Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! Based on all your comments, I think I'm going to go ahead with claiming a few months early since my bonus structure means I'll probably stay under that higher earnings limit before reaching FRA. And if I do exceed it slightly, at least I know they'll adjust my benefit later to account for any withheld amounts. Really appreciate all the detailed explanations - this stuff gets complicated fast!

Just wanted to add one more thing to consider - make sure you understand how the earnings test works with your specific pay schedule. Since you mentioned getting a year-end bonus, you'll want to track your monthly earnings carefully through September (assuming October FRA). Also, if you do end up slightly over the limit, the SSA typically doesn't come after you immediately - they'll usually adjust your benefits the following year after you file your tax return and they can see your actual earnings. But it's always better to plan ahead than deal with overpayments later! Good luck with your decision - sounds like you've got a solid plan based on everyone's input here.

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I'm going to create my SSA account today and start documenting everything. I think I'll also look into that Claimyr service someone mentioned to get specific answers about my situation. It sounds like I need to plan for: 1) Working while staying under the earnings limit or accepting the reduction 2) Preparing financially for the gap years 3) Figuring out which claiming strategy will be best when I reach 60-67 I really appreciate all your help during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Natalie. Reading through all these responses, I wanted to add one more consideration that hasn't been mentioned yet - please make sure you're also thinking about your own Social Security work credits. Since you've been staying home, you'll want to understand how returning to work will affect your own retirement benefit calculations. You need 40 quarters (10 years) of work to qualify for your own retirement benefits. If you don't have enough credits yet, working now could help you qualify for your own benefits, which might be important for your claiming strategy later. Also, regarding the gap period everyone mentioned - some states have additional survivor benefit programs that might help bridge that time. It's worth checking with your state's social services department to see what might be available. The documentation advice is spot on - I'd suggest keeping a dedicated folder (physical or digital) with all your SSA correspondence, benefit statements, and notes from phone calls. Date everything!

I just went through this exact situation last year! Started benefits at 64 in June, and you're absolutely right about the confusion between monthly vs annual limits. One thing that really helped me was setting up a simple spreadsheet to track my earnings month by month, especially since I was doing freelance work with irregular income. Also, don't forget that if you do accidentally go over the annual limit, they'll typically just withhold future benefits rather than demanding a lump sum repayment, which makes it less scary. The key is just staying organized with your record-keeping. SSA will want documentation if they audit your earnings, so keep good records of all your consulting income!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - started benefits early and trying to navigate the earnings limits. One thing I learned from my local SSA office that might be useful: they recommended reporting any significant changes in your work status proactively rather than waiting for the annual reconciliation. So if you start that consulting work and realize you might approach the annual limit, give them a heads up. They can help you estimate how much to expect in benefit reductions and even adjust your monthly payments voluntarily to avoid a big surprise later. It's much less stressful than getting that letter after tax season saying you owe money back!

I just wanted to share my recent experience since I literally just went through this process last month at 62! You can definitely apply for both your retirement and spousal benefits in the same online application - it's actually much simpler than I expected. Here's what I wish I had known beforehand: Set aside about an hour when you won't be interrupted, have all your documents ready (birth certificate, marriage certificate, husband's SSN and birth date), and make sure your internet connection is stable. The system does time out if you're idle too long. When you get to the marriage section, there's a clear question asking if you also want to apply for spousal benefits - just say yes and enter your husband's information. The system automatically calculates everything and determines which benefit scenario gives you the most money. One thing that surprised me was that I actually received a letter about 3 weeks after applying asking me to mail in a copy of my marriage certificate for verification, even though I had provided all the information online. But this didn't delay my benefits at all - I got my first payment right on schedule 6 weeks after applying. The online route saved me so much frustration compared to trying to get through on the phone. The application walks you through everything step by step, and if there are any issues, they'll contact you rather than just rejecting it. You've definitely got this - it's much more straightforward than the SSA website makes it seem!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said here - yes, you can absolutely apply for both your retirement and spousal benefits in the same online application! I went through this exact process about 4 months ago when I turned 62. A few additional tips that might help: First, the online system is actually pretty user-friendly once you get started. When you reach the section about spousal benefits, it will clearly ask if you want to apply for those as well - just make sure you have your husband's Social Security number and birth date ready. Second, don't worry too much about "doing it wrong" - the system is designed to automatically calculate which benefit option gives you the highest amount. Since your husband is already collecting, they'll have all his information in the system already. One thing I'd suggest is creating your "my Social Security" account online before you start the application process if you don't already have one. This will make it easier to track your application status and manage your benefits once they start. The whole process took me about 50 minutes, and I received my first payment exactly 5 weeks later. So much easier than dealing with those impossible phone wait times! You've definitely made the right choice going the online route.

Hi Lana, I'm sorry for your loss. It's actually pretty common for back pay and regular monthly payments to come separately - the SSA often processes them on different timelines. Back pay can sometimes take a few extra weeks or even months to arrive after your first regular payment. If it's been more than 60 days since you were approved, you might want to call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to check on the status. They can tell you exactly when the back pay was processed and when to expect it. Hope this helps!