I'm sorry for your loss, Lindsey. This is such a challenging time to be dealing with complex financial decisions on top of everything else. Just wanted to add one more consideration that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet: if you do decide to take survivor benefits at 60 and continue working, make sure you understand how the earnings test works with your specific work situation. The $22,320 limit mentioned earlier is for wages/self-employment income, but there are some nuances around things like bonuses, commissions, or irregular income that can affect the calculation. Also, while you're waiting to speak with SSA, you might want to gather your husband's Social Security statement (if you have access) and your own most recent statement. Having both of those when you do finally speak with an agent will help them give you much more accurate projections. The strategy you're considering can definitely work well, but as others have emphasized, it really depends on your specific numbers. Don't let the complexity discourage you from exploring all your options - you deserve to make the choice that gives you the best financial security for the years ahead.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Lindsey. Navigating Social Security decisions during such a difficult time is incredibly overwhelming. I wanted to share something that might help while you're trying to reach SSA - you can create an account on ssa.gov and access your Social Security Statement online, which will show your estimated benefits at different claiming ages. While it won't give you the exact survivor benefit calculations (since that requires your husband's record), it will at least show you what your own retirement benefit would look like at age 70. One thing I learned from my own experience with widow benefits is that timing really matters with the earnings test. If you're planning to work part-time and your income will be close to that $22,320 limit, you might want to consider the timing of when you claim and when you earn that income within the calendar year. Sometimes it's worth adjusting work schedules around benefit claiming to minimize the earnings test impact. Also, don't feel pressured to make this decision immediately when you turn 60. You have flexibility in when you file for survivor benefits - you don't have to claim them the moment you're eligible. Taking a few extra months to get solid information and run the numbers might be worth it for such an important long-term decision. The strategy you're considering is definitely used successfully by many widows, but as everyone has emphasized, the math really depends on your specific situation. Hang in there - you'll figure this out!

Great to see this got resolved! Just want to emphasize one more important point for anyone else reading this thread: if you're planning large withdrawals from retirement accounts or annuities, consider spreading them across multiple years if possible. While they won't affect your Social Security benefit amount, bunching large withdrawals into one year can push you into higher tax brackets and increase the taxation of your SS benefits significantly. A tax professional can help you strategize the timing to minimize the overall tax impact.

As someone who works in retirement planning, I want to add one more clarification that might help others: the Social Security Administration has a very specific definition of "earnings" that only includes wages from employment (W-2 income) and net earnings from self-employment. This is clearly outlined in their Publication 05-10069 "How Work Affects Your Benefits." What does NOT count as earnings for the Social Security earnings test: - Annuity payments - Pension benefits - IRA/401(k) withdrawals - Investment income (interest, dividends, capital gains) - Rental income - Social Security benefits themselves The confusion often comes from the fact that these same income sources DO count for determining if your Social Security benefits are taxable - but that's handled by the IRS, not SSA, and it's a completely separate calculation. Owen, you're absolutely safe withdrawing from your annuity without affecting your monthly benefit amount. Just keep good records for tax purposes!

I'm so sorry for your sister's loss. This is a difficult time, and it's wonderful that you're stepping up to help her navigate this complex process. One thing I'd like to add that others haven't mentioned - when you call SSA to schedule your appointment, ask if they can arrange to meet at your local SSA office rather than requiring your sister to travel to an unfamiliar location. Some offices can accommodate special circumstances, especially when cognitive disabilities are involved. Also, consider bringing a trusted friend or family member to the appointment as an additional witness/support person. This can sometimes help the process go more smoothly and provides an extra person to take notes if needed. Regarding the banking situation, some credit unions are particularly good at working with people who have disabilities and their representatives. They often have more flexible policies and staff who are trained in these situations. It might be worth calling a few local credit unions in addition to traditional banks. Finally, don't forget to take care of yourself during this process. Being a representative payee is a significant responsibility, and combined with helping your sister grieve, it can be emotionally and mentally taxing. Make sure you have support too.

