To answer your latest question - no, you cannot switch later. Under current rules (changed in 2016), once you file for benefits, you're deemed to be filing for ALL benefits you're eligible for. The SSA will pay you the higher amount, but you cannot switch strategies later. This is why planning is so important. If your own benefit at FRA would be significantly higher than the divorced spouse benefit, it might be worth waiting. Your own benefit grows until age 70, while divorced spouse benefits max out at your FRA. I'd recommend creating a my Social Security account online if you haven't already. It will show your earnings history and benefit estimates based on different claiming ages.

Thanks everyone for the incredibly helpful advice! I've learned so much: 1. I can claim divorced spouse benefits at 62 based on my ex's SSDI record 2. I'll get either my own benefit OR up to 50% of my ex's benefit (reduced for early claiming), not both 3. Filing at 62 means about a 30% reduction from what I'd get at my FRA 4. Once I file, I can't switch strategies later I'm going to create a my Social Security account and use the benefit estimator to run some numbers. Then I'll try to schedule an appointment specifically to discuss my divorced spouse options. This has been so much more helpful than the confusing information on the SSA website!

dont get 2 excited they probably just processing it. my status said approved for like a month before i got the actual approval letter and then another 3 weeks for first payment

Since you mentioned you have stage 4 lymphoma, your case likely qualified for expedited processing under the Compassionate Allowances program. This is working exactly as designed - SSA created this program specifically to fast-track obvious disability cases. One important thing to know: there's a 5-month waiting period from your disability onset date before payments begin. So even with quick approval, you might still have a short wait for the first payment depending on when your disability officially began according to SSA. Also, keep documentation of all your medical treatments. SSA will conduct periodic Continuing Disability Reviews, though with your condition these might be less frequent.

Hi there! Just wanted to say I was in a similar boat last year. One thing nobody mentioned yet - the earnings limit is ANNUAL, but they apply it MONTHLY for payment purposes. So if you have uneven earnings throughout the year (like if you get a big bonus in one month), it can affect which months you get paid and which you don't. Super confusing system!!

Since you're planning to apply very soon (January 2025), I'd recommend doing two things right away: 1. Contact SSA now and get an official benefits estimate based on your current earnings record. Make sure all your earnings are correctly recorded. 2. When you apply, be VERY clear about your expected 2025 earnings. Ask them to withhold benefits as needed rather than paying you too much that you'll have to pay back. This is definitely one of the most confusing aspects of Social Security, and unfortunately, a lot of people at SSA don't explain it clearly either.

lol why would anyone think they could get ss benefits at 57? thats not retirement age anywhere in the U.S system

To summarize what's been discussed and add a bit more clarity: 1. The earliest your husband could receive spousal benefits is age 62, with a reduction (approximately 30-35% less than at his FRA). 2. If he significantly reduces his work or stops completely at 57, this could affect his own future benefit calculation since SSA uses the highest 35 years of earnings. Low-earning or zero years could reduce his personal benefit. 3. The spousal benefit would be up to 50% of your Primary Insurance Amount (your benefit at your FRA), but is reduced if claimed before his FRA. 4. He will always receive the higher of either his own benefit or the spousal benefit, not both. 5. For survivor benefits, he could claim as early as age 60 if you predeceased him, with a reduction. At his FRA, he would receive 100% of your benefit. 6. If your husband is considering reducing work significantly at 57, you might want to evaluate other retirement income sources to bridge the gap until he can claim Social Security benefits.

Whenever I call social security its a nightmare!!! waited 3 hours last time before I hung up. Anybody found a way to actually talk to a real person there without wasting your whole day??

Quick update after speaking with SSA (finally got through!): The agent confirmed that my husband's reduced benefit is counting against the Family Maximum, which is why our son's DAC benefit and my child-in-care spousal benefit are both reduced. The agent explained that the Family Maximum is approximately 175% of my husband's PIA in our case. Since he took retirement 2 years early, his benefit is reduced to about 87% of his PIA. This means our son and I are splitting the remaining portion of the maximum (about 88% of PIA), and it's being divided proportionally between us. I also learned that if I were to wait until my FRA to claim regular spousal benefits (not child-in-care), my benefit would increase, but our son's would decrease further to stay within the maximum. The whole system seems designed to keep families from receiving full benefits! Thank you all for your help in understanding this complex issue.

