I've been working as a Social Security disability attorney for over 15 years, and while my expertise is primarily in disability claims, I handle enough retirement benefit issues to offer some additional perspective on your situation. You're absolutely correct that this is worth pursuing aggressively. The retroactive benefits you're entitled to aren't just about the immediate lump sum payment - changing your benefit start date from February to December will also increase your monthly payment amount for the rest of your life, since you'll be receiving your full retirement age benefit instead of the reduced early retirement amount. One strategy I haven't seen mentioned yet is documenting the financial hardship this delay is causing you. When you do get through to someone at SSA, explain not just that you want the retroactive benefits, but that the delay in processing your request is causing you ongoing financial harm. Sometimes framing it as an urgent hardship situation can help move your case up in the queue. Also, make sure you're prepared to clearly explain that this was an error in your original application, not a change of mind. SSA treats these situations very differently - if they understand that you intended to claim at your FRA but made a mistake in the paperwork, they're generally much more accommodating than if they think you're trying to game the system after the fact. The timeline Mei Chen provided (6-8 weeks for processing) is realistic, but congressional inquiries really do work miracles with SSA. I've seen cases that were stuck for months get resolved within days once a congressional office got involved. Don't hesitate to use that option if the direct approaches don't work by next week.

I just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact process last year. After reading through all these excellent responses, I can confirm that the strategies people are sharing really do work, especially the 7 AM calling approach and having multiple backup plans. One thing I'd emphasize that hasn't been mentioned directly - when you do get through to an SSA representative, ask them specifically about the "protective filing date" for your retroactive benefit request. This ensures that even if there are delays in processing, your request is officially on record from the date you first contacted them (or faxed your SSA-795). Also, I noticed several people mentioned the financial impact over your lifetime, and I want to reinforce just how significant this is. When I calculated my situation, the difference between my reduced early retirement benefit and my FRA benefit was about $220/month. Over 20 years, that's over $50,000 - definitely worth taking time off work if needed! The community support in this thread has been amazing. It's clear you have a solid action plan now with multiple strategies to try. Keep us posted on your progress - success stories like this help other community members who might face similar situations. You've got this!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to reach out because I'm in a very similar situation as a retired librarian from Oregon. I worked 10 years in private sector bookkeeping before switching to public library work for 22 years where I didn't contribute to Social Security. My benefit was reduced to just $495/month due to WEP when I retired in early 2024. Nina, reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea about so many of the details around spousal benefits and the "deemed filing" concept that multiple people have explained. The practical advice shared here - especially about calling local SSA offices instead of fighting the main number - is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm particularly grateful for the tips about preparing an employment timeline and asking SSA to explain both the modified WEP calculation versus the standard calculation. It sounds like being organized with all these details upfront can make the conversation much more productive. Like many others have said, it's such a relief to finally connect with people who understand what we've been going through. After feeling penalized for choosing a career in public service, this WEP elimination feels like we're finally getting the fairness we deserve. I'm planning to call my local SSA office next week with all the great strategies I've learned from this thread. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and informative community!

Welcome to the community, Zane! As another newcomer who's been learning so much from this thread, I completely understand your situation as a fellow public servant. It's incredible how many of us have similar stories - split careers between private and public sector work, only to be penalized by WEP for our years of public service. I'm also planning to call my local SSA office next week after reading all the fantastic advice here. The tip about preparing that employment timeline beforehand seems crucial, and I love the idea of asking them to walk through both calculation methods so we can really understand the difference WEP elimination will make. Your benefit reduction to $495/month is heartbreaking - it really shows how dramatically WEP affected those of us in public service. But it sounds like we're all about to see some significant increases once these adjustments go through. The stories from people who've already successfully contacted SSA are so encouraging! It's amazing how this one thread has become such a valuable resource for navigating this complex process. Between the practical tips and the emotional support of connecting with others who truly understand what we've experienced, I feel so much more prepared and optimistic about moving forward. Good luck with your call next week - I hope you get the clarity and timeline you need!

I just went through this same situation 2 months ago! I was married for 14 years, divorced 23 years ago, and absolutely no contact with my ex-wife since then. The online application kept asking for her SSN and I was getting really frustrated. Here's what worked for me: I called the SSA number (1-800-772-1213) at 8:05 AM on a Monday morning and got through in about 18 minutes. The representative was fantastic and immediately put me at ease. She explained that the ex-spouse SSN is only required if you're applying for spousal benefits on their record, not for your own retirement benefits. She processed my entire application over the phone in about 35 minutes. When we got to the marriage history section, I told her I didn't have my ex-wife's SSN and couldn't obtain it. She simply noted "unavailable" in the system and we moved on. I did provide her maiden name and the approximate year she was born (which I remembered), but she said even that was optional for my own benefits claim. My retirement benefits started right on schedule with zero complications. No follow-up calls, no additional documentation requests - nothing. The representative even mentioned that this is a very common situation they deal with all the time, especially for people who've been divorced for many years. Don't let this delay your application! You've worked hard for those benefits and deserve to start receiving them when you turn 65. The early morning phone call approach really is the best way to handle this situation.

