One thing I'd add - since you're planning to work until June but start benefits in January, make sure your employer knows about your SS benefits starting. Sometimes HR departments need to adjust payroll withholdings or update their records. Also, you might want to consider whether you'll need to make estimated tax payments since SS benefits can be taxable depending on your total income. With your work income plus SS benefits, you could potentially owe more taxes than what's being withheld. The IRS has worksheets to help calculate if your SS will be taxable - generally if your combined income (AGI + nontaxable interest + half of SS benefits) exceeds $25,000 for single filers or $32,000 for married filing jointly, some portion becomes taxable.

As someone who just went through this process last year, I can confirm the online application is definitely the way to go! A few additional tips based on my experience: 1) Make sure you print or save a copy of your completed application confirmation - the SSA system sometimes has glitches and having your confirmation number is crucial if you need to follow up. 2) Don't be surprised if they ask for additional documentation even after you submit everything online. I had to upload a copy of my marriage certificate even though I included all the dates in the original application. 3) Consider setting up direct deposit to a checking account rather than savings - some banks charge fees for government deposits to savings accounts. The whole process took about 6 weeks from application to first payment, so applying in October/November for January benefits should give you plenty of buffer time. Good luck!

I'm really sorry for your loss. This is such a complex situation, but I'm glad you're thinking ahead and planning for your future. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to consider reaching out to a Social Security disability attorney or elder law attorney who has experience with international cases. Many offer free consultations and can help you understand the nuances of claiming benefits while living abroad. They often have established relationships with FBUs and know exactly what documentation you'll need. Also, since you mentioned your children are all adults and US citizens, they might be able to help you navigate some of the US-based requirements if needed. Sometimes having someone stateside who can make calls during business hours or pick up documents can be really helpful. The fact that you have 5 years to prepare is actually a blessing in disguise - most people don't have that luxury of time to get everything organized properly. You're being really smart about starting this research now rather than scrambling when you turn 60. One last thought - if your home country has a US embassy with an FBU, they might also offer informational seminars or workshops about Social Security benefits for Americans abroad. It could be worth checking their website or calling to see if they have any scheduled events that might be helpful.

I'm really sorry for your loss. This thread has been incredibly informative - it's amazing how much helpful information everyone has shared! One additional resource I wanted to mention is the Social Security Administration's "Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States" publication (SSA Publication No. 05-10137). It has detailed information about receiving benefits while living abroad and covers many of the issues that have been discussed here like totalization agreements and payment restrictions by country. You can find it on the SSA website or ask the FBU to provide you with a copy when you meet with them. It's written specifically for people in your situation and might answer some questions you haven't even thought to ask yet. Also, since you're planning 5 years ahead, you might want to set a reminder to check back on any rule changes annually. Social Security rules can change, and international payment policies sometimes get updated. The FBU can help you stay informed about any changes that might affect your situation. Your methodical approach to planning this out is really admirable - your future self will definitely thank you for being so thorough now!

Fantastic outcome! This is such a great example of why it's worth asking HR about these timing issues. Many people don't realize they can often request changes to payout dates for exactly these reasons. Your story will definitely help others in similar situations. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement and congratulations on getting this sorted out before it became a problem!

Welcome to the community, Jamal! You're absolutely right about how these timing details can make such a huge difference. I've learned so much from threads like this one too. If you're facing a similar PTO payout situation, definitely start the conversation with your HR department early - as Dmitry found out, they often can accommodate these requests but need advance notice. The key thing to remember is that Social Security counts income when you receive it, not when you earned it. Feel free to ask questions here - this community has been incredibly helpful for navigating all the complexities of Social Security and retirement planning!

I'm so glad you posted this question because I was literally wondering the same thing! I just started receiving Social Security benefits at 62 and have been terrified about accidentally going over the earnings limit. Reading all these responses has been incredibly educational - I had no idea there was such a clear distinction between "earned" and "unearned" income. It makes perfect sense that they only care about whether you're actively working, not about one-time asset sales or retirement withdrawals. This community is amazing for getting real-world experiences from people who've actually dealt with these situations. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories!

I'm glad this question got so many detailed responses! As someone who's been helping people navigate SSA benefits for years, I want to emphasize what others have said - the earnings test is very specific about what counts. Only "earned income" from active work counts toward the $22,320 limit. Your timeshare sale and 401k withdrawals are both considered "unearned income" and are completely exempt. The SSA Publication 05-10069 "How Work Affects Your Benefits" explains this clearly if you want the official source. You can sleep easy knowing you're well within the limits!

When i started SS last year i had to quit my good payin job and find something with less hours cause of this stupid rule!! I'm still MAD they dont explain this stuff better!

Just wanted to add one more helpful detail - if you're tracking your earnings throughout the year, Social Security uses your gross wages (before taxes) when calculating against the earnings limit. So make sure you're looking at your gross pay from that part-time job, not your take-home pay. Also, if you get a raise or bonus during the year, factor that in too. The SSA website has a really helpful earnings test calculator where you can plug in your expected annual earnings to see exactly how it would affect your benefits if you do go over the limit.