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.

As someone new to this community and facing my first SSA disability application, this entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! I was dreading the phone call process after hearing so many nightmare stories, but seeing Freya's success at 7:22 PM and all the strategies everyone has shared gives me real hope. I'm taking notes on everything: the Tuesday-Thursday 7-9 AM timing window, the dedicated disability hotline (1-800-325-0778), setting up the my Social Security account beforehand, and all the backup options like DDS offices and congressional representatives. It's incredible how much practical wisdom this community has accumulated through trial and error. The fact that we all have to become experts in bureaucracy navigation just to get basic information about our own cases is frustrating, but I'm so grateful for forums like this where people share what actually works. Thank you all for creating such a comprehensive survival guide for dealing with SSA - you're making this intimidating process much more manageable for newcomers like me!

As a newcomer to this community, I have to say this entire thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm just beginning my own disability application process and was honestly terrified about the phone call aspect after hearing so many horror stories. But seeing Freya's success story of getting through at 7:22 PM after being on hold for hours, combined with all the amazing strategies everyone has shared, has given me so much hope and practical knowledge. I've been taking detailed notes on everything shared here: the Tuesday-Thursday 7-9 AM golden window, the dedicated disability hotline at 1-800-325-0778, setting up the my Social Security account proactively, and all those backup approaches like contacting DDS offices directly or even reaching out to congressional representatives. I had no idea any of these alternative pathways existed! It's both frustrating and eye-opening to realize how much we all have to become amateur experts in bureaucracy navigation just to access basic information about our own cases. But what's truly amazing is how this community has turned that shared struggle into a comprehensive survival guide. The collective wisdom here is more valuable than any official documentation I've found. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your hard-won knowledge - you're making this intimidating process feel much more manageable for people like me who are just starting out!

You should check your Medicare paperwork very carefully. When you first signed up for Medicare, you had choices to make about Part D coverage. If you didn't specifically decline Part D, you might have been automatically enrolled in a plan. My advice is to call the number on your Medicare card and ask for clarification about what plans you're currently enrolled in before making any changes.

I went through this exact same situation last year! Here's what I learned: First, you need to determine if your Blue Cross Blue Shield plan is actually a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy or a Medicare Advantage plan. True Medigap policies don't include prescription coverage, but some Medicare Advantage plans do. Call BCBS and ask specifically if your plan provides "creditable prescription drug coverage" that meets Medicare standards. If it does, they should be able to send you a letter confirming this. Then you can use that letter to disenroll from Part D by calling SSA or submitting the CMS-1763 form. But be absolutely certain your coverage is creditable first - the late enrollment penalties for Part D are permanent and can add up to hundreds of dollars per year if you ever need to re-enroll later!

Just want to echo what others have said about reporting your earnings IMMEDIATELY - this is crucial! I made the mistake of waiting a few months to report when I went back to work after early retirement, and it created a huge headache with overpayments. One thing that might help you decide between withdrawal vs. earnings test: consider your cash flow needs. With withdrawal, you need that $14,800 upfront to repay, but then you're done with SS complications while working. With the earnings test route, you'll have the ongoing hassle of annual reporting and potential overpayment issues if your income varies. Also, since you mentioned this job was unexpected, make sure you factor in job security. If there's any chance this position might not last the full 3-4 years, that could influence whether paying back benefits now makes sense. The SSA benefit calculators are helpful, but honestly, given the complexity and dollar amounts involved, it might be worth paying for an hour consultation with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security strategies. The withdrawal deadline is firm at 12 months, so you have some time but not unlimited time to decide.

Ben, I'm in a very similar situation! Started taking SS at 62 last year and just got a job offer that would put me way over the earnings limit. After reading through all these responses, I wanted to share what I learned from my research: The withdrawal option (SSA-521) might be your best bet since you're still within that 12-month window. I calculated my situation and even though I'd have to pay back about $18k in benefits, the higher monthly payments from waiting until 66 would break even in about 8-9 years. At our age, that math usually works out favorably. One thing I found helpful was using the detailed calculators on the SSA website - not just the quick estimator, but the more comprehensive ones that factor in your specific earnings history. Since you mentioned your previous job was lower paying, these high-earning years at $85k will definitely boost your benefit calculation. Also wanted to second what others said about calling SSA immediately to report your earnings. I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it was a lifesaver - got through to an actual person in about 30 minutes instead of the hours I was spending on hold. The Medicare enrollment timing is definitely something to keep in mind too if you're approaching 65. Good luck with whatever you decide!