I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this for weeks! From what I've gathered reading through various forums and SSA resources, the detailed month-by-month matrix is unfortunately only available through their internal systems. However, I did discover a few workarounds that might help: 1. You can call SSA and specifically request the "month-by-month benefit calculation worksheet" - they can mail it to you if you can get through on the phone 2. Some local libraries have SSA liaisons who can help you navigate the system 3. If you have access to a fee-only financial planner who specializes in Social Security, they often have software that can create similar detailed projections I'm still debating whether to make the office visit myself, but it sounds like several people here found it worthwhile, especially if you have complicating factors like WEP, spousal benefits, or want to optimize down to the month level. The $200/month difference that Dylan mentioned for just waiting 4 more months really puts it in perspective - that's $2,400 more per year for life!

As someone who just went through this process last month, I can confirm that the detailed matrix is absolutely worth getting! I was in the exact same boat - didn't want to make the trip to the office, but the online estimates just weren't detailed enough for my planning needs. I ended up calling SSA (took about 6 tries over 2 weeks to get through) and requested the "month-by-month benefit calculation worksheet." They were able to mail it to me within 10 business days. The worksheet showed me that waiting until age 66 and 8 months instead of my original plan of 66 would increase my monthly benefit by $75 - that's $900 more per year for the rest of my life! The matrix includes your exact PIA calculation, shows the percentage reduction/increase for each claiming month, and factors in all COLAs. Way more precise than the basic online estimates. If you're having trouble getting through on the phone, try calling right when they open at 7 AM local time - that's when I finally got through after all those failed attempts. One tip: when you call, have your Social Security number and recent tax return handy. They'll verify your identity before processing the request.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Anastasia. What you're going through sounds incredibly overwhelming, especially while you're still grieving. I want to address a few key points that might help clarify things for you: Regarding your husband's SSDI approval - yes, even though he never received a payment, his approval establishes the foundation for survivor benefits. The SSA essentially treats it as if he had been receiving benefits, which is why both you and your son are eligible. For your son's transition from SSI to DAC benefits, this is typically a very positive change. DAC benefits are usually significantly higher than SSI (often $1,500+ vs the current SSI rate of $943), and he'll eventually get Medicare coverage. The SSA representative was right to start this process. One thing to be prepared for with your own appointment next month: they'll likely ask about your work history and future work plans. Since you mentioned you don't currently work because you care for your son, make sure to mention this - there may be additional considerations for caregivers in your situation. Also, don't worry too much about the timing of applications. The SSA will backdate benefits appropriately based on when your husband passed away, so waiting until after April shouldn't negatively impact either of your benefit amounts. Keep all your documentation organized and don't hesitate to ask for written confirmation of anything they tell you. You're doing everything right in advocating for both yourself and your son during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Anastasia. What a difficult situation to navigate while grieving. I just wanted to add one important point that I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure to ask about the potential for retroactive payments when you have your appointment next month. Since your husband was approved for SSDI in January and passed away at the end of January, there might be some retroactive survivor benefits available from his date of death. The SSA sometimes pays survivor benefits back to the month after the worker's death, which could mean you're eligible for February and March payments. Also, regarding your concern about the "locked" account - this is actually pretty standard when someone passes during the SSDI waiting period. The SSA has to convert the disability claim to survivor claims, which involves some backend processing that temporarily restricts access to the record. It sounds like your son's appointment went well and they're moving forward with his DAC benefits, which is great news. One last thing - keep detailed notes of every conversation you have with SSA representatives, including names, dates, and reference numbers. This has saved me so much trouble when dealing with government agencies in the past. You're doing an amazing job advocating for both yourself and your son during such a challenging time.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation with your husband's illness. As someone who went through a similar experience with my late spouse, I want to share a few practical considerations that might help with your decision. Given your immediate financial need and depleted savings, option 1 (taking reduced benefits now) makes sense in your circumstances. You're right that having guaranteed income starting in January, plus Medicare in June, will provide crucial financial stability during this challenging time. One thing to keep in mind: when you do eventually apply for survivor benefits, you'll want to time it strategically. If your husband passes before you reach FRA (67), you could choose to delay applying for survivor benefits until your FRA to get the full $2,850 instead of a reduced amount. During that gap, you'd continue receiving your $1,650 retirement benefit. Also, don't underestimate the peace of mind that comes with having a steady income during a health crisis. The stress of financial uncertainty can be overwhelming when you're also dealing with caregiving responsibilities and medical decisions. Whatever you decide, make sure to keep detailed records of all your Social Security communications and decisions. The system can be confusing, but having documentation helps tremendously when you need to make changes later.

