I'm going through almost the exact same situation! Filed my retirement application on January 7th and I'm now at week 6 with the same "processing" status. This entire thread has been such a lifesaver - I had no idea about the COLA processing delays or that January is typically their busiest month for new applications. Like many others here, the complete silence from SSA was really starting to worry me, but reading everyone's experiences shows this is completely normal. I was beginning to think my application got lost or I made some error during submission. The text alert suggestion is genius - I've been checking MySocialSecurity obsessively multiple times per day! And learning that we'll receive full backpay once approved really takes away the financial stress I was feeling. Based on all the timelines shared here, it sounds like those of us who filed in early January should see movement in the next couple of weeks. This community support has made the waiting so much more manageable - thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences and helping newcomers understand what's normal with current SSA processing times!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share that I'm going through a very similar experience right now! I filed my retirement application on January 20th and I'm currently at about 5 weeks with the same "processing" status that everyone is describing. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring - I had no idea that January applications specifically face these delays due to COLA adjustments and high application volumes. Like many others here, the complete silence from SSA was starting to make me really anxious, but seeing so many people with nearly identical timelines shows this is just the current reality. I'm definitely going to set up those text alerts that several people mentioned since I've also been obsessively checking MySocialSecurity multiple times daily! And learning about the automatic backpay once approved really helps ease the financial concerns. Based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like those of us who filed in mid-to-late January should expect to see movement in the next few weeks. This thread has been such a valuable resource for understanding what's normal with SSA processing right now. Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences and creating such a supportive discussion!

Great question about seasonal consulting work! I actually dealt with this exact situation during my first year of claiming benefits while doing tax preparation work. The key thing to understand is that SSA applies the annual earnings test on a calendar year basis, so it doesn't matter if your income is seasonal or spread evenly - they just look at your total net self-employment earnings for the entire year. However, there are a few important considerations for seasonal work: 1. Cash flow management becomes critical since you might have benefits withheld during your high-earning months but still need to cover expenses during slower periods. 2. The substantial services test can actually work in your favor with seasonal work. During your off-season months, if you're not actively working (less than 15 hours/month typically), you can receive full benefits even if your annual total will exceed the limit. 3. For tax season work specifically, consider spreading some services across calendar years if possible. For example, business consulting or bookkeeping services that aren't tied to specific tax deadlines could be shifted to early January rather than late December. 4. Keep detailed monthly records of both income and hours worked. This documentation becomes even more important with seasonal work since the timing discrepancies are more pronounced. I ended up having about 3 months of benefits suspended during tax season, but received full benefits the rest of the year. The key was planning for those suspended months financially and making sure SSA understood my work pattern upfront. The accounting field actually offers some advantages for managing this since you understand the tax implications better than most!

This entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who's 62 and was recently laid off from my corporate job, I've been considering claiming Social Security early while potentially doing some freelance marketing consulting work. Reading through all these real-world experiences has completely transformed my understanding of what's involved. I had no idea about the substantial services test or how complex the timing issues could be with project-based work. The strategic approaches shared here - quarterly earnings reviews, milestone payment structures, using business expenses and retirement contributions to manage net income - are brilliant and something I never would have thought of on my own. What really strikes me is how proactive you need to be with SSA rather than just reacting to problems after they arise. The suggestion to report estimated earnings upfront and get their guidance on your specific situation seems crucial for avoiding overpayment headaches later. I'm definitely planning to use Claimyr based on all the positive reviews here - the time and frustration savings sound well worth the small cost. And I'm going to implement the separate business account and detailed record-keeping from day one if I move forward with consulting work. One thing I'm particularly grateful for is learning about how withheld benefits aren't lost forever - that they result in higher permanent benefit amounts after reaching FRA. That makes the decision to work while claiming benefits much more palatable knowing there's still long-term value. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences so openly. This community knowledge is absolutely priceless for navigating these complex decisions!

