This is such a well-thought-out discussion! I'm in a similar situation at 61 and considering early filing next year. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - when you're planning your earnings during the suspension period (67-70), remember that the annual earnings limit disappears once you reach FRA. So during those years when you're working to replace low-earning years, you can earn as much as you want without any benefit reduction concerns. This gives you more flexibility to take on higher-paying work or even full-time employment if opportunities arise. Also, for anyone following this strategy, it's worth noting that Medicare enrollment at 65 is separate from Social Security - you'll still need to sign up for Medicare even if you suspend your SS benefits. Don't want anyone to miss that enrollment window!

One important detail I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you understand how the suspension process actually works administratively. When you call SSA to suspend at FRA, they'll ask you to confirm the effective date, and there can be some timing nuances. If you suspend mid-month, you might still receive that month's payment depending on when in the month you make the request. Also, keep documentation of your suspension request (date, representative name, confirmation number if given) because SSA's record-keeping isn't always perfect. I've heard of cases where people thought they suspended but payments continued, or vice versa. Given that you're planning a complex 8-year strategy here, having that paper trail will be crucial if any disputes arise later. The whole plan sounds solid though - just make sure the administrative execution matches your financial planning!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to share something that might help. I work at a local SSA field office and we've been getting tons of questions about the WEP/GPO changes lately. A few things I've noticed that might save your ex-husband some time: 1. Make an appointment online if possible rather than walking in - the wait times for WEP/GPO questions have been really long lately 2. Bring a copy of his most recent CSRS pension statement, his Social Security award letter, AND your divorce decree showing the marriage lasted 20+ years 3. Ask specifically to speak with someone trained on the WEP/GPO reform - not all representatives have gotten the updated training yet Given his current $320 benefit, there's definitely potential for improvement. The GPO reduction that would have knocked out most ex-spousal benefits is being phased down, so he should absolutely explore this option. Even if the initial increase is small, as others mentioned, getting the claim established now is important for future years as the reform continues. Good luck to both of you navigating this!

As someone new to this community, I wanted to share what I learned from a similar situation with my aunt. She was FERS and her ex-husband was CSRS - almost identical to your case. When the WEP/GPO reforms went into effect, we discovered a few things that might help: First, the timing really matters. Even though the benefits increase gradually over the 20-year phase-in, filing sooner rather than later can lock in his rights to future increases. Her ex waited 6 months and ended up missing out on some retroactive payments. Second, don't just rely on the SSA website calculators - they haven't been updated for all the WEP/GPO changes yet. The representatives at the local office had access to newer calculation tools that showed a much different (and better) result. One thing that surprised us was that his ex-spousal benefit calculation was actually higher than expected because the GPO reduction was smaller under the new rules. With his current $320 benefit being so low, there's definitely room for improvement. I'd suggest having him contact SSA within the next month or two. The offices are busy with these cases, but the sooner he gets in the system, the better. Best of luck with this - the new rules really can make a difference for CSRS retirees in situations like his!

my neighbor said she filed early for ss and then withdrew her application when she found out about the reduction. I think u have like a year to change ur mind? might be worth looking into

I'm SHOCKED no one has mentioned the break-even calculation yet!! For a $19 reduction, you'd need to calculate how many months it would take for the extra money from claiming early to equal the reduced amount over time. It's usually around 12-15 years for people claiming a year early, so for one month early it might be longer. But you NEED to calculate this based on your specific situation!

Based on your situation, filing now appears to be a sound decision. The calculation your financial advisor provided is accurate - the breakeven period of 17 years for those 4 months of delay is quite long, especially considering the survivor benefit would replace your retirement benefit when your husband passes. One clarification regarding work: at your age (past FRA), there is no earnings limit at all. You could work full-time earning any amount with no reduction in benefits. The earnings limit only applies before FRA. For a complete analysis, you might also want to consider: 1. Tax implications - additional income could potentially push you into a higher tax bracket 2. Medicare premiums - higher income can affect IRMAA surcharges with a 2-year lag But in most cases, these factors wouldn't outweigh the benefit of claiming now rather than waiting those additional 4 months.

I went through this same decision process about 18 months ago! My situation was very similar - I was 67 with a husband already collecting his higher benefit, and I was torn between taking mine early or waiting for FRA. After running the numbers with three different sources (SSA calculator, AARP calculator, and a fee-only financial planner), they all pointed to the same conclusion your advisor gave you. The math is pretty straightforward when there's a significant survivor benefit waiting in the wings. What really helped me make the decision was realizing that Social Security isn't just about maximizing the total payout - it's about having reliable income when you need it. Those monthly payments started covering our grocery bills and gave us breathing room in our budget immediately. One practical tip: when you file, ask about having taxes withheld if you think you'll owe. You can choose 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% withholding. It's easier than making quarterly estimated payments later. Also, if you haven't already, set up a my Social Security account online - makes tracking everything much simpler. You're making a smart, well-researched decision. Don't let decision paralysis cost you those monthly payments!

I'm so sorry for your loss. I just went through this process a few months ago and completely understand your concerns about mailing original documents - it's such a scary thought when they're irreplaceable. The good news is you absolutely CAN bring them to your local office instead of mailing! During your phone appointment Thursday, just mention right at the beginning that you'd prefer to handle documents in person. They're very understanding about this and will schedule you to come in, usually within a week or two. When you go, they'll review everything, make copies while you wait (takes about 15-20 minutes), and hand your originals right back to you. Just make sure to bring everything on their list plus a valid photo ID. One tip: ask if they can schedule your document appointment for the same day as your phone interview if the timing works - some offices can do this and it saves you an extra trip. You're going to get through this, and the staff are generally very helpful during what they know is a difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I went through this exact same situation about 4 months ago and was terrified about mailing my original documents too. You absolutely can bring them to the local office instead! During your phone appointment on Thursday, just tell them right away that you'd prefer to handle the document verification in person. They're very accommodating about this - in my case, they scheduled me to come in the following Monday. The whole process was really straightforward: I brought all the documents on their list plus my photo ID, they reviewed each one carefully, made copies while I waited (took about 15 minutes), and handed all my originals right back to me. Such a relief! One thing that helped me was making a checklist beforehand to ensure I brought everything they needed in one trip. Don't worry about this part - focus on getting through your phone interview first, and they'll take good care of you with the documents. Wishing you strength during this difficult time.