I'm so jealous! I tried to do something similar but messed up my earnings calculation and went over the limit by about $4,800. Now SS is making me pay back some benefits and it's a whole hassle. Make sure you track your income REALLY carefully especially if you get any bonuses or overtime that might push you over unexpectedly.

This is a textbook example of how to strategically time your Social Security benefits while managing the transition to retirement. Well done! One thing to consider: once you fully retire in July, you'll want to adjust your withholding on your Social Security benefits. Since you'll have lower total income for the second half of the year, you might be overwithholding. You can file Form W-4V to change your federal tax withholding rate on your Social Security benefits to either 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your monthly benefit. Also, keep in mind that any severance package from your employer would count toward the earnings test limit in the year received. If you're expecting any significant payout when you leave your job, factor that into your calculations. Your strategy shows how powerful it can be to understand the nuances of Social Security rules!

my neighbor says his son works for ssa and says all the good employees work at the field offices and they put the new people on the phones lol. not sure if thats true but made me laugh

One important thing to consider in your situation - since your husband is only 61, he'll be filing early (before FRA), which means a permanently reduced benefit. Make sure whoever helps you explains exactly how much the reduction will be and whether it makes financial sense given your overall situation. Sometimes it's better to live off savings for a while rather than lock in a reduced benefit for life, especially if he might find another job soon. This is exactly the kind of nuanced discussion that works better in person.

Thanks for all the great advice, everyone! I think I'm going to hold off on claiming for now since I'm still working and don't absolutely need the SS income yet. That 8% guaranteed increase each year seems too good to pass up. I'll check out that tax withholding calculator too since I definitely don't want a surprise tax bill. Really appreciate all your help!

Smart choice! One final tip - even though you're delaying benefits, I'd recommend creating your my.ssa.gov account now if you haven't already. It's a good way to check your earnings record for accuracy and get updated benefit estimates as you continue working. Those additional earnings might further increase your eventual benefit amount.

i think u need his w2s too maybe? or at least thats what my aunt needed when she did this

Thank you all for your help! I called SSA this morning but couldn't get through after waiting an hour. Will try that Claimyr service tomorrow. I found all our documents including his social security card. I had no idea I might be missing out on hundreds of dollars each month for the past 2 years. Really appreciate everyone's advice!

I believe there's some confusion in the responses you're getting. Let me clarify based on SSA rules: 1. When a wage earner dies during the 5-month waiting period for SSDI, survivors don't have to serve the remainder of that waiting period. Benefits can begin the month of death. 2. For your brother as a Disabled Adult Child (DAC), benefits would typically start with the month of your father's death (January 2025). 3. There's a provision called "Deemed Filing Date" that might help in certain situations. If your father mentioned your brother's disability when he first applied in September 2024, there's a possibility this could be considered a protective filing date for your brother. 4. Request a detailed explanation in writing regarding the earliest possible entitlement date. Ask specifically about any protective filing provisions that might apply. 5. If your brother was receiving SSI, the rules for back payments get even more complex, as SSI payments may need to be repaid if retroactive SSDI is awarded. I recommend requesting a meeting with a Technical Expert at your local SSA office who specializes in disabled adult child benefits, not just speaking with the frontline representatives who may not be familiar with all the nuances.

One more important thing - if your brother was already receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits on his own record, switching to the higher DAC benefits on your father's record will affect his Medicaid eligibility. There's a special provision called "Section 1634(c)" or the "DAC Medicaid protection" you should ask about to ensure he keeps Medicaid coverage even with the higher SSDI payment.