I'm currently at 3 weeks since approval and this thread has been exactly what I needed! Just started seeing that "processing payment" status everyone mentions, and it's such a relief to know this is completely normal. Applied online with direct deposit set up after 41 years of working. What really helps is seeing how this community has formed around what could otherwise be a pretty isolating experience. The 4-8 week timeline that keeps coming up gives me realistic expectations, and I've already set up those notifications to avoid the obsessive checking trap! It's funny how after decades of planning for retirement, this final waiting period still creates so much anxiety. But reading everyone's stories - especially from those who've already received their payments - gives me confidence that the system works, it just takes patience. Thanks for starting this conversation and to everyone sharing their experiences. It's making this major life transition feel much more manageable!

I'm just starting this journey - applied for my retirement benefits about a week and a half ago after 43 years in the workforce! Haven't seen any status updates in MySocialSecurity yet, but this entire thread has been incredibly reassuring. It's amazing how many people are going through this exact same experience and emotions. The 4-8 week timeline that everyone keeps mentioning gives me a realistic framework to work with, and I'm definitely taking the advice about setting up notifications right away to avoid falling into that obsessive checking habit that so many have described. What really stands out to me is how supportive this community has become - it's turning what could be a pretty anxious solo experience into something we're all navigating together. For those still waiting, it sounds like you're all well within the normal timeframe based on everyone's shared experiences. Thanks for creating this space where we can support each other through this major life transition!

This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been stressing about this same issue for months. My mySocialSecurity estimate has been frozen at $2,480 for almost 3 years now, despite working full-time and all the COLA increases we've had. I was starting to think maybe my employer wasn't reporting my wages properly or there was some kind of error in my account. Reading everyone's experiences here where their actual benefits were hundreds of dollars higher than the online estimates is such a relief. It sounds like this is just how their outdated system works rather than individual problems. I'm planning to apply in June for August benefits (turning 67 in September), so this timing discussion has been really helpful too. I'll definitely bring my recent W-2s and ask them to walk through the PIA calculation like others suggested. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone here tried using the SSA's phone line to get a more current estimate before applying? I've heard mixed things about whether they can actually provide better numbers over the phone or if you just have to wait until you formally apply. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories - this community has been way more helpful than any official SSA resources I've found!

I'm experiencing this exact same frustrating situation! My mySocialSecurity estimate has been stuck at $2,390 for over 2.5 years despite continuous full-time work and those significant COLA increases. I was honestly starting to panic that something was seriously wrong with my account or that my earnings weren't being reported properly. Reading through all these experiences here has been such a huge relief - it's clear this is a widespread system limitation rather than individual account problems. The fact that so many people have seen their actual benefits come out $200-400+ higher than their frozen online estimates is incredibly encouraging. I'm planning to file in May for July benefits (FRA in August), and now I'm actually looking forward to potentially getting a pleasant surprise rather than dreading that my benefit might be stuck at that outdated number. The advice about bringing recent W-2s and asking them to walk through the PIA calculation is invaluable. It's honestly shocking that in 2025, the official SSA website can't provide current benefit estimates, but at least we know the real calculation at application time uses complete, up-to-date data. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread has been more helpful than anything I've found on SSA's official resources!

