This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a somewhat similar situation but with a twist - my husband will be eligible for benefits before me, and I'm trying to understand if the same principles apply in reverse. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like the key is being proactive about communicating your timing preferences to SSA rather than assuming they'll automatically do what's best for you. The math breakdown that Alice provided really drives home how important it is to run the actual numbers rather than just assuming waiting is always better. I'm definitely going to bookmark this discussion and use some of these strategies when we start navigating our own claiming decisions. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's so much more valuable than the generic information you find on most websites!

As someone who just went through this process with my parents last year, I can confirm what others have said about needing to be very explicit with SSA about your timing preferences. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - when your wife does eventually apply for the spousal benefit (whether at 5 months before FRA or at FRA), make sure she asks about retroactive benefits. If there's any delay in processing her application, she might be entitled to back payments to her eligibility date. Also, consider setting up a my Social Security account for both of you if you haven't already. It makes tracking everything much easier and you can send secure messages to SSA through the platform instead of waiting on hold. The message center has been a lifesaver for documenting our requests and keeping records of their responses.

Welcome to the community! As someone who's been collecting Social Security for a few years now and has dealt with similar 1099 work situations, I wanted to add a couple of things that might be helpful. First, since you're doing product demonstrations at trade shows, make sure you understand the difference between "substantial services" and just earning income. SSA looks at whether you're providing substantial services in self-employment, not just the dollar amount. For demonstration work that's clearly defined and limited in scope like yours, you should be fine, but it's worth understanding this distinction. Also, regarding the IRMAA mention in your original post - that's smart thinking ahead! Just remember that IRMAA is based on your tax return from two years prior, so your 2025 earnings won't affect your 2025 Medicare premiums, but could impact 2027 premiums if you have other income sources pushing you over the thresholds. One more tip: if you end up having a really good month and get close to that $1,860 limit, you can sometimes shift when you invoice or receive payment to help manage the monthly earnings test. Just make sure you're not manipulating the actual work performance dates - only the payment timing. The trade show circuit can be really rewarding work, and it sounds like you've got a good handle on the compliance side. Best of luck with your new venture!

Welcome to the community! Your situation is very similar to what I went through when I started collecting at 66 and then took on some freelance work. You're asking all the right questions upfront, which is great. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - since you're doing product demonstrations, keep track of any products you purchase for demonstration purposes, even small items. I did kitchen product demos for a while and was able to deduct things like serving utensils, plates for sampling, cleaning supplies, and even replacement items when things got damaged during demos. Also, for the quarterly tax payments, I found it helpful to open a separate savings account just for tax money. Every time I got paid, I'd immediately transfer 30% to that account so I wouldn't accidentally spend it. Made those quarterly payments much less stressful! The trade show circuit can be really enjoyable work - you get to meet interesting people and the weekend schedule works well with Social Security planning. Just stay organized with your record keeping and you'll do fine. The fact that you're being so thorough about understanding the rules before you start tells me you'll handle this well.

I just wanted to jump in and say how impressed I am with the quality of advice you've received in this thread! As someone who recently went through my own SSA nightmare (different issue, but similar frustration levels), I can really relate to that feeling of panic when you think you've made a costly mistake. Reading through all these responses, you now have what amounts to a comprehensive playbook for navigating this situation. The combination of the early morning calling strategy, having your documentation organized, and knowing you have backup options like congressional inquiry and local Area Agency on Aging resources should give you a lot of confidence. One small addition to all the excellent advice already given - when you do get through to someone, don't be afraid to ask them to repeat back key information to you to confirm you both understand the next steps. SSA representatives deal with dozens of cases daily, and sometimes miscommunications happen. A simple "Just to confirm, you're saying that..." can prevent misunderstandings that might delay your case further. I'm rooting for you! The fact that you caught this mistake relatively early and are being proactive about fixing it shows you're advocating well for yourself. Those retroactive benefits are absolutely worth fighting for, and with all the strategies you now have, I'm confident you'll get this resolved. Looking forward to your success update!

I've been following this discussion and wanted to share a few additional tips that might help streamline your process. As someone who has helped family members navigate SSA issues, I've found that timing your call for exactly 7:00 AM (not 7:01 or 7:02) can make a real difference in wait times. Also, when you do get through, make sure to ask for the representative's direct phone number or extension if possible. Some SSA staff have direct lines that can bypass the main phone system for follow-up calls, which could save you from having to go through this whole process again if you need to check on your case status. Another thing to consider - if you're comfortable with technology, try calling from multiple devices simultaneously (your cell phone and landline if you have one, or ask a family member to help). Sometimes one line gets through faster than another, and you can just hang up the duplicate call once you're connected. The advice about keeping detailed records is spot-on. I'd also suggest taking screenshots of your my Social Security account showing your current benefit amount and payment history, so you have documentation of what needs to be corrected. You've got an excellent plan now with all the strategies everyone has shared. Those retroactive benefits are definitely worth the effort, and with this level of preparation, I'm optimistic you'll get this resolved quickly. Good luck with your calls this week!

