As someone who just completed this process last month, I can't emphasize enough how valuable the hybrid approach has been that everyone's discussing here. I filed online initially but then scheduled a phone appointment two weeks later to review everything - and I'm so glad I did! The online system worked smoothly for the basic application, but during my follow-up call, the SSA representative discovered that I was eligible for delayed retirement credits from a previous partial application I had started but never completed years ago. This added about $180/month to my benefit amount - money I would have completely missed if I had just filed online and walked away. The key insight I gained is that the online system is great for straightforward cases, but it doesn't always connect the dots between different pieces of your Social Security history. A human reviewer can spot patterns and opportunities that the automated system simply isn't programmed to catch. For your situation with overseas work, I'd definitely recommend calling that international operations number @Natalie Khan provided before you even start your application. Having clarity on how your Germany work credits will be handled can save you from potential headaches later in the process. One practical tip: when you do your follow-up appointment (whether by phone or in person), come prepared with specific questions. Don't just ask "did I do everything right?" - ask about spousal benefits, survivor benefits, the impact of your overseas work, and whether there are any other benefit programs you might qualify for. The more specific your questions, the more helpful their review will be.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really grateful for all the detailed experiences shared here! I'm in a similar situation - planning to apply for retirement benefits soon and was completely torn between online vs. in-person filing. The hybrid approach that so many of you are recommending makes perfect sense, especially after reading about all the additional benefits and credits people discovered during their follow-up appointments. Those dollar amounts (@Ava Thompson's $300/month discovery and @Oliver Becker's $180/month from delayed retirement credits) really drive home how much money could be left on the table without proper human review. I don't have overseas work history, but I do have a somewhat complex situation with multiple employers and some periods of self-employment, so it sounds like I should definitely plan for that follow-up appointment even after filing online. One question for the group - for those who scheduled phone appointments rather than in-person visits, how was that experience? I'm trying to decide between the two options for my follow-up review. The convenience of a phone call is appealing, but I'm wondering if there are advantages to meeting face-to-face when reviewing complex benefit calculations. Thanks again for all the valuable insights - this thread has been incredibly helpful for someone just starting to navigate this process!

This is such a comprehensive discussion - I'm learning so much from everyone's experiences! I'm 60 and considering my SS filing strategy, so this thread is incredibly timely for me. One additional consideration I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you do end up with the severance counting toward your 2025 earnings and benefits get withheld, make sure to keep track of exactly how much gets withheld. When SSA recalculates your benefits at FRA (as Anna mentioned), having your own records can help ensure they credit you correctly for all the withheld amounts. Also, I wanted to add that some companies have Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that include retirement planning consultations. If your company offers this, the consultant might be able to help you navigate the severance classification conversation with HR from a benefits perspective. They often have experience with these types of situations and can frame the request in terms that HR understands. Harold, it sounds like you have several good options to explore. Between the Form SSA-131 route, potential payment timing negotiations, and the monthly earnings test for your first year of benefits, you're not necessarily stuck with a bad outcome. Keep us posted on how your conversations with HR go!

I'm a retirement benefits specialist who has helped many clients navigate this exact situation. The good news is that you have several viable options to explore, and it's not too late to potentially avoid the earnings test issue entirely. First priority: Contact your HR department IMMEDIATELY about Form SSA-131. Since your severance is based on 18 years of service rather than current work, you have a strong case for special payment classification. The key is getting HR to understand that this form protects both you and the company - it's not additional work for them, it's proper classification that benefits everyone. If Form SSA-131 doesn't work out, here are your backup options: 1. Request payment timing modifications (split between 2024/2026 or structured payments) 2. Use the monthly earnings test for your first benefit year (much more favorable if severance comes later in 2025) 3. Consider delaying your SS filing to January 2026 if financially feasible The monthly test is crucial to understand: in your first year of benefits, if you earn over the monthly limit ($1,860 in 2025), you lose benefits only for that specific month, not the entire year. This could significantly reduce any benefit loss. Document everything in writing with your employer. Even if they can't accommodate all requests, having the paper trail helps with SSA later. You're in a much better position than you think - don't panic, just act quickly on these conversations with HR.

