Thanks everyone for the helpful information! I'm going to try to speak with a representative to get the exact figure before I make my final retirement decisions. I'll make sure to check my earnings record again too, and I'll look into that Claimyr service since calling has been impossible. I didn't realize the Medicare premiums would affect the net amount either, so I need to factor that in. Really appreciate all the responses!

I'm in a similar boat - turning 66 next year and trying to plan ahead! One thing I learned from my financial advisor is that you can also request a "benefit verification letter" through your mySocialSecurity account that shows your estimated monthly benefit. It's different from the regular statement and might give you a clearer picture. Also, if you're married, don't forget to factor in spousal benefits or survivor benefits in your planning - those calculations can be tricky and might affect your timing decision. The delayed retirement credits are definitely worth it if you can afford to wait!

I'm in a very similar situation - turning 65 next month and planning to work until 67 with good employer coverage. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! One question I have: when you apply for Medicare Part A initially, do they ask why you're not enrolling in Part B, or do you just simply not check that box on the application? I want to make sure I handle the initial application correctly to avoid any confusion later. Also, has anyone had experience with how this affects your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) - do you still receive those with just Part A coverage? I'm trying to understand all the administrative aspects before I start this process. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't find in the official Medicare handbooks!

I'm a Medicare enrollment specialist and wanted to add some clarity to this excellent discussion. Your two-step approach is definitely feasible, but here are some key points to ensure success: 1. **Initial Medicare Application**: When applying for Part A only, you'll complete Form CMS-40B. You can decline Part B by checking the appropriate box and selecting "I have group health plan coverage" as your reason. 2. **Documentation**: Get Form CMS-L564 completed by your employer NOW, even before you apply. This creates a paper trail showing your employer coverage was in effect when you declined Part B. 3. **Special Enrollment Rights**: Since you're declining Part B due to active employment, you'll have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period that begins the month after your employment OR group coverage ends (whichever comes first). 4. **Social Security Application Strategy**: When you apply for SS benefits later, bring copies of: your Medicare card showing Part A only, your completed CMS-L564, and a letter from your employer confirming your current group coverage. This documentation package will make it much easier for the SS representative to understand your situation. 5. **Pro tip**: Consider calling 1-800-MEDICARE about 2-3 weeks before your SS application to put a note in your Medicare file explaining your Part A-only status and intention to maintain it until employment ends. This approach works well when properly documented from the start!

As someone who just went through this exact situation, I wanted to share my experience to hopefully help clarify things for you! I also claimed my benefits early at 62 due to unexpected circumstances, and like you, I was really confused about how spousal benefits would work. When my husband filed last year, SSA did automatically review my case for spousal benefits. The key thing I learned is that they look at your Primary Insurance Amount (what you would have gotten at full retirement age) compared to 50% of your husband's PIA - not his actual monthly payment if he delayed or took early. In my case, I was eligible for a small additional amount, but it was much less than I initially hoped for because my own work record was decent. The whole process was automatic though - I didn't need to file anything additional, and they sent me a clear letter explaining the calculation about 2 weeks before my first adjusted payment. My advice is to wait and see what happens when your husband files. Even if the additional amount is small, it's still extra money each month. And definitely keep copies of any correspondence from SSA - it really helped me understand exactly how they calculated everything. The whole spousal benefit system is definitely confusing, but at least the process itself is pretty straightforward once your spouse files!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works with Social Security cases regularly. Based on what you've shared, here's what will likely happen when your husband files: SSA will automatically check if you qualify for any spousal add-on by comparing your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) to 50% of your husband's PIA. Since your current benefit is $1,580 after early filing reduction, your PIA was probably around $2,050-2,100. If your husband's PIA is around $2,800 (which would give him $3,400 with delayed credits), then 50% would be $1,400. Since your PIA ($2,050+) is higher than 50% of his PIA ($1,400), you likely won't qualify for any additional spousal benefit. This might be disappointing, but it actually means your own work record earned you a better benefit than the spousal option would provide. The good news is SSA will handle this review automatically when your husband files - no action needed from you. They'll send you a letter either way, whether you qualify for additional benefits or not. At least you'll have a definitive answer soon!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to share some additional clarity that might help others who find themselves in similar confusion. I work as a benefits coordinator and see this misunderstanding frequently - people often conflate the earnings test rules that apply to different age groups. The key point everyone has correctly made is that the Annual Retirement Earnings Test has THREE distinct phases based on your age and FRA status, not just one universal rule. Your coworker likely heard about the $61,160 limit which applies specifically to people in the calendar year they reach FRA (and only for months BEFORE reaching FRA in that year). Since you're already 69 and past your FRA of 66 and 4 months, you're in the "no earnings limit" category. This means when you start collecting at 70, you could theoretically earn $200,000 annually and your Social Security benefits would remain completely untouched. What you're doing - delaying until 70 for maximum benefits while maintaining earning capacity - is actually the optimal strategy for many people in good health with family longevity. Don't let workplace confusion derail a sound financial plan. The Social Security Administration's official website clearly states this rule if you want written confirmation for your peace of mind!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add my reassurance based on my recent experience! I just turned 71 last fall and have been in your exact situation. I delayed my Social Security benefits until age 70 while continuing to work full-time, earning about $95,000 annually. I had the same worry you're experiencing when a friend mentioned earnings limits, but I can confirm that everyone here is absolutely correct - once you've reached your Full Retirement Age, there are NO earnings limits whatsoever. I've been collecting my maximized Social Security benefits for over a year now while maintaining my full income, and there has been zero impact on my monthly payments. The Social Security Administration makes this very clear on their official website: the Annual Retirement Earnings Test only applies to people who claim benefits BEFORE reaching their Full Retirement Age. Since you're already 69 and past your FRA of 66 and 4 months, you're completely in the clear. Your strategy of waiting until 70 while continuing to work is exactly what I did, and it's been fantastic. You'll get the maximum possible monthly benefit (with those delayed retirement credits) AND complete freedom to earn whatever you want. Don't let workplace misinformation shake your confidence in what sounds like a well-planned retirement strategy - you're making all the right moves!

Great thread! I'm in a similar situation - turning 62 next year and considering early retirement with some consulting work. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the "grace year" rule that might be relevant. In your first year of retirement (the year you start collecting benefits), SSA uses a monthly earnings test instead of the annual test. For 2025, that's $1,950 per month instead of the $23,400 annual limit. This can be helpful if you're starting benefits mid-year and want to work more in the months before your benefits begin. Just make sure to factor this into your planning along with the hour restrictions everyone's discussed!

This is such a valuable discussion! As someone who's been navigating SS benefits and self-employment for a few years now, I wanted to add one practical tip that's helped me stay compliant. I use a simple spreadsheet to track not just my hours worked, but also the TYPE of work I'm doing each day. For example, I differentiate between "direct production work" (actually making furniture) versus "administrative tasks" (ordering supplies, answering emails, bookkeeping). The SSA considers managerial and administrative work differently than hands-on production when evaluating material participation. If a significant portion of your weekly hours are administrative rather than direct craftsmanship, that can sometimes work in your favor during reviews. Also, consider seasonal planning - if your furniture business naturally has busy and slow periods, you might structure your work to stay under limits during SSA's typical review periods (usually first quarter of the year). Just another angle to think about as you plan your business structure!