Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! I'm new to navigating the SSA system and this thread has been incredibly valuable. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like the key is really planning around these holiday closures. @Ellie Simpson - your breakdown of the different processing timelines was especially helpful. I had no idea that DDS works on a different schedule than regular SSA processing. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation, it seems like the consensus is either get everything submitted well before December 20th or wait until after the New Year rush dies down in mid-January. The protective filing date option that was mentioned could be a real lifesaver for people caught in between those windows.

This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who's dealt with SSA holiday delays before, I can confirm that the December 20th cutoff date mentioned by several people here is spot on. I submitted paperwork on December 22nd last year and didn't hear anything back until late February - it was a nightmare. One additional tip I'd add is to screenshot or print confirmation pages if you're submitting online during this period, because their system can get glitchy during high-volume times right before holidays. Also, if you do end up needing to call during January, try calling right when they open (8 AM local time) - you'll still wait, but it's usually shorter than calling later in the day when everyone else is also trying to get through.

I'm dealing with a similar situation but with a twist - I turn 70 in January 2026 and I'm currently receiving spousal benefits. Do I need to do anything special to switch from spousal benefits to my own retirement benefits when I hit 70? I'm assuming my own benefits will be higher at that point with all the delayed retirement credits, but I want to make sure there isn't some automatic conversion I need to be aware of. Should I still apply 3-4 months in advance even though I'm already in the SSA system receiving spousal benefits? This thread has been so helpful for understanding the timing, but I'm wondering if being on spousal benefits changes the process at all.

I'm a newcomer here but this discussion has been incredibly eye-opening! I turn 70 in December 2025 and had been planning to wait until January 2026 to start benefits, thinking I'd get some kind of "bonus" for waiting the extra month. Reading through everyone's experiences, I now realize I would have been throwing away a full month of maximum benefits for absolutely no reason! It's amazing how the term "delayed retirement credits" can be so misleading - it really does make you think you should keep delaying indefinitely. But the consensus here is crystal clear: age 70 is the finish line, not a checkpoint. I'll be applying this September for December 2025 benefits. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical advice you can't get from the official SSA materials!

This is such a common source of confusion! I went through the same panic when I first started collecting early benefits while still working. What really helped me was understanding that there are basically three separate "buckets" to think about: 1. **Earnings Test**: Only wages/self-employment income count. SS benefits and IRA withdrawals are ignored completely. 2. **Income Taxes**: IRA withdrawals + other income can make more of your SS benefits taxable (but this is totally separate from the earnings test). 3. **Medicare Premiums**: If your income gets really high, you might pay higher Medicare premiums (IRMAA), and IRA withdrawals DO count for this. The key is that these are three completely different calculations! Your financial planner was probably thinking about the tax implications while your brother-in-law was focused on the earnings test. Both can be "right" about their specific piece but wrong about the others. I'd suggest getting clarity from your financial planner about which specific issue they were addressing.

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through something similar last year. I was 64, taking early SS benefits, and working part-time at a retail job. I was SO worried about the earnings limit that I actually turned down extra shifts during the holidays! Turns out I was being way too conservative - I could have earned up to that $22,320 limit from my JOB without any issues. My SS payments themselves don't count at all toward that limit. Also took some money from my 401k for home repairs and that didn't affect the earnings test either. The key thing I learned is to keep really good records of your work income throughout the year so you know exactly where you stand. Don't leave money on the table like I did by being overly cautious!

One more tip - when your wife selects her benefit start month during the application, the system will display a message showing the percentage reduction if she were to start early. If she's selected her FRA month correctly, it should show 0% reduction. If it shows ANY reduction percentage, stop and fix the start date right away because it means she's accidentally selected an early start date.

Another thing to consider - if your wife is still working when she applies, make sure to review the earnings test implications. Even though she's applying for benefits to start at FRA (which means no earnings test), SSA will ask about her current employment status and projected earnings. This won't affect her benefit amount since she's waiting until FRA, but it's good to have that information ready when filling out the application. Also, if she has any pension from work where she didn't pay Social Security taxes (like some government jobs), make sure to mention that during the application process as it could affect her benefit calculation through WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) or GPO (Government Pension Offset). The key is being thorough and double-checking everything before submitting!

I'm going through a similar situation right now - turning 62 in a few months and trying to figure out all these earnings limits! This thread has been incredibly helpful. What I'm curious about is the timing aspect. Since you're turning 62 next month, are you planning to file for benefits immediately, or waiting until later in the year? I've read that the timing of when you first claim can affect how they calculate the earnings test in that first year. Also, has anyone dealt with the situation where your part-time employer offers you overtime or bonus pay? I'm wondering if there's a way to decline extra compensation if it would push you over the limit, or if you're just stuck once they pay it to you. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't find in the official SSA publications!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation myself! Just wanted to add that when I called SSA about this exact question, they emphasized that the key distinction is between "earned" vs "unearned" income. Your pension and 401k withdrawals are considered unearned income, so they don't count toward the earnings test at all. What really helped me was getting this confirmation directly from SSA in writing. I requested they mail me a letter explaining how the earnings test would apply to my specific situation. Having that documentation gave me peace of mind and something to reference if there were ever any questions later. Also, just a heads up - if you end up working more hours than expected during busy seasons, you can actually contact SSA mid-year to report higher estimated earnings. They can adjust your benefit payments prospectively rather than waiting until the end of the year to do a big reconciliation. This helps avoid those surprise benefit suspensions that others have mentioned. Your $15,000 part-time income puts you in a really good position - well under the limit with room for some unexpected overtime if needed!