As someone who's 56 with 4 zero-income years from a mix of caregiving and a period of unemployment, this entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! I had no idea that working additional years in your 50s and 60s could make such a meaningful difference in Social Security benefits. What really stands out to me is how consistent everyone's experiences have been - from @Oliver Schulz's detailed breakdown showing a nearly $170/month increase, to @Aidan Percy's real-world experience with a $120 boost after just one year. That 10-15% benefit increase range keeps appearing across different situations, which gives me real confidence this isn't just theoretical. I'm particularly grateful for all the practical resources shared here - the detailed SSA calculator recommendations, @Thais Soares' tip about the Claimyr service for actually getting through to agents, and @Oliver Schulz's spreadsheet approach. As someone who finds government websites overwhelming, having these alternative paths to get accurate information is incredibly helpful. The point about tracking your benefit estimates year by year (like @Admin_Masters' aunt did) is brilliant - there's something really motivating about being able to see concrete progress as you work those additional years. @Fidel Carson - thank you for asking such an important question that's clearly resonated with so many of us! Based on everything shared here, your 5 years at $80k plan sounds like it could provide substantial long-term value for your retirement security. This discussion has convinced me to seriously consider returning to work myself - the financial impact is just too significant to ignore. This community is amazing for this kind of practical, real-world financial planning guidance!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read as someone who's 53 with 5 zero-income years myself! I had periods of caring for aging parents and some unemployment gaps, and honestly had no clue that those zero years could impact Social Security benefits so significantly. What's most convincing to me is seeing the consistency across everyone's real experiences - @Oliver Schulz's detailed calculation showing nearly $170/month increase, @Aidan Percy getting $120 more after just one year, and that reliable 10-15% benefit boost range appearing across so many different situations. When multiple people share actual numbers rather than just theory, it makes the decision much clearer. I'm especially grateful for the practical navigation tips everyone has shared. The SSA website has always felt overwhelming to me, so knowing about resources like the Claimyr service from @Thais Soares, the detailed calculator approach from @Oliver Schulz, and even just downloading your earnings history first makes this feel actually doable rather than impossibly complex. @Fidel Carson - your question has opened up such valuable discussion for those of us in similar situations! Based on everything shared here, working those 5 years at $80k sounds like it could provide excellent long-term value. You've helped so many of us realize that strategic decisions in our 50s and 60s can have a lasting impact on retirement security. This community is amazing for providing real-world guidance on these important financial decisions. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your experiences and knowledge!

Hi Ravi! I'm new to this community and really appreciate you starting such a comprehensive discussion about Social Security planning. After reading through all the excellent responses, I wanted to add one perspective that might be helpful. As someone who works in retirement planning, I see a lot of people get caught up in trying to optimize every possible angle of Social Security benefits, when sometimes the most important factor is simply having a clear understanding of your baseline scenario. It sounds like you've gotten great advice here about the 2015 rule changes eliminating the file-and-suspend strategy you were considering. One thing I'd encourage you to do is request a Social Security benefit estimate over the phone (or through that Claimyr service someone mentioned) where you can ask specific "what if" questions about your situation. For example, "If I delay claiming until 70 while continuing to earn $X per year from consulting, what would my monthly benefit be?" Having those concrete numbers makes the decision much clearer than trying to estimate based on general rules. Also, don't forget to factor in taxes when comparing scenarios. Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on your total income, so the net difference between claiming early vs. waiting might be different than the gross benefit amounts suggest. This thread has been incredibly informative - thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences! It's clear this community is a great resource for navigating these complex decisions.

Hi Ravi! I'm new to this community and found your question really helpful since I'm approaching a similar situation. After reading through all the excellent responses here, I wanted to share one additional resource that might be useful. The National Academy of Social Insurance has a really comprehensive guide called "Social Security Benefits for Divorced Spouses" that breaks down all the current rules in plain language. It's available free on their website (nasi.org) and includes specific examples of how the deemed filing rules work in different scenarios. What I found particularly helpful was their section on documenting your marriage history - they have a checklist of exactly what paperwork you'll need when you apply, which can save time later. Since you mentioned having two qualifying marriages, having all that documentation organized upfront will make the process smoother. Also, I noticed several people mentioned the importance of getting your actual Social Security Statement, but I'd add that you should also check it for accuracy. I found an error in mine where one employer's contributions weren't properly credited, and getting that corrected actually increased my projected benefits. It's worth reviewing those 35 years of earnings history carefully before making your final decision. This discussion has been incredibly educational - thanks for asking the question that prompted so many knowledgeable community members to share their experiences!