As another newcomer to Social Security (just started receiving disability benefits in August), I want to echo what Zoe and Connor said - this discussion has been so educational! I had no idea there was even such a thing as a COLA adjustment until I started reading about it online. It's reassuring to learn that everyone gets these annual increases to help with inflation, even if 2.5% doesn't seem like much when you're watching grocery prices climb. I'm definitely going to set up my MySocialSecurity account this weekend so I can see my new benefit amount online in December. Thanks to everyone who shared the official timeline and explained how the process works - it makes me feel much more confident about navigating my first year on Social Security!

Welcome to all the newcomers! It's great to see so many people just starting their Social Security journey and asking good questions. As someone who's been receiving benefits for a few years now, I remember how confusing everything seemed at first. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you can actually estimate your new benefit amount yourself once the COLA percentage is announced. Just multiply your current monthly benefit by 1.025 (for the 2.5% increase) to get a rough idea, though the exact amount might be slightly different due to Medicare premium adjustments. Also, keep your COLA letters - they're useful for tax preparation since they show your total benefits received for the year. The MySocialSecurity account really is essential, not just for COLA info but for accessing your 1099-SSA form in January too!

As someone new to this community and Social Security planning in general, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm about 5 years away from 62 myself and had been leaning toward filing early, but seeing the real numbers everyone has shared is making me reconsider. @Paolo, your situation is exactly what I needed to read. That $775 monthly difference between filing at 62 vs FRA is substantial - over $9,300 per year! When you factor in cost of living adjustments over time, we're talking about potentially hundreds of thousands in lifetime benefits. What really stands out to me is how many different experiences people have had with SSA's application system. The fact that some incomplete applications were unexpectedly processed while others weren't is concerning. If I were in your shoes, I'd definitely want written confirmation that the incomplete application won't be processed, just to be absolutely sure. I'm also really intrigued by the discussion about working with fee-only financial planners who specialize in Social Security optimization. Given the complexity and the amount of money at stake, professional guidance seems like it could pay for itself many times over. Has anyone here worked with such a specialist and found it worthwhile? Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experiences - this kind of real-world insight is invaluable for those of us still figuring out the best approach!

As someone new to this community and still learning about Social Security decisions, this has been such an informative thread! I'm about 8 years away from 62 and honestly hadn't given much thought to the timing strategy until reading discussions like this. @Paolo, your decision to wait until FRA seems really smart from a financial perspective. That $775 monthly difference you mentioned is massive - it's essentially like having an extra part-time job for the rest of your retirement! I did some quick math and over 20 years, that's over $180,000 more in benefits, not even accounting for inflation adjustments. What I find most valuable about this discussion is hearing real experiences with the SSA system. The conflicting stories about incomplete applications definitely make me think I'd want multiple forms of confirmation if I were in your situation. Maybe both deleting it online AND calling for written confirmation would give you the peace of mind you need? I'm also really interested in the suggestions about specialized financial planners. Given how much money is potentially at stake with these timing decisions, professional guidance seems like it could be a worthwhile investment. The complexity around spousal benefits, tax implications, and coordinating with other retirement accounts is honestly a bit overwhelming to navigate alone. Thanks to everyone for sharing such practical insights - this is exactly the kind of real-world information that's so hard to find elsewhere!

I'm also new to this community and just starting to research the SSDI application process! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been absolutely invaluable - I had no idea there was so much variability in how notifications are handled or that the system could be so unpredictable. What really stands out from all these shared stories is the importance of not putting all your eggs in one basket - it seems like some people only get mail notifications while others only see online updates, and there's no way to predict which you'll be. I'm definitely going to set up all the monitoring systems people have mentioned: the mySocialSecurity text/email alerts, USPS informed delivery, and I'll start a tracking log right from the beginning. The 3-6 month waiting periods everyone's describing sound incredibly nerve-wracking, but I feel so much better prepared now thanks to all the real-world experiences shared here. This community's willingness to support newcomers and share practical strategies is truly amazing - it makes facing such an overwhelming process feel much less isolating. Thank you to everyone who's been so open about their journeys - this is exactly the kind of honest guidance people like me need when starting this challenging path!

