Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this process with my own kids a few years ago. All the advice here is spot-on, especially about filing IMMEDIATELY! I can't stress this enough - the 6-month retroactive limit for children's benefits is real and it's heartbreaking how much money families lose by not knowing this. One thing I'd add is that when your brother calls SSA, he should specifically ask about "auxiliary benefits" for his children - that's the technical term they use. Also, make sure he mentions that he just received his disability approval so they understand the timeline. The family maximum calculation can be confusing, but even with the reduction, his kids should receive a meaningful amount. In my case with 2 children, we ended up getting about 75% of what the full 50% per child would have been due to the family cap. Your brother has already fought so hard for 5 years to get his disability - don't let SSA's confusing system cost his children thousands in benefits they're entitled to. File those applications this week if possible!

I'm so glad to see this thread - it's helping me understand my own situation better! My sister just got approved for SSDI after a 3-year battle and I had no idea about the separate application process for children's benefits or the 6-month retroactive limit. Reading everyone's experiences here has been eye-opening. The SSA really should make this information more accessible upfront instead of families having to learn about these crucial deadlines after the fact. It's frustrating how many hoops you have to jump through when you're already dealing with so much stress from the disability process itself. Thank you to everyone sharing their knowledge - this community is invaluable for navigating these complex government systems!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Keisha. I went through the survivor benefits application process about 3 years ago after losing my husband, and I want to echo what everyone else has said - don't worry about setting up direct deposit beforehand. The SSA representative will definitely handle that during your February phone appointment. One thing I'd like to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you wear glasses or contacts for reading, make sure you have them on during the call. I know it sounds obvious, but when you're nervous and grieving, you might forget the simple things. You'll need to read account numbers, document details, and potentially take notes during the conversation. Also, consider having a trusted friend or family member nearby (not necessarily on the call, but in the house) for emotional support. The questions are straightforward, but talking about your husband's passing and your financial situation can bring up unexpected emotions. Having someone there for a hug afterward really helped me. The representatives truly are compassionate and patient. They understand this is one of the most difficult calls you'll ever have to make. You're being incredibly proactive by preparing, and that will serve you well. Take care of yourself.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Keisha. I went through this exact process last year after my husband passed away, and I want to reassure you that you're on the right track. You definitely don't need to set up direct deposit beforehand - the SSA representative will handle all of that during your February phone appointment. One thing that really helped me was preparing a quiet, comfortable space for the call. Find a spot where you won't be interrupted, have good lighting so you can easily read documents, and maybe keep some tissues nearby. The emotional aspect caught me off guard even though I thought I was prepared. Also, if you have a landline available, I'd recommend using that instead of a cell phone if possible. The call quality tends to be more reliable, and you won't have to worry about battery life or dropped signals during what could be a lengthy conversation. The representative I worked with was incredibly patient and understanding. They walked me through everything step by step and never made me feel rushed. Your preparation and all the great advice from others here will definitely make the process smoother. You've got this, and this community is here to support you through it.

I've been following this discussion as someone who's also navigating early retirement planning, and there's one more angle I wanted to add that might be relevant to your situation, Hunter. Since you mentioned starting work at 16, you've likely built up a really solid work history. One thing to consider is whether your state has any additional retirement benefits or pension systems that might be affected by your decision to stop working at 60. Some states have programs that complement Social Security, and the timing of when you stop working could impact those as well. Also, I noticed several people mentioned the my.ssa.gov calculator, which is definitely your best bet for accurate numbers. But don't forget that the calculator can also show you how your benefits would be affected if you delay claiming past your Full Retirement Age. Even if you stop working at 60, you could potentially let your benefits grow by 8% per year (delayed retirement credits) until age 70 if you have other income sources to bridge that gap. The math gets pretty complex when you factor in all these variables - stopping work at 60, when to claim benefits, spousal considerations, other retirement income, healthcare costs, etc. Given the long-term financial impact we're talking about (potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime), it might be worth investing in a consultation with a fee-only financial planner who specializes in Social Security optimization. Just my two cents - whatever you decide, you're clearly doing your homework, which puts you way ahead of most people!

