I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! My husband filed for retirement benefits in September and we're trying to add our 14-year-old son to his record. The local office has been completely booked for months. One thing that worked for me was asking specifically about "telephone claims interviews" when I called - apparently some offices can complete the child's application over the phone if you can email or fax the required documents beforehand. The rep I spoke with said they're doing more of these remote applications since COVID. Also, try calling different times of day - I had better luck around 2-3 PM on weekdays when the morning rush dies down. Don't let them tell you that your kids won't get retroactive benefits back to your filing date - that's absolutely incorrect based on everything I've read and been told by multiple SSA reps. Keep fighting for it and document every conversation!

I've been following this thread with great interest as I work with Social Security issues regularly. A few additional points that might help: First, if you're still struggling to get through by phone, try using the automated system to schedule a "callback" - you can request SSA to call you back rather than waiting on hold. This often works better than trying to stay on the line. Second, regarding the protective filing for children's benefits that Jamal mentioned - this is absolutely correct and crucial. Even if you can't complete the full application, establishing that protective filing date in writing will preserve their retroactive benefits. Third, I wanted to clarify the conflicting information about retroactive benefits - the POMS (Program Operations Manual System) is very clear that auxiliary beneficiaries (including children) can receive benefits retroactive to the primary beneficiary's entitlement date, provided the auxiliary application is filed within the appropriate timeframes. Any office that tells you otherwise is either misinformed or applying incorrect procedures. Don't hesitate to ask for a supervisor and reference POMS sections if needed. Finally, if all else fails, definitely contact your Congressional representative as Mei suggested - their constituent services offices are specifically designed to help with federal agency issues like this.

I just want to echo what others have said about getting the exact numbers from SSA before making any decisions. I went through something similar a few years ago and was shocked to learn that my own work record was actually higher than I thought it would be. One thing that might help while you're gathering information - you can create different scenarios in writing and ask SSA to walk through each one with you when you finally get through to them. Have questions ready like: "What would my monthly benefit be if I remarry in 6 months?" versus "What if I wait until I'm 67?" Also, don't forget to factor in Medicare considerations too - sometimes remarriage can affect your Medicare premiums if your new spouse has higher income. It's just another piece of the puzzle to consider. The fact that you're being so thoughtful about this decision shows you're approaching it the right way. Take your time, get all the facts, and then you can make the best decision for both your heart and your wallet!

I'm a benefits counselor and wanted to add some clarity to this discussion. While the advice here has been generally good, there are a few nuances worth mentioning: First, regarding the "gap year" - you may not have zero income during that period. If you have your own work record (even from part-time work), you'll receive your own retirement benefit during the waiting period. The key is understanding what portion of your current $1,100 is YOUR benefit versus the spousal add-on. Second, about timing and FRA - the rule about remarrying after FRA is more restrictive than some comments suggest. You can only continue receiving divorced spousal benefits after remarrying at FRA if your NEW spouse is also receiving Social Security benefits. This isn't always the case. Third, consider this strategy: before remarrying, file a new application to switch from divorced spousal benefits to your own retirement benefit (if it's available and makes sense). This way, you'll know exactly what YOUR baseline benefit is, and remarriage won't create a sudden change - just a delay in accessing the new spousal benefit. I'd strongly recommend getting a personalized benefit estimate from SSA that shows all your options before making this decision. The difference in timing could easily be worth $10,000+ over your lifetime.

I work as a customer service trainer for a federal contractor and deal with authentication issues across multiple government systems daily. Here are some additional technical insights that might help: The SSA's identity proofing system uses what's called "knowledge-based authentication" (KBA) that pulls from credit bureau data, public records, and other sources. If you've had recent credit changes, moved, or have a common name, this can cause failures even with correct information. Try this specific sequence: 1) Use incognito/private browsing mode, 2) Disable ALL browser extensions, 3) Use your legal name exactly as it appears on your most recent tax return (not your SS card, as tax records are more frequently updated), 4) If you've lived at your current address less than 2 years, try using your previous address for verification. Also, the SSA system has "cooling off" periods - if you fail verification multiple times, you may be temporarily blocked from trying again. This can last 24-72 hours depending on how many attempts you've made. For Login.gov specifically, they recently changed their email verification process. The codes now expire in 10 minutes (down from 30), and some corporate email servers are blocking them entirely. Try using a personal Gmail or Yahoo account and check your spam folder within 5 minutes of requesting the code. The congressional office route is indeed your best bet if technical solutions fail - they have direct lines to SSA's technical support team that can override these authentication locks immediately.

