I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely ridiculous that they won't give you the information you need to make an informed decision! I'm a newcomer here but I've been researching this exact issue for my own situation. One thing I discovered is that you might want to try calling early in the morning (right when they open at 7 AM) or late in the afternoon - I've read that you sometimes get more experienced representatives during those times. Also, if you do get through to someone unhelpful, don't hesitate to politely end the call and try again. Different reps seem to have vastly different levels of knowledge about these procedures. I'm taking notes from all the great advice in this thread - especially about requesting the PEBES and using the specific terminology when scheduling an in-person appointment. The fact that so many people have had success with face-to-face meetings gives me hope that there's a way through this bureaucratic maze. Please keep us updated on what works for you - your experience could help others who are facing the same impossible situation!

I'm new to this community but dealing with this exact same issue! Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea about the PEBES option or that you could request a "benefit comparison for survivor vs. retirement benefits" when scheduling an in-person appointment. What really concerns me is learning that the switch from survivor to retirement benefits is permanent - that's such crucial information that should be clearly explained upfront! It's outrageous that SSA expects us to make life-changing financial decisions without providing the basic information we need. I'm going to try calling early morning first (thanks for that tip!) and specifically ask for a PEBES using the exact terminology mentioned here. If that doesn't work, I'll schedule an in-person appointment using the language that worked for others. One question for those who've been through this - when you finally got the comparison, was there a significant processing time between getting the information and when you could actually make the switch if you chose to? I'm wondering if there are any other timing considerations I should be aware of. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and strategies. This thread has been more helpful than hours of trying to navigate SSA's phone system!

just be careful with the grace year thing. my uncle thought he had that but turns out he already used it the year before when he briefly went back to work. they don't tell you when you've used it up unless you specifically ask!!

Great to see you got confirmation from SSA! That grace year provision is such a lifesaver but you're right that it's not well-publicized. One thing to keep in mind - since you'll have those higher earning months in 2024, make sure to keep good records of your monthly earnings. Even though you're covered by the grace year, it's helpful to have documentation ready in case there are any questions later. Also, for 2025 planning - once those new limits are announced in October, you might want to calculate backwards from your June FRA date to see exactly how much you can safely earn in those first 5 months. Since you mentioned getting a wage bump and potential extra shifts, having that target number will help you maximize your earnings without any surprises. The fact that you'll have zero limits starting in June 2025 is going to be such a game changer for your work flexibility!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Christian. I went through this exact situation when my husband passed away last year, and I can definitely confirm that your passport will work perfectly for the survivor benefits application. SSA accepted mine without any issues at all. A few things that made the process easier for me: - Called ahead to schedule an appointment and confirmed document requirements - Brought organized copies of everything (they kept copies of all documents) - Had my husband's Social Security number and our bank routing information written down clearly - Brought our most recent joint tax return as additional verification The appointment took about an hour and the representative was very patient and understanding. My benefits started about 7 weeks later. Don't let the missing birth certificate delay you - the passport is actually better since it proves both citizenship and age in one document. The hardest part is just getting started, but once you have that appointment scheduled, the rest follows pretty smoothly. You're doing the right thing by moving forward now rather than waiting for a replacement birth certificate. Thinking of you during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Christian. I went through this exact same situation about 18 months ago when my father passed and I helped my mother with her survivor benefits application. Your passport will absolutely work - that's exactly what we used and SSA accepted it without any problems. The key thing to remember is that a US passport proves both your age and citizenship in one document, which is actually better than just having a birth certificate (which only proves age and place of birth). Your Real ID won't be sufficient on its own since it doesn't establish citizenship status. A few practical tips from our experience: - Schedule an appointment ahead of time rather than walking in - Bring multiple copies of all your documents (passport, marriage certificate, death certificate) - Have your husband's Social Security number written down clearly - Bring your bank routing/account info for direct deposit setup - If you have recent joint tax returns or bank statements, bring those as backup documentation The appointment took about an hour for us and the staff was very compassionate and understanding. Mom's first benefit payment came about 6 weeks later. Don't delay this process waiting for a birth certificate - you deserve to get these benefits started as soon as possible during this difficult time. The passport is completely sufficient and actually preferred documentation. Wishing you strength as you navigate this process.

Just want to add one important point that hasn't been mentioned yet - if your husband passes away before you, having him delay his benefits until age 70 (if possible) could significantly increase your survivor benefit. As the surviving spouse, you'd be eligible for 100% of his benefit amount (including any delayed retirement credits he earned by waiting past his FRA). So even though you likely won't get a spousal top-up based on your numbers, the strategy of you taking your benefit at FRA while he delays his could still pay off in the long run through a higher potential survivor benefit. Something to factor into your decision!

One thing I'd like to add as someone who works with retirement planning - make sure you get an official Social Security statement that shows your exact PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) rather than relying on estimates. The online calculators and estimates can sometimes be off, and knowing your precise PIA will help you determine if there's any potential spousal benefit. Also, when your husband does file (whether at FRA or later), I'd recommend calling SSA within 30 days to specifically ask about spousal benefits rather than assuming they'll automatically calculate it. The process has gotten more streamlined in recent years, but it's still worth being proactive. Given that you're already thinking strategically about timing, you're ahead of many people - just make sure you're working with the most accurate numbers possible!

As someone who just turned 62 and is facing this exact same decision, this entire thread has been a goldmine of practical information! I've been going in circles trying to understand the earnings test, and the SSA website really is as confusing as everyone says. A few things I'm taking away that might help others in similar situations: **For newcomers like me:** The most important thing seems to be understanding that there are actually TWO different reductions when you claim early and work: 1) The permanent reduction for claiming before FRA (about 25-30% if you claim at 62-63) 2) The TEMPORARY earnings test withholding if you earn over $23,400/year **The "grace year" rule seems like the secret weapon** for people with variable income. I had no idea SSA would apply whichever test (annual vs monthly) benefits you more in your first year of claiming. **Practical planning tips I'm stealing from this thread:** - Create a monthly earnings tracking spreadsheet - Be conservative but accurate with initial earnings estimates - Consider timing your claim around planned work schedule changes - Remember that pre-tax 401k contributions can help you stay under the limit One question for the group: Has anyone here successfully used the strategy of claiming early, managing earnings to minimize withholding in year 1, then ramping up work income in subsequent years once you understand the system better? I'm wondering if that might be a good "training wheels" approach for someone nervous about the complexity. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - you've made this decision feel much more manageable!

This thread is absolutely phenomenal - thank you all for sharing such detailed real-world experiences! As someone who's 64 and has been paralyzed by this decision for months, reading through everyone's stories has finally given me the confidence to move forward. I'm particularly struck by how many people mentioned the importance of that initial earnings estimate accuracy. I've been so focused on the math of whether to claim early that I hadn't fully appreciated how critical it is to get those projections right upfront to avoid overpayment nightmares. The "grace year" rule is a complete game-changer for my situation too. I do seasonal tax prep work, so I have high-earning months (Jan-April) followed by much lower summer/fall income. Being able to use the monthly test for those lighter months in my first year could save me thousands in withheld benefits. One thing I'm curious about: for those who've been through multiple years of managing the earnings test, does it get easier? Or do you find yourselves constantly stressed about tracking earnings and staying compliant? I'm a bit of a worrier by nature, so I want to make sure I'm not setting myself up for years of anxiety over this! Either way, this community has turned what felt like an impossible decision into something I can actually plan for strategically. Thank you all for the incredible advice and transparency about your experiences!