One more thing to consider - since you're retiring at 64, have you thought about health insurance coverage? Medicare doesn't start until 65, so you'll need to bridge that gap somehow. Some options: 1. COBRA from your employer (expensive but straightforward) 2. ACA marketplace plan (might qualify for subsidies) 3. Spouse's insurance if applicable This isn't directly related to your Social Security application timing, but it's a critical piece of early retirement planning that catches many people by surprise.

I went through this exact process two years ago when I retired at 64! Here's what I learned from my experience: Apply in September 2025 (4 months early) rather than October. I applied exactly 3 months early and it was cutting it close - any small delay could have pushed my first payment back a month. The extra month buffer gave me peace of mind. When you apply online, you'll see a question asking when you want benefits to start. Select January 2026. The system will automatically calculate your reduced benefit amount based on taking it 32 months before your FRA. Regarding the earnings test - since you're making $72k annually, you'll definitely exceed the 2025 limit. But the good news is that the "special rule" for your first year of retirement will apply. As long as you don't perform any substantial work in January 2026 (and beyond), you'll get your full monthly benefit starting then, regardless of what you earned earlier in 2025. One tip: when you submit your application, screenshot every page and keep confirmation numbers. Also, set up your my.ssa.gov account if you haven't already - you'll be checking it frequently to track your application status. The gap between your last paycheck and first SS payment is unavoidable, but at least you know to budget for it. Good luck!

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm in a similar situation with my family's small dairy operation and Social Security planning. One additional consideration I haven't seen mentioned is the potential impact of drought relief or other agricultural disaster payments on the earnings test calculation. We received some USDA disaster assistance last year due to drought conditions, and our accountant had to research whether those payments count as farm income for Social Security purposes. Turns out some government agricultural payments DO count toward the earnings test while others don't - it depends on whether they're considered payment for production or compensation for losses. Also, for those talking about QuickBooks - we started using the Self-Employed version specifically because it has better mileage tracking and can automatically categorize farm-related expenses from bank transactions. It's been a game-changer for keeping those detailed records everyone's mentioned. One more thought on the IRMAA discussion: if your farm has any conservation programs (CRP, EQIP, etc.), those payments typically count as ordinary income for IRMAA calculations too, so factor those into your planning if applicable. The consensus here seems to be that waiting until FRA is probably the safest bet given the unpredictability of farm income. The peace of mind alone might be worth more than the early benefits, especially if you can't predict whether livestock markets will have you over the earnings limit in any given year.

As someone who worked for SSA for over 20 years before retiring, I want to clarify a few things I've seen in this discussion that aren't quite accurate. First, the recalculation of benefits after FRA for earnings test reductions IS automatic - you don't need to request it. SSA runs these recalculations every year and will adjust your benefit amount starting the January after you reach FRA to account for any months benefits were withheld due to the earnings test. Second, regarding the "monthly earnings test" in the first year - this only applies to months BEFORE you reach FRA. So if your dad claims at 63, any month where he earns under $1,860 he gets full benefits that month, regardless of his annual total. But this rule stops applying once he hits his full retirement age. Third, I want to emphasize that for farm income, SSA absolutely follows whatever you report on Schedule F Line 34 (Net farm profit/loss). There's no separate calculation - they use exactly what's on your tax return. So good record-keeping for tax purposes directly translates to accurate SSA calculations. One strategy I saw work well for farmers was claiming benefits in January or February (after livestock sales are complete) and then carefully monitoring income throughout the year. If it looks like you'll exceed the limit, you can always suspend benefits voluntarily and restart them later. The advice about waiting until FRA is sound given your income situation, but don't let fear of the earnings test keep you from claiming if you truly need the benefits. The "lost" benefits do come back eventually.

Hi Anastasia! I'm also new to this community and wanted to congratulate you on your Social Security approval! What an exciting step toward retirement. I've been reading through all these responses and I'm really impressed by how knowledgeable and helpful everyone has been. As someone who's just starting to think about my own retirement planning, this entire conversation has been incredibly educational. I had no idea about things like the birth date payment schedule or that benefits are paid a month behind - those are exactly the kinds of practical details that are so important to understand but aren't always obvious upfront. The advice about checking your mySocialSecurity account regularly seems particularly valuable since several people have mentioned that information often shows up there before the physical mail arrives. And all the tips about keeping organized records and carefully reviewing the award letter when it comes are great practical guidance. Based on everything everyone has shared, it sounds like you can expect your award letter within the next couple of weeks, and then your first payment should arrive on the third Wednesday in February since you were born on the 19th. The community members here clearly have a lot of real-world experience with this process! Thank you for asking such great questions that have helped all of us newcomers learn about this important process. This community seems like such a wonderful resource for navigating these significant life transitions. Best of luck with everything, and I hope your award letter arrives soon with all the information you need for your budgeting!

