I'm really sorry you're going through this difficult transition after 32 years of marriage. It's clear from all the helpful responses that you now have much better clarity on the Social Security rules, which should ease some of your planning stress. Just to add one more perspective - since you have about two years before you can claim any benefits anyway, you might want to consider this waiting period as an opportunity to really optimize your overall retirement strategy. Beyond just Social Security, think about how your divorce settlement might affect your access to any of his retirement accounts (401k, pensions, etc.) and how that factors into your total retirement picture. Also, while everyone has correctly explained that you won't need to wait 2 years after divorce since he's already collecting, remember that you still have choices about WHEN to claim after you turn 62. The difference between claiming at 62 versus waiting until your full retirement age is significant - potentially thousands of dollars per year for the rest of your life. Given that you're starting this process at 60, you actually have time to make these decisions thoughtfully rather than under pressure. Consider working with both a divorce attorney who understands retirement assets and a financial planner who specializes in Social Security optimization. Your long marriage means you likely have more options and protections than you might realize. You're handling an incredibly challenging situation with such thoughtful planning. That approach will serve you well as you build your new independent future.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation after 32 years of marriage. It sounds incredibly challenging to have your husband suddenly move across the country and leave you to navigate all these complex decisions alone. From everything I've read here, you've gotten excellent advice about the Social Security rules. Since your husband is already collecting his retirement benefits, you won't need to wait the 2-year period after your divorce is finalized - you can apply for divorced spouse benefits as soon as the divorce is complete and you turn 62. One thing I'd add is that you might want to create a timeline for yourself over the next couple of years. You have time to get the divorce finalized, gather all necessary documents, and really research your options before you need to make any claiming decisions. This could actually be a blessing in disguise - you can make these important financial decisions thoughtfully rather than under pressure. Also, don't forget to factor in your own emotional wellbeing during this process. Dealing with divorce after such a long marriage while also trying to plan your financial future is incredibly stressful. Consider whether you have access to counseling or support groups for people going through similar situations - taking care of your mental health is just as important as getting the financial pieces right. You're asking all the right questions and clearly thinking through this carefully. That preparation will really serve you well. Take it one step at a time, and remember that you have more time and options than you initially thought. Wishing you strength as you navigate this major life transition.

Reading below it looks like the withholding percentage, say 12% is on the gross and then medicare premiums, etc come out of what is left taken withholding, is this correct?

Just wanted to add one more consideration for your planning - if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), you can use it to pay for Medicare premiums tax-free once you're enrolled in Medicare! This includes Part B, Part D, and Medicare Advantage premiums. You can't use HSA funds for Medigap premiums though. Also, once you enroll in Medicare, you can no longer contribute to an HSA, but you can still use what's already in there. This could help offset some of those monthly deductions everyone's talking about. Make sure to coordinate your Medicare enrollment timing if you're still working and have employer health coverage - there are some tricky rules around that!

I went through something very similar with GPO and retroactive benefits last year. The confusion about the "suspended" status is completely understandable - it's misleading because it makes you think you were entitled to benefits since 2018, but you're absolutely right that you can only get 6 months retroactive from your January 2024 application date. Here's what worked for me: I called SSA first thing in the morning (8 AM EST) and specifically asked to speak with someone experienced in GPO calculations. I had my state pension award letter, my husband's Social Security statement, and a calculator ready. The representative was able to walk through the GPO reduction (2/3 of my pension amount) and confirm my retroactive entitlement on the spot. One thing to watch out for - make sure they don't accidentally apply WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) instead of GPO to your case. Some representatives get these two provisions confused, but GPO applies to spousal/survivor benefits while WEP applies to your own retirement benefits. With your pension amount of $3,750/month, your GPO reduction would be about $2,500, so if your spousal benefit calculation is higher than that, you should receive the difference. Don't give up - persistence with SSA is key, and that retroactive payment can really add up!

I'm going through a very similar situation right now! I'm 69 and just applied for spousal benefits last month after realizing I might be entitled to something despite my teacher's pension. The whole GPO system is so confusing, and like you, I'm seeing conflicting information from different SSA representatives. From what I've learned reading through this thread and my own research, it sounds like the 6-month retroactive limit is definitely the rule for applications filed after full retirement age. The "suspended" status since 2018 seems to be just a system quirk from Medicare enrollment, not an actual entitlement to benefits. One thing that's been helpful for me is keeping a detailed log of every call I make to SSA - date, time, representative name if they give it, and exactly what they told me. The inconsistency in information is so frustrating, but having documentation helps when you get conflicting answers. I'm curious - when you calculated your potential spousal benefit after GPO reduction, did you use half of your husband's full retirement age benefit amount (his PIA) or his current benefit amount? I've been told to use the PIA, but I want to make sure I'm doing the math correctly before I get my hopes up about any payment amount. Good luck getting this sorted out! It's reassuring to know others are dealing with the same confusing process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ella. I went through this same process about 18 months ago when my wife passed. You definitely cannot apply online for survivor benefits - it has to be done by phone or in person. The most frustrating part is getting through on the phone. I found that calling right when they open at 7am local time gave me the best chance of getting through without waiting hours. Also, make sure you have your husband's Social Security number handy when you call, as they'll need it right away to pull up his record. Once you do get an appointment, the actual process was much smoother than I expected - the representative was very compassionate and walked me through everything step by step. Hang in there, and don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ella. I went through this exact situation when my father passed away two years ago. You're right that survivor benefits cannot be applied for online - it's one of the few SSA benefits that still requires a phone call or in-person visit. What worked for me was calling the national SSA number (1-800-772-1213) at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday. I had better luck midweek rather than Mondays or Fridays. Also, have a pen and paper ready because they'll give you a confirmation number for your appointment that you'll need. The waiting time for appointments can be 3-4 weeks depending on your area, so don't get discouraged if they can't see you right away. Once you do get your appointment, the process itself was actually straightforward and the representative was very helpful in explaining all my options. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

This has been such an informative thread! As someone approaching a similar decision, I wanted to share a resource that might help with the planning process. The SSA has a "Retirement Estimator" tool on their website that lets you input different claiming ages and earnings scenarios to see how they affect your benefits. You can model claiming at 64 vs waiting until FRA, and even factor in continued earnings. It's been really helpful for me to visualize the trade-offs between getting benefits earlier (but reduced) versus waiting for the full amount. The tool also shows you the break-even point - basically how long you'd need to live to make waiting worthwhile financially. Of course, everyone's situation is different and there are factors beyond just the math (like needing the income now, health considerations, etc.), but it's nice to have the numbers to work with when making such an important decision.

This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding the complexities of claiming early while continuing to work! I'm in a similar situation - turning 62 next year and considering my options. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the impact of claiming early on spousal benefits. If you're married, your spouse's potential spousal benefit is based on YOUR full retirement age benefit amount, not the reduced amount you'd get by claiming at 64. So claiming early doesn't just affect your own benefits - it could impact your spouse's options too. Also, if you're the higher earner, your claiming decision affects the survivor benefit your spouse would receive. Just another layer to consider when weighing the decision between claiming early versus waiting for FRA. The break-even analysis is important, but for married couples, you really need to look at the household's total lifetime benefits, not just your individual benefit stream.