My brother in law said he got a $200 increase after working one more year so something seems off with what everyone is saying about small increases???

Just wanted to add a practical tip for tracking this - you can check your Social Security Statement online at ssa.gov to see your earnings history and estimated benefits. I check mine every few months now that I'm working past FRA to make sure my earnings are being properly recorded. It's under "my Social Security" and you can create an account if you don't have one. This way you'll know if there are any issues with your employer reporting your wages before you have to wait until October for the recalculation. Also helps you see exactly which years might get replaced as you continue working!

Great summary @Demi Lagos! You've got a solid plan. One additional tip - if you're doing major home improvements or repairs before selling, keep ALL those receipts as they can be added to your cost basis and reduce your taxable capital gain. Things like new roof, HVAC, flooring, etc. can really add up over 22 years of ownership. Also consider getting a pre-listing home inspection to identify any issues you might want to address beforehand - those repair costs can also be deductible. The more you can reduce that $375k gain, the less you'll have to worry about the tax implications!

I successfully used the SSA-44 form to reduce my IRMAA surcharges after a similar situation! Here's how it worked for me: I had a large capital gain from selling rental property in 2022, which triggered higher Medicare premiums for 2024. Once my income dropped back to normal levels in 2023, I filed the SSA-44 in early 2024 with documentation showing my reduced income (tax returns, Social Security statements, etc.). The process took about 6-8 weeks, but they approved my request and reduced my premiums retroactively. I actually got refund checks for the extra premiums I'd already paid! The key is having clear documentation that shows your income has significantly decreased due to a "life-changing event" - retirement, death of spouse, etc. Definitely worth filing if your situation qualifies. The form itself is pretty straightforward, and you can submit it online through your Medicare.gov account or mail it in. Just make sure to keep copies of everything you submit!

I'm a retired SSA claims representative and wanted to add some clarity on the implementation timeline. The 2024 law changes don't actually take full effect until January 2025, and SSA is still updating their systems and training staff on the new calculations. If you're planning to retire in 2026, I'd strongly recommend waiting until at least mid-2025 to get accurate benefit estimates. The early months of 2025 may still have some processing delays as field offices adapt to the new rules. Also, keep in mind that Ohio STRS allows you to purchase Social Security credits for some types of substitute teaching or part-time work. If you have any quarters of SS-covered employment, it could affect your WEP calculation favorably. Worth checking your Social Security Statement at ssa.gov to see if you have any covered quarters recorded.

As someone who's been navigating the WEP/GPO maze for years, I wanted to share what I've learned from attending several retirement planning seminars specifically for educators. The key thing to remember is that the 2024 changes are definitely an improvement, but they're not a complete elimination of the penalties. One strategy that's worked for some teachers I know is to consider whether it makes sense to delay claiming spousal benefits until after your full retirement age, even if you retire earlier. Unlike your own Social Security benefits, spousal benefits don't increase with delayed retirement credits past your FRA, but waiting until your FRA means you avoid the early claiming reduction that stacks on top of the GPO reduction. Also, since you mentioned retirement planning - don't forget that your spousal Social Security benefits might be taxable depending on your total retirement income. With your STRS pension plus any spousal SS benefits, you'll likely be in the range where 50-85% of your Social Security benefits are subject to federal income tax. This is something to factor into your overall retirement budget planning. The fact that you're asking these questions now, well before your retirement, puts you way ahead of many people. Keep staying informed as SSA releases more specific guidance throughout 2025!

My wife just reminded me they send a mailing when you turn 59 and 6 months with some kind of statement and info about signing up. So maybe just wait a bit and you'll get one automatically? Not sure if its the same statement your talking about though.

UPDATE: I successfully created my my Social Security account! It was actually pretty straightforward. I had to verify my identity through my cell phone and answer some questions about my credit history. The statement has EVERYTHING my accountant needed - all my earnings year by year, estimated benefits at different ages, and even a breakdown of SS and Medicare taxes I've paid. Thanks to everyone for the advice!

Thank you all for the helpful responses! This has given me a much clearer picture of what to expect. I'll make sure to specifically mention my wife's spousal benefit when I apply, keep careful track of the calculations, and be prepared for possible delays in processing. It sounds like she should definitely see some increase, even if it's not the full 50% due to her early claiming. And I'll be ready to contact SSA if needed using that Claimyr service if we run into problems. Really appreciate all the advice!

Just wanted to add one more consideration - make sure you understand the "deemed filing" rules. Since your wife filed before her full retirement age, when you file for your benefits, she'll automatically be deemed to have filed for spousal benefits too (which is why the increase happens automatically). But this also means she can't later switch strategies or delay spousal benefits for a higher amount. Given your benefit amounts though, this shouldn't be a problem - she'll definitely come out ahead with the spousal boost. Also, once you both start collecting, consider reviewing your tax situation since the combined income might push you into higher tax brackets or affect the taxability of your Social Security benefits.