Just want to echo what others have said about starting early - definitely apply 4 months ahead! I'm a retired SSA claims specialist and saw so many people who waited until the last minute and then panicked when there were processing delays. One thing I don't see mentioned yet: when you submit your online application, there's a section for "remarks" or "additional information." Use this space to clearly state that you're currently receiving survivor benefits and want to switch to your own retirement record effective with the month you turn 70 (July 2025). Be specific about the effective date you want. Also, after you submit online, you should get an email confirmation within 24-48 hours. If you don't receive it, that could indicate there was an issue with your submission. Don't assume "no news is good news" - follow up if you don't get that initial confirmation email. Good luck with the transition! The $725 monthly increase will make a real difference in your retirement security.

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful advice! I'm in a similar situation - currently 68 and receiving survivor benefits, planning to switch to my own retirement at 70. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly valuable. One question I have after reading everything: For those who've gone through this process, did SSA send you any written confirmation or letter after you successfully applied online? I'm the type who likes to have paper documentation for important changes like this, especially given some of the stories about processing delays and lost applications. Also, @Austin Leonard, since you mentioned being a retired SSA claims specialist - are there any red flags or common mistakes in the application that we should specifically watch out for to avoid delays? This community is such a great resource for navigating these complex Social Security situations!

Welcome to the community! I'm new here too and this thread has been incredibly educational. As someone who's just starting to learn about Social Security benefits, it's amazing to see how knowledgeable and supportive everyone is. For Maggie's brother - it sounds like he's in a really good position! From everything I've read here, it seems like the key points are: no earnings limits at 67, Medicare continues, just report the work activity to SSA for their records, and maybe consider the tax implications if he does really well. It's so encouraging to hear about someone feeling well enough to return to work after such a long time on disability. The fact that the system actually supports this transition rather than penalizing it gives me hope that these programs really do work the way they're supposed to. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and knowledge!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by how helpful and knowledgeable everyone has been in this thread! Reading through all the responses has really educated me about how Social Security works at full retirement age. For your brother, it sounds like he's in an ideal situation - no earnings limits at 67, Medicare continues unchanged, and the SSA actually supports people returning to work when they're able. The advice about reporting his work activity online through his my Social Security account seems like the easiest approach to avoid those frustrating phone waits. I really appreciate how this community comes together to help people navigate these complex benefits. It's encouraging to see someone feeling well enough to consider returning to work after so many years, and it's wonderful that the system is designed to support that transition rather than penalize it. Best wishes to your brother as he explores this new opportunity!

One more important thing - when dealing with the Congressional office, make sure you're explicit about what you need. Many times they just send a generic inquiry to SSA. Instead, request that your Congressional case worker specifically ask for: 1. A review by the Office of Central Operations (not just your local field office) 2. A complete PEBES computation history showing how your DRCs were applied 3. An explanation of why the DRCs weren't incorporated as expected Congressional inquiries get special handling, but they're only as effective as the specifics included in the request. And it sounds like your previous Congressional inquiries may have just been routed back to the same local office that couldn't help you originally.

I'm dealing with a very similar issue right now! Filed at 67 (my FRA was 66) and my delayed retirement credits seem to be completely missing from my benefit calculation. Like you, I've been getting the runaround for months. What's really helpful from reading these responses is learning about the specific terminology to use. I had no idea about PEBES queries or AACT reports - I've just been asking generic questions about "my calculation" which probably explains why I keep getting transferred around. One thing that might help both of us - I found out you can also request a "Master Beneficiary Record" (MBR) printout which shows your complete benefit history and all adjustments. This is another specific technical term that might get you to the right person with system access. The fact that they told you "calculations aren't available because they come from an algorithm" is absolutely ridiculous. These are mathematical formulas that have been used for decades - there's nothing mysterious about them! Keep pushing and don't let them dismiss you with that nonsense.

Welcome to the community, Emma! I'm glad you found this information helpful. Just wanted to add one more thing to consider - since you're planning to wait until 70, make sure you sign up for Medicare at 65 even though you won't be taking Social Security yet. Medicare enrollment is separate from Social Security benefits, and you could face penalties if you delay Medicare without qualifying employer coverage. Also, consider doing annual reviews of your Social Security statement to make sure your earnings are being recorded correctly, especially in these final high-earning years before retirement. Any errors now could affect your benefit calculation later. You can check this easily through your MySocialSecurity account. Best of luck with your retirement planning! It sounds like you're making a smart financial decision by waiting to maximize your benefits.

I just want to echo what others have said about the Medicare enrollment - it's so important! I made the mistake of thinking I could delay Medicare along with Social Security and ended up with a penalty that I'm still paying. Even if you have employer coverage, you'll want to understand the rules about creditable coverage and whether your plan qualifies. One resource that really helped me was the Medicare.gov website - they have a tool called "Get Ready for Medicare" that walks you through the timing. Since you're planning to work until 65 and then wait until 70 for Social Security, you'll definitely want to map out your Medicare strategy separately. Also, since you mentioned having trouble getting through to SSA on the phone, you might try visiting your local Social Security office if phone wait times are too long. Sometimes it's easier to get specific benefit estimates and scenarios explained in person, especially for complex situations like yours with the ex-spousal benefit comparison.

Just wanted to add one more consideration that might help with your decision - since you're working for county government, check if your pension has any coordination with Social Security benefits. Some government pensions can affect your Social Security benefits due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO). The GPO specifically can reduce survivor benefits by 2/3 of your government pension amount, which could significantly impact your strategy. If you're subject to GPO, it might make more sense to maximize your own retirement benefit instead of relying on survivor benefits. Definitely mention this when you call SSA - they need to factor in your government employment when calculating your benefits. This could completely change which option is best for you!

I went through something similar when my ex-husband passed two years ago. I was 64 and still working part-time. One thing that really helped me was creating a spreadsheet to compare different scenarios with actual dollar amounts. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: get your benefits estimates IN WRITING from SSA, not just verbal estimates over the phone. The representatives sometimes give conflicting info, but the written estimates are more reliable for planning. Also, since you mentioned your ex had much higher earnings, make sure to ask SSA about his actual benefit amount at the time of death vs. what his benefit would have been at his FRA. Sometimes the survivor benefit calculation can be different than you'd expect, especially if he died before claiming. The earnings test is definitely a pain, but remember that if you do decide to claim early and have benefits withheld, you're essentially getting an interest-free loan from the government that gets paid back with the recalculation at FRA. Some people find that helpful for cash flow even if the math doesn't look great on paper initially.