Has your wife checked her earnings record on the SSA website? It's good to verify that all her past work is properly credited before she adds new earnings. Sometimes there are errors, especially if she had name changes after marriage, etc. Make sure all her previous work is counting toward her future benefit.

I went through something similar when my husband started receiving early retirement benefits and I was considering part-time work. One thing that really helped us was using the SSA's online earnings test calculator to estimate the impact before I started working. You can find it on their website under "Retirement Estimator" tools. It lets you input different income scenarios to see exactly how it would affect benefits. Also, keep detailed records of all her paychecks and hours worked - if there's ever a discrepancy with SSA later, having your own documentation makes resolving it much easier. The annual limit resets each January, so if she starts mid-year, she has less time to reach that $22,320 threshold.

Update: I just finished applying! Took about 25 minutes total. They definitely ask for bank info for direct deposit. The site says they'll process my application and send me a letter with their decision. Fingers crossed I'll get March benefits since I applied before the end of the month! The reduction amount works out to about $160 less per month than if I waited until November, but that's fine with me. I'd rather have 8 months of slightly reduced payments than no payments at all during that time. Thanks everyone for your help!

Congrats on getting your application submitted! That's a smart move applying before month-end. Just wanted to add a couple things that might be helpful: 1. You can track your application status through your mySocialSecurity account - there's usually an "Application Status" section that gets updated as they process it. 2. If you don't hear anything within 2-3 weeks, don't hesitate to call the SSA number (1-800-772-1213) to check on status. Sometimes applications get held up for minor reasons that can be resolved quickly with a phone call. 3. Make sure to keep copies of everything you submitted, including screenshots of your completed application if possible. You made the right choice for your situation - having income now vs waiting for a slightly higher amount later is totally valid, especially since you'll still be collecting for many years to come. Best of luck with the approval!

Just want to share a little support - dealing with unexpected benefit changes is super stressful! When my mom passed and I started managing my dad's survivor benefits, similar stuff happened and it about gave me a heart attack each time. Hope it all works out to be nothing serious!

I work for a local senior services organization and see this type of confusion frequently. A few additional points that might help: 1. The $700 reduction could also be related to an overpayment recovery if SSA determined you received too much in previous months due to unreported earnings or other factors. 2. Since you mentioned checking your MySocialSecurity account, look for any notices under the "Message Center" - sometimes explanations appear there before paper notices arrive. 3. If this is earnings-related, remember that the earnings test is annual, not monthly. So even if some months you earn less, if your projected annual earnings exceed $22,320, they'll adjust accordingly. 4. Keep detailed records of all payments received and any communications. This will be helpful when you do get through to speak with someone. The good news is that most of these situations are temporary adjustments rather than permanent reductions. Hang in there!

I recommend having them run a complete AERO (Automatic Earnings Recomputation Operation) calculation during your call to ensure all your earnings are properly counted. Sometimes earnings from recent years or certain employers don't get automatically included in your benefit calculation. Also - very important - ask them to calculate what's called your "RIB-LIM" amount. This is a special calculation that applies to people who took survivor benefits early and are now considering switching to their own retirement benefit at FRA or later. The RIB-LIM calculation can sometimes result in a higher payment than the standard calculation. Finally, since you mentioned health concerns, remember that the general breakeven point between taking benefits at FRA versus age 70 is typically around age 82-83. If you have serious health concerns, maximizing monthly income sooner rather than later may make more sense than waiting.

How did the call go? I'm curious what you decided because I'm in nearly the same situation but haven't reached my FRA yet.

I just wanted to add that when you do file at 70, make sure to file 3-4 months BEFORE your 70th birthday. A lot of people don't realize that SSA doesn't automatically start sending checks when you hit 70 - you still need to apply, and benefits are only retroactive for 6 months max. I've seen too many people miss out on months of payments because they waited until after turning 70 to start the application process.

I went through something similar with my parents a few years ago. The restricted application strategy that allowed you to collect spousal benefits while delaying your own was phased out, and it's completely unavailable now for anyone born after January 1, 1954. Given your numbers ($3,200 now vs $3,800 at 70), and especially with your family longevity, waiting until 70 seems like the right call. That extra $600/month will really add up over time, plus your wife will get a higher survivor benefit if something happens to you. One thing to consider while you're waiting: since you're still working part-time, those earnings might actually be replacing some lower-earning years in your benefit calculation, which could bump up your final amount even more than the $3,800 estimate. The waiting is tough when you see that money sitting there, but with your family history of longevity, you're likely to come out way ahead in the long run.