One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that your friend should also consider whether she might be eligible for her own Social Security benefits later if she worked other jobs that paid into SS before or after teaching. Even if those benefits would be reduced by WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision), it's worth checking her Social Security statement at ssa.gov to see her complete earnings record. Sometimes people forget about summer jobs, part-time work, or other employment that contributed to SS. Also, if she's not already 60, she should know that survivor benefits can start as early as age 60 (or 50 if disabled), though they'll be reduced if taken before her full retirement age. The timing of when to apply can make a difference in the monthly amount she receives.

I just want to emphasize something that's been touched on but bears repeating - even if your friend thinks she won't get much due to GPO, she should absolutely apply within the first 6 months after her husband's death to maximize any potential retroactive payments. I've seen cases where teachers were pleasantly surprised by their survivor benefit amount, especially if their pension wasn't as high as they initially thought or if there were calculation errors in their favor. Also, the SSA representatives are generally very helpful in walking through the GPO calculation during the application process, so she'll get a clear picture of what to expect. The peace of mind of knowing exactly where she stands financially is worth the effort of applying, regardless of the final dollar amount.

I went through a similar situation when I switched from my own retirement to my late husband's survivor benefits at FRA. You will definitely receive an award letter in the mail, though the timing can vary - mine arrived about 10 days before my first payment at the new amount. Given all the conflicting information you've received, I'd recommend doing two things: First, call SSA and specifically ask them to confirm your mailing address and whether the RIB-LIM rule applies to your case (since your wife claimed early). Second, when you do get that award letter, read it carefully and don't hesitate to call if the amount seems wrong. One thing that helped me was keeping a written record of every conversation I had with SSA representatives, including dates, times, and what they told me. It made it much easier to reference when I had questions about my final award letter. The good news is that once you receive the letter, that's the official amount and you'll know exactly what to expect going forward. Hang in there - you're almost through this process!

I just went through this exact transition in January! Yes, SSA will absolutely mail you an award letter - mine arrived about 2 weeks before my first survivor benefit payment. The letter will show the official monthly amount and explain how they calculated it. About those different estimates you received - this is unfortunately very common. The phone reps often give preliminary calculations, while the local office staff have access to more detailed records. The final amount on your award letter will be the definitive number. Regarding your MySocialSecurity account troubles, I had the same nightmare experience! After multiple failed attempts, I ended up going to my local office and they were able to help me create a new account from scratch. It's worth the trip if you have time before your benefit switch. One tip: when your award letter arrives, check that all the dates and amounts match what you expect. If there's any discrepancy, you have 60 days to file an appeal. Keep that letter in a safe place - you'll need it for tax purposes and other documentation. Good luck with your transition in March! The uncertainty is stressful, but once you get that official letter, you'll have peace of mind.

I'm new to this community but found this thread through a Google search, and wow - thank you all for sharing such detailed, real experiences! I'm 64 and have been waiting 7 months for my SSDI hearing while burning through my retirement savings. Reading through everyone's stories has been both reassuring (that I'm not alone in this situation) and educational about the actual mechanics of how these benefits interact. The distinction between benefit optimization vs. survival risk management that Nora mentioned really resonates with me. I've been paralyzed by trying to make the "mathematically perfect" choice when really I just need to make it through this waiting period without losing my home. One thing I'm curious about - for those who took early retirement while waiting, did you find that having some income helped you better focus on your SSDI case preparation? I'm wondering if the constant financial panic I'm experiencing is actually making it harder for me to work effectively with my lawyer and gather the medical documentation I need. Also, has anyone dealt with this decision while also supporting adult children who are struggling? My son lost his job during COVID and is living with me, which adds another layer of pressure to have some income coming in. Thanks again for creating such a supportive space to discuss these incredibly stressful situations. It's clear this community understands the reality of navigating disability and benefits in a way that feels very different from the theoretical advice you get elsewhere.

