This has been such an enlightening discussion! I'm 65 and my FRA is 66 and 6 months, so I'm in a similar planning phase. What really stands out to me from all these responses is how the system is actually designed to be flexible - you don't have to make a perfect decision upfront. The key insight seems to be that Social Security's automatic recalculation feature (ARF) essentially gives you a "safety net" for earnings timing. You can start benefits when you're ready and let the system handle optimizing your benefit amount later based on updated earnings. I've been using the SSA retirement estimator tool mentioned earlier, and it's really helpful for seeing how different scenarios play out. For someone like William with a solid work history, those extra few months are likely to have minimal impact on the overall benefit calculation. The peace of mind factor that several people mentioned really resonates with me too. There's real value in having that guaranteed monthly income stream starting, especially given economic uncertainty. Plus, the COLA adjustments protect against inflation in a way that continued wages don't. William - your plan to file at FRA in May while working through April sounds perfect. You're maximizing both current income and future security without overthinking the optimization. Thanks for starting such a valuable discussion!

I'm 64 and have been following this discussion with great interest as I approach my own FRA decision next year. This thread has been incredibly educational! One thing I'd add based on my research is the importance of understanding your "replacement ratio" - what percentage of your pre-retirement income Social Security will replace. For most people, it's around 40%, so those extra months of earnings might improve your benefit by a very small percentage of an already modest replacement rate. I've also been tracking the monthly Social Security Trustees Reports, and they consistently show the program's long-term challenges. While benefits are secure for current retirees, there's something to be said for locking in your benefits sooner rather than later, especially given potential future program changes. @William Schwarz - your decision to file at FRA while continuing to work through April seems very well-reasoned based on all the advice here. You're optimizing for both financial security and peace of mind, which is really the sweet spot for retirement planning. Thanks to everyone for such a thorough discussion. I'm definitely saving this thread as I plan my own transition next year!

As someone who's about to turn 66 and start this whole Social Security process in the next few months, I cannot thank everyone enough for sharing such detailed, real-world experiences! This thread has been absolutely invaluable - way more helpful than anything I've been able to find in the official SSA materials. The consensus seems clear: expect the MySocialSecurity website to be unreliable, plan for delays in online information updating, have multiple backup methods ready (mobile app, screenshots, paper statements, automated phone line), and focus on your actual bank deposits as the most reliable indicator of correct payments. I'm definitely going to download the mobile app now, set up text alerts for payments, request paper statements as backup, and find my local SSA office number before I even file. The tip about the automated phone line at 1-800-772-1213 for basic payment info is brilliant too. One thing that really stands out from all these experiences is how much the SSA systems seem to struggle with basic reliability in 2025. It's pretty disappointing that we need so many workarounds just to access our own benefit information, but I'm grateful this community has shared all these practical solutions! For those who mentioned it can take 2-3 months to feel confident about having complete information - that's really helpful for setting realistic expectations. Better to be pleasantly surprised if things work smoothly than frustrated if they don't. Thanks again to everyone for creating such a comprehensive resource here. This is exactly the kind of practical advice that makes all the difference!

As someone who's currently going through the initial enrollment process for both Social Security and Medicare (turning 65 next month), this entire thread has been incredibly enlightening! I had no idea about the potential reliability issues with the MySocialSecurity website or the delays in information updating online. A couple of questions based on what I've read: For those who mentioned Medicare Part D IRMAA - is this something that would show up in the first year of benefits, or does it typically take time for the IRS to share income information with SSA? I'm trying to understand the timeline for when various deductions might start appearing. Also, I'm curious about the experience of those who started benefits mid-year versus at the beginning of a year. Does the timing affect how quickly the online systems get updated with accurate information? The practical advice about having multiple backup methods (mobile app, screenshots, paper statements, local office contacts, automated phone line) is definitely going to be my approach. It's unfortunate that so many workarounds are necessary, but I'm grateful this community has shared such detailed real-world experiences. Much more valuable than trying to decode the official SSA documentation! Thanks to everyone for creating such a comprehensive resource here. This thread should honestly be required reading for anyone approaching Social Security eligibility!

