I'm really glad this thread exists because I'm in a similar situation! I just turned 62 and I'm considering early retirement with Social Security, but I also want to keep some consulting income. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational. The first-year monthly rule that @TechNinja mentioned is something I had no idea about - my financial advisor never brought that up! It sounds like the key things are: document everything properly, report earnings promptly through the online portal, and remember that any withheld benefits get credited back at Full Retirement Age. Does anyone know if the monthly earnings test applies the same way if you start benefits before Full Retirement Age but not in your first year of claiming? Like if I claim at 62 and then want to work part-time at 63?

This has been such an informative discussion! As someone who recently went through the Social Security application process myself, I wish I had found this thread earlier. The complexity around earnings limits and first-year rules is really overwhelming when you're trying to navigate it alone. A few additional thoughts based on my experience: 1) Consider setting up automatic monthly reminders to track your earnings against the $1,860 limit - I use a simple spreadsheet to stay organized. 2) If you're doing consulting work, be extra careful about project payments that might push you over in a single month, even if your average monthly income is under the limit. 3) The SSA website has a really helpful earnings test calculator that lets you model different scenarios. And echoing what others have said - definitely get any verbal confirmations in writing! The representatives are generally helpful, but having documentation protects you if there are any discrepancies later.

Just wondering - did you check your earnings record on your SS account to make sure it's correct? When my estimates disappeared, I later found out there were some missing earnings in my record that would have affected my benefit calculation. Might be worth double-checking while you're sorting this out!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when I started getting survivor benefits at age 62. The disappearing estimates really threw me off too! What I ended up doing was creating a simple spreadsheet to track my own benefit growth using the delayed retirement credits (8% per year from FRA to age 70). You can find your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) from your last statement before the estimates disappeared, then calculate the growth yourself. It's not perfect, but it gives you a good ballpark for planning. I also set a calendar reminder to request that SSA-7004 form that Hugo mentioned every year so I can compare my calculations with their official numbers. The good news is that SSA is supposed to automatically switch you to the higher benefit when you reach FRA, but definitely keep track of it yourself for peace of mind!

Wow, this has been such an educational thread! I'm 55 and still have several years before I need to make these decisions, but I'm already starting to think about Social Security strategy. Reading through everyone's experiences has been eye-opening - I had no idea there were so many factors that could affect benefit calculations beyond just your earnings history. The COLA revelation is huge for me. Like so many others here, I assumed you had to be actively collecting benefits to receive those annual increases. Learning that they apply to your PIA starting at age 62 regardless of when you claim completely changes how I'm thinking about timing my retirement. I'm also taking notes on checking earnings records early. With 7 years still to go before I turn 62, I have time to catch and correct any errors that might be lurking in my work history. I've had a pretty straightforward career with mostly W-2 income, but I did have some consulting work in my 30s that I should verify is properly recorded. For those who have already gone through the earnings record review - is there a particular time of year that's better to do this, or should I just tackle it whenever I have time to focus on it properly? Thanks to everyone who has shared their knowledge and experiences. This community is incredibly valuable for those of us trying to navigate these complex decisions!

This entire discussion has been incredibly helpful! I'm 57 and have been putting off really digging into Social Security planning, but reading through all these experiences has motivated me to get serious about it now. The COLA clarification alone is worth its weight in gold - I definitely had the wrong understanding about when those increases actually start applying. What really strikes me is how many different factors can affect your benefit estimate beyond just COLA. The interplay between recent earnings replacing older lower-earning years, wage indexing adjustments, and potential errors in your earnings record makes it clear that those annual statements we get aren't just simple projections. I'm planning to spend some time this weekend logging into MySocialSecurity and doing a thorough review of my earnings history. I've had a fairly stable career but did change jobs several times in my 40s, so I want to make sure everything transferred correctly between employers' reporting. For those who mentioned using services to help get through to SSA representatives - that's something I hadn't considered but might be worth it for complex questions. The idea of sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected is pretty discouraging! Thanks to everyone who has shared their knowledge here. This thread should be required reading for anyone approaching retirement age!