I just want to echo what everyone has said about the incredible value of this thread - finding real experiences from people who've actually navigated this exact situation is so much more helpful than the generic advice you find elsewhere. I'm 62 and facing the same decision after 9 months of waiting for my SSDI hearing. What strikes me most from reading everyone's stories is how individual these situations really are. The permanent reduction is a real concern, but so many factors go into whether taking early retirement makes sense - your immediate financial needs, family obligations, health impacts of financial stress, estimated timeline for SSDI approval, and the actual dollar amounts involved. The point several people made about financial stress worsening disability symptoms really hit home for me. I've noticed my anxiety and depression getting significantly worse as my savings dwindle, which definitely isn't helping my case or my overall health. For anyone still weighing this decision, it seems like the key steps are: 1) Get actual numbers from SSA for both your reduced retirement and estimated SSDI amounts, 2) Talk to your disability lawyer to confirm it won't hurt your case, 3) Consider your timeline and risk tolerance, and 4) Remember that sometimes "good enough to survive" is better than "theoretically optimal." Thanks to everyone who shared their real numbers and experiences. It takes courage to be that transparent about personal finances, but it's exactly what people in this situation need to hear.

I'm currently going through SSI applications for my daughter and have been doing a lot of research on interstate moves since we're military. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is the importance of understanding Georgia's "reasonable compatibility" standards for Medicaid eligibility. When you move states, there can sometimes be a brief period where income verification systems between states don't sync up properly. Georgia uses a system called Gateway that cross-references with federal databases, but during transitions, manual verification might be needed. **A few practical tips from my research:** - Keep copies of EVERYTHING - your last 3 months of bank statements, any informal support documentation, and your son's medical records - Georgia processes SSI-related Medicaid applications faster if you apply online through the Georgia Gateway portal before you move - Consider getting a letter from your current doctors outlining your son's ongoing treatment needs - this can speed up provider approvals in Georgia **Regarding the $4,200 figure someone mentioned earlier** - that might be referring to the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, but that's for SSDI, not SSI. For SSI, there's no hard cutoff; it's a gradual reduction based on countable income. The fact that your son just started receiving benefits actually works in your favor for reporting changes - SSA expects new recipients to have adjustments in their first year, so they're usually more responsive to calls about status changes. Have you looked into whether Georgia has any transitional Medicaid programs that could bridge any potential gaps during your move?

I'm new to this community but have been dealing with SSI for my daughter for about 2 years now. One thing that really helped us was creating a "change reporting checklist" that we keep handy for any major life events. For your situation, I'd suggest documenting everything in writing before you call SSA: - Exact move date and new address - Your husband's expected monthly support amount (even if it varies, give them a range) - Your expected work schedule and estimated monthly earnings - Any changes to household size or living arrangements The income exclusions work in your favor more than you might think. When I started working part-time, I was worried it would eliminate my daughter's benefits completely, but the earned income exclusions meant we actually came out ahead financially. Also, don't forget to update your address with Social Security AND the IRS if you're claiming your son as a dependent. Tax season can get complicated if addresses don't match up properly. One last tip - if you're moving to a larger city in Georgia like Atlanta, some of the local SSA offices have specialists who deal specifically with interstate moves and can walk you through the whole process in one appointment. It's worth asking when you call! Good luck with your move! It sounds like you're being really thoughtful about planning everything out.

I'm dealing with a similar situation but with my husband from the UK. One thing I learned that might help - Spain has a really helpful online portal called "Tu Seguridad Social" where your wife can check her contribution history and get estimates of her Spanish pension benefits. This helped us understand what my husband would receive from the UK before we started making decisions about timing. Also, since she's 63 now, she should know that Spain allows early retirement starting at age 63 (with reductions), so she has that flexibility if needed. The key thing we discovered is that taking foreign benefits early doesn't affect your ability to delay US Social Security until age 70 for delayed retirement credits. One more tip - when you do contact the Spanish consulate, ask specifically about the "convenio bilateral" (bilateral agreement) with the US. That's the Spanish term for the totalization agreement and they'll immediately know what you're dealing with.

I'm in a very similar situation with my parents who moved from Mexico! One thing that really helped us was getting copies of all her Spanish work records before starting any applications. The Spanish system (like Mexico's IMSS) keeps detailed records, but it's much easier to get them while you're actively planning rather than in the middle of an application process. Also, don't overlook that your wife might be eligible for spousal benefits on your US Social Security record if that ends up being higher than her own US benefit calculation. Since she'll likely only have 3-4 years of US credits, her individual US benefit might be quite small, but spousal benefits could be more substantial. One more thing - if you haven't already, check if Spain has any "voluntary contributions" program that might allow her to buy additional credits if it makes sense financially. Some countries allow this for people living abroad, though the math doesn't always work out favorably. The international benefits maze is so confusing, but it sounds like you're asking all the right questions!