As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by how thoroughly everyone has helped Yara work through this WEP issue! I'm currently 62 and considering when to file for Social Security, and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea about the Windfall Elimination Provision or how it could affect benefits for people with non-covered employment like teaching. I worked as a county employee for 8 years early in my career and receive a small pension from that - now I'm wondering if I need to factor WEP into my own retirement planning. The fact that the SSA calculators don't automatically flag this potential reduction seems like a major oversight. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here - this is exactly the kind of real-world information that's so hard to find elsewhere!

Welcome to everyone who's new to the community! This thread really showcases the collective knowledge and support that makes this forum so valuable. I've been a member here for a while, and it's threads like this that remind me why government benefit discussions are so important to have in a community setting. For anyone else reading who might be facing similar estimate vs. actual payment discrepancies, here are the key takeaways from this excellent discussion: 1. **Always disclose ALL employment history** when using SSA calculators, including non-covered work (teaching, government jobs, etc.) 2. **Check for WEP eligibility** if you have any pension from non-covered employment - even small pensions can trigger reductions 3. **The "substantial earnings" threshold matters** - currently about $30,800 for 2025. More years above this threshold = less WEP impact 4. **Don't forget about Medicare premiums** and tax withholding as potential deductions 5. **Use the detailed calculators** on SSA.gov rather than the quick estimates for more accurate projections The fact that Yara can potentially eliminate her WEP reduction entirely by working just 3 more years to reach 30 years of substantial earnings is a perfect example of why understanding these rules matters so much for retirement planning. Knowledge truly is power when it comes to maximizing your Social Security benefits!

Wow, this thread has been incredibly educational! As a 64-year-old who's been considering early retirement, I had absolutely no idea that SSDI was still an option after 62. My understanding was the same as your coworker's - that once you hit 62, disability was off the table. Learning that SSDI actually pays your FULL retirement amount (not the reduced early retirement amount) is huge! That could be the difference between financial security and struggling. I'm also grateful for all the practical tips shared here - the importance of keeping detailed medical records, understanding the SGA limits, knowing about SHIP counselors, and being specific about which benefit you're applying for when dealing with SSA. It's clear that navigating this system requires a lot more knowledge than most of us realize. Thank you to everyone who shared their personal experiences and professional insights. This is exactly the kind of real-world information that can make or break someone's financial future in their later years.

This is exactly why I love this community! I'm 62 and have been so confused about all these options. My biggest takeaway from reading everyone's experiences is that you really need to be proactive about understanding your choices BEFORE you need them. The stories about people having to fight to get the right application type processed, or missing out on higher benefits because they didn't know SSDI was still available after 62, are eye-opening. I'm definitely going to start building that medical documentation file now (even though I'm healthy) and research our local SHIP counselor. It sounds like having an expert guide you through these decisions could save thousands of dollars in the long run. One question I have - if you're planning to work until your FRA but develop a condition that might qualify for SSDI, is there any advantage to applying for disability right away versus waiting to see if you can push through to full retirement? The timing seems really crucial for maximizing benefits.

Welcome to the confusing world of SSA! 😅 You've got it exactly right - you only get reimbursed for actual double-payment months, not every month you paid in advance. The tax withholding on reimbursements is definitely frustrating but unfortunately that's just how their ancient system works. One tip: when you start your benefits, keep a close eye on your first few payments to make sure everything is calculating correctly. Sometimes there are little glitches in the transition period that need to be caught early. And definitely save all your documentation - you'll need it for tax time next year to sort out any overwithholding issues. Good luck with your upcoming benefits! The learning curve is steep but this community is really helpful for navigating all the SSA quirks.