Has anyone actually calculated how much difference there is between stopping work at 64 vs 66? Like actual dollar amounts? I'm in a similar boat and trying to decide if pushing through another 2 years is worth it financially...

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I think I understand better now. I'll definitely check my earnings record on my Social Security account to see if working longer would significantly improve my benefit. But it sounds like quitting at 64 and still waiting until my FRA to claim wouldn't hurt me too badly since I already have 41 years of work history. This community is so helpful - I really appreciate all the responses!

This is a common misconception about Social Security applications at Full Retirement Age. The system is requesting your recent earnings information because: 1. SSA doesn't have real-time access to your 2024 earnings yet 2. Even though the earnings test doesn't apply at FRA, they still need to establish your correct benefit amount 3. The application system is designed to handle all situations, so some prompts may not be relevant to you You have three options: - Mail or drop off your paystubs to your local office (include your SS number) - Schedule an in-person appointment and bring documentation - Call during off-peak hours (Wednesday-Friday afternoons often have shorter wait times) Your benefits won't be delayed if you're already at FRA, but providing current earnings information helps ensure your initial payment amount is correct. If you don't provide it, they'll eventually process using the most recent data they have, which might require adjustments later.

My sister went through this last year. Turned out to be nothing! She never brought in her paystubs and still got her first payment right on time. The SSA systems send out automated notices that don't always apply to everyone. Since you're at FRA the earnings test doesn't apply anyway so I wouldn't stress about it too much.

Based on your additional information, here's what I believe is happening: 1. The deposit on the 3rd is NOT your regular payment. Survivor benefits are paid either on the 3rd of the month or according to your deceased spouse's birth date schedule (2nd Wednesday, 3rd Wednesday, etc. based on birth date). Since your husband was born on the 15th, your regular payment would typically come on the third Wednesday of the month. 2. This early payment is almost certainly an adjustment payment, possibly related to your part-time work or a benefit recalculation. 3. You should still receive your regular monthly payment on your usual schedule, though it may be adjusted going forward if you're exceeding the annual earnings limit. I would suggest waiting until your regular payment date passes before becoming too concerned. If you don't receive your regular payment on the expected date, then it would be time to contact SSA directly for clarification.

Just want to share a little support - dealing with unexpected benefit changes is super stressful! When my mom passed and I started managing my dad's survivor benefits, similar stuff happened and it about gave me a heart attack each time. Hope it all works out to be nothing serious!

Quick tip that helped me: Tell your employer to report your retirement date to Social Security. My HR department submitted something showing my official retirement date, which helped SSA properly apply the monthly earnings test for all the months after I stopped working. It created a clean record of exactly when I transitioned from worker to retiree.

I went through this same thing back in 2023, and my experience might help you. What I learned is that SSA doesn't actually adjust your benefits in real-time based on what you're earning. Instead, they'll reconcile everything after the year ends when they get your actual earnings from IRS. In my case, I received my full benefits throughout the year despite going over the limit. Then in early 2024, they sent me a letter saying I had an overpayment and gave me options to repay it. I chose to have them withhold future benefits until it was paid back. So you might receive your full benefits this year, and then deal with any adjustments next year. Just be prepared for that possibility and maybe set some money aside if you think you'll go over the limit.

This MAKES ME SO MAD!!! These scammers prey on our parents and grandparents who didn't grow up with all this technology and scams. The govt needs to do MORE to stop this!!! My dad got taken for $4000 last year by someone claiming his SS number was compromised. He was SO EMBARRASSED he didn't even tell me until months later when his bank account was overdrafted. REPORT EVERY SCAM!!

To elaborate on verifying legitimate letters: 1. Look at the return address - official SSA letters come from: Social Security Administration [Regional Office Address] or Social Security Administration PO Box 17750 Baltimore, MD 21235-7750 2. Real SSA letters include: - Your claim number (usually your SSN with a letter suffix) - Specific details about YOUR situation, not vague statements - Clear explanation of any action needed - Multiple ways to contact them 3. When in doubt, ignore the contact information in the suspicious letter and use the official channels: - Call 1-800-772-1213 - Visit SSA.gov - Go to your local office Always report scams to the Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report or 1-800-269-0271.