I'm currently going through this exact same situation and this entire thread has been incredibly reassuring! I'm 64 and planning to file for my Social Security benefits in the next few weeks. Like so many others here, I was married for over 10 years (13 years in my case), divorced many years ago (16 years now), and have absolutely no way to contact my ex-husband or obtain his SSN. Reading through everyone's successful experiences has completely changed my perspective on this issue. I was initially panicking thinking this one missing piece of information would somehow prevent me from getting the benefits I've earned through 40+ years of work. But the consistent message from everyone who's actually been through this process is clear: you absolutely DO NOT need your ex-spouse's SSN to file for your own retirement benefits. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about calling the SSA number early in the morning (around 8 AM) rather than struggling with the online application. It sounds like the phone representatives are much more knowledgeable about handling these common situations and can easily note "unknown" or "unavailable" in their system without it causing any delays. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their detailed experiences - you've turned what felt like an impossible bureaucratic nightmare into a straightforward phone call. It's amazing how much peace of mind comes from hearing real stories from people who've successfully navigated this exact situation! 🙏

I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. What you're going through is heartbreaking, and it's clear how much you love and care for your granddaughter. I wanted to share that I went through a very similar situation when my nephew's father passed away without being listed on the birth certificate. The process can feel overwhelming, but you're absolutely on the right track with the documentation you've gathered. One thing that really helped us was creating a timeline document that showed the relationship over the years - listing dates when he claimed her on taxes, attended school events, medical appointments, etc. SSA appreciated having everything organized chronologically, and it helped tell the story of their father-daughter relationship despite the missing birth certificate documentation. Also, if your granddaughter has any artwork, school projects, or cards she made for Father's Day over the years that reference "Dad" or "Daddy," bring those too. They might seem insignificant, but they show her recognition of the relationship from her perspective, which can be meaningful evidence. The 14-year work relationship you've had raising her, combined with your legal guardianship, actually strengthens your case. It shows stability and your role as her primary caregiver, which SSA needs to establish for you to serve as the representative payee. You're doing everything right, and from what you've shared, you have strong evidence. Your granddaughter is fortunate to have someone fighting so hard for her during this difficult time. Wishing you both strength and a smooth process ahead.

I'm so deeply sorry for the loss of your son. What you're going through - grieving while trying to navigate these complex systems to protect your granddaughter's future - takes incredible strength and love. Reading through your journey in this thread has been both heartbreaking and inspiring. You've received such thoughtful advice and have clearly built an exceptionally strong case with multiple forms of evidence. The tax returns, hospital records, family statements, and your legal guardianship documentation create a compelling picture that should satisfy SSA's requirements for establishing paternity. What strikes me most is how this process, while administratively challenging, is also a way of honoring your son's memory and ensuring his work history continues to provide for his daughter. Despite the struggles he faced with addiction, he was still her father and did contribute to the system that now can support her future. Your thoroughness in gathering evidence from so many different sources - from medical records to school documents to family statements - shows SSA that this isn't just a legal technicality, but a real family relationship that deserves recognition. The fact that you've been her primary caregiver with legal guardianship for over a decade only strengthens your position as the appropriate representative payee. Going into your appointment next week, remember that SSA deals with these situations regularly and has processes specifically designed for cases where birth certificate documentation is incomplete. You've done everything right in your preparation. Wishing you and your granddaughter strength for the road ahead. She's fortunate to have such a dedicated advocate fighting for her rights during this difficult time.

I want to emphasize something really important that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand the "grace year" rule! In your first year of receiving benefits (which might apply since you started widow's benefits two years ago), SSA uses a monthly test instead of the annual test for any months you're entitled to benefits. This means if you had months in your first year where you earned less than the monthly limit ($1,950 for 2025), you could receive full benefits for those months even if your annual earnings exceeded $23,400. Also, since you mentioned your husband passed away two years ago, I want to make sure you're aware that you might be eligible for a one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255 if you haven't already received it. It's a small amount, but every bit helps with those rising costs you mentioned. One more thing - if you're currently receiving reduced widow's benefits because you claimed before your Full Retirement Age, and you do end up having benefits withheld due to earnings, those withheld benefits will result in a benefit increase at your FRA to account for the months you didn't receive payments. It's like getting credit for the waiting time. Keep track of everything and don't hesitate to contact SSA for clarification on your specific situation!

This has been such an incredibly helpful discussion! I started reading because I'm in almost the exact same situation - 61 years old, receiving widow's benefits for the past year, and considering taking on some part-time administrative work to help with the rising cost of everything. Reading through all these detailed responses has really opened my eyes to how many factors I need to consider. The $23,400 annual limit gives me hope that I could earn meaningful supplemental income, but I can see how important it is to track everything carefully and report proactively to SSA. The distinction between employee vs. contractor status is something I hadn't thought about at all, and the point about business expenses potentially reducing net earnings is really valuable. I'm also grateful for the mention of the grace year rule and the reminder that withheld benefits aren't truly lost. For those who have successfully navigated working while receiving widow's benefits - do you have any advice on how to approach potential employers about the need to potentially limit hours or income to stay within SSA limits? I'm worried about explaining this situation without seeming like a difficult hire, but I also need to be upfront about my constraints. Any tips on how to handle those conversations would be really appreciated!