I'm so sorry for your loss, Mei. This thread has been incredibly educational - I had no idea about the RIB-LIM rule either! It's frustrating that SSA doesn't explain these complex calculations more clearly upfront. One additional tip that helped me when dealing with SSA: if you do decide to use that Claimyr service or try calling again, ask to speak with a "Technical Expert" rather than just a general representative. Technical Experts are specially trained to handle complex benefit calculations and can provide much more detailed explanations of rules like RIB-LIM. Also, when you get your detailed benefit computation notice, you might want to consider having it reviewed by a Social Security expert or attorney who specializes in benefits. Many offer free consultations and can help verify that everything was calculated correctly. Sometimes there are errors, and it's worth having a professional set of eyes on it. Your strategy of taking survivors benefits now while letting your own retirement benefit grow until 70 is absolutely the right approach. Even with the RIB-LIM reduction, you're still maximizing your overall lifetime benefits. Stay strong - you're handling a difficult situation very well!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Mei. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm learning so much about Social Security rules I never knew existed! The RIB-LIM explanation finally makes sense of why your benefit amount was lower than expected. One thing I wanted to add that might help others in similar situations: when you do speak with SSA, ask them to mail you a copy of the "Notice of Award" that shows the step-by-step calculation. This is different from your regular award letter and breaks down each component of how they arrived at your benefit amount. It should clearly show if RIB-LIM was applied. Also, I've found that calling SSA first thing in the morning (right when they open at 7 AM) often results in shorter wait times than calling later in the day. If you're still having trouble getting through by phone, that timing might help before you try the Claimyr service or schedule an in-person appointment. Your strategy to wait until 70 for your own retirement benefit is really smart - those delayed retirement credits are valuable! Even though this initial amount was confusing, it sounds like you're making all the right financial decisions during a very difficult time.

I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar situation! Applied online in early January for March 2025 benefits and haven't heard anything beyond the initial confirmation email. My mySocialSecurity account just shows "processing" with no updates whatsoever. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - I was convinced my application had somehow been lost or rejected! The information about the December systems issues is particularly eye-opening and explains why so many of us are experiencing this communication blackout. It's frustrating that 8-10 weeks of complete silence has become the norm, but at least knowing that benefits still get processed and backdated correctly gives me some peace of mind. I'm definitely going to try the early morning phone call strategy and maybe check out that Claimyr service that was mentioned. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines - it's incredibly helpful to know we're all in the same boat with these processing delays!

I'm new to this community but going through the exact same thing! Applied online in late December for April 2025 benefits and it's been complete silence except for that initial confirmation email. My mySocialSecurity account just shows "processing" and nothing else. I was getting really worried that my application got lost in the system somehow, but reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief! The information about the December systems issues that Mei shared really explains what so many of us are dealing with. It's incredibly frustrating that 8-10 weeks of radio silence has become normal, but at least knowing that benefits still get backdated to your requested start date even when paperwork is delayed gives me peace of mind. I'm definitely going to try that early morning phone call strategy and maybe check out the Claimyr service that was mentioned. Thanks to everyone for sharing your timelines and advice - it's so comforting to know we're not alone in this nerve-wracking waiting period!

Can i ask a sorta related question? If OP decides to work until FRA, does he need to pay attention to the earnings limit stuff at all? I'm confused about when that applies and when it doesn't.

I'm in a similar situation but earlier in the process - haven't even started my application yet but was thinking about filing early. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful! The math on waiting really does make sense when you see those actual dollar amounts. One thing I'm curious about - for those who waited until FRA or later, how did you handle the psychological aspect of "leaving money on the table" during those years you weren't collecting? I know logically it's the right choice, but I keep thinking about all those monthly payments I'm not getting while I wait.

i remember when i first heard PIA i thought they were talking about a person named Pia lmao

Here's a helpful tip I learned - the SSA actually has a "Social Security Handbook" online that's searchable by term. It saved me so much confusion when I was in your shoes! Also, when you create your my Social Security account online, they have a benefit estimator that shows how different claiming ages affect your monthly payment. Really helps visualize the impact of claiming at 62 vs waiting until 67 or even 70. The estimator uses your actual earnings record, so it's much more accurate than the generic calculators you find elsewhere.

I went through a similar situation with my state pension from Texas. The key thing to remember is that WEP doesn't eliminate your Social Security - it just adjusts the formula they use to calculate your benefit. In my case, with about 16 years of substantial earnings, I saw roughly a 35% reduction from what my original SS statement projected. The most important advice I can give is to gather ALL your old W-2s or tax returns to verify which years actually count as "substantial earnings." I was surprised to find that a couple years I thought would qualify didn't meet the threshold due to part-time work early in my career. Also, don't forget that once you start receiving both your pension and Social Security, you might face different tax implications since you'll have multiple income streams. I'd recommend talking to a tax professional before you file to understand the full picture. The SSA online calculators are helpful, but nothing beats getting an official calculation from them directly. Good luck with your application!

As someone new to this community and facing a similar WEP situation, I wanted to share what I've discovered about the online resources that might help you get a clearer picture before filing. The SSA website has a WEP Online Calculator (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/anyPiaWepjs04.html) that several people have mentioned, but I also found their detailed WEP fact sheet really helpful for understanding the nuances. What surprised me was learning that the "substantial earnings" threshold changes every year - so a job that paid well in 1990 might not meet the threshold for that year, while a lower-paying job in 2015 could qualify. I'd also suggest checking if California Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) has any resources or counselors who specialize in helping members understand how their pension interacts with Social Security. Many state retirement systems have staff who deal with these questions regularly and might be able to provide California-specific guidance. One thing I'm curious about - have you considered whether it might make sense to delay filing beyond your FRA if the numbers work out favorably? I know the delayed retirement credits continue to grow your base benefit until age 70, and while WEP still applies, the larger base amount before the reduction might result in a higher final benefit. Just a thought worth exploring with the official calculations! The learning curve on all this is steep, but it sounds like you're asking all the right questions. Good luck with your research and application process!