This whole situation perfectly illustrates why so many people get frustrated with SSA! I went through something similar when I started my benefits last year. The key thing that helped me understand it was realizing that their computer systems literally can't tell the difference between a regular benefit payment and a reimbursement - everything gets processed the same way with the same tax withholding rules applied. For anyone else reading this who might face a similar situation: the "double payment" reimbursement only happens when there's an actual overlap month where you paid directly AND they would also deduct from your benefit. So if you prepaid multiple months, you won't get reimbursed for all of them - only the ones where there would be true double billing. And unfortunately yes, they will withhold taxes on these reimbursements even though it doesn't make logical sense. Just another quirk of dealing with government systems that haven't been updated since the 1980s! Keep all your paperwork and work with a tax professional if needed to make sure you're not overpaying when you file next year.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was married to my first husband for 14 years, then remarried for about 3 years in my 40s. That second marriage ended 5 years ago and I've been single since. I'm 59 now and starting to think about my Social Security strategy. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like I should definitely be able to claim on my first ex-husband's record when I reach 62, despite that second marriage. He was in management and made good money, while my second ex had much lower earnings. One question I haven't seen addressed - does it matter if my first ex-husband has remarried? He got married again about 8 years ago. I'm assuming that doesn't affect my ability to claim on his record, but wanted to double-check since his new wife would presumably also be eligible for spousal benefits on his record. Also, has anyone here actually gone through the process of switching from their own benefit to an ex-spouse benefit after already filing? I'm wondering if it's better to wait and apply for the higher benefit from the start, or if you can easily adjust later if you find out the ex-spouse benefit would be better.

I'm a Social Security claims specialist and wanted to clarify a few key points for anyone reading this thread: 1. **Second marriages don't disqualify you** - As long as your second marriage ended (divorce or death) and you're currently unmarried, you can absolutely claim on your first ex-spouse's record if that marriage lasted 10+ years. 2. **Documentation you'll need** - Both marriage certificates, both divorce decrees, your birth certificate, and your ex's Social Security number if you have it (though SSA can look it up with his name and DOB). 3. **Timing strategy** - If you're thinking about claiming at 62-63, remember you'll face permanent reductions. At 62, you'll get about 75% of your full ex-spouse benefit. Might be worth running the numbers to see if working a bit longer makes financial sense. 4. **No notification to your ex** - Your claim won't affect his benefits or notify him in any way. It's completely independent. One thing I see people miss: you can actually file a "restricted application" strategy in some cases. I'd strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with your local SSA office to discuss all your options before making a final decision. They can run scenarios showing exactly what you'd receive under different claiming strategies.

I want to add some encouragement here - you absolutely made the right choice taking survivor benefits at 60 given your health concerns at the time. That's exactly what those benefits are designed for, and there's no shame in using them when you needed them most. What's happening now is actually routine and potentially very good news for you. Since you're past your full retirement age, your own Social Security benefit has been earning delayed retirement credits (worth 8% per year) while you've been collecting survivor benefits. So even though you couldn't have predicted your longevity, the system actually worked in your favor. Here's what I'd suggest for your call preparation: - Have your most recent tax returns handy (2019-2020 when you were still working) - Write down your exact birth date and your late husband's birth date - Ask them to confirm your earnings record is complete through 2020 - Request they explain the exact dollar amounts of both benefits before making any changes The fact that they reached out to YOU means they've already done preliminary calculations and believe you might qualify for higher benefits. This is their way of making sure you get every penny you're entitled to. Try not to stress - you've navigated this well so far and this next step should only improve your situation.

I went through this exact same process about 18 months ago! I was so worried when I got that letter from SSA, but it turned out to be the best thing that happened to my retirement finances. Like you, I had been collecting survivor benefits since age 60 (mine were reduced because I took them early). When I reached my full retirement age of 66 and 8 months, I got a similar letter about scheduling a phone appointment. I was terrified they were going to tell me I owed money back or that I had done something wrong. The reality was completely different - my own retirement benefit had grown to be about $380 more per month than my survivor benefit! Since I was past my FRA, I also qualified for 4 months of retroactive payments. The SSA representative was actually very patient and explained everything clearly. Here's what I wish I had known going into that call: they've already run the numbers and have a pretty good idea that your own benefit is likely higher. That's why they're reaching out. They're not trying to take anything away from you - they're trying to make sure you get the maximum benefit you're entitled to. Don't second-guess your decision to take survivor benefits at 60. With your health situation, that was absolutely the right call. You needed that income then, and it didn't hurt your own retirement benefit at all. You played it perfectly! Good luck with your appointment - I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.