my friend got some kind of moms benefit when her son was getting disability but i dont remember what it was called

I know this isn't strictly about Social Security, but have you looked into becoming her paid caregiver through your state's Medicaid program? My cousin does this for her disabled daughter in Arizona and it's been a lifesaver financially. The pay isn't amazing but it acknowledges the work you're already doing. Every state has different rules though.

my aunt did that and shes happy with her choice. the money now was more important to her than maybe getting more later. nobody knows how long we got anyway right?

Wait I'm still confused about one thing - if she takes her own benefit now at 62 ($850) and then her husband files at his FRA when she's 64, will her spousal benefit be based on her being 62 or 64? Does she get penalized based on when she first filed for ANY benefit or based on her age when she becomes eligible for spousal?

Has anybody actually received UPDATED benefit statements since the FAIR Act passed??? Mine still shows the old numbers and I'm wondering if they're just being slow updating everything or if I need to request a recalculation!!!!

Just wanted to update - I finally got through to SSA (used that Claimyr service again) and they confirmed that for FERS employees with mixed earnings history like yours, the FAIR Act may provide additional relief even if you're already partially protected from WEP. The representative explained that they're processing updates in batches, with priority given to those closest to retirement age. If you're planning to retire in 3 years, I'd recommend contacting them soon to ensure your estimates reflect the new calculation method.

I went through the SAME THING in 2023!!! SS is such a mess these days. I waited 7 weeks and nothing. Finally I went to my local office (get there 30 min before they open to avoid waiting all day) and they were actually really helpful. The person I spoke with found my documents in their system and said they were "pending processing" whatever that means. At least I knew they weren't lost! They gave me a receipt showing they had my docs which made me feel better.

When dealing with the earnings limit adjustments, timing is crucial. Since you're past the 30-day mark with no response, I'd recommend a three-pronged approach: 1. Call the national number first thing in the morning (they open at 8am local time) when wait times are shortest 2. Schedule an appointment at your local office through the SSA website rather than just showing up - this saves tremendous time 3. Send a follow-up letter via certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of delivery Also, make sure you understand exactly how the adjustment will work. When you reach FRA, SSA will automatically recalculate your benefit to give you credit for months when benefits were reduced or withheld. This results in a higher monthly payment going forward. However, if their earnings record for you is incorrect, that calculation will be wrong, so getting this fixed now is important. Don't worry too much about the late response - as long as you've provided the documentation, they should process it correctly even if it takes some time.

That's correct about survivor benefits. While a spousal benefit is 50% of the worker's benefit amount, a survivor benefit is up to 100% of what the worker was receiving (depending on when you claim it). The GPO still reduces it by 2/3 of your government pension, but since the starting amount is higher, you're more likely to receive some benefit.For example, if your husband's benefit is $2,450/month, the potential survivor benefit would be $2,450 (not $1,225 like the spousal benefit). With your $2,890 pension, the GPO reduction would be about $1,927, leaving you with roughly $523/month in survivor benefits after your husband passes.I'd recommend getting this calculation verified by SSA when the time comes, as benefit amounts will have changed by then due to COLAs.

Thank you for explaining that so clearly. I had no idea there might be some benefits available eventually. I appreciate everyone's help in figuring this out!

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses! I just accepted the job offer today and feel so much better knowing my kids' benefits won't be affected. I really appreciate all of you taking the time to share your knowledge and experiences.

My kids were in almost identical situation when my husband died. Your income has literally nothing to do with their survivors benefits. Take that job and build a better future for all of you! Besides when the kids turn 18/19 the benefits stop anyway so you need that income!

I just thought of something important! When you apply, make sure to bring your marriage certificate AND divorce decree to prove you were married at least 10 years. They're super strict about this. My friend almost got denied because she couldn't find her divorce papers right away.

isnt it crazy how complicated they make this?? my mom was in a similar situation and ended up just taking whatever they offered because it was too confusing to figure out the best option. i hope u get this sorted out!

has anyone mentioned that its not just the monthly $$ but also Medicare eligibility? my cousin lost medicaid coverage when her stepdad adopted her after getting survivors benefits and it was a big deal cuz she had some health problems

Based on everything in this thread, I'd recommend these steps: 1) Get married without proceeding with adoption yet, 2) Consult with a Social Security benefits attorney AND a family law attorney about options, 3) Consider legal guardianship as an alternative, 4) Calculate the long-term financial impact of benefits loss versus adoption advantages, 5) Make the decision based on your daughter's specific situation and needs. Remember that this is ultimately a personal decision that balances financial considerations with emotional and legal ones.

does anyone know if the survivor benefit includes the COLA increases that would have happened? like if he passes away this year but I wait 5 years to claim survivors at my FRA would I get his amount plus all the COLAs?

Thank you all for the helpful information! I feel much more confident about my options now. I'm planning to call SSA to confirm everything directly, but having this knowledge beforehand will help me ask the right questions. It seems like taking my reduced benefit at 62 and then switching to the full survivor benefit at 67 (if needed) would be the best financial strategy in my situation. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and expertise.

Just a warning - when we FINALLY got our Medicare billing straightened out, they gave us only 30 DAYS to pay the entire past-due amount!!! We had to dip into our emergency savings. Make sure you ask about payment plans IMMEDIATELY if they say you owe back payments! Don't let them tell you "we'll send information in the mail" because sometimes that info comes AFTER the due date!!!

my wifes on medicare and we get so confused with all the paperwork they send. ss and medicare need to get there systems working together better