As a newcomer to this community, I've found this entire discussion incredibly enlightening! I'm still several years away from even considering retirement, but reading through everyone's experiences and advice has really opened my eyes to how complex Social Security planning can be. What strikes me most is how many misconceptions there are - I definitely would have assumed that having 40 credits meant your benefit was "locked in," and I had no idea about the highest 35 years calculation. The real-world examples people have shared here, like the $800 monthly difference between siblings and the various part-time/consulting strategies, are so much more valuable than just reading abstract explanations. I'm particularly grateful for the discussion about spousal benefits and delayed retirement credits - those are aspects of Social Security I never would have thought to research on my own. It's clear that retirement planning really needs to be viewed as a comprehensive household strategy rather than just individual decisions. I'm definitely going to set up my my.ssa.gov account this week to start familiarizing myself with the tools and my own earnings record. Even though retirement is still years away for me, it seems like understanding these concepts early will give me a huge advantage in planning. Thank you to everyone who shared their expertise and personal experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical, real-world guidance that makes this community so valuable!

I've been helping people navigate SSDI for years, and your situation is completely normal! You're absolutely right to expect backpay - the 5-month waiting period is unpaid, but you should receive benefits from December 2024 through March 2025 (4 months) for both your husband and daughter. A few things that might help while you wait: 1. Backpay timing varies widely - I've seen it arrive anywhere from 3-10 weeks after the first payment 2. Your daughter's auxiliary benefits will be around 50% of your husband's benefit amount 3. The payments often arrive separately, sometimes weeks apart 4. If you don't see anything by 8 weeks, definitely call SSA One tip: when the backpay does arrive, it might just show as "US TREASURY" on your bank statement without clearly identifying it as SSDI backpay, so keep an eye out for any unexpected deposits. The medical equipment expenses are tough to manage while waiting. You might want to check with local disability resource centers or even contact the equipment suppliers - some offer payment plans or temporary assistance programs while you're waiting for backpay. Hang in there - the money is coming, SSA is just notoriously slow with processing!

I've been through this exact situation with my own SSDI approval last year, and I can confirm what others have said - you won't get paid for the 5-month waiting period, but you should definitely receive backpay from December 2024 through March 2025 for both your husband and your daughter. One thing that really helped me was setting up online banking alerts for any deposits over a certain amount. That way I got notified immediately when the backpay hit my account (it came as "US TREASURY" like others mentioned). The backpay arrived about 7 weeks after my first regular payment, so you're still well within the normal timeframe. For your daughter's benefits, make sure SSA has all her documentation - sometimes they need updated school enrollment verification or other paperwork that can delay the auxiliary benefits processing. The children's benefits are usually processed separately and can take longer than the primary beneficiary's backpay. Also, if you're struggling with medical equipment costs while waiting, many suppliers will work with you if you can show proof of your SSDI approval. I was able to get a payment plan for a wheelchair by showing my approval letter, even before the backpay arrived. Don't be afraid to ask - the worst they can say is no, but many understand the SSDI payment delays and are willing to help. The waiting is absolutely the worst part of this whole process, but based on your timeline, you should see that backpay very soon!

As someone new to this community, I wanted to share my recent experience that might be helpful! I just went through this exact process with my elderly father three months ago. A few practical tips that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. When downloading the W-4V form from irs.gov, print it in high quality - some of the text is pretty small and my dad had trouble reading the faded version we first printed. 2. The form asks for your mom's Social Security number in multiple places, so double-check that it's consistent throughout. 3. Consider starting with a lower withholding percentage (like 7%) rather than jumping to a higher one. You can always submit a new form later to increase it, but getting a big refund means you've been giving the government an interest-free loan all year. 4. Keep a copy of everything you send! I made copies of the completed W-4V and the certified mail receipt, which came in handy when we had questions later. The advice about calculating whether withholding is even necessary is spot-on. With your mom's income levels, she might not need any federal withholding from Social Security at all. But if she does need it, the mail-in process really isn't too bad once you know what to expect. Good luck!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by the wealth of knowledge and support here! I'm currently helping my elderly aunt navigate a similar situation with Social Security tax withholding, and this thread has been incredibly valuable. One additional resource I wanted to share that hasn't been mentioned - the IRS Publication 554 (Tax Guide for Seniors) has a really helpful section specifically about Social Security benefits taxation. It breaks down the "combined income" calculation that several people mentioned in simple terms and includes worksheets to help determine if benefits are taxable. You can download it free from irs.gov, and it might be worth reviewing alongside the Social Security Retirement Estimator that was suggested. Also, for anyone whose parent/relative might be overwhelmed by all the tax calculations, many local Area Agencies on Aging offer free financial counseling specifically for seniors dealing with Social Security and Medicare issues. They often have counselors who are well-versed in these exact situations and can walk through the numbers in person. The consensus here about the W-4V form needing to be mailed is absolutely correct - I just confirmed this with SSA customer service last week for my aunt's situation. But all the practical tips about certified mail, print quality, and starting with lower withholding percentages are spot-on advice that will definitely help ensure the process goes smoothly. Thanks to everyone for creating such a comprehensive resource!