The annual earnings test can be tricky to navigate. For anyone approaching the limit, it's important to understand that SSA withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above the annual limit if you're under FRA. Once you reach your FRA, the earnings test no longer applies, and you can earn as much as you want without reduction. If you're reaching FRA during 2025, a different limit applies only for the months before you reach FRA. Always best to report changes promptly to avoid complications.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! I was 62 and working part-time when my hours suddenly increased. I called SSA as soon as I realized I might go over the limit - don't wait! When I called, they asked for my estimated total annual earnings and current monthly income. I had my recent pay stubs ready but they didn't ask for them during the call. They calculated that I'd likely exceed the limit by about $3,000, so they temporarily suspended my benefits for 2 months to account for the overage. It was much better than getting hit with a surprise overpayment later. The whole process took about 20 minutes on the phone once I got through to someone. Just be honest about your estimates - they understand that work schedules can change unexpectedly.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! I went through a similar situation when I remarried at 68. The good news is that since you're over 60, your survivor benefits from your first husband will continue unchanged after you remarry. I didn't have any issues when I reported my marriage to SSA - they just updated my file and confirmed my benefits would continue as normal. Just make sure to report the change within 10 days after your wedding. You can do this by phone or by visiting your local SSA office. Don't let the fear of losing benefits stop you from being happy - the law protects seniors in exactly your situation. Wishing you all the best for your new marriage!

As someone who just went through this exact situation last year at age 74, I can confirm what others have said - you absolutely will keep your survivor benefits! I was terrified too, but SSA was actually very reassuring when I called them after my wedding. The agent explained that the rule changed specifically to help widows and widowers find happiness again without financial penalty. I've been receiving the same benefit amount for over a year now with no issues. The only paperwork I had to fill out was a simple marital status update form. Don't let worry overshadow this wonderful time in your life - the law is on your side here!

Just wanted to share my recent experience to hopefully ease some concerns! I applied online last month at age 67 and it was surprisingly smooth. The key things that helped me: 1) I gathered ALL my documents first before starting (birth certificate, marriage certificate, bank info, last year's tax return), 2) I called my local library and they have volunteers who help seniors with online government applications - maybe check if yours does too?, and 3) The "save and continue later" feature was a lifesaver when I got tired halfway through. The whole process from start to finish took about 3 weeks and my first payment came right on schedule. Don't let the technology intimidate you - if I can do it, anyone can! The SSA website is actually pretty user-friendly compared to other government sites I've used.

I just want to echo what others have said about applying online being the way to go! I was in a similar situation last year - worried about the technology aspect and initially planning to visit an office. But the online application really is designed well for people who aren't super tech-savvy. One thing that really helped me was doing a "practice run" first - I went through the application without submitting it just to see what information they were asking for. That way when I did it for real, I knew exactly what to expect and had everything ready. Also, don't worry if you make a mistake - you can go back and edit most sections before you submit. The whole experience was much less stressful than I anticipated!

I'm new to this community but found myself in the exact same situation! Filed for SS retirement in December 2024, still processing, and just got my Medicare Part B bill for the first quarter. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. The overwhelming consensus is clear: pay the Medicare premium to protect your coverage. I was initially hesitant because I didn't want to pay twice, but hearing from multiple people who got automatic reimbursements once their SS benefits started has convinced me this is the right approach. What really stands out to me is how common these processing delays seem to be, especially when part-time work is involved. I also had some consulting income last year that I reported, and now I understand that's likely why my application is taking longer than expected. I'm going to pay my Medicare bill today and set up automatic payments like others suggested. Thanks to everyone for sharing your real experiences - it makes navigating this bureaucratic process so much less stressful when you know the system actually works, even if it's slow!

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! My SS retirement application was delayed for almost 10 weeks due to earnings verification, and I had to pay Medicare Part B premiums out of pocket during that time. Here's what I learned: definitely pay your Medicare bill right away! I was hesitant at first because I didn't want to pay twice, but several people warned me about the risk of losing coverage. When my SS benefits finally started, I got automatically reimbursed for all the premiums I had paid directly - it showed up as an adjustment in my first Social Security payment with a clear explanation. The reimbursement process was completely automatic - no forms to fill out, no phone calls needed. The system tracked everything and sorted it out once my benefits began. Since you mentioned part-time work, that's probably what's slowing your application down. Mine was delayed because they had to verify some old contract work I had reported. I'd recommend setting up automatic payments on medicare.gov so you don't have to worry about remembering to pay each month while waiting. Keep your payment confirmations just in case, but the reimbursement system works really well. Hang in there - the processing is slow but it does get resolved!

I went through this when my husband died leaving me with 3 kids. SSA processes everything together - they handle the family maximum calculations. At your appointment they'll tell you exactly what each person will receive. For planning purposes, each child is eligible for about 75% of your husband's benefit and you'd get 75% as the caretaker of minor children, but the family maximum will reduce these amounts. In my case, we each got about 60% of what we would have gotten without the maximum.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult time. As someone new to understanding Social Security survivor benefits, I wanted to add that it might also be helpful to know that if you remarry before age 60, you would lose your widow's benefits. However, if you remarry after age 60, you can still collect widow's benefits. Also, when your youngest turns 16 and your benefits stop, you'll have what's called a "gap period" until you turn 60 (when you can start receiving reduced widow's benefits) or until your full retirement age for unreduced benefits. During this gap, only your children would continue receiving benefits until they turn 18 (or 19 if still in high school). It's a lot to process, but planning ahead like you're doing is really smart.