I went through a very similar situation with my adult daughter who has autism when my husband passed away two years ago. Here are a few additional practical tips that might help: 1. When you call SSA, try calling right when they open (8am local time) - you'll have better luck getting through. If you get disconnected, don't give up. It took me 4 tries over 2 days to finally reach someone. 2. For the appointment, bring a simple one-page summary of your sister's daily care needs and why she can't manage finances independently. This helped the SSA worker understand the situation quickly during our interview. 3. Regarding banking, Wells Fargo and Bank of America both have specific procedures for representative payee accounts. I ended up with a local community bank that was much more patient and helpful with the setup process. 4. Start a simple filing system now - one folder for SSA paperwork, one for bank statements, one for receipts. You'll thank yourself later when it's time for that annual report. The process feels overwhelming at first, but once everything is set up, it becomes much more manageable. Your sister is lucky to have someone who cares so much looking out for her during this difficult time.

As someone who's been helping community members navigate Social Security issues for years, I want to reinforce the excellent clarification that's been provided here. The confusion between the earnings test and benefit taxation is probably the #1 misconception I see among widow/widower benefit recipients. Just to add one more practical tip: if you're planning both a 401k withdrawal AND a home sale in the same year, consider doing a rough calculation of your "combined income" first (adjusted gross income + non-taxable interest + half of Social Security benefits). If this pushes you significantly over the thresholds ($25,000 for single filers, $32,000 for married filing jointly), you might want to stagger the transactions across tax years as others have mentioned. Also, don't forget that you can always do a "trial run" calculation using tax software or consult with a tax professional before making any major moves. The peace of mind is worth the small investment, especially when you're dealing with amounts like $165,000 in home sale profits. Knowledge is power when it comes to protecting your financial security!

This entire discussion has been incredibly enlightening! As someone who recently joined this community after starting my own widow benefit journey, I can't express how grateful I am for the clear explanations everyone has provided. The distinction between the earnings test and benefit taxation was completely lost on me before reading this thread - I was operating under the same fear that @9a9cad992cbb initially had about losing benefits from retirement withdrawals. What really strikes me is how this conversation demonstrates the importance of getting information from multiple sources and asking follow-up questions. The initial conflicting responses show how easy it is to get confused about these rules, but the community really came together to provide accurate, detailed information. I'm especially appreciative of the practical tips about timing withdrawals, keeping good records, and getting written confirmation from SSA. For anyone else who might be reading this as a newcomer like me - don't be afraid to ask questions in this community. The knowledge and experience shared here is invaluable, and it's clear that people genuinely want to help each other navigate these complex systems during what is already a difficult time in our lives.

For finding a qualified Social Security planner, look for fee-only financial advisors who hold the RSSA (Registered Social Security Analyst) designation or similar credentials. The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) has a directory where you can search for fee-only planners in your area. You can also check the Financial Planning Association (FPA) website. Make sure to ask specifically about their experience with Social Security claiming strategies and survivor benefits - not all financial planners specialize in this area. Some charge a flat fee just for Social Security analysis (usually $500-1500), which might be worth it given the complexity of your situation and the long-term financial impact of the timing decision.

I went through a very similar situation when I turned 60 in 2022. You're correct that May 2026 will be your first month of eligibility since that's when you turn 60, regardless of it being the 10th. The earnings test applies immediately - I learned this the hard way when I earned $2,100 in my first eligible month and lost my entire benefit for that month. One thing I'd add to the great advice here: if you're planning to work past 60, consider asking your employer about flexible scheduling options. Some people negotiate to work 4 days a week or take unpaid time off strategically to stay under the monthly limit. Also, keep very detailed records of your monthly earnings - SSA may ask for documentation later, and having W-2s, pay stubs, and a monthly tracking spreadsheet saved me a lot of headaches during my annual review. The decision between taking survivor benefits at 60 vs waiting really depends on your health, financial needs, and life expectancy assumptions. Since your husband's benefit is significantly higher than your own, maximizing that survivor benefit should probably be your priority. Good luck with your planning!