Glad to see this got resolved! For anyone else reading this thread, just want to add that if you're having trouble accessing your my Social Security account, you can also request a new SSA-1099 by mail by calling the automated phone system at 1-800-772-1213 and following the prompts (no need to speak to an agent). It usually takes 7-10 business days to arrive, so plan accordingly if you're close to tax deadlines. The online method is definitely fastest when it works though!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - just started receiving Social Security disability benefits last year and had no idea they send a different form than W-2s. I've been checking my mailbox every day wondering where my W-2 was! Going to log into my account right now to look for the SSA-1099. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Dmitry. Losing a spouse is devastating, and trying to navigate SSA's confusing systems while grieving is incredibly overwhelming. What you're experiencing sounds completely normal for a new survivor benefit claim. That $2,780 deposit is almost certainly retroactive benefits - they're paying you for the months between when your husband passed and when you applied. Since you waited about 2 months to apply, they're covering that gap period where you were eligible but not yet receiving benefits. The "overpayment" notation online is usually just their system reconciling calculations during initial processing. SSA often makes estimated payments first, then adjusts as they verify details, which creates these temporary accounting entries that look alarming but typically don't mean you owe money back. Your payment schedule is correct - since you were born on the 15th, the 3rd Wednesday is right for birth dates between 11th-20th. It's based on YOUR birth date, not your husband's. I'd strongly recommend waiting for the official letter before worrying about that overpayment notice. Their online portal is notorious for showing incomplete or confusing information during processing, but the letter should clearly explain everything. The first few months are always the most difficult part of dealing with SSA. Once everything gets sorted out, it usually runs much smoother. You're handling an incredibly tough situation - be patient with yourself and the process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Dmitry. Losing a spouse is one of life's most challenging experiences, and having to navigate Social Security's bureaucracy while grieving just makes everything so much harder. What you're describing sounds completely typical for a new survivor benefit claim. That $2,780 deposit is almost certainly your retroactive benefits - since you applied about 2 months after your husband passed away, they're paying you back for those months when you were eligible but hadn't yet started receiving benefits. This is actually a good thing, even though it's confusing! The "overpayment" notation you're seeing online is likely just their system working through initial calculations. When SSA processes survivor claims, they often make estimated payments first, then refine the amounts as they verify all your paperwork. This creates temporary accounting entries that show up as "overpayments" even when you don't actually owe anything back - it's just how their old computer systems handle the adjustments. Your payment schedule is absolutely correct. Since you were born on the 15th, you'll receive benefits on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (birth dates 11th-20th = 3rd Wednesday). This is based on YOUR birth date, not your husband's, which is where a lot of people get confused initially. I'd definitely recommend waiting for the official explanation letter before worrying too much about that overpayment notice. SSA's online portal is notorious for showing incomplete or misleading information during the initial processing period, but the detailed letter should clearly break down what each payment represents. The hardest part is usually getting through these first few months while everything gets straightened out. Once the initial processing is complete, monthly payments typically run much more smoothly. You're handling an incredibly difficult situation - be gentle with yourself during this process.

