I've been living in the UK for 15 years and will be hitting FRA in a couple of years, so this thread has been incredibly valuable! One thing I wanted to add that I learned from a US tax advisor - make sure you understand how your Australian superannuation will interact with both US and Australian tax systems when you start drawing from it. Since Australia treats super withdrawals as tax-free after age 60, but the US may tax them as regular income, you could end up with some complex tax planning situations. The timing of when you start your super versus when you start Social Security could impact your overall tax burden in both countries. Also, has anyone dealt with the situation where SSA asks for an "Earnings Record" from the Australian Taxation Office? I've heard they sometimes request this to verify foreign earnings for WEP calculations, but I'm not sure how cooperative the ATO is with these requests. The Medicare discussion has been really helpful too - I was leaning toward enrolling just to be "safe" but after reading everyone's experiences, it seems like declining Part B while overseas is the smarter financial move.

I've been following this thread closely as I'm in a very similar situation - US citizen living in Sydney for 30+ years and turning 67 next year. The level of detail and real-world experience shared here is incredibly valuable! One aspect I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of keeping your SSA records updated with your current foreign address. I learned this the hard way when a friend had her payments suspended because SSA couldn't reach her after she moved apartments in Brisbane and forgot to update her address with them. Also, for those worried about the application complexity - I just completed my application last month and the online process was surprisingly straightforward. The SSA-21 supplement form auto-populates most fields based on your main application, so it's not as daunting as it initially appears. Regarding the WEP discussion - there's actually a WEP calculator on the SSA website that can give you a rough estimate of how much your benefit might be reduced. It requires some digging into your old US earnings records, but it's helpful for planning purposes. Has anyone had experience with SSA requesting additional documentation after the initial application? I'm wondering if being overseas for 30+ years might trigger additional verification requirements.

Just joined this community after being stuck in the same SSA/Login.gov authentication nightmare for over a week! This thread has been absolutely incredible - it's like finding the holy grail of troubleshooting guides that the government should have provided in the first place. The email consistency issue that @Anna Xian discovered is pure genius - I never would have thought that subtle formatting differences could completely break the integration between two systems that are supposed to work together seamlessly. I'm definitely going to try the complete sign-out + clear all browser data + Firefox method tonight, and I'll triple-check that my email formatting is identical on both platforms. It's honestly both maddening and reassuring to see how widespread this problem is - clearly shows this is a systemic integration failure rather than user error. The fact that we've all had to become amateur IT specialists just to check our own benefits is ridiculous, but the collaborative troubleshooting here has been amazing. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and solutions so generously - this community support is infinitely better than the useless official help resources. Will definitely update with my results!

Just joined this community after discovering this incredible thread while battling my own SSA/Login.gov authentication nightmare! I've been trapped in the same endless loop for almost 3 weeks now and was starting to think I was completely losing it until I found all these amazing solutions you've all shared. The email consistency discovery by @Anna Xian is absolutely mind-blowing - I just realized I probably used different variations of my Gmail address (with and without periods, maybe even different capitalization) when setting up my accounts originally. It's incredible that such tiny formatting differences can completely sabotage the integration between two government systems that are supposedly designed to work together. I'm planning to try the complete sign-out + clear all browsing data + Firefox browser method this weekend, making absolutely sure my email addresses are formatted identically across both SSA and Login.gov platforms. If that doesn't work, I'll definitely look into the Claimyr service for getting through to an actual agent since I've had zero success with the regular phone lines. It's honestly both infuriating and comforting to see how many of us are dealing with this exact same issue - clearly demonstrates this is a widespread system integration failure rather than individual user error. The fact that we've all had to become amateur tech support specialists just to access our own Social Security benefits is completely ridiculous, but I'm so grateful this community has created such a comprehensive troubleshooting resource through shared experiences. This thread provides infinitely better support than anything I could find on the official government websites. Thank you all for taking the time to help fellow community members navigate these broken systems - will definitely report back with my results!

Based on your comments, here's what I recommend: 1. Get an appointment with SSA to calculate your specific WEP reduction based on your earnings history. This will give you a clear picture of what to expect. 2. Since you're at FRA, you can collect full SS benefits (minus WEP reduction) while continuing to work at your government job with no earnings limit penalties. 3. Consider your strategy after leaving your government job - even part-time work in the private sector could help reduce your WEP penalty over time. 4. Request a PEBES (Benefit Estimate) statement from SSA that accounts for the WEP, as the standard statements online don't always factor this in. The combination of your reduced SS benefit and your government pension may still provide good retirement security, especially with the government health benefits you mentioned.

Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - when you do get that SSA appointment, bring documentation of ALL your earnings history if you have it. I brought my old W-2s and tax returns from my private sector years, and it helped the agent verify my substantial earnings years more quickly. Also, don't be discouraged if the first agent you speak with seems unsure about WEP calculations. I had to speak with a supervisor to get accurate numbers. The calculation is complex and not all front-line staff are equally familiar with it. One last thing - if you're married, make sure to ask about how WEP might affect any spousal benefits your spouse might be eligible for. The rules are different than for your own retirement benefit. Good luck with your appointment! It sounds like you're being very thorough in your planning, which will serve you well.

As someone who recently went through this process with my elderly aunt, I can't stress enough how important it is to get both the POA and rep payee status established. The POA covers everything else (banking, medical decisions, property), but SSA operates in its own world and only recognizes their rep payee designation. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: if your mother ever needs to move to a different state for care, having rep payee status makes transferring her Social Security records much easier. Without it, you'd have to start proving your authority all over again with a new SSA office. Also, keep in mind that as rep payee, you're legally obligated to use her benefits for her needs first (housing, food, medical care) before any other expenses. But this shouldn't be an issue if you're already managing her finances responsibly with the POA. The paperwork really isn't overwhelming once you get into the routine. I set up a simple filing system for her SS-related documents and it makes the annual reporting much easier. Good luck with the process - it sounds like you're already doing a great job caring for your mother!

I'm a newcomer here but found this thread incredibly helpful as I'm facing the exact same situation with my grandfather. Reading everyone's experiences has really clarified the difference between POA and representative payee status. What strikes me most is how many people mentioned they wish they'd known about this sooner. It seems like the rep payee designation is one of those things that isn't well-explained until you actually need it, but by then it can create urgent problems if you're trying to help manage someone's Social Security benefits. I'm particularly grateful for all the practical tips shared here - from the best times to call SSA to keeping organized records for annual reporting. The fact that multiple people emphasized doing this while the beneficiary can still participate in the process makes a lot of sense. One question I have: for those who've been managing both POA and rep payee responsibilities for a while, do you find it confusing to keep track of which authority applies to what? Or does it become second nature once you're in the routine of managing both roles? Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is exactly what I needed to find as I navigate this process for my grandfather!

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your situation really touches my heart. As someone who recently helped my own family navigate nursing home placement, I can see how much love and care you're putting into this difficult decision. Reading through all the excellent advice here, it's clear you now have a solid plan: contact SHIP first, pursue representative payee status, and consult with an elder law attorney. The spousal protections everyone mentioned are very real - they exist specifically to prevent situations like yours from causing financial devastation. One practical tip I'd add: when you're ready to visit nursing facilities, bring a list of your husband's daily routines, preferences, and any comfort items that are important to him. This helps staff provide more personalized care from day one. Also, please don't underestimate the emotional toll this process takes. Many nursing homes have support groups for spouses going through this transition. You've been carrying this burden alone for so long - you deserve that kind of support too. You're not failing him by seeking professional care when his needs exceed what you can safely provide at home. You're ensuring he gets proper care while protecting both of your futures. That's exactly what a devoted spouse should do. This community clearly has incredible knowledge and compassion. Wishing you strength and peace as you move forward with these next steps.

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out after reading through this thread because your situation really resonates with me. My family went through something very similar with my grandfather last year, and I know how overwhelming and emotionally draining this decision can be. What strikes me most is how thoroughly you're researching this and how much you care about doing right by both your husband and your own financial security. That's exactly the kind of thoughtful planning that will serve you well through this process. From everything shared here, you now have an excellent roadmap: start with SHIP for guidance, pursue representative payee status, and connect with an elder law attorney. The spousal protection programs (MMNA and spousal resource allowance) are specifically designed for situations like yours - you're not alone in facing this challenge. One thing I'd add from our experience: don't hesitate to ask nursing facilities about their admission timeline and what documentation they need upfront. Some have waiting lists, so starting those conversations early can help you plan better. Please remember that choosing professional care when you can no longer safely provide the level of care he needs isn't giving up - it's being a responsible advocate for his wellbeing. You've already gone above and beyond as his caregiver while working full-time. You both deserve the peace of mind that comes with proper care and financial protection. This community has shown incredible wisdom and support today. Wishing you strength as you take these next important steps.