I'm also new to this community and just beginning my SSDI application process! This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea the notification system could be so inconsistent. Reading everyone's experiences really emphasizes the importance of having multiple monitoring methods in place. I'm planning to set up the mySocialSecurity text alerts, USPS informed delivery, and keep a detailed log from the start based on all the great advice shared here. The waiting periods sound nerve-wracking, but knowing what to expect and having concrete strategies helps a lot. It's really encouraging to see how supportive this community is - everyone sharing their real experiences and practical tips makes this overwhelming process feel more manageable. Thank you all for being so generous with your knowledge and for helping newcomers like me prepare for the journey ahead!

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago and can confirm what everyone is saying - you absolutely need to call SSA yourself to request the ARF (Adjustment of Reduction Factor) recalculation. It won't happen automatically. Here's what I learned from my experience: When I called, I immediately said "I need to request an Adjustment of Reduction Factor recalculation because I reached my Full Retirement Age and had benefits withheld due to the earnings test." Using that exact language helped the representative understand what I needed right away. I had about 19 months of partially or fully withheld benefits over 4 years, and my monthly benefit increased by $201 after the recalculation. They also provided retroactive payments back to my FRA date, which was a nice bonus. The whole process took about 12 weeks from my initial call to seeing the increased payment. Two important tips: First, call early in the morning (right at 8 AM) to avoid long hold times. Second, ask for written confirmation of your request with a case number - this saved me when I had to follow up later. Don't wait any longer to call - every month you delay is money you're leaving on the table since they'll backpay to your FRA date once approved.

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed experiences about the ARF recalculation process! I'm 63 and currently receiving early retirement benefits while working part-time, so I know I'll be facing this exact situation when I reach my FRA in about 3 years. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea that the benefit adjustment after FRA wasn't automatic. The fact that you have to proactively call SSA and specifically request the "Adjustment of Reduction Factor" recalculation is something I never would have known without this thread. I'm taking notes on all the practical tips shared here: using the exact terminology "ARF recalculation," calling at 8 AM for shorter wait times, printing out the benefit payment history from the online account beforehand, requesting written confirmation with a case number, and being prepared to ask for a technical specialist if needed. The success stories with monthly increases ranging from $142 to $230+ plus retroactive payments really demonstrate how important it is to pursue this adjustment. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and use it as my guide when I reach FRA. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice that makes such a difference!

I'm so grateful I found this discussion! I'm in a very similar situation - turning 62 next year and completely confused about ex-spouse benefits after getting wildly different information from multiple SSA representatives. What really struck me reading through everyone's experiences is how consistent the problem is with getting conflicting information from SSA. It's both frustrating and reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this. Based on all the great advice here, I'm planning to: 1. Schedule a SHIP counselor appointment first to get properly prepared 2. Create that spreadsheet with all my benefit scenarios 3. Get certified copies of my marriage certificate and divorce decree 4. Ask my ex for his Social Security Statement (we're on good terms) 5. Schedule an in-person SSA appointment and request everything in writing One question I have that I didn't see addressed - has anyone dealt with situations where your ex-spouse remarried? Mine did remarry, but I know that doesn't affect my eligibility since we were married over 10 years and I haven't remarried. I'm just wondering if it complicates the application process at all or if SSA asks additional questions about it. Also, for those who mentioned keeping detailed notes of SSA conversations - did you find that helpful when you finally got to someone knowledgeable, or was it more useful for your own tracking? Thank you all for sharing such practical, real-world advice. This thread should be required reading for anyone navigating divorced spouse benefits!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm turning 62 in March 2025 and was getting the exact same runaround from SSA representatives - three different answers just like you described. It's both maddening and oddly comforting to know this is such a widespread problem. After reading through everyone's experiences and advice, I feel like I finally have a clear action plan. The explanation about how divorced spouse benefits are calculated based on your ex's PIA (not his age-70 amount) and reduced for YOUR early filing really cleared up my confusion. I was making the same mistake of thinking it would be based on his $5,750/month projected benefit at 70. I'm definitely going to: 1. Schedule a SHIP counselor appointment first - had no idea this free resource existed! 2. Get my updated Social Security Statement to see my current benefit projections 3. Ask my ex for his Social Security Statement since we're on good terms 4. Get certified copies of all my documents 5. Create a spreadsheet with all the scenarios before my SSA appointment The advice about requesting written estimates and having SSA document their calculations in your file is brilliant - no more relying on verbal explanations that seem to change with each representative. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences. This community support has transformed what felt like an impossible puzzle into a manageable process with clear next steps!