This entire discussion has been incredibly valuable! I'm 65 and was stressing about the same timing issues. What really stands out to me is how many people were initially confused about the AERO process - I think SSA could do a much better job explaining this automatic recalculation feature when people are approaching retirement. The fact that you can start benefits at FRA and still get credit for your final working year should be prominently featured in their materials, not something people have to piece together from forums like this. Miguel, your plan sounds solid. One thing I'd add is that once you start the application process, they'll give you a detailed breakdown of your estimated benefit. That's another good checkpoint to verify everything looks correct before your benefits actually begin. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - especially Olivia with those concrete numbers. It's so helpful to see actual examples rather than just theoretical explanations!

As someone who's been working with Social Security policy for several years, I want to emphasize how important it is to understand that the AERO process, while generally reliable, isn't foolproof. I've seen cases where the automatic recalculation gets delayed or missed entirely due to employer reporting errors or system glitches. Miguel, your plan to file at FRA is smart, but I'd recommend taking one additional step: about 18 months after you start receiving benefits (so around fall 2026), log into your MySocialSecurity account and verify that your 2025 earnings appear correctly in your record and that any benefit adjustment was processed. If you don't see the expected increase by then, that's when you'd want to contact SSA to request a manual review. The peace of mind is worth the few minutes it takes to check, especially given the significant earnings you're trying to capture. Also, keep your final 2025 W-2 - if there are any discrepancies later, having that documentation will make resolving issues much faster.

This thread is giving me anxiety. I'm turning 62 next month and STILL don't know when to file!!! Everyone has a different opinion and the SSA website is so confusing! I need the money but don't want to make a mistake I'll regret for the rest of my life!!!!!

I went through this exact same dilemma last year! I'm a retired federal employee and spent months researching this. Here's what I learned from speaking directly with SSA: The monthly benefit calculations ARE done to the exact month, but many online calculators only display estimates at certain intervals (like January of each year) which makes it confusing. When I called SSA (took forever to get through), they confirmed that if you're past your FRA, you get 2/3 of 1% more for EACH month you delay up to age 70. So waiting from June to December would give you 4% more monthly benefit for life. One tip: SSA benefits are paid in the month AFTER you earn them. So if you want your first payment in September, you'd need to have your birthday and file so that August is your first month of entitlement. Also, don't forget to sign up for Medicare Part B at 65 even if you delay Social Security - that's a separate decision with its own penalties if you wait (assuming you don't have other qualifying coverage). Hope this helps with your decision! The monthly increases are real, even if the calculators don't show them clearly.

I applied for my Social Security retirement benefits online just last month at age 67, and I want to echo what everyone else has said - you absolutely do NOT need to mail any original documents during the initial application! The process was much smoother than I anticipated. I had all my documents spread out on my kitchen table (birth certificate, DD-214, Social Security card, etc.) but only needed them for reference to enter the information accurately into the online forms. A couple of things that helped me that I haven't seen mentioned yet: - I printed out a copy of my earnings record from my Social Security account before starting, which made it easier to answer questions about my work history - The application asked for my last employer's contact information, so have that handy if you worked recently - There's a section about any pensions you're receiving - I get a small military retirement, so I needed those details The entire application took me about an hour, but I'm pretty methodical about double-checking everything. I received my approval notice in the mail exactly 12 days later with no requests for additional documentation. One last tip - when you get to the final "review and submit" page, don't second-guess yourself too much like I did! I must have read through my answers three times before finally clicking submit. The system saves your progress, so you can always go back and change things before that final submission. You're well-prepared with all your documents organized. The online process really is designed to be user-friendly. Good luck with your application!

I'm getting ready to apply for Social Security benefits online myself (turning 67 in a few months) and this thread has been incredibly valuable! Like many others here, I was really anxious about the document requirements - especially the thought of having to mail original documents like birth certificates through the postal system. Reading through everyone's consistent experiences has been so reassuring. It's clear that the online application process is much more streamlined than I initially feared. The fact that you just enter information FROM your documents rather than uploading or mailing them makes perfect sense from a security standpoint too. I'm taking notes on all the practical tips shared here - having bank account information ready for direct deposit, double-checking mother's maiden name spelling, reviewing earnings records beforehand, and applying a few months before my desired start date. These are exactly the kinds of real-world details that make all the difference but aren't obvious from reading the official SSA website. What really gives me confidence is seeing how many people have had smooth, straightforward experiences with quick approvals and no follow-up document requests. It sounds like being organized ahead of time (like Paolo clearly is) really pays off in making the process even smoother. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their recent experiences - you've transformed what seemed like a daunting bureaucratic hurdle into something that feels completely manageable!