Does anyone know if the benefit increase happens RIGHT AWAY after they do the recalculation?? Or is there another waiting period? With Social Security there's ALWAYS some complication they don't tell you about until afterwards!!!

This is such great information! I'm in a similar situation - took early retirement at 62 but now considering part-time work. Reading through all these responses, I'm curious about one thing: does it matter HOW MUCH you earn when it comes to the recalculation? Like, if I only work part-time and earn say $15,000 a year, would that still potentially increase my benefit if it's higher than one of my lower earning years from the past? Or do the new earnings need to be substantial to make any meaningful difference in the monthly payment? Also, for those who've been through this process - do you get any notification from SSA when they do the recalculation, or does your payment just quietly increase one month?

I'm so glad you found this information helpful! As someone who went through a similar situation, I wanted to add one more important point: when you call SSA, make sure to specifically ask about the "deemed filing" rules since you're already receiving SSDI. Sometimes the SSA representatives aren't familiar with how SSDI interacts with spousal benefits, so you might want to mention that you understand you can receive the higher of either your SSDI amount or the spousal benefit amount, but not both in full. Also, since you're 62, ask them to calculate both what you'd get now versus what you'd get if you waited until your full retirement age - sometimes the math works out better to wait depending on your specific situation. One last thing - if the first person you talk to seems uncertain about the rules, politely ask to speak with a supervisor or specialist. These cases can be complex and not every rep handles them regularly. Wishing you the best of luck with this process!

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share what I learned when I helped my neighbor with a similar situation last year. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that you should ask SSA about any potential "government pension offset" (GPO) or "windfall elimination provision" (WEP) that might affect your benefits. These rules can reduce Social Security benefits if you receive certain types of pensions, though they typically apply to government pensions rather than SSDI. Also, since you mentioned being in Florida now, you might want to check if there's a local SSA field office near you. Sometimes it's easier to get help in person, especially for complex cases like yours where you're dealing with both SSDI and potential ex-spousal benefits. You can find local offices on the SSA website. One more tip: if your ex-husband's earnings were significantly higher than yours (which sounds likely given the potential benefit amounts others have mentioned), this could be a game-changer for your monthly budget. Don't get discouraged if the first call doesn't go smoothly - persistence really pays off with SSA. Good luck!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm bookmarking it for future reference. It's really reassuring to see how common these Medicare premium adjustment payments are when transitioning to Social Security. The lack of immediate explanation from SSA definitely causes unnecessary anxiety, but seeing everyone's experiences here shows it's just part of their standard process. For anyone else dealing with mysterious payments - it seems like the pattern is: if you're transitioning from direct Medicare payments to SS deductions, expect some kind of adjustment payment that might not be immediately explained in your online account. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and especially to those with professional knowledge who provided the detailed explanations!

This thread is incredibly helpful for anyone dealing with unexpected SSA payments! I just went through something similar when I started my disability benefits - got a random $67 payment about three weeks before my regular benefits began, with zero explanation. Like others mentioned, it turned out to be related to Medicare premium adjustments since I had been paying Part B premiums directly. The frustrating part is that SSA's customer service seems to assume everyone understands their complex payment systems, but for those of us new to the process, these mystery deposits can be really stressful. It's great to see the community filling in these knowledge gaps where official communication fails. For future readers: if you're transitioning any type of Medicare premium payment method when starting SS benefits, expect some kind of adjustment payment that may not be immediately explained!

Update: I finally got through to someone at SSA today after trying for three days. The agent explained that they had initially calculated my benefit based on my husband's estimated earnings for his last year of work, but when the actual earnings were processed, it was lower than estimated. They're giving me options to either have reduced payments for 10 months or pay a lump sum (which I can't afford). I'm still going to file for reconsideration because I don't think I should be penalized for their estimation error. Thank you all for your helpful advice and support during this stressful time. The forms and information you suggested really helped me understand what was happening and what my options are.

I'm so glad you were able to get through and get some clarity on what happened! That estimation issue is incredibly frustrating - you're absolutely right that you shouldn't be penalized for their error. When you file your reconsideration, make sure to emphasize that: 1. You relied on SSA's benefit determination in good faith 2. You had no way to verify their earnings estimate was incorrect 3. The overpayment was entirely due to their administrative process, not any action on your part Also consider requesting a waiver alongside the reconsideration. Even if the overpayment stands, you might still qualify for waiver if repayment would cause financial hardship. Many people don't realize you can pursue both options simultaneously. Keep us posted on how the reconsideration goes - your experience could really help others in similar situations!

This is such valuable information, and I really appreciate how thorough everyone has been in explaining the rules. As someone who's been helping folks navigate Social Security for years, I can confirm what others have said - your husband's early filing absolutely will NOT reduce his survivor benefits. One thing I'd add that might be helpful: if your husband does become a survivor, he'll want to understand his timing options. Since his own benefit will be permanently reduced due to early filing, but your survivor benefit would be based on your full amount, he might benefit from what's called a "restricted application" strategy where he could potentially switch between benefits at different times to maximize his total lifetime benefits. Also, just a heads up - when the time comes (hopefully many years from now), make sure to apply for survivor benefits promptly. Unlike retirement benefits, survivor benefits can't be paid retroactively for more than 6 months, so timing matters for maximizing the total amount received. You're doing great by planning ahead and getting the facts straight!

As someone who went through this exact scenario with my parents, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - your husband's early filing won't affect his survivor benefits at all. My dad filed at 62 and my mom waited until her FRA of 66. When mom passed away two years ago, dad was able to switch to her full benefit amount without any reduction due to his early filing. One thing that really helped us was creating a simple one-page summary of all the key facts - both of their Social Security numbers, their projected benefit amounts, and the key rules about survivor benefits. We kept copies in multiple places so it would be easy to find when needed. The SSA office actually commented on how organized we were and it made the whole process much smoother during an already difficult time. Your planning ahead like this will really pay off if your husband ever needs to navigate this situation. The peace of mind alone is worth it!