I'm new to this community and just started receiving my Social Security benefits last month. Like everyone else here, I was completely puzzled when my deposit showed $1,891.00 instead of the $1,891.47 on my benefit notice. I actually thought there was some kind of automatic deduction I wasn't told about! This thread has been such a lifesaver - I had no idea about SSA's rounding down policy until reading all these experiences. It's frustrating to lose 47 cents every month (almost $6 per year), but at least now I understand it's standard procedure and not an error I need to chase down. I really appreciate all the detailed explanations, especially about the POMS documentation. As someone completely new to navigating Social Security, these kinds of insights from experienced community members are invaluable. I totally agree that SSA should mention this rounding policy somewhere in their communications - it would save so many new beneficiaries from the same confusion we've all experienced. The strategic timing tip for filing benefits is brilliant too - wish I had known that before I applied! Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and helping newcomers like me understand how this system really works.

I'm brand new to this community and just received my first Social Security retirement payment this week. Like so many others here, I was completely confused when my bank deposit showed $2,034.00 instead of the $2,034.78 listed on my benefit letter. I initially thought my bank had made some kind of error with the direct deposit amount! Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening - I had absolutely no idea that SSA has a policy of rounding down all benefit amounts to the nearest dollar. While it's disappointing to lose 78 cents every month (that's over $9 per year), I'm relieved to know this is standard procedure and not a mistake I need to spend hours trying to resolve. I really echo what everyone has said about SSA needing to communicate this policy better - just adding one simple sentence to their benefit letters explaining the rounding would prevent so much confusion for new recipients like us. As someone who's completely new to the Social Security system, I'm incredibly grateful for this community where experienced members take the time to explain these policies that aren't clearly documented elsewhere. The advice about strategic timing when filing to potentially get over the next dollar threshold is really smart - I wish I had known that before submitting my application! Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and helping newcomers understand how this system actually works.

You've got a solid plan! One additional tip - when you do switch to your own retirement benefit at 70, make sure to keep records of all your communications with SSA. Sometimes there can be delays in processing the switch, and having documentation helps if you need to follow up. Also, consider doing a benefits estimate on the SSA website (ssa.gov/myaccount) to double-check your projected amounts before making the switch. The online calculator can show you exactly what your retirement benefit would be at different claiming ages, which helps confirm your strategy is maximizing your lifetime benefits.

I went through this exact same decision process about 6 months ago and can confirm what others have said - the benefits are calculated completely separately! I was also 63 when my husband passed and decided to take survivor benefits at 64. The SSA representative I worked with was very clear that my future retirement benefit wouldn't be affected at all by taking survivor benefits early. One thing I'd add is to get everything in writing when you apply. I asked for a written explanation of my benefit amounts and how they were calculated, which has been helpful to reference. Also, don't be surprised if different SSA representatives give you slightly different information - I talked to three different people and got three slightly different explanations, but the core message was always the same: the benefits don't affect each other's calculations. Your strategy sounds really smart, especially if your own benefit at 70 will be significantly higher than the reduced survivor benefit. Good luck with everything!

One more important detail - the earnings test only counts wages or self-employment income. It doesn't count investment income, pension payments, annuities, capital gains, or government benefits. So if any of your income comes from these sources, they won't count toward either the monthly or annual limits. And remember that the earnings reduction isn't a permanent loss. Once you reach your Full Retirement Age, your benefit will be recalculated to credit back the months when benefits were withheld.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact decision last year. I was 64 and had a similar situation with irregular income from freelance work. I ended up starting benefits in March after earning about $20k in Jan/Feb, then stayed under the monthly limit the rest of the year. The key thing I learned is to keep detailed records of your monthly earnings - not just annual totals. SSA will want to see month-by-month breakdowns if there's any question about whether you exceeded the monthly limits. I used a simple spreadsheet tracking gross income by month which made everything much clearer when I had to provide documentation. Also, if you're doing contract work, make sure you understand how they count the income. It's when you EARN it, not when you get paid. So if you do work in January but don't get paid until March, that income counts toward January for the earnings test purposes.

Congratulations on your upcoming baby! Just wanted to add that you might also want to consider applying online through the SSA website (ssa.gov) for your retirement benefits if you haven't already. They've improved their online services quite a bit, and you can often get the process started without having to visit an office or wait on hold. Once your retirement benefits are approved, you can then follow up with the child's benefit application. The online portal lets you track the status of your applications too, which is really helpful. Good luck with everything - having a baby and dealing with Social Security paperwork at the same time can be overwhelming, but it sounds like you're getting good advice here!

Based on my experience helping my brother with a similar situation last year, I'd recommend calling your local SSA office directly to schedule an appointment rather than trying to walk in. They can often give you a checklist of exactly what documents you'll need to bring for both your retirement application and the child's benefit application. Also, since your baby is due in April and you're planning to file in October, that gives you plenty of time to get the birth certificate and Social Security number sorted out. One thing that helped my brother was having a conversation with his girlfriend beforehand about the representative payee process - SSA will interview her as part of determining her suitability to manage the child's benefits. It's mostly routine, but it's good to be prepared for questions about how the funds will be used for the child's care and expenses.

I'm new to this community but this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now - just received my retirement benefit letter showing $1,642, but during my application interview I was told I'd get around $2,180 with divorced spouse benefits included. I was really starting to panic when the letter didn't mention the spousal portion at all. Reading everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief - it's amazing how consistent this two-letter pattern is across so many different cases! The timelines you've all shared (ranging from 9 days to 6 weeks) really help set realistic expectations. What strikes me most is how SSA seems to create this same anxiety for everyone by not explaining their process upfront. A simple "you'll receive separate letters for different benefit types" would save so much stress! I'm definitely bookmarking that 8am calling strategy for future reference. Thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences and specific amounts - this community wisdom is gold for navigating SSA's confusing processes. It's so comforting to know we're not alone in this!

I'm new to this community but this thread has been such a blessing to find! I'm currently in a nearly identical situation - received my retirement benefit approval letter about 10 days ago showing $1,695, but during my phone interview the representative specifically mentioned I'd be receiving approximately $2,240 total because I qualify for divorced spouse benefits from my ex-husband's record (we were married 14 years). Like everyone else here, I was getting really anxious when that higher amount wasn't mentioned anywhere in my approval letter. Reading through all of your shared experiences has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear that SSA's two-letter process is completely standard operating procedure, even though they apparently don't bother informing applicants about this! The variety of timelines everyone has shared (from 9 days to 6 weeks) really helps manage expectations. What's most frustrating is how SSA's poor communication creates the same unnecessary anxiety for so many people - a simple heads-up about expecting separate letters would prevent so much worry! I'm definitely keeping that 8am calling tip in my back pocket if needed. Thank you all for sharing your specific timelines, amounts, and letter descriptions - this community knowledge is absolutely priceless for navigating these confusing SSA processes!