As someone new to this community and currently navigating Social Security benefits for the first time, I wanted to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and practical advice! I'm not quite at the point where I need to switch from survivor to retirement benefits, but reading through all these real experiences has been incredibly educational. What really strikes me is how the process seems to work best when you're well-prepared - having your documents organized, checking benefit amounts first, and setting aside adequate time for the online application. The warning about this being a permanent decision that can't be reversed is particularly important and not something I would have known to ask about. I'm also impressed by how this community provides both the official process (start online, expect a phone follow-up) and all the practical workarounds when things don't go smoothly. The tips about calling early in the morning, using library resources for online help, and alternative services for reaching SSA representatives are exactly the kind of real-world guidance you can't find in official documentation. It's reassuring to see that while everyone's experience varies, there are multiple paths to success. Thanks for creating such a supportive environment where people feel comfortable sharing both positive outcomes and frustrating challenges!

As a newcomer to both this community and Social Security benefits in general, I'm finding this thread incredibly valuable! I'm still several years away from needing to make decisions about survivor vs. retirement benefits, but I'm already learning so much from everyone's shared experiences. What really stands out to me is how this conversation demonstrates the importance of doing your homework before making the switch. The fact that you can't reverse the decision once you switch from survivor to retirement benefits is a crucial detail that I definitely wouldn't have known to research on my own. I'm also taking notes on all the practical preparation tips: verifying benefit amounts first through your mySocialSecurity account, having banking information ready, allowing plenty of uninterrupted time for the online application, and being prepared for a potential follow-up phone call. It sounds like while most people can start the process online successfully, having backup plans (early morning phone calls, in-person appointments, or alternative connection services) is smart given the variability in everyone's experiences. Thank you all for being so generous with your real-world insights - this kind of peer-to-peer guidance is exactly what makes navigating these complex government systems feel more manageable. As someone just starting to learn about Social Security, I really appreciate this supportive community environment!

I'm a newcomer to this community but have been dealing with similar WEP/GPO issues with my own government pension. This thread has been incredibly educational! One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're considering the strategy of taking your own reduced benefit at 62 plus part-time work, make sure to factor in state income taxes on your Social Security benefits. Some states don't tax Social Security at all, while others do. This could impact which strategy gives you the most after-tax income, especially when combined with your fully-taxable pension. Also, I noticed someone mentioned the importance of substantial earnings for WEP reduction. You can actually look up the "substantial earnings" thresholds for each year on the SSA website - they adjust annually for inflation. For 2024, it's $31,275, but it was much lower in earlier years. Your 15 years of SS-covered work might qualify for more substantial earnings years than you think, which could significantly reduce the WEP penalty. The complexity is definitely overwhelming, but seeing how everyone here has worked through similar situations gives me confidence that we can figure this out! Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and strategies.

I'm new to this community but wanted to thank everyone for this incredibly detailed discussion! As someone who will be facing similar decisions with my own state pension in a few years, this thread has been like a masterclass in Social Security planning. One additional resource I wanted to mention - the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA) has a directory of advisors who specifically focus on Social Security optimization, including complex cases involving government pensions. They have specialized training in WEP/GPO scenarios that regular financial planners might not have. Also, I've seen some people mention creating a my.ssa.gov account to review earnings records. If you haven't done this yet, I'd recommend doing it ASAP - not just to see your earnings history, but because the site also shows your estimated benefits under different claiming scenarios. While it won't account for WEP/GPO reductions (you need SSA staff for those calculations), it gives you a baseline to work from. Logan, your situation is complex but you're asking all the right questions. The fact that you're thinking through all these angles before your 62nd birthday next month puts you ahead of many people who make these decisions without fully understanding the implications. Best of luck with your SSA consultation!

I had this exact same experience when I applied for disability benefits last year! The missing direct deposit section in the application definitely threw me off at first. What I learned is that SSA handles banking information separately as a security measure. I ended up setting mine up through the mySocialSecurity online account right after submitting my application, and it worked perfectly - my first payment went straight to my bank account with no delays. The process is really straightforward once you know where to look. Just log in, go to Settings, find Direct Deposit, and enter your banking details. The system will validate your information immediately, so you'll know right away if everything is correct. Don't worry about the timing - you can set this up even while your application is still being processed, and it will be ready for when your benefits start. Much easier than waiting for mail or trying to get through on the phone!

I'm in the exact same boat right now! Just submitted my retirement application this morning and had that exact moment of "wait, where do I put my bank info??" Reading through everyone's experiences here is such a huge relief. It sounds like this two-step process is completely by design for security reasons, which actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it. I'm definitely going to log into my mySocialSecurity account today and set up the direct deposit under Settings rather than wait around for them to mail me forms. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding that this confusion is totally normal and the online method works reliably. It's so reassuring to know I didn't miss anything obvious in the application process!

The original poster has outlined the correct approach in their last comment. To summarize this thread with accurate information: 1. Due to the deemed filing rules for those born after 1954, you can't file a restricted application to claim ex-spouse benefits first, then switch to your own later. 2. When you apply for benefits, SSA will calculate both your own retirement benefit and your ex-spouse benefit (50% of their PIA), and pay you the higher of the two amounts. 3. If you claim any benefits before your full retirement age (67), they will be permanently reduced. 4. Working while collecting benefits before FRA will subject you to the earnings test, which may temporarily reduce your benefits. 5. The mathematically optimal strategy (if you can afford it) is usually to wait until 70 to claim the higher of the two benefits, especially if you expect to live beyond approximately age 82.

One more thing to keep in mind - since your ex is on SSDI, his disability benefits will automatically convert to retirement benefits when he reaches his full retirement age (probably 66 or 67 depending on his birth year). The amount stays the same, but this conversion might affect how SSA calculates your potential ex-spouse benefit. When you call them, make sure to mention that he's currently receiving disability benefits rather than retirement benefits. Also, just to be extra clear - you don't need to be in contact with your ex or get his permission. SSA has all the records they need to determine your eligibility and benefit amounts. Good luck with your decision!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by the quality of information shared here! @Carmen Ruiz, your question was exactly what I needed to hear about - I'm in a similar situation with a 10-year gap in my work history and was worried about losing credits. The responses from @Andre Lefebvre and @Jamal Anderson were particularly helpful in explaining how the system actually works versus the misconceptions many of us have. It's such a relief to know that Social Security credits don't expire and that career interruptions for family care don't permanently disqualify us from benefits. This thread is a perfect example of why community support matters - thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

As someone new to this community, I'm so grateful to have found this discussion! @Carmen Ruiz, your question perfectly captures the anxiety many of us feel about Social Security eligibility after career gaps. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - I had similar misconceptions about credits expiring and was worried about my own 8-year gap for caregiving. The detailed explanations from @Andre Lefebvre about lifetime totals and @Jamal Anderson about the 35-year benefit calculation have really clarified things for me. It's reassuring to see such a knowledgeable and supportive community where people freely share their expertise. Thank you all for creating such a welcoming space to discuss these important financial security questions!