DONT FORGET ABOUT TAXES!!!!! Even if you stay under the earnings limit, you might still have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefits if your combined income is high enough. Up to 85% of your benefits can be taxable depending on your total income. Nobody warned me about this and I got hit with a surprise tax bill my first year on SS. 😡

When I retired last year the SSA rep told me something that helped me understand this: think of the earnings limit as ONLY counting money you actively work for. Your pension, investments, rental income, and most importantly your SS benefits do NOT count toward the earnings limit. Only wages from a job or self-employment count.

Based on your update that you both turned 66 last summer, here's what's happening: You're both past your Initial Enrollment Periods for Medicare (which was around your 65th birthdays). Since you're currently working with employer insurance, you're eligible for a Special Enrollment Period when you retire in January. However, Special Enrollment Period processing can take longer and the rules are slightly different. It's possible your husband's application requires additional verification since he's on your insurance rather than his own. The SSA employee reviewing his application might be waiting for employment verification or other documentation that wasn't needed for yours. I strongly recommend: 1. Call SSA again and specifically ask what documentation is needed to complete his application 2. Ask for the specific expected start date of his Medicare coverage 3. Inquire about temporary COBRA coverage if there will be a gap This is definitely resolvable, but you need more specific information than what you received in that first call.

KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING!!!! I learned this the hard way. SSA lost my application TWICE and then tried to charge me penalties because they said I didn't apply on time even though I DID!!! Take pictures of all documents with your phone before you submit them and get names of everyone you talk to. The system is a MESS right now!!!!

One important thing to mention regarding EDS and related conditions - these can be tricky cases because symptoms can vary in severity day to day. Make sure your son's medical records capture this variability rather than just how he presents on "good days." A symptom diary documenting day-to-day limitations can be extremely helpful evidence. Have him track things like: - Pain levels throughout the day - Activities attempted and whether he could complete them - Hours spent resting/recovering after activities - Medication side effects - Episodes of dizziness, fatigue, joint dislocations, etc. This kind of documentation can be powerful when combined with medical records, especially for conditions with invisible symptoms that might not be obvious during brief medical appointments.

A simple journal is fine, but I recommend creating a consistent format that includes: 1. Date and time 2. Symptom/limitation description 3. Severity rating (1-10) 4. Duration 5. What helped (if anything) 6. What activities were impacted This format makes it easier for SSA to connect symptoms to specific functional limitations that would prevent work. For example, instead of just "I was dizzy today," entries like "Severe dizziness (8/10) when standing for more than 5 minutes; had to lie down for 2 hours afterward; couldn't prepare meals or shower" provide the functional details SSA needs. Also, make sure your son is seeing his doctors regularly throughout this process. Gaps in treatment can be used against your case, even when those gaps occur because he's too ill to get to appointments.

Another issue nobody's mentioning - SSA would need to REHIRE many retirees temporarily just to handle this workload if it passes. Most current staff don't even understand the WEP/GPO calculations because they're so complicated!!! The institutional knowledge is walking out the door every month with retirements. When they implemented the Bipartisan Budget Act changes a few years back, it was CHAOS for months because they didn't provide enough training or staff. I can't imagine how they'd handle millions of recalculations without a MASSIVE budget increase.

To address a few points raised in this thread: 1. The 5-year phase-in is actually a responsible approach given SSA's current capacity constraints. Without it, the system might face complete gridlock. 2. The Congressional Budget Office estimates implementation would cost approximately $90-100 million in administrative expenses during the first year alone. 3. Funding challenges are significant - SSA's budget has remained relatively flat for years despite workload increases of 20%+. 4. Regarding hiring retired SSA employees - there are actually provisions allowing federal agencies to bring back annuitants in crisis situations without pension offset, which could potentially be utilized here. The fundamental issue remains that benefit policy and administrative capacity must be addressed simultaneously for effective implementation.

And make SURE your friend doesn't just apply online!!! The SSA website won't tell her about all her options!!! She needs to TALK to a representative directly and ask specifically about the "restricted application" strategy!!! Don't let them rush her off the phone!!!

Thank you all SO much for the helpful responses! I'll definitely tell my friend to apply for her benefits now and not worry about her husband's income affecting her checks. And I'll warn her about the potential tax implications too. It's such a relief to have clear answers - this has been causing so much unnecessary stress during an already difficult time.