If you have 40+ quarters of Social Security coverage as you mentioned, make sure that's properly documented in your earnings record. Sometimes quarters get missed in the system. I've seen cases where correcting the earnings record resulted in a reduction of the WEP penalty even under the old rules. You can check your lifetime earnings record in your mySocialSecurity account. If you see any years missing or with incorrect amounts, gather documentation (W-2s, tax returns) and submit a correction request. This might help regardless of how the new law is implemented.

I'm in a similar situation as a retired postal worker who also had a second career teaching. The WEP reduction hit me hard too - about $380 per month less than what I was expecting based on my SS statement. From what I've been able to piece together from various sources, the new law does include current WEP beneficiaries, but we're looking at a gradual phase-in starting in 2026. The key thing is that they're changing from the current "substantial earnings" threshold system to a more proportional calculation that should be fairer to people like us who paid into both systems. One thing that might help while we wait - if you haven't already, request a detailed breakdown of how your WEP reduction was calculated. Sometimes there are errors in how they counted your "substantial earnings years" that can be corrected. I found one error in mine that reduced my penalty by about $50/month. The waiting is frustrating, but at least it sounds like there's light at the end of the tunnel for those of us already dealing with WEP reductions.

This is unfortunately common. The key for DAC benefits is having medical evidence showing the disability began before age 22. Sometimes SSA doesn't properly evaluate all the evidence during the initial application. For anyone facing this issue, make sure to submit comprehensive medical records, school IEPs or 504 plans, and any psychological evaluations that document the disability onset before age 22. An appeal with thorough documentation has a much better chance of success.

I'm navigating a similar situation with my 25-year-old son who has intellectual disabilities. He's been on SSI since 18, and I just started receiving SSDI myself. A few things I've learned through this process: 1. The transition from SSI to DAC can be bumpy timing-wise. When we applied, there was about a 6-week gap between his SSI ending and DAC starting, so make sure you have some financial cushion for expenses during that period. 2. Regarding the payee situation - I successfully became my son's payee instead of the agency, and it made a HUGE difference in his quality of life. The agency was so restrictive that he couldn't even buy groceries without prior approval. As his parent payee, I can help him learn money management while still meeting SSA requirements. 3. For ABLE accounts - yes, you do need to keep receipts for qualified expenses, but most ABLE account providers have online portals that make tracking much easier than I expected. My son uses his ABLE debit card for most purchases and I just upload receipts monthly. The whole process is overwhelming but definitely worth pursuing. The extra monthly income plus future Medicare eligibility makes a big difference long-term. Good luck!

To add to what others have said - if you're self-employed in this new consulting position, make sure you're actually reporting the income and paying self-employment taxes. I know someone who did consulting work after FRA but tried to minimize taxes by running expenses through the business, and then was surprised when that year didn't help their SS benefit at all. The recalculation is based on your taxable earnings, not gross income.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who's been through this process! I claimed at FRA and continued working for 4 more years. The key thing to understand is that the recalculation happens automatically each year, but you might not see the increase until the following October. Also, if you have any years with $0 earnings in your record (maybe from being a student, unemployed, or caring for family), those are the easiest to replace and will give you the biggest benefit boost. Even if all 35 years have earnings, your new higher consulting income could still bump out a lower year from early in your career when wages were much lower. Congratulations on the great consulting opportunity - sounds like a win-win situation!

Congratulations on finally getting through! That's such a relief after all that frustration. I'm dealing with a similar situation - trying to get info about survivor benefits after my husband passed last year. I've been trying the phone system for weeks with no luck, but seeing your success gives me hope. I'm going to try the exact same approach - calling right at 8am sharp and hitting 0 repeatedly. Did you have to wait through any automated messages first, or did pressing 0 immediately skip everything? Also, when you were on hold for 45 minutes, did they give you any estimated wait time or just music? Really appreciate you sharing what worked and promise to update if I have success with the same method. Good luck with your appointment next Tuesday!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share another approach that worked for my sister last month. She was having the exact same issue - couldn't get through on the phone, website kept crashing, local office was appointment-only with no way to make appointments. What finally worked was contacting her state's Area Agency on Aging. They have special relationships with SSA and can often help seniors navigate these issues. Since you're 64, you qualify for their services. They made some calls on her behalf and got her an appointment within a week. Many people don't know this resource exists, but it's specifically designed to help people in situations like yours. You can find your local Area Agency on Aging by searching "[your state] Area Agency on Aging" or calling the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. They're used to dealing with SSA bureaucracy and know all the workarounds. Worth trying if the direct approach continues to frustrate you! Also, for the name change specifically - I agree with others that mailing Form SS-5 with certified copies of your divorce decree is much easier. You can download the form from ssa.gov and avoid the appointment hassle entirely for that part.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I think I'll start with just a few hours weekly to stay well under that $1,110 threshold while I figure everything out. I'll definitely report everything properly and maybe try that Claimyr service to actually talk to someone at SSA first. I don't want to risk my Medicare or get hit with an overpayment. I appreciate all your help!

I've been working part-time while on SSDI for about 18 months now and wanted to share my experience. I started very cautiously like you're planning - just 10-12 hours a week doing data entry from home, keeping my monthly earnings around $800-900 to stay well below the $1,110 TWP threshold. Here's what I learned that might help: - Set up automatic monthly reporting through your my Social Security account - it takes 2 minutes and creates a paper trail - Keep a simple spreadsheet tracking your hours and gross pay each month - Don't forget to include any tips, bonuses, or reimbursements as earnings - Consider getting a letter from SSA confirming your TWP status before you start working The extra income has been a lifesaver for covering bills while keeping my full SSDI and Medicare intact. Just be patient with the system and document everything. You've got this!