Welcome to the community, Ava! Your banking customer service situation is really similar to what many of us have experienced - those illness-related low earning years in your 30s could definitely work in your favor now with the AERO process. It's smart that you're being mindful of the earnings limit at 64, and bank jobs often provide exactly the kind of steady, professional part-time work that can make a meaningful difference in benefit calculations. Customer service skills are so valuable and in demand too! I'd echo what others have said about regularly checking your my.ssa.gov account - financial institutions are usually very good about timely earnings reporting, but it's always worth verifying. The fact that you're already thinking proactively about this puts you ahead of the game. Those years when health issues forced you to work less are exactly the type that AERO was designed to help with - it's one of the more compassionate aspects of the Social Security system. Looking forward to hearing about your experience when the recalculations start happening later this year!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have found this incredibly thorough discussion about the AERO process! I'm 65 and have been collecting Social Security for about 7 months while working part-time as a freelance graphic designer. My current project-based earnings are definitely higher than some years in my late 20s when I was just starting out and barely making ends meet doing odd jobs. Like so many others here, I had absolutely no clue that Social Security would automatically recalculate benefits - I genuinely thought once you started collecting, that was your final amount forever! Reading everyone's experiences about the October-December timing and knowing it's completely automatic has been such a huge relief. I was actually considering calling SSA about this, but after all the nightmare phone wait stories shared here, I'm so thankful I found this discussion instead! I'll definitely check my earnings record on my.ssa.gov to make sure my freelance income is being reported correctly - that's something I hadn't even thought about before. Since I'm at full retirement age, it's wonderful not having to worry about earnings limits. Even if my eventual increase is modest like many of the examples shared, it's encouraging to know that continuing to do work I love can still positively impact my monthly benefits. This community has provided exactly the kind of real-world, peer-to-peer guidance that's impossible to find in official government materials. Thank you all for sharing your experiences so generously - it's been invaluable for understanding this process!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was married to my first husband for 14 years, then remarried for about 3 years in my 40s. That second marriage ended 5 years ago and I've been single since. I'm 59 now and starting to think about my Social Security strategy. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like I should definitely be able to claim on my first ex-husband's record when I reach 62, despite that second marriage. He was in management and made good money, while my second ex had much lower earnings. One question I haven't seen addressed - does it matter if my first ex-husband has remarried? He got married again about 8 years ago. I'm assuming that doesn't affect my ability to claim on his record, but wanted to double-check since his new wife would presumably also be eligible for spousal benefits on his record. Also, has anyone here actually gone through the process of switching from their own benefit to an ex-spouse benefit after already filing? I'm wondering if it's better to wait and apply for the higher benefit from the start, or if you can easily adjust later if you find out the ex-spouse benefit would be better.

I'm a Social Security claims specialist and wanted to clarify a few key points for anyone reading this thread: 1. **Second marriages don't disqualify you** - As long as your second marriage ended (divorce or death) and you're currently unmarried, you can absolutely claim on your first ex-spouse's record if that marriage lasted 10+ years. 2. **Documentation you'll need** - Both marriage certificates, both divorce decrees, your birth certificate, and your ex's Social Security number if you have it (though SSA can look it up with his name and DOB). 3. **Timing strategy** - If you're thinking about claiming at 62-63, remember you'll face permanent reductions. At 62, you'll get about 75% of your full ex-spouse benefit. Might be worth running the numbers to see if working a bit longer makes financial sense. 4. **No notification to your ex** - Your claim won't affect his benefits or notify him in any way. It's completely independent. One thing I see people miss: you can actually file a "restricted application" strategy in some cases. I'd strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with your local SSA office to discuss all your options before making a final decision. They can run scenarios showing exactly what you'd receive under different claiming strategies.

One important point to add: even if you claim benefits on your first ex-spouse's record, it does NOT reduce their benefits or impact them in any way. Some people worry about this aspect, but your claim has zero effect on what your ex receives. Also, your ex doesn't need to be receiving benefits yet for you to claim on their record, though they must be eligible for benefits (i.e., be at least 62).

As someone who works in retirement planning, I want to emphasize a few critical points that haven't been fully addressed yet. First, make sure you understand the "deemed filing" rules - if you were born before 1954, you have more flexibility to claim spousal benefits first and switch to your own later. If born after 1954, you're generally stuck with whichever benefit you file for first until full retirement age. Second, consider that your current spouse's future earning potential might significantly impact the math - 8 more years of high earnings could potentially make their record more valuable than your first ex's. Third, there are potential impacts on survivor benefits to consider - if something happened to either spouse, which scenario leaves you better protected? The "strategic divorce" might make sense financially, but run detailed projections comparing all scenarios before making this major life decision.