I think ur overthinking this tbh. as long as ur daughters checks keep coming its fine

I understand your concern about the genetic carrier status! As someone who's dealt with similar genetic testing situations, I can share that being a Fragile X carrier typically doesn't meet SSA's disability criteria unless there are actual functional impairments. Many carriers of genetic conditions live completely normal lives without any symptoms that would affect their ability to work. SSA's disability determination is based on whether someone can perform "substantial gainful activity" - if your husband is working and functioning normally, the carrier status alone wouldn't qualify him as disabled under their definitions. The labeling on your daughter's paperwork was most likely either a clerical error or an internal coding issue related to family medical history tracking. You were right to correct it initially. If you're still concerned, a quick follow-up call to clarify the genetic carrier distinction might give you peace of mind, but it shouldn't impact your daughter's benefits since her own disability determination is separate from household member classifications.

I'm a local SSA field office employee and want to clarify something important that might help ease your concerns. When you reach Full Retirement Age for survivor benefits, you are entitled to benefits for the entire month regardless of which day your birthday falls on - this is correct as others have mentioned. However, I'd strongly recommend applying NOW rather than waiting until next week. You can apply up to 4 months before your desired start date, and given the processing delays many offices are experiencing, starting early ensures you won't have any gaps in payment timing. When you apply (online is usually fastest), be very specific: "I want my survivor benefits to begin in March 2025, the month I reach my Full Retirement Age." Don't just say "when I turn 66" because that can sometimes be misinterpreted. Also, make sure you have your late spouse's Social Security number, your marriage certificate, and the death certificate ready. If you're missing any of these documents, start gathering them now as replacements can take weeks to obtain. You're absolutely right that this system can be confusing, but you're asking all the right questions!

Just want to add one more thing that helped me when I applied for survivor benefits - bring multiple copies of all your documents when you go to the SSA office (or have them scanned and ready if applying online). They sometimes need to keep copies for their records, and having extras saves you from having to make another trip if something gets misplaced. Also, if you're worried about the 8-month wait affecting your finances, check with your local food banks and utility assistance programs. Many communities have resources specifically for widows/widowers during this transition period. It's not a long-term solution, but it can help bridge the gap until your benefits start. You sound well-prepared with all your documents ready and a clear understanding of the March start date. The hardest part is often just navigating the system, but you're asking all the right questions!

I'm going through this exact same situation and it's so frustrating! Just applied for retirement benefits last week and was completely shocked when they told me about the payment delay. Like everyone else here, I had no idea about this month-behind system and was planning my budget around getting that first payment much sooner. What really gets me is how this isn't explained clearly anywhere - I spent weeks reading through SSA materials and never saw this timeline spelled out. I've had to scramble to cover expenses for the next month and a half. Reading through all these comments is actually really reassuring though - at least I know this is totally normal and not some kind of processing error on my application. Definitely going to set up my online account to track everything and ask for that specific payment date when I call them back. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it makes this waiting period much less stressful knowing I'm not the only one who got blindsided by this!

I'm new to this community and considering filing for my Social Security retirement benefits in the coming months. This entire discussion has been incredibly enlightening and honestly quite concerning! It's amazing how many people are getting caught off guard by this same payment delay issue. The fact that SSA doesn't clearly communicate this month-behind payment system upfront seems like a major oversight - this affects literally every retirement applicant, so why isn't it prominently featured in their application materials? Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so much more informative than anything I found on the official SSA website. I'm definitely going to plan for this 6-week gap in my budget and come prepared with specific questions about payment timing and birth date scheduling when I file. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences - this community is providing the practical information that SSA really should be making readily available themselves!

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I'm a retired benefits counselor and worked with SSA for 15 years. A few additional tips that might help: 1. Keep detailed records of your monthly earnings throughout 2025. SSA sometimes makes mistakes in their calculations, and having your own records helps if you need to dispute anything. 2. Consider the timing of when you receive paychecks vs when you earn the money. SSA counts wages in the month you receive them, not when you earn them. So if you get paid on the 1st for the previous month's work, that income counts toward the month you receive it. 3. If you're close to the limit in any month, you can ask your employer to defer some income to the next month (like delaying a bonus) to stay under the threshold. 4. The "first year rule" that Amina mentioned is really important - make sure you understand exactly how it applies to your situation starting in February. Since the 2025 limits haven't been announced yet, I'd suggest calling SSA in January to get the official numbers before making any final decisions about your work schedule. Good luck with your retirement planning!

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you're planning to work part-time, you might want to consider seasonal work patterns to maximize your benefits. For example, if you know the monthly limit for 2025 will be around $1,950-$2,000 as Javier estimated, you could potentially work more hours in January (before you start collecting) and then reduce your hours for the rest of the year. Some people also find it helpful to work more in December since that gives them a full year to plan their earnings for the following year. Just make sure whatever arrangement you make with your boss is documented in writing so there's no confusion about your schedule or pay timing later on.

Carlos, congratulations on taking the step toward retirement! Your situation sounds very manageable. At $16,000 annual income, you're comfortably under the 2025 earnings limit of $22,320. I went through something similar when I started collecting at 62 - the key is just staying organized and honest with your reporting. One thing that really helped me was downloading the SSA's annual statements to track everything. Also, don't let the scary stories intimidate you - most of those happen when people don't understand the rules or fail to report changes. Since you're doing your research upfront, you're already ahead of the game. The online application is straightforward, and you can always call if you get stuck (though as others mentioned, getting through can take patience). You're making a smart financial decision by continuing to work part-time while collecting - it keeps you active and provides extra income security. Best of luck with your application!

Carlos, you're in such a great position with your planning! I started my SS benefits at 62 and kept working part-time at a bookstore for about 8 months after. Your $16k income is safely under the limit, so you should be fine. One thing I learned that might help - when you're filling out the online application, there's a section about expected future earnings. Be conservative in your estimate there. I put down slightly more than I expected to earn just to be safe, and it worked out well. Also, once you start receiving benefits, you'll get notices from SSA if they detect any issues with your earnings, so it's not like you're flying blind. The system actually works pretty well when you stay within the rules. The horror stories usually involve people who either didn't report changes or genuinely went over the limit without realizing it. You're being smart by researching this thoroughly beforehand!