As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this discussion with great interest since I'm also a federal retiree dealing with WEP reductions. I retired from a different agency in 2019 and have been trying to understand HR 82's potential impact on my benefits. What I've found most helpful from reading everyone's experiences is the emphasis on getting your specific situation analyzed rather than relying on general estimates. I called SSA last month using the early morning strategy someone mentioned, and while I did wait about 45 minutes, I finally got through to a knowledgeable representative who walked me through my WEP calculation step by step. She explained that my reduction is based on having only 18 years of "substantial earnings" in SS-covered employment, which puts me in a higher reduction category. For anyone still trying to reach SSA, I found Tuesday mornings around 8:30 AM (Eastern) to have shorter wait times. Like many of you, I'm cautiously optimistic about HR 82 but trying not to plan my finances around it passing. The legislative history and cost concerns make it clear this isn't a sure thing, despite the strong House support. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge - this community has been invaluable in helping me understand this complex issue!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly detailed and helpful discussion about HR 82 and WEP reductions! I'm also a federal retiree (worked for a different agency for 28 years, retired in 2021) and have been struggling to understand exactly how this legislation would affect my situation. Reading through all these comments has given me more clarity than months of trying to research this on my own. What really resonates with me is how we're all dealing with the same fundamental issue - reduced Social Security benefits due to WEP - but from such different circumstances and career paths. I'm particularly grateful for the practical tips shared here, especially about checking the Social Security statement online for both reduced and unreduced amounts, the suggestion to call SSA during off-peak hours like Tuesday mornings, and the mention of the WEP calculator tool on their website. Like many of you, I've been cautiously following HR 82's progress while trying not to get my hopes up too high given the legislative history and the $196 billion cost estimate. But having this community to learn from and share experiences with makes navigating this complex issue so much more manageable. I'm planning to call SSA next week using the timing strategies mentioned here to finally get a clear explanation of my specific WEP calculation. Thank you all for creating such an informative and supportive discussion!

I'm a case manager who works with families navigating disability benefits and child support, and I want to emphasize something that might get overlooked in all this complexity - make sure you're prepared for the administrative burden that comes with managing multiple benefit streams. Once you get auxiliary benefits approved on your ex's SSDI record, you'll be receiving payments from SSA that need to be properly managed as representative payee funds, separate from your son's existing SSDI benefits. This means separate accounting, separate annual reporting to SSA, and careful documentation of how each benefit stream is used for your son's needs. I've seen families get overwhelmed when they suddenly have 2-3 different disability payments coming in with different rules and reporting requirements. Also, keep in mind that any significant changes in your son's living situation, custody arrangements, or benefit status will require you to notify multiple agencies. The good news is that once everything is properly set up and coordinated, it usually runs smoothly - but the initial setup period requires a lot of attention to detail and follow-through with multiple bureaucracies.

I went through this exact situation about 18 months ago and want to share some practical advice that might help. My 15-year-old son has ADHD and receives his own SSDI benefits, and when my ex transitioned from work to SSDI/VA benefits, I was completely lost navigating the system. The most important thing I learned is that you need to apply for auxiliary benefits on your ex's SSDI record IMMEDIATELY - don't wait for the child support office to figure things out first. I made the mistake of waiting for them to "coordinate everything" and lost out on 3 months of retroactive payments. The auxiliary benefits application is completely separate from the child support calculation and can take 6-10 weeks to process. Here's what actually helped me get clear answers: I printed out my state's child support guidelines (available online) and brought them to my meeting with the supervisor. I highlighted the sections about disability income and asked them to show me exactly which worksheet they were using. Turns out they were initially using the wrong calculation because they didn't realize my ex had both SSDI AND VA benefits. Also, don't let them tell you that all VA benefits are "protected income." Service-connected disability compensation has partial protection (usually 40-50% excluded), but any VA educational or vocational benefits count as full income. Make sure they're categorizing everything correctly. The whole process was frustrating but ended up working in our favor - we get about $200 more per month total between the reduced direct payment and the new auxiliary benefits. Stay persistent and demand documentation for everything!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I just went through a very similar situation last year. I was approved for SSDI at 63 with an onset date that would have put my Medicare eligibility right around my 65th birthday. The whole process was incredibly confusing, especially getting consistent information from SSA representatives. What really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet with all the important dates and calling my insurance company multiple times to understand their specific policies. One thing I learned that others have touched on - make sure you understand not just IF your current coverage is creditable, but also how your insurance company handles claims once you become Medicare-eligible through any route. Some companies have very specific rules about when they stop being the primary payer, and it's not always intuitive. Also, start familiarizing yourself with Medicare.gov now while you have time. The Annual Open Enrollment period, Medicare Advantage vs. Supplement plans, prescription drug coverage - there's a lot to learn and having almost a year to research will serve you well. Congratulations on your SSDI approval, and don't let the Medicare complexity stress you out too much. You have time to get it right!

I'm new to this community but have been dealing with similar Medicare/SSDI timing issues, so I wanted to jump in and share what I've learned from my research and talking to Medicare counselors. One resource that hasn't been mentioned yet is your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) - they provide free, unbiased Medicare counseling and can help you understand exactly how your SSDI status will affect your Medicare options when you turn 65. They're often more knowledgeable about these complex timing situations than general SSA reps. Also, since you mentioned your spouse might retire soon, SHIP counselors can help you model different scenarios for how that timing might impact your Medicare decisions. You can find your local SHIP program through the Medicare.gov website. Another thing to consider - if your spouse does retire before you turn 65, you might want to look into whether continuing your current coverage through COBRA would still qualify as creditable coverage, or if you'd be better off enrolling in Medicare earlier than 65 (if you become eligible through the SSDI route). The penalty calculations can get complex when you have overlapping eligibility periods. Congratulations on your SSDI approval, and I hope you can get some clear answers soon!