Thank you all SO much for your helpful responses! I feel so much better knowing that my 36 credits are still valid and I just need 4 more to qualify. I'm definitely going to create that my Social Security account to check my current status, and I'll look into whether spousal benefits might be better for me in the long run. I'm actually excited to get back to work now, knowing that it will help secure at least some retirement income. What a relief!

Just want to add one more encouraging note - you made a valuable choice spending those years homeschooling, and it's great that Social Security recognizes that life doesn't always follow a straight path! Since you're thinking about going back to work, you might also want to consider that even if you only work part-time, as long as you earn at least $7,280 in a year (4 credits × $1,820 per credit in 2025), you'll get those 4 credits you need. And remember, you can always work longer to boost your benefit amount since those zero-earning years will bring down your average. Best of luck with your transition back to the workforce!

Just want to add one more thing about the tax situation, since there seems to be some confusion in the thread. Children's benefits are potentially taxable to the child if: 1. The child has other income that, when combined with the Social Security benefits, exceeds the tax filing threshold, OR 2. The child's benefits are being used by the parent for the child's support (food, housing, etc.) In the second case, the parent might have the option to include the benefits in their income rather than the child's. This is rarely advantageous, but a tax professional can help determine the best approach for your specific situation. Also, keep in mind that your children will continue receiving benefits until they turn 18 (or 19 if still in high school full-time). Their benefits will not affect your own retirement benefit amount.

Congratulations on reaching your FRA! As someone new to this community, I wanted to share that I'm in a very similar situation - just turned 66 and considering applying for benefits with two teenage children. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational. I'm particularly grateful for the detailed explanations about the separate payments and tax implications. One question I haven't seen addressed - does the timing of when you apply during your FRA year affect anything? I'm wondering if I should wait until later in the year or if it doesn't matter as long as it's after my birthday month. Also, @Adrian Connor, thank you for posting this question and following up with what SSA told you directly. It's so helpful to see real experiences rather than just trying to decode the official government websites!

Just wanted to add that I went through this exact situation with my divorce decree from 2001. Called the courthouse and they actually offered to email me a PDF copy with their digital seal for $25, which SSA accepted as valid documentation. Not all courts offer this service, but it might be worth asking if yours does - could save you time and money compared to waiting for a physical certified copy to be mailed.

Based on everyone's experiences shared here, I'd strongly recommend calling your courthouse first to ask about digital certified copies before paying the full $75. As several people mentioned, many courts now offer email delivery with embedded digital seals for much less money and faster turnaround - sometimes the same day! I also want to emphasize what the paralegal mentioned about submitting your SSA application now to establish your filing date while you wait for the document. This is crucial since you mentioned your FRA is in 3 months. SSA can backdate benefits to your initial filing date once you provide the required documentation. One more tip - when you do call SSA (or use a service like Claimyr to get through faster), ask specifically about their document submission process. Some offices accept faxed certified copies, which could save you time once you get your divorce decree. Good luck with your application!

so will u get back pay from when u first applied or do u have to start over?

This is such a perfect example of why the SSA system needs better training on new legislation! I'm dealing with something similar - applied for benefits that would be affected by recent rule changes and got a denial that made no sense. It's frustrating that their systems aren't updated to handle applications that cross over implementation dates of new laws. For anyone else in a similar situation, it might be worth calling and specifically asking the agent to note in your file that your application involves benefits starting AFTER the WEP/GPO repeal date. That way there's a clear record of the timing issue if you need to escalate later. Emma, glad you got answers even though it took forever to get through! The January reapplication timeline sounds smart.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some perspective as someone who works with seniors navigating Social Security regularly. What you're all experiencing is unfortunately the new reality - processing times have increased dramatically since 2020 due to staffing shortages, increased applications, and system backlogs. The 30-day estimate on SSA's website hasn't been updated to reflect current conditions. A few tips that might help while you wait: - If your benefit estimate disappeared from your online account, that's actually progress (final calculation phase) - Keep checking your mail carefully - award letters sometimes arrive in plain envelopes that look like junk mail - Document everything (filing date, confirmation numbers, documents submitted) in case you need to follow up - Remember that SSA prioritizes getting payments out on time over sending paperwork quickly For those considering calling, mid-January is reasonable timing if you filed in October/November. The Claimyr service others mentioned can save hours of hold time if you do need to call. Stay patient - based on what everyone's shared, your benefits should start on time even if the paperwork is delayed!

I'm new to this community and currently going through this exact same situation! Filed my retirement application in early December for a March 1st benefit start date and it's been showing "processing" status with no updates. At 67, this should be straightforward since I'm past my FRA, but the waiting has been really anxiety-provoking when you're planning major life changes around these timelines. This entire thread has been absolutely invaluable - I had no idea that the 30-day processing time shown on SSA's website was so completely outdated. Reading everyone's real experiences here (ranging from 6-11 weeks) has helped set much more realistic expectations. I'm particularly grateful for the professional insight from @Felicity Bud about the systemic reasons behind these delays, and all the reassuring stories from people like @Sydney Torres and @Ayla Kumar who recently completed the process successfully despite the extended waits. The tip about the benefit estimate disappearing from your online account being a good sign rather than something to worry about is pure gold - I'll definitely keep that in mind if it happens to mine. I'm also following the advice to wait until closer to my benefit start date before trying to call, but it's good to know about the Claimyr service as a backup option. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences so openly - this community support makes the waiting period so much more manageable when you know you're not alone in this process!