I'm 66 and just went through this decision myself last year, so I wanted to share what worked for me! After reading all these excellent responses, I'm convinced January is definitely the way to go for most people. Here's what clinched it for me: I called SSA in October to get exact benefit estimates, and my financial advisor helped me calculate the long-term impact. The COLA difference alone was worth about $58/month - that's nearly $14,000 over 20 years! Plus, having everything fall in one tax year made my 2024 tax filing so much cleaner. One thing I learned that might help others: when you call SSA, specifically ask for a "benefit comparison analysis" between your widow benefits and projected retirement benefits at your current age. The rep I spoke with was able to show me side-by-side numbers that made the decision crystal clear. Also, don't underestimate the processing time! I filed in early November for January benefits and I'm glad I did - SSA called me twice asking for clarification on details that could have delayed everything if I'd filed later. The earnings test timing that others mentioned is spot-on too. Since your work season is May-October, you're in the clear for December/January earnings, but the January start still gives you that fresh annual limit and COLA advantage. Bottom line: January filing gives you the COLA increase immediately, cleaner taxes, and better long-term financial outcomes. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I'm 64 and will be facing this exact same decision soon while also receiving widow benefits! This entire thread has been incredibly enlightening - I had no idea there were so many strategic considerations beyond just the basic timing question. The consensus around January filing seems overwhelming, and the real dollar amounts people have shared ($47-63/month COLA differences) really put it in perspective. When you compound that over 20+ years, we're talking about substantial money that could make a real difference in retirement security. What's really opened my eyes is learning that widow benefits might actually be higher than reduced retirement benefits at 65. I've been assuming my retirement benefit would automatically be better, but clearly I need to get those actual calculations done before making any assumptions. A few key things I'm taking away from everyone's experiences: - File in November for January start to avoid processing delays - Get specific benefit estimates IN WRITING comparing both options - The COLA advantage for January is significant and compounds over time - Tax planning benefits of having all SS income in one year - Early morning calls to SSA (8 AM) for shorter wait times Thank you to everyone who shared their real-world experiences and specific dollar amounts - this kind of practical advice is invaluable and impossible to find anywhere else. This community is an amazing resource for navigating these complex decisions! For those still deciding: based on everything shared here, January seems like the clear winner unless you desperately need that one month of earlier payments.

One more angle to consider as you work through this decision: if you do decide to pursue part-time healthcare work to replace those zero years, make sure to track your quarterly earnings carefully. Since you mentioned wanting to stay under the $22,320 annual limit if you claim at 62, it's worth noting that SSA looks at annual earnings, not monthly fluctuations. This means you could potentially earn more in some months (like picking up extra telehealth shifts during busy periods) as long as your total for the year stays under the threshold. Also, given your healthcare background, you might want to look into medical survey work and clinical research consulting - these tend to be project-based with good hourly rates, making it easier to control your annual earnings. Companies like M3 Global Research and Schlesinger Group often need healthcare professionals for market research projects that can be done remotely on flexible schedules. The fact that you have 3 months to plan gives you a real advantage here. You could start networking and exploring these opportunities now, so if you do decide to claim at 62, you'll already have some part-time work lined up to help optimize your PIA while maintaining the semi-retired lifestyle you're seeking.

Reading through this entire discussion has been incredibly enlightening! I'm in a similar situation (turning 60 next year) and hadn't fully considered the strategy of combining early claiming with strategic part-time work to replace zero years while staying under the earnings limit. Brooklyn, it sounds like you've gathered some excellent advice here. The key insight that jumped out to me is that with your healthcare background and 33 years of solid earnings, you're actually in a pretty strong position to optimize this decision rather than seeing it as just an either/or choice. A few additional thoughts: If you do decide to explore the part-time healthcare consulting route, consider that your 35 years of experience could command premium rates for short-term projects, making it easier to maximize your earnings impact while minimizing actual work hours. Also, don't overlook the CPE/continuing education opportunities in telehealth - many platforms provide training that could make the transition smoother. One practical suggestion: before making any final decisions, try reaching out to 2-3 people in your network who've made similar transitions. Sometimes hearing real-world experiences about what the consulting lifestyle actually feels like can be just as valuable as all the financial calculations. Best of luck with whatever you decide!

As someone who just joined this community, I want to thank everyone for such a thorough and helpful discussion! I'm still a few years away from retirement, but seeing how supportive and knowledgeable this community is gives me confidence that I'll have great resources when my time comes. What really stands out to me is how much the consensus has shifted toward trusting SSA's electronic verification systems for straightforward cases like yours. It seems like the technology has really improved, especially for US marriages with complete application information. The consistent recommendation to set up the my Social Security account for tracking progress also seems like invaluable advice. For the original poster - it sounds like you've done everything exactly right by timing your application with the WEP/GPO repeal and providing complete information online. The wait-and-see approach rather than preemptively scheduling appointments seems to be the clear winner based on everyone's real experiences here. Best of luck with your application, and I hope you'll update us on how it goes!

As someone new to this community, I just want to echo what others have said about how incredibly helpful this discussion has been! I'm not quite at retirement age yet, but reading through everyone's experiences gives me so much confidence about navigating Social Security applications when my time comes. What really stands out is how the electronic verification systems have improved so much for straightforward cases. For someone like Carmen who provided complete marriage information in their online application and has a long US marriage, it sounds like the odds are very good that no additional documentation will be needed. The consistent advice about setting up the my Social Security account for tracking progress seems absolutely essential. And the realistic timeline expectations (6-12 weeks for spousal adjustments after both benefits are active) really help set proper expectations. Carmen, it sounds like you've done everything exactly right - timing with the WEP/GPO repeal, applying at FRA, providing complete information online. The wait-and-see approach rather than rushing to make appointments seems to be the clear winner based on everyone's actual experiences here. I'd love to hear how it goes for you!