Thank you all for the incredibly helpful advice! I'm definitely going to wait until January 2025 to start my benefits, but I'll apply in November 2024 to get the ball rolling. I'm relieved to understand that my 2024 earnings won't affect my 2025 benefits as long as I start in January. And I'll look into that Claimyr service to speak with an SSA agent about the specifics of my situation. For my wife, we'll need to compare her own benefit at 62 versus the reduced spousal benefit to see which would be higher. Looks like we have some calculations to do! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain everything so clearly. This stuff is complicated and it's easy to make costly mistakes when you don't fully understand the rules.

Great thread with lots of solid advice! Just want to add one thing about Medicare enrollment since you mentioned turning 65 in January 2025 - make sure you sign up for Medicare Part A and B during your Initial Enrollment Period (3 months before your 65th birthday through 3 months after). Even though you're retiring early, you'll need Medicare coverage starting at 65. Also, if you have employer health insurance through COBRA or retiree benefits, you'll want to coordinate the timing so there's no gap in coverage. Medicare and Social Security enrollment are separate processes, so don't assume applying for one automatically handles the other. The January 2025 start date for Social Security benefits that everyone's recommending is definitely the smart financial move given your 2024 earnings!

I'm new here but going through a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was just approved for SSDI last month after an 18-month wait, and I've been dreading the conversation with my LTD company about backpay offsets. My situation is almost identical to yours - LTD monthly benefit of $3,800, SSDI monthly of $2,950, and about $15,200 in backpay after attorney fees. Based on all the advice here, it sounds like I need to: 1. Request their detailed calculation in writing before they take anything 2. Verify they're using correct effective dates and only counting months they actually paid me 3. Check my policy for any provisions about attorney fees or minimum benefits 4. Make sure they're not using gross vs net amounts incorrectly One question for everyone who's been through this - did your LTD company require any specific documentation from SSA, or did they just take your word for the approval and backpay amounts? I'm wondering if I need to get official statements from SSA before I contact my LTD carrier. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's making this process feel much less overwhelming knowing what to expect and how to advocate for myself!

I'm new to this community but found this thread incredibly helpful as I'm facing a similar situation. I was just approved for SSDI after a 16-month wait, and like many of you, I'm trying to understand how my LTD company will handle the backpay offset. After reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear that preparation is key. I'm planning to request a detailed written calculation from my LTD carrier before they process anything, and I'll be carefully reviewing my policy language for any provisions that might help minimize the offset amount. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had success negotiating payment plans with their LTD company for the offset amount? My backpay is substantial but I have significant medical debt, and I'm wondering if they might allow me to keep a portion upfront for urgent expenses and pay back the rest over time. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences so openly. It's reassuring to know that even though the backpay situation is challenging, at least we'll have stable monthly income from both SSDI and remaining LTD benefits going forward. This community's advice about getting everything documented and challenging incorrect calculations could save people thousands of dollars!

btw congrats to ur son on the new job! my son also works at a grocery store. they actually have good benefits even for part timers after 6 months.

This is such valuable information for parents! I went through the same worry when my daughter started her first job at 16. One thing I learned is that it's also worth keeping track of your son's total lifetime earnings for his own future Social Security benefits. Even though he's only 15, those early work years start building his work history and quarters of coverage. The SSA keeps records of all earnings, and having that early work history can be beneficial down the road. Plus, it's never too early to start teaching teens about saving for retirement - even if it's just a small amount from each paycheck!

I'm also a retired teacher facing the GPO situation, and my heart goes out to you. Twenty-four years of waiting after losing your husband so young must feel overwhelming. What really bothers me about these cases is how the system treats our spouses' lifetime contributions to Social Security as if they never happened. From everything I've been reading, the proposed changes should definitely help your situation since you were only $237 over the threshold. That's exactly the kind of case where the reformed GPO rules would make the biggest difference. While we're all cautiously optimistic, I'd echo what others have said about not counting on anything until it's actually signed into law. One practical tip: start gathering all your documentation now - your TRS pension statements, your husband's Social Security earnings record, and any correspondence from your 2021 application. When the time comes to reapply, having everything organized will save you stress and time. After waiting this long, you deserve for the process to go as smoothly as possible. Keep advocating for yourself and don't give up hope. The fact that so many of us are in similar situations shows this isn't just an individual problem - it's a systemic issue that needs fixing.

I'm new to this community but facing a very similar situation - retired teacher with 30 years in the system, husband passed away 5 years ago, and I was denied widow's benefits due to GPO. It's both heartbreaking and encouraging to see so many of us dealing with the exact same unfair treatment. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm starting to feel more hopeful about the potential changes than I have in years. What really strikes me is how knowledgeable this community is about the technical details of WEP/GPO reform. I've been struggling to understand the implications of the proposed legislation, but the explanations here about phased implementation and benefit calculations have been incredibly helpful. One question I have - for those who have successfully contacted SSA recently, did you find the representatives knowledgeable about the pending changes, or are they still giving information based on current rules? I'm wondering if it's worth calling now or if I should wait until there's more clarity on the timeline. Thank you all for sharing your stories and insights. After feeling so alone with this issue, finding a community that truly understands makes all the difference.

As someone who just went through this process last year, I can confirm what others are saying - the online application won't show you both amounts for comparison. Here's what worked for me: 1. Call the 800 number early in the morning (around 8 AM) - shorter wait times 2. Have your ex-spouse's full name and SSN ready (from old tax returns if needed) 3. Ask specifically for both your own PIA and your potential divorced spouse benefit amount One thing I wish someone had told me: even though your ex took benefits early at 62, your divorced spouse benefit is still calculated from his FULL retirement age amount (his PIA), not his reduced amount. So don't worry about his early filing affecting your potential benefit. Also, since you're already at FRA, there's no penalty for working while collecting, so timing isn't as critical from that perspective. Take your time to get the right information before deciding!

I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this extensively. One thing I discovered that might help: you can actually get a rough estimate of your ex-spouse benefit by using the SSA's online benefit calculator if you know your ex's work history. It's not perfect, but it can give you a ballpark figure to compare against your own benefit estimate from your my Social Security account. Also, I found that calling right at 8 AM on weekdays (when they open) or sometimes around lunchtime (12-1 PM) tends to have shorter hold times. Avoid Mondays and the first few days after holidays if possible. One more tip: if your local SSA office offers "express interviews" for simple questions, that might be faster than a full appointment. Some offices do these on certain days for people who just need benefit estimates rather than filing applications. Worth calling to ask!