I'm really sorry about your husband's diagnosis - pancreatic cancer is incredibly tough, and I can only imagine how overwhelming this must be while also trying to navigate these complex Social Security decisions. From everything I've read here and my own experience helping my parents with their benefits, it sounds like option 1 makes the most practical sense for your situation. You need income now, and the mental relief of having guaranteed monthly payments plus Medicare starting in June will be huge during this stressful time. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - when you do eventually need to apply for survivor benefits, you might want to consider working with a local SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselor. They're free volunteers who help with Medicare and Social Security questions, and they often have more time to walk through scenarios than the overwhelmed SSA staff. You can find your local SHIP office through your state's aging department. Also, while you're dealing with your husband's care, don't forget to take care of yourself too. The caregiver stress is real, and having that financial security from your early retirement benefits will hopefully give you one less thing to worry about during this difficult time. Wishing you and your husband strength during this challenging period.

This is such a valuable thread! As a newcomer to the community, I'm amazed at how knowledgeable everyone is about navigating SSA issues. Mei, congratulations on your success - your persistence really paid off! For others who might be reading this, I think this case perfectly illustrates why it's so important to understand that SSA errors are often systemic rather than intentional. The key seems to be knowing the right language and getting to the right specialist who can actually help. I'm bookmarking this thread as a reference guide. The specific phrases like "manual adjustment for underpayment" and requesting a "Claims Specialist" are golden nuggets of information that could save people months of frustration. It's also encouraging to see how this community rallies around members with practical, actionable advice rather than just sympathy. Thanks to everyone who contributed their expertise here - you've created a really helpful resource for anyone dealing with similar SSA processing errors!

As someone new to this community, I'm really impressed by the wealth of knowledge shared here! Mei, congratulations on getting this resolved - your story is incredibly helpful for understanding how to navigate SSA effectively. What really stands out to me is how crucial it is to use the right terminology. The fact that saying "manual adjustment for underpayment" was like a key that unlocked the right help shows how important it is to speak the agency's language. I had no idea there were specific phrases that could make such a difference in getting proper assistance. This thread is also a great example of why persistence matters when dealing with government agencies. It's easy to get discouraged after multiple frustrating calls, but your success shows that the right approach combined with determination really does pay off. Thank you to everyone who contributed their expertise here - this is exactly the kind of practical, actionable advice that makes this community so valuable for people navigating complex benefit issues!

Just wanted to add that you should also consider requesting a Social Security Statement (online at ssa.gov/myaccount) to see your exact FRA benefit amount before you make the final decision. This will give you the precise numbers rather than estimates. Also, if you're still working, remember that withdrawing your application means you can continue earning credits toward your Social Security record, which might increase your benefit amount even more by the time you reach FRA. Good luck with your decision!

I went through this exact process about 18 months ago and wanted to share my experience. The withdrawal process itself was straightforward - I submitted Form SSA-521 with a certified check for the full gross amount I'd received. The tricky part was calculating exactly what to repay since I had to include not just the net benefit but also any taxes that were withheld. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: keep detailed records of everything! I saved copies of all my benefit statements and the withdrawal paperwork because when I reapplied at my FRA, they asked for documentation. Also, don't forget that if you had any family members receiving benefits on your record (like a spouse), their benefits will also be affected by the withdrawal. The peace of mind knowing I'll get my full FRA benefit was worth the temporary inconvenience. Just make sure you can financially manage without the payments until you reach your FRA - that gap can be longer than you think!