Connor, I'm so sorry for your loss. Having gone through the survivor benefits process myself two years ago, I can tell you that you've received some truly excellent advice here from this community. The clarification about pension income not counting toward the earnings test is absolutely crucial - that was a game-changer for me too when I learned it. With only your $15K part-time income counting against the $23,520 limit, you're looking at a much smaller reduction than you initially feared. One thing I'd add from my experience: when you do apply, consider timing it strategically within your 60th birthday year. I applied in January of my 60th year and was able to plan my work schedule around minimizing the earnings test impact. Also, definitely get a copy of your husband's complete earnings record from SSA - sometimes there are discrepancies that need to be corrected, and it's easier to address them during the initial application. The survivor-now, own-benefit-later strategy is exactly what I did, and it's worked out well financially. Just make sure every SSA representative you speak with understands this is your plan so they don't accidentally file for all benefits at once. Best of luck with your application - you're asking all the right questions and clearly thinking this through carefully. Your husband would be proud of how thoughtfully you're handling this difficult situation.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Connor. Losing a spouse is incredibly difficult, and having to navigate Social Security while grieving makes it even more overwhelming. You've received some fantastic advice here from people who've actually been through this process. The key insight about your pension not counting toward the earnings test really does change everything - with only your $15K part-time income affecting the calculation, you're in a much better position than you initially thought. I wanted to add one practical tip from my own experience dealing with government benefits: when you do get through to SSA (whether via Claimyr or the local office), have a written list of questions ready and take notes during the call. Ask for the representative's name and ID number, and request they email or mail you a summary of what was discussed. This has saved me so much frustration in follow-up calls when different representatives give conflicting information. Also, since you mentioned being a teacher, you might want to check if your state or local teacher's union has any resources or advocates who are familiar with Social Security survivor benefits. Sometimes they have specialists who can help navigate these complex situations. The strategy you're considering - survivor benefits at 60, then switching to your own higher benefit at FRA - is exactly what financial planners recommend for situations like yours. You're making smart decisions during an incredibly difficult time. Take care of yourself through this process!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said and add my own encouragement - definitely pursue this! I went through a very similar situation about 3 years ago. I was also on SSDI (due to a back injury) and had been divorced for over 2 years from my ex who was in a high-earning profession. The process was honestly easier than I expected once I got past the initial phone call hurdle. I ended up getting an extra $380/month, which has made such a difference in my ability to cover basic expenses. What really surprised me was that I qualified for about 8 months of retroactive payments since I had been eligible but just didn't know about it. One thing I'd suggest is to go into your appointment with realistic expectations but also don't be afraid to advocate for yourself. The first SSA representative I spoke with seemed to be discouraging me from applying, almost like it wasn't worth the paperwork. But I persisted and I'm so glad I did. Also, don't let anyone make you feel guilty about claiming benefits on your ex's record. You paid into the system during your marriage just like he did, and you're entitled to these benefits. It doesn't take anything away from him and he'll never even know unless you tell him. Good luck - I have a really good feeling this is going to work out well for you!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might help expedite your process - consider bringing a trusted friend or family member to your SSA appointment if possible. Sometimes having another set of ears can be really helpful when they're explaining complex benefit calculations, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Also, I noticed you mentioned lupus in your original post. If your condition affects your cognitive function at all (brain fog, memory issues, etc.), don't hesitate to mention this to the SSA representative. They're supposed to accommodate people with disabilities during these appointments, which might include taking extra time to explain things clearly or providing written summaries of what was discussed. One more practical tip - if your local SSA office offers appointments, try to schedule for early in the day. The staff tends to be fresher and more patient in the morning, and you won't have to deal with the afternoon rush of people coming in after work. Based on everything you've shared about your marriage length and your ex's career in IT, I'm really optimistic this could provide meaningful financial relief for you. You've gotten such great advice in this thread - you're definitely prepared to navigate this successfully!

Welcome to the reality of being a public servant in America! I'm a retired federal employee who went through something similar with my CSRS pension and Social Security. A few things that might help as you navigate this: 1. **Document everything** - Keep records of all your Social Security earnings from your side job. Sometimes SSA's records aren't complete, and you'll want proof of what you paid in. 2. **Consider the "last day" rule** - Some teachers have successfully avoided WEP by ensuring their last day of work before retirement is at a job where they pay into Social Security (like your side job). This is tricky and depends on your state's rules, but worth researching. 3. **Health insurance planning** - Since your Social Security income will be lower than expected, make sure you understand what health benefits you'll have as a retired teacher. Many states have good retiree health plans that can save you thousands compared to individual market insurance. 4. **Tax considerations** - Your teacher pension might be partially taxable depending on your state, while Social Security has its own taxation rules. A tax professional familiar with retirement income can help you plan withdrawal strategies. The system is definitely unfair to public servants, but knowing the rules helps you plan around them. Good luck!

I'm a newer federal employee and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea about WEP and GPO until I started researching my own retirement planning. It's shocking how these provisions can essentially wipe out benefits that people have legitimately earned. @Anastasia Popova - your situation really highlights how complex this gets when you have multiple income sources. One thing I'd suggest is also checking if your side job earnings might help you reach that "substantial earnings" threshold that @Finnegan Gunn mentioned. Even if you don't hit 30 years, getting to 20+ years could significantly reduce your WEP penalty. Also, have you looked into whether your state participates in Social Security for teachers? A few states (like Ohio and Texas) have transitioned some or all of their teachers into Social Security, which eliminates these offset issues entirely. Unfortunately, most states haven't made this change. The advocacy point that others mentioned is really important too. Organizations like the National Education Association and AARP regularly push for WEP/GPO reform. The more people who understand and speak up about these unfair provisions, the better chance we have of seeing change someday.