Hi Anastasia! I'm also new to this community and wanted to congratulate you on your Social Security approval! What an exciting milestone as you transition into retirement. I've been reading through all these incredibly detailed responses and I'm amazed by how much valuable information has been shared. As someone who's still about 3 years away from my own retirement, this entire conversation has been such an educational experience. I had no idea about the birth date payment system or that Social Security pays benefits a month behind - these are exactly the kinds of practical details that make such a difference in planning! The advice about regularly checking your mySocialSecurity account seems especially helpful since multiple people have mentioned that payment information often appears there several days before the physical award letter arrives in the mail. And all the tips about keeping careful records and thoroughly reviewing the award letter for accuracy are invaluable insights to know ahead of time. From what everyone has shared, it sounds like you should expect your award letter within the next 2-3 weeks, and then your first payment will arrive on the third Wednesday in February 2025 since you were born on the 19th. The community members here clearly have extensive real-world experience with this process! Thank you for asking such thoughtful questions that have helped educate all of us newcomers about navigating Social Security retirement benefits. This community is obviously full of knowledgeable and generous people. Best of luck with receiving your award letter soon and getting everything set up for your January start date!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. Losing a parent is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can go through, and having to deal with all this confusing Social Security paperwork while you're grieving just makes everything so much more overwhelming. I went through this exact same situation when my father passed away about two years ago, and I can tell you that everyone here has given you absolutely excellent advice. The SSA-1724-F4 is definitely the correct form for claiming underpayments to deceased beneficiaries, and you're completely right not to stress about listing the reclaimed amount - SSA already has all that information in their system and will calculate everything based on their records. One thing I learned that really helped me was to make a simple checklist of everything I needed to bring to the SSA office before I went. When you're grieving, it's so easy to forget important documents or get flustered, so having a written list helped me stay organized. I'd suggest: the completed SSA-1724-F4 form, certified copy of the death certificate, your executor documentation, and form SSA-8 for the $255 death benefit if you're applying for that too. The timing clarification that others mentioned is spot-on - since your father passed on February 3rd but was alive for all of January, you should receive his full January benefit amount. In my case, the processing took about 7 weeks, but like others have said, it can vary. You're handling this incredibly difficult situation with such strength and wisdom by asking questions and preparing properly. This community really comes through when people need help navigating these complex processes. Don't hesitate to come back if you need any more support along the way. You've got this.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Owen. Having to navigate Social Security paperwork while grieving is just heartbreaking - it's one of those cruel realities where the system forces you to deal with bureaucracy at your most vulnerable moment. I went through this exact situation when my grandmother passed away last year, and I can confirm everything everyone has told you is absolutely correct. The SSA-1724-F4 is the right form, and don't worry about the amount - they have it all in their system already. One thing that really saved me stress was making a "submission day kit" the night before I went to the SSA office. I put everything in a manila folder in this order: the completed forms on top, then death certificate, then executor docs, then copies of everything for my own records. Having it all organized ahead of time meant I wasn't scrambling through papers while trying to hold myself together emotionally. Also, if you're anything like me and tend to overthink things when stressed, just remember that thousands of people go through this exact process every month. The system is designed to handle it, even if it doesn't feel very user-friendly from our perspective. You've gotten incredible advice here from people who truly understand what you're going through. This community really is special for how people support each other during these difficult times. You're going to get through this just fine.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a very similar situation about 3 years ago. I was married to my first husband for 22 years, remarried at 58, then divorced again at 61. When my first ex-husband passed away, I was also really confused about the eligibility rules. The good news is that everyone here is giving you solid advice - you definitely qualify! One thing I'd add is to be prepared for the SSA to potentially ask for additional documentation beyond what others have mentioned, like proof that your first husband was receiving Social Security benefits (they should be able to look this up, but sometimes they ask anyway). Also, don't be discouraged if your first call or visit doesn't result in immediate approval - sometimes it takes a few interactions to get everything sorted out, but persistence pays off. The financial relief when those benefits start coming in is huge, especially when you're struggling. You're doing the right thing by applying, and this community's advice will serve you well!

I'm sorry for your loss and the financial stress you're dealing with. Based on everything shared here, it sounds like you have a strong case for survivor benefits. One small thing to add - when you gather your documents, make sure to get certified copies of your marriage and divorce certificates rather than just photocopies. Some SSA offices are pickier about this than others. Also, if your first husband had military service, mention that during your appointment as it might affect benefit calculations. The folks here have given you excellent advice about the claiming strategies. I'd especially emphasize what others said about asking to see the actual dollar amounts for different scenarios - survivor benefits now vs. waiting, your own benefits at different ages, etc. Having those concrete numbers will help you make the best decision for your situation. Hang in there, and I hope the process goes smoothly for you!