This is such valuable information everyone! As someone who's been dreading navigating all this retirement stuff, this thread has been a lifesaver. I had no idea about the spousal benefit rules or how the timing works between spouses. My situation is probably pretty common - I'm the higher earner and my spouse worked part-time. It sounds like we need to think strategically about when each of us claims rather than just both filing at our FRAs. Are there any good resources for running different claiming scenarios to see what makes the most financial sense for couples in our situation?

This has been such an informative thread! I'm in a similar boat - born in 1961 so my FRA is 67, and my husband was born in 1959 (FRA 66 and 10 months). What's really helpful is seeing how the math works out for the reductions and increases. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my financial planner: if you're still working when you reach FRA, make sure you understand the earnings test. Before your FRA, if you earn too much, they temporarily reduce your benefits. But once you hit your FRA, you can earn unlimited income without any benefit reduction, AND they recalculate to give you credit for any benefits that were withheld due to earnings. Also, don't forget that your highest 35 years of earnings are used to calculate your benefit. If you're still working and earning more than you did in earlier years, those higher earnings can actually increase your future benefit amount even after you've already started collecting! The system is definitely complex, but threads like this really help break it down into understandable pieces. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I'm very sorry for your loss. Having recently helped my elderly neighbor through a similar situation when her husband passed, I understand how overwhelming this can feel when you're trying to help someone navigate these systems while they're grieving. The consensus here is correct - the November payment was for October, and since your mother-in-law lived through all of October, that money rightfully belongs to your father-in-law and should not need to be returned. However, I'd strongly recommend calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213 as soon as possible to report the death and get official confirmation about the payment status. One thing I learned from our experience: when you call, ask specifically to speak with someone about "survivor benefit options" rather than just reporting a death. This often gets you to a more knowledgeable representative who can review all potential benefits your father-in-law might be eligible for, including the $255 death benefit and potentially higher monthly survivors benefits if her benefit amount was greater than his current payment. Also, consider having your father-in-law present during the call if possible - SSA may need to verify his identity to discuss benefit details, and having him available can save you from having to make multiple calls. You're being such a caring support during an incredibly difficult time. Take it one step at a time.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. This is such a difficult time, and it's wonderful that you're helping your father-in-law navigate these complicated systems. I work as a benefits counselor and want to reassure you - the November payment your father-in-law received is actually for October (Social Security pays one month behind), and since your mother-in-law was alive for the entire month of October, that payment is rightfully his and does not need to be returned. Here's what I recommend: 1. Call SSA immediately at 1-800-772-1213 to report the death - this is required 2. When you call, specifically ask about "survivor benefits evaluation" - your father-in-law may be eligible for higher monthly payments based on her earnings record 3. Apply for the $255 death benefit 4. Be prepared that some banks automatically return SS payments when notified of death, even when they shouldn't - if this happens, you'll need to contact SSA to have it reissued To protect against potential bank issues, you might consider temporarily moving some funds to another account before making the call to SSA, just as a precaution. The most important thing right now is getting the death reported and exploring what survivor benefits your father-in-law may be entitled to. Take care of yourselves during this difficult time.

I just want to echo what others have said and add one more reassurance - I'm a retired SSA employee and can confirm that the earnings test is 100% individual. Your husband's income has absolutely no bearing on your Social Security retirement benefits under the earnings test rules. The system literally only looks at YOUR Form W-2 or 1099 earnings when determining if any benefits should be withheld. Even if you filed separate tax returns, it wouldn't change this - spouse income is simply not a factor in the earnings test calculation. Your $9,000 annual earnings puts you well below the 2025 limit of approximately $22,320, so you won't have any benefits withheld. Just make sure to report any changes in your work situation to SSA if your earnings increase significantly. You're all set!

I went through this exact same situation last year when I started collecting at 62! Like others have confirmed, your husband's income absolutely will not affect your Social Security benefits under the earnings test. The SSA only looks at YOUR individual earned income - wages, salary, or self-employment income that you personally receive. Your husband could earn $100k, $200k, or more and it wouldn't matter one bit for the earnings test calculation. With your $9,000 part-time income, you're well below the 2025 limit and won't have any benefits withheld. The joint tax filing doesn't change this rule at all. However, do keep in mind what others mentioned about the difference between the earnings test (which won't affect you) and potential taxation of your benefits based on combined household income (which might apply given your husband's salary). But your actual SS payment amount will be the full $1,900 minus Medicare premiums - no reductions due to his earnings!

Update: I went to my local SSA office today with the SSA-561 form and all my documentation. The claims representative actually reviewed everything while I was there and found that SSA had incorrectly recorded my work start date! They had me starting 3 months earlier than I actually did, which is why they thought I had used up all my Trial Work Period months. She's submitting a correction along with my formal appeal. I'm cautiously optimistic but still nervous about the outcome. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

This is such great news! It's a perfect example of why appealing these overpayment notices is so important - SSA makes administrative errors more often than people realize. The fact that they had your work start date wrong by 3 months shows how crucial it is to have your own documentation and records. For anyone else reading this thread, Ava's experience highlights a key point: always bring copies of EVERYTHING when you visit the SSA office - employment letters, pay stubs, any correspondence you've had with SSA, etc. Sometimes having a human being look at your actual documents can catch errors that got lost in their computer system. I hope this gets resolved quickly for you! And thank you for sharing the update - it gives hope to others dealing with similar situations.

As a newcomer to this community, I found this discussion incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - turning 67 next year and trying to decide on timing. What really stands out to me from reading everyone's experiences is how the monthly calculation works rather than yearly. One thing I'm curious about that I didn't see addressed: if you delay past FRA but then need to claim benefits earlier than planned due to an emergency, can you still get credit for the partial months you did delay? Or do you lose those credits if you don't follow through with your original timeline? Also, has anyone here used the Social Security statement estimator to model different claiming scenarios? I'm wondering if their online tools accurately reflect these partial-year delayed retirement credits when you're planning.

Welcome Paolo! Your questions are excellent and show you're thinking strategically about this. To add to what Aiden shared - I actually had to pivot my timing due to an unexpected situation, and I can confirm you absolutely keep any delayed retirement credits you've already earned. I originally planned to wait until 68 but ended up filing at 67 and 4 months due to a family emergency. Those 4 months of delayed credits (about 2.67% increase) stayed with my benefit permanently. The SSA doesn't penalize you for changing your mind - they just calculate based on your actual filing date. One tip: when you do file, whether it's your original plan or an emergency situation, make sure to mention your delay period to the claims rep. While the system should auto-calculate, I've seen enough stories here about initial errors that it's worth being proactive about it. The peace of mind knowing you have that flexibility while still earning credits each month you wait is really valuable when you're making these decisions!