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share what worked for me when I had this exact same issue a few months ago. After reading through all these great suggestions, I'd definitely recommend trying the library computer approach first - that's brilliant and something I wish I had thought of! What finally solved it for me was a combination of several things mentioned here: I used a completely clean browser session (incognito mode), switched to my personal Gmail account, and most importantly, I called my state representative's office. The caseworker there was amazing - she had a direct line to SSA's technical support team and got my account unlocked within 48 hours. The SSA agent explained that my account had been flagged due to too many failed login attempts, PLUS there was an old employer name in their system from 3 years ago that wasn't matching my current information. These backend data mismatches are apparently super common but the error messages never tell you what's actually wrong. For anyone still struggling with this - don't feel bad about contacting your congressional office. The caseworker told me they handle SSA account issues all the time and it's actually one of the easier problems for them to resolve. Much better than sitting on hold for hours!

I've been following this thread closely and wanted to share some additional resources that might be helpful for everyone navigating the WEP repeal. The National Association of Counties has published a really comprehensive guide explaining the phase-out timeline, and the Government Accountability Office released a report last month with implementation projections. For those of you who are also part of state teacher retirement systems, your state TRS office might have more specific guidance about how this interacts with your particular pension system - I know Texas TRS sent out an informational bulletin to members in January. Also, if you're planning to file for benefits during the transition period, consider scheduling an in-person appointment at your local SSA office rather than trying to handle it over the phone. The agents there tend to have access to more detailed guidance and can walk through the calculations with you directly. This really is a historic change for public servants - after decades of advocacy, it's amazing to see it finally happening!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful for all the detailed information shared here! I'm in a very similar situation - 22 years with the California Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) and 43 quarters of Social Security credits from working summers and before teaching. Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has been so enlightening. I had no idea about the 9-year phase-out timeline or the importance of timing when to file. The suggestion to create a documentation folder is something I'm going to start immediately. It's also reassuring to hear from benefits professionals like Dylan who can explain the technical details. I've been dreading the WEP reduction for years, so this repeal feels like a huge weight lifted. Thank you to everyone for creating such a supportive and informative community - I'm looking forward to learning more as we all navigate these changes together!

As someone new to this community, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for such detailed and helpful responses! I'm not quite at retirement age yet but I'm starting to plan ahead, and this conversation has been incredibly educational. The clarification that 401k distributions don't count toward the earnings limit is huge - I had been assuming all retirement income would count. And the practical tips about tracking consulting income with spreadsheets, setting up voluntary withholding with SSA, and keeping detailed business expense records are exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't find in the official publications. It's also reassuring to see people who have successfully navigated this transition sharing their experiences. The Social Security system can seem so complex and intimidating, but hearing from folks who've actually been through it makes it feel much more manageable. Thanks again to this community for being such a valuable resource!

As someone who just went through this decision process last year, I can confirm what others have said - 401k distributions absolutely do NOT count toward the earnings limit. I was worried about the same thing when I started claiming at 65 while still doing some part-time work. One thing I'd add is to consider the timing of when you start your consulting work. Since you're filing in April 2025, SSA will use the monthly earnings test for the remainder of that year (rather than the annual test). This means you can earn up to $1,950 per month ($23,400/12) from April through December without any penalty. This might actually work in your favor if you're planning to ease into consulting gradually. Also, keep in mind that your reduced benefit at 66 will increase slightly each month until you reach full retirement age due to delayed retirement credits. It's not a huge amount, but every little bit helps! Good luck with your transition - it sounds like you've got a solid plan in place.