Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I think I understand now - my FRA is 66 and 10 months (not a "max age"), and I can get delayed retirement credits up until age 70. I'm still working, so I'll probably wait at least until my FRA to avoid the earnings limit. Since my family tends to live into their 90s, waiting until 70 might be the best financial decision for me. I'll check my mySocialSecurity account to get my specific benefit estimates at different ages.

Sounds like you've got a solid plan, Ravi! One thing to double-check when you log into your mySocialSecurity account - make sure to look at the "View Estimated Benefits" section which will show you the exact dollar amounts at different claiming ages. Also, since you mentioned your family longevity, you might want to consider spousal benefits too if you're married. The timing of when you claim can affect survivor benefits for your spouse. Good luck with your decision!

To address your original question about appointments - yes, you should definitely schedule one rather than just showing up. As others have mentioned, wait times can be extremely long, especially in busy offices. If you're having trouble getting through on the 800 number, try calling right when they open (8:00 AM Eastern time) or in the last hour before they close (5:30-6:30 PM Eastern). Thursdays and Fridays tend to have slightly shorter wait times than Mondays. Alternatively, check if your local office has a direct number listed. Some do provide direct lines on their local office pages that can be found through the SSA office locator: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp

I'm so sorry for your loss, Luca. Going through this process while grieving is incredibly difficult. Based on what others have shared, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help: Since you're having trouble getting through on the phone, consider visiting your local office first thing in the morning when they open - many offices allow walk-ins for urgent matters like survivor benefits, and you'll avoid the afternoon rush. Bring a book or tablet to keep yourself occupied during the wait. Also, when you do get your appointment, ask about expedited processing. Survivor benefits for children are considered priority cases, and they may be able to fast-track your application given your circumstances. One thing I haven't seen mentioned - make sure to ask about any lump-sum death benefit ($255) that may be available. It's not much, but every bit helps during this difficult time. Take care of yourself during this process. The paperwork and waiting can be frustrating, but you're doing the right thing by getting these benefits for your kids. They'll provide important financial support as you all navigate this new chapter.

Great summary Anna! You've got all the key points right. One small addition - since you mentioned you might need another $10k from your 401k before year-end, that's totally fine and won't affect your Social Security benefits at all. The earnings test really is just about wages and self-employment income, so you can withdraw as much as you need from retirement accounts without penalty from SSA. Just keep track of your consulting income to make sure that stays under the limit. Sounds like you're in great shape!

One thing I'd add that might be helpful - if you're doing consulting work, make sure you're properly tracking your expenses! Since it's self-employment income, you can deduct legitimate business expenses which will reduce your net earnings for the SSA earnings test. Things like office supplies, mileage, equipment, etc. So if you made $14,000 but had $2,000 in valid business expenses, only $12,000 would count toward the limit. Just make sure you keep good records in case SSA ever asks. This could give you even more breathing room under that $22,320 threshold!

Don't overthink this. At your asset level ($1.8M), the SS decision isn't going to make or break your retirement either way. You're in an enviable position where you'll be fine regardless. I tend to favor taking it at 62 because it gives you more flexibility early in retirement when you're most active and can enjoy it. Just my two cents having been on both sides of the decision.

As someone who's been through this exact decision process, I'd encourage you to consider one more angle: spousal benefits and survivor protection. If you're married, delaying your SS benefit doesn't just affect you - it also determines the maximum survivor benefit your spouse could receive. Given your excellent health and family longevity, this could be significant. That said, your financial position is strong enough that you really can't make a "wrong" choice here. I've seen too many people stress over optimizing SS while missing opportunities to enjoy their early retirement years. The difference between claiming at 62 vs 67 might be $200K over 30 years, but you already have nearly $2M in assets. My suggestion: Run the numbers one more time factoring in taxes and your specific withdrawal strategy, then go with whatever gives you the most peace of mind. The "perfect" mathematical choice isn't worth losing sleep over when you're already in such a secure position.

As someone who's been through this exact decision process, I'd recommend also considering getting a personalized Social Security analysis from AARP or a fee-only financial planner. The math you've done looks solid, but there are so many variables (health, other income, tax implications, estate planning goals) that it's worth having a professional run the numbers with all your specific details. One thing I learned: if you do decide to take survivor benefits now, make sure to ask SSA about the "do-over" rule. You have 12 months to change your mind and pay back what you received if you want to restart at a higher benefit later. It's like a safety net for your decision. Also, have you looked into whether your late husband had any delayed retirement credits that might affect your survivor benefit calculations? Sometimes the estimates don't fully capture those nuances.

This is such a valuable discussion! I'm seeing a lot of great analysis here. One additional consideration that might be worth mentioning: Medicare premiums. If you're not yet on Medicare, remember that higher income from Social Security benefits could affect your future Medicare Part B and Part D premiums through IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount). The income they look at is from two years prior, so if you take the higher survivor benefit now, it could impact your Medicare costs starting in 2027. For 2025, the standard Part B premium is about $185/month, but it can go up to over $500/month for higher-income individuals. This probably won't change your overall decision since we're talking about relatively small amounts compared to the benefit differences you're analyzing, but it's another piece of the puzzle to consider when doing your comprehensive calculations.