I'm a social worker who specializes in disability benefits, and I want to emphasize something that might give you hope: while the system is frustrating, there ARE ways to navigate this successfully with proper planning. First, everyone is correct that SSDI won't be affected by your marriage - that's based solely on his work history. The Medicaid issue is real, but there are often overlooked options: 1. **Ask about "1619(b)" work incentive programs** - Even if your fiancé isn't working now, some states allow people to maintain Medicaid if they could potentially work in the future. 2. **Look into "Katie Beckett" waivers** - These allow disabled individuals to keep Medicaid based on their own income rather than household income in certain circumstances. 3. **Consider the timing of benefit reviews** - Medicaid eligibility is typically reviewed annually. If you time your marriage right after his annual review, you might have almost a full year before the next assessment. Most importantly, contact your state's Protection and Advocacy organization (every state has one). They provide free legal advocacy specifically for people with disabilities navigating benefit issues. They often know about programs and exceptions that even local Medicaid offices aren't aware of. Don't give up on marriage because of a broken system. With the right advocacy and planning, many couples find workable solutions. The key is getting expert help rather than trying to figure it out alone.

I'm so glad you asked this question because my husband and I went through the exact same situation two years ago! Reading through all these responses has been really validating - it's clear this is a widespread issue that affects so many couples. We were in your exact position - he's been on SSDI for a neurological condition for about 6 years, and I was making around $55K at the time. We postponed our wedding twice because of these fears, but finally decided we couldn't let the system control our lives anymore. Here's what actually happened: His SSDI stayed exactly the same (as everyone has confirmed), but he did lose Medicaid about 8 weeks after our marriage. However, we had prepared by starting pharmaceutical assistance applications 4 months before the wedding using his individual income status. This was HUGE because three of his medications got approved for full coverage for 12 months, saving us over $600/month. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is looking into your employer's Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Ours connected us with a benefits counselor at no cost who helped us navigate the transition and even found a local nonprofit that provides emergency prescription assistance during coverage gaps. Also, check if your state has a "Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities" program - ours allowed him to buy into Medicaid at a reduced rate based on his individual income rather than our household income. It's not free like regular Medicaid, but way more affordable than private insurance. The system is absolutely broken and unfair, but don't let it steal your happiness. With proper planning and the amazing resources people have shared in this thread, you can make it work. Feel free to message me if you want more details about our specific experience!

Based on everyone's advice, here's what I recommend you do: 1. Make an appointment with your local SSA office (don't just walk in) 2. Ask specifically for a Technical Expert who specializes in survivor benefits 3. Bring your husband's death certificate, his Social Security statement if you have it, and your marriage certificate 4. Use this specific language: "I need a recalculation of my survivor benefits that includes the delayed retirement credits my husband earned between his FRA at 66 and his death at 69" 5. Request a written explanation of the calculation they provide If you continue to face resistance, you have the right to file for a reconsideration or even appeal the decision. But hopefully, speaking with the right specialist will resolve this without further steps.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Dylan. What you're experiencing is unfortunately very common - many SSA representatives don't properly calculate survivor benefits when delayed retirement credits are involved. You are absolutely right to question this! Your survivor benefit should be based on 100% of what your husband would have received at age 69, INCLUDING his delayed retirement credits. Since he waited 3 years past his FRA (66), he earned 8% per year in DRCs, which means his benefit should be about 24% higher than his FRA amount. Here's what I'd suggest: When you go back, specifically ask them to show you the calculation on paper. Ask to see both the PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) at his FRA AND the amount with delayed retirement credits included. If they can't or won't do this, ask to speak with a supervisor or Technical Expert. Also, keep in mind that if you're planning to wait until your own FRA to claim, you should receive 100% of his benefit amount (with DRCs included). The fact that multiple reps are giving you the same lower figure suggests they're all making the same systematic error in their calculations. Don't give up - this could mean hundreds of dollars per month for the rest of your life!