This is exactly the kind of situation that makes me so frustrated with how SSA handles these cases! As others have mentioned, your mom is very likely missing out on significant money. The fact that she's only getting $875 when your dad gets $2,200 is a huge red flag. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - when you do call SSA, try calling first thing in the morning (right at 8 AM when they open) or late in the afternoon. The wait times are usually shorter then. Also, if you get disconnected, don't start over - call back immediately and tell them you were disconnected from a previous call. Sometimes they can reconnect you faster. Make sure to get a case number for any inquiry you file about this. That way if you have to call back multiple times, each agent can see the history of what's been discussed. And definitely don't take "no" for an answer from the first person you talk to - escalate if needed. Your mom worked and paid into the system, and she deserves every penny she's entitled to. The potential back pay alone could be thousands of dollars if this has been going on for months or years. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I went through this exact situation with my parents last year! My mom was getting around $900 while dad got $2,400, and it turned out she was missing about $300/month in spousal benefits. The key thing that helped us was bringing a printed copy of dad's benefit statement to the SSA office - it showed his PIA clearly, which made it easier for the agent to calculate what mom should be getting. We ended up getting 8 months of back pay (about $2,400 total) because that's when the error started. The whole process took about 6 weeks from when we first called to when the corrected payments started. One tip: if you go to a local office instead of calling, bring both parents if possible. They seemed to process everything faster when both spouses were present to verify the marriage and benefit details. Don't give up on this - the math definitely looks wrong based on what you've shared, and that missing money really adds up over time!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this incredibly stressful situation. From what I understand, your current benefit reduction is likely because you were receiving spousal benefits in addition to your own retirement benefit, and when your husband became incarcerated, that spousal portion was suspended. The good news is that several people here have correctly pointed out that widow's benefits work differently. If your husband passes away while incarcerated, his imprisonment status at the time of death won't affect your eligibility for survivor benefits. You would potentially receive his full $2870 monthly benefit since you're already at full retirement age. I'd also suggest documenting everything now - keep records of the benefit reduction notice you received, your husband's benefit amount, and any correspondence with SSA. This will help when you need to apply for survivor benefits in the future. Have you considered reaching out to your local Area Agency on Aging? They often have benefits counselors who can help navigate these situations and might be able to connect you with additional resources during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly difficult situation. As someone who has helped family members navigate Social Security issues, I want to emphasize what others have said about widow's benefits - you would indeed be eligible for your husband's full $2870 benefit if he passes away while incarcerated, regardless of his imprisonment status. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given is to consider getting everything in writing from SSA when you do connect with them. Sometimes phone representatives give conflicting information, so having written confirmation of your benefits status and future eligibility can be really valuable. Also, many local senior centers have volunteer SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors who are trained specifically in Medicare and Social Security issues. They're free and can sometimes help you prepare for SSA conversations or even accompany you to appointments. You're dealing with an unimaginably stressful situation, but please know that this community is here to support you through it. The fact that you're planning ahead shows incredible strength.

I just want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread - this has been the most helpful explanation of the Social Security earnings limits I've found anywhere! As someone who's been dreading the paperwork and confusion around working while on benefits, you've all made it so much clearer. The key takeaways I'm getting are: 1. First year = monthly limits ($1,950 per month in 2025) 2. After first year = only annual limits matter ($23,400 in 2025) 3. Keep detailed monthly records during your first year 4. Consider timing of bonuses/extra pay if possible 5. Remember it's gross earnings, not take-home 6. Lost months get some adjustment at FRA, but it's usually small I'm bookmarking this thread to refer back to! SSA really should hire some of you folks to rewrite their pamphlets - you've explained in a few comments what took me hours of reading confusing official materials to sort of understand. Much appreciated!

As someone who just started collecting benefits this year and also works seasonally, I want to echo what others have said about how poorly SSA explains the first-year monthly limits. I spent hours on their website and calling (mostly getting busy signals) before finding clear answers. What helped me was creating a simple monthly tracking system and having a frank conversation with my seasonal employer about the situation. They were actually quite understanding and helped me structure my schedule to stay under $1,950 in most months, while still getting the hours I need during our busy season. One additional tip I haven't seen mentioned - if you're close to the monthly limit, remember that things like overtime pay, holiday pay, and shift differentials all count toward that $1,950 gross limit. I learned this the hard way when a holiday shift pushed me over by just $75, costing me my entire benefit for that month. The silver lining is that this is truly just a first-year issue. Once we get to 2026, having that annual limit flexibility will make seasonal work much more manageable with Social Security benefits. Hang in there!

I'm going through something very similar right now and I completely understand your desire for complete independence from your ex. What really helped me was finding an SSA representative who actually understood the process - it took calling three times before I found someone knowledgeable. When you call back, immediately ask to speak with someone who has experience with "restricting application scope" requests. If the first person seems confused or keeps pushing back, politely ask for a supervisor or to be transferred to someone else. I also found it helpful to mention that this is a "voluntary restriction of benefits" - that seemed to be another phrase that clicked with the more experienced reps. Don't give up! Your right to choose is just as important as anyone else's right to claim maximum benefits. You shouldn't have to accept money tied to someone you want completely out of your life.

I work as a case manager and have helped several clients navigate similar situations with SSA. Your instinct to get everything in writing is absolutely correct. Beyond the excellent advice already given about restricting your application scope, I'd recommend also requesting a "written determination" from SSA confirming your choice. This creates an official record in your file that you voluntarily declined spousal benefits, which can prevent future confusion if you ever need to contact SSA again about your benefits. Also, keep in mind that this decision is generally permanent - you typically can't change your mind later and claim the spousal benefits you declined. But it sounds like you've thought this through and are confident in your choice. The peace of mind of having complete financial independence from your ex is completely understandable and valid.

I think you might be mixing up some things here. WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) affects your OWN Social Security benefits if you also receive a pension from work not covered by Social Security. GPO (Government Pension Offset) affects SPOUSAL or SURVIVOR benefits if you receive a government pension from non-covered work. So the answers to your questions depend on whether we're talking about: 1. Your own SS retirement benefits (WEP) 2. Your potential claim on your wife's record (GPO if she passes) 3. Your wife's potential survivor claim on your record (GPO if you pass) Do you know which one concerns you most?

As someone new to understanding WEP/GPO, I'm finding this discussion really helpful! I worked for a city water department for 18 years (no SS taxes) and then private sector jobs for 12 years. I'm 58 now and starting to think about retirement planning. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like I should create that MySocialSecurity.gov account to see what my estimated benefits would be with WEP applied. Are there any other resources people recommend for understanding how these proposed changes might affect someone in my situation? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth waiting a few more years to see if any reform passes, or if I should just plan assuming the current WEP rules will stay in place.