Since no one's mentioned it yet, there's also an actual formula you can use to get a rough idea. Your Social Security benefit is based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). If you have several zero years in your 35-year calculation: 1. Every $1,200 in additional annual earnings translates to about $1 more per month in benefits for the rest of your life So if you're earning $72,000 per year as you mentioned, and replacing zeros, that's potentially adding about $60 monthly to your benefit for each year worked ($72,000 ÷ $1,200 = $60). Over a 20-year retirement, that's about $28,800 in additional benefits for each extra year you work (not counting cost of living adjustments). This is simplified, but gives you a ballpark figure to compare against your work satisfaction and other factors.

Another factor to consider is the delayed retirement credits if you're thinking about when to actually claim benefits. If you're planning to retire but wait until your Full Retirement Age to claim, you might also want to look into whether waiting even longer to claim (up to age 70) could make sense given your situation. Since you have those gaps in your work history, your benefit amount at FRA might be lower than someone with a full 35-year career. Delayed retirement credits give you an 8% increase per year for each year you delay claiming past your FRA up to age 70. So if your FRA benefit ends up being on the lower side due to those zero years, the delayed credits could be particularly valuable. You could potentially retire when you want, work part-time or consult if you need income, and still maximize your eventual Social Security benefit by waiting to claim. Just something else to factor into your overall retirement strategy!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Applied in December for March benefits and my account just updated to show my first payment in May. It's so stressful when you're counting on that money. From reading everyone's responses here, it sounds like this is unfortunately the new normal with SSA processing times. I'm trying to stay positive that I'll get all the back benefits I'm owed in that first payment, but the waiting is really hard when you've planned your finances around a certain timeline. Has anyone here had experience with how accurate the payment dates are once they show up in your MySocialSecurity account? Like, if it says May, should I expect it to actually arrive in May or could there be more delays?

I'm a newcomer here but dealing with a very similar situation! Applied for my Social Security retirement benefits in October 2024 with a January 2025 start date, and I'm still waiting for my first payment. My MySocialSecurity account keeps showing "processing" but no payment date yet. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - it sounds like these delays are unfortunately very common right now. I had no idea that SSA was experiencing such a backlog. I've been getting really anxious about whether something went wrong with my application, but it seems like many of you have gone through the same thing and eventually received all your back benefits. One question for those who've already been through this process - should I be concerned that my account still doesn't show a payment date, or is that normal too? I see some of you had payment dates appear in your accounts before the actual payments arrived. Just trying to figure out if I should start making phone calls or if patience is still the best approach at this point. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with these frustrating delays!

After seeing the additional details, here's what you should know: Since your grandson's parents are alive (though unable to care for him), he likely wouldn't qualify for benefits on your record as a dependent grandchild. However, there's an important exception: if you've legally ADOPTED your grandson (not just conservatorship), then he could potentially qualify for benefits on your record. At that point, your wife could potentially qualify for child-in-care spousal benefits if your grandson is receiving benefits on your record. This is definitely a situation where you need to speak directly with SSA about your specific circumstances.

Just want to add that if you do decide to pursue adoption, make sure to keep all your legal documentation organized - court orders, conservatorship papers, etc. When I dealt with SSA for family benefits, they wanted to see everything multiple times. Also, the adoption process can take months, so if you're considering it anyway for your grandson's stability, it might be worth starting that process sooner rather than later. In the meantime, definitely explore those state programs that were mentioned - sometimes there are kinship care benefits or relative caregiver programs that can provide support while you're navigating the federal benefits situation.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Applied in October for January benefits and my MySocialSecurity account is completely blank too. It's so frustrating that in 2025 we still have to wait for snail mail to get basic information about our own benefits. I've been checking my mailbox obsessively every day hoping for that award letter. At least now I know from reading everyone's responses that I should expect my first payment on the second Wednesday of February (my birthday is the 8th). Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know this is normal even though it's anxiety-inducing!

I'm in a very similar boat - applied for benefits to start in January and my MySocialSecurity account shows absolutely nothing about payment amounts or schedules either. It's really frustrating that their online system is so outdated when we're trying to plan our finances around this income. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though! Now I understand the payment timing (month behind schedule) and know to watch for that award letter. It's crazy that in 2025 we still have to rely on snail mail for such important financial information. Has anyone had luck calling the local SSA office directly instead of the main 1-800 number? I'm wondering if that might have shorter wait times.

One additional point that hasn't been mentioned: Make sure to formally apply for these benefits as soon as you're eligible. The SSA will not automatically recalculate benefits for people affected by the GPO elimination. You need to initiate the process, and benefits are generally not retroactive beyond 6 months. With the phase-out schedule, determining the optimal application timing can be complex, so you might want to consult with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning to maximize your lifetime benefits.

I'm also a public school teacher (25 years) and just learned about the GPO elimination! This thread has been incredibly helpful. One thing I wanted to add - I called my state teacher retirement system last week and they confirmed they're working with SSA to streamline the documentation process. They said they can provide an official letter stating your pension amount and start date that SSA will accept, which might be easier than digging up old benefit statements. Also, for those worried about the phone wait times, I've had better luck calling SSA right when they open at 8am local time. Still a wait, but usually under an hour. Good luck to everyone finally getting the benefits we've earned!