reduction for your own benefit. For retirement benefits, filing at 62 results in approximately a 30% reduction. For spousal benefits, filing at 62 results in approximately a 35% reduction. So if your full spousal benefit would be 50% of your husband's PIA, at age 62 you'd get closer to 32.5% of his PIA. This is why getting precise calculations for your specific situation is so important. The difference could significantly impact your long-term planning.

my mom went thru something like this and she just gave up trying to get her money back because the SSA people kept giving her different answers every time she called...the system is so broken

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm going to try to get through to SSA to request that earnings test recalculation. I had no idea I needed to specifically ask for this - I thought they would automatically adjust it based on my tax return. I'm also reconsidering my timeline for taking survivor benefits based on the earnings test information. One last question if anyone knows - is there a time limit for requesting the earnings recalculation? It's been almost 2 years since that initial withholding.