Based on the image you shared and your current situation, here's what I recommend: 1. Since you're still working and earning above the annual limit ($20,520 for 2025), claiming before your FRA would result in benefit reductions due to the earnings test 2. For every $2 you earn above that limit, SSA withholds $1 from benefits 3. With your part-time income of $26,000, you'd be about $5,480 over the limit, resulting in approximately $2,740 in benefit withholding annually 4. Regarding ex-spouse benefits: You can collect up to 50% of your ex's FRA benefit amount if that's higher than your own benefit. But you must be unmarried currently 5. To optimize your situation, consider working until at least your FRA (67) to avoid the earnings test completely The matrix confirms that waiting until at least your FRA will provide significant long-term advantages, especially if you expect average or above-average longevity.

One important correction to my earlier analysis after seeing your additional details: For those born after 1954 (which includes you), the rules changed significantly. You can no longer choose between your own benefit and an ex-spouse benefit - SSA will automatically give you whichever is higher when you apply. The strategy of taking one type first and switching later (called "restricted application") is no longer available. This makes your decision simpler in some ways - you just need to decide WHEN to file, not which benefit to take, since you'll automatically get the higher amount between your own benefit and the ex-spouse benefit.

I went through this same stress when I left accounting to teach. My suggestion: talk to a financial advisor who specializes in teacher retirement. Regular financial advisors often don't understand the complexities of WEP/GPO and how they interact with teacher pensions. The good news is with 22 years of substantial earnings, you're already in a position where WEP won't hit you nearly as hard as someone with fewer years.

One more thing to consider: The WEP calculation is based on the year you turn 62, not when you actually claim benefits. So the substantial earnings threshold and maximum reduction amount that will apply to you will be based on the year you turn 62, even if you wait until 67 or 70 to start benefits. For planning purposes, you should request a WEP-adjusted benefit estimate directly from SSA. The online statements don't factor in WEP reductions.

My sister applied 2 months before her birthday and her first payment was delayed by 6 weeks! Something about processing backlogs. So definitely give them at least 3 months like others are saying.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! Sounds like 3 months before is the sweet spot. Going to start gathering my documents now so I'm ready to apply in February. One last question - is it better to apply online or should I make an appointment at my local office?

UPDATE: I've been checking with SSA colleagues, and there was actually a systems issue affecting some online applications submitted in mid-December 2024. Some notification letters were generated but not properly queued for mailing. This might explain why you received the initial confirmation but nothing after. The good news is that affected applications are still being processed normally even though the correspondence system had issues. They've fixed the technical problem, but it means some applicants may suddenly receive multiple letters at once as the backlog clears. If your benefit start date is March 2025, you should definitely receive determination letters by late February at the latest. If not, that would be the appropriate time to escalate your inquiry.

I just checked with my neighbor who also applied recently (November 2024) and she just got her first official letter last week. So about 10 weeks for her. She said they're processing everything but just very slow with the paperwork and notifications. As others have said, you'll still get paid starting from your requested month even if the processing takes longer.

After struggling with similar SSA phone issues, I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in under 10 minutes! It basically navigates the SSA phone system for you and calls you back when it reaches an agent. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed answers about my application status. There's a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - definitely worth checking out if you're desperate to speak with someone about your case. Getting answers directly from SSA is critical with these GPO implementation questions.

UPDATE: My mom finally got through to someone and they told her the GPO repeal benefits start paying out in JULY 2025! So even though the law passed, they're still denying applications until then. Did anyone else hear this???

this reminds me of when i kept getting those letters about my medicare part b last year even tho i already signed up. government systems always messing up lol

Just as an update for everyone - this issue was mentioned in the SSA's system status update posted yesterday. They acknowledged the erroneous notification emails and indicated they're working on a fix. You can check system status anytime at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/system-status.html to see if there are known issues with the portal or messaging system.

btw dont panic if u cant find the form, my sister never got hers last year and still filed her taxes fine. tax people make it sound scarier than it is

Update: I finally got my 1095-B form in today's mail! For anyone else looking for this in the future - it comes in a very plain envelope that could easily be mistaken for junk mail, so check carefully. Mine was from the "Department of Health and Human Services" not from Social Security. Thanks everyone for your help!

One important point that hasn't been mentioned yet - if your husband's benefit is higher than yours even after the WEP reduction, you might want to consider survivor benefit planning. If he passes away before you, as his widow, you could receive his full benefit amount instead of your own (subject to GPO if applicable). This is something to factor into your long-term planning as well.

After using that service I mentioned to reach SSA, they explained to me that my husband's PIA was the key number I needed to know. Once I had that, I could calculate 50% of it and compare to my own benefit. Has your husband ever received a Social Security statement that might show his PIA? That could save you some time.

my neighbor worked for the post office and had the same question when she got promoted. she said her benefit estimate went up about $200/month after her higher salary was recorded but it took almost a year to show up in the system. might be different for you tho.

One more thing to consider: If you're within a few years of retirement, you might want to check whether your 2024 earnings will replace one of your 35 highest years. If you've consistently earned a good income throughout your career, a single year's increase may have less impact than if you have some lower-earning or zero years in your calculation. You can see your year-by-year earnings history in your my Social Security account to get a better idea of how significant this increase might be to your overall calculation.

I'm confused about something... if you're going over the limit in 2025 but they don't find out until 2026 when you file taxes, do they make you pay back the whole amount at once? Seems really unfair if you didn't know you were going over!

Thanks everyone for all these helpful responses! Based on what I'm hearing, I think my best plan is to: 1. File the SSA-131 form when I start working in October to notify them 2. Keep VERY careful records of my hours and earnings 3. Stay well under the limit to provide a safety buffer 4. Perhaps check in with SSA midway through 2025 (using that Claimyr service if needed to avoid long wait times) I appreciate all the advice and personal experiences. It's given me a much better understanding of how this works. I'm still a bit nervous about potential payment disruptions, but at least now I know what to expect and how to be proactive!