Just wanted to add one more important detail that hasn't been mentioned yet - when you do make the switch from survivor benefits to your own retirement benefits at 67 or 70, you'll want to time it carefully based on your birthday month. If you're switching at your FRA (67), you can receive both benefits for the month you turn 67, then your own higher benefit going forward. But if you're waiting until 70, you'll continue getting survivor benefits until the month you turn 70, then switch to your own maximized benefit. Also, keep all your W-2s and pay stubs from your working months in 2025 - SSA may ask for documentation later to verify your earnings were properly calculated under the monthly test. Having everything organized will make any future interactions much smoother!

Great question! I went through something very similar when I started collecting survivor benefits at 62. The key thing to remember is that SSA will ask you during your application whether you plan to work and what your expected monthly earnings will be after you start collecting benefits. When you tell them you're retiring in August and starting benefits in September, they should automatically apply the Monthly Earnings Test for your first year. But here's what I learned the hard way - don't just assume they'll do it correctly. After you apply, call them back about a month later to confirm they have you coded as "retired" and using the monthly test rather than the annual test. Also, since you mentioned you're still deciding between claiming your own benefits at 67 vs 70 - I'd recommend running the numbers on both scenarios. The survivor benefit might be higher than your own benefit even at 70 if your husband had significantly higher earnings. You can switch back and forth between survivor and your own retirement benefits to always take whichever is higher, but you can only make that election once per benefit type. The earnings limit confusion is real - the SSA website definitely could be clearer about these nuances!

Thanks everyone for the advice. I tried that Claimyr service mentioned above and actually got through to SSA this morning! The agent said for my situation (I'm affected by WEP), I need to send a copy of my updated pension statement showing both the previous amount and new amount after COLA. She said I could either upload it through my MySocialSecurity Message Center (she walked me through where to find it) or fax it to my local office. She also made a note in my file that I called about this. Feeling much better now that I know what to do!

Great to hear you got through and got clear instructions! For others reading this thread, I want to emphasize what @NightOwl42 said about keeping copies. I've been dealing with SSA for years and documentation is EVERYTHING. When you upload through the Message Center, take a screenshot showing it was successfully submitted. If you fax, keep the transmission report. And always note down the date, time, and name of any agent you speak with. SSA's record-keeping isn't perfect, so having your own paper trail can save you major headaches down the road if there are any disputes later.

I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this thread! I was feeling so defeated after weeks of getting nowhere with the 800 number, but reading through all these real experiences and practical solutions has given me a roadmap forward. It's incredible how much collective wisdom exists in this community that you just can't find on any official website. I'm planning to try multiple approaches: scheduling an online appointment (being specific about needing a Claims Specialist), calling early morning with my claim number ready, and visiting in person as a backup plan. The insight from the actual SSA employee about how the system works internally was especially eye-opening. It's frustrating that we have to work this hard to access our own benefits, but at least now I feel like I have viable options instead of just banging my head against the wall. I'll definitely update this thread once I get through - hopefully my experience can help the next person dealing with this same nightmare!

I'm dealing with a similar situation trying to get updates on my disability determination. After reading through all these great suggestions, I wanted to add one more option that worked for me - if you have a local legal aid office or disability advocacy organization in your area, they often have established relationships with SSA offices and can sometimes get through faster than individuals. They know exactly which forms to file and which specific departments to contact for different types of cases. Many offer free consultations even if you're not technically low-income. I found mine through a Google search for "Social Security advocacy [my city name]" and they were able to get me connected to the right person within a week after I'd been trying on my own for two months. Just another avenue to explore if the direct approaches don't work out!

Great question about the online calculator accuracy! Since Texas teachers do pay into Social Security, my estimate was pretty close - only about $50 off from what I actually receive. The WEP didn't affect me much because of the SS contributions throughout my career. One tip I forgot to mention - when you create your my Social Security account, really scrutinize your earnings record. I found two years from the early 2000s where my earnings were recorded incorrectly (too low), and I had to submit old W-2s to get it corrected. It wasn't a huge difference, but every little bit helps when you're on a fixed income! Also, don't stress too much about the application process. Once you have all your documents ready (birth certificate, W-2s, pension info), it really is pretty straightforward. The hardest part for me was just making the decision about when to file - sounds like you're being smart by researching it thoroughly first.

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! As someone who just navigated this process myself after a teaching career, I'd suggest starting with the my Social Security account at ssa.gov to review your earnings history. Since you mentioned 35 years of teaching, definitely ask specifically about WEP when you speak with SSA - it can significantly impact your benefits if your state didn't pay into Social Security. One thing that helped me was making a list of all my questions before calling or visiting. Write down: 1) How does my teacher's pension affect my SS benefits? 2) What's my benefit at 62 vs full retirement age vs 70? 3) Do my summer jobs or other non-teaching work help with the WEP calculation? The timing advice others gave is spot-on - apply 3-4 months before you want benefits to start. And definitely double-check your earnings record going back decades. I found a couple errors that needed correcting with old W-2s. Take your time with this decision - you've earned a comfortable retirement after all those years in the classroom!

I went through this exact same frustrating experience two years ago! What finally worked for me was scheduling an in-person appointment and bringing my husband's death certificate, my Social Security card, and my most recent tax return. The representative was able to pull up both benefit amounts side by side and show me the comparison on her screen. In my case, my survivor benefits were actually $200 higher than my own retirement would have been, so I stayed put. But the key was getting that face-to-face meeting - the phone reps either don't have access to the same tools or aren't trained to use them properly. One tip: when you schedule the appointment, specifically tell them you need a "benefit comparison for survivor vs. retirement benefits" and that you received a letter suggesting you might be eligible for higher benefits on your own record. This helps them prepare and have the right information ready when you arrive. Don't give up - you have every right to this information before making such an important decision!

I'm dealing with this same frustrating situation right now! I'm 68 and have been receiving survivor benefits for the past 5 years. Got a similar letter from SSA last month saying I might be eligible for higher benefits on my own record, but when I called, they gave me the exact same runaround - said they can't tell me the amounts unless I actually apply first. It's like they expect us to make blind financial decisions! I've tried the online calculators but they're confusing when you're already receiving survivor benefits. The estimates seem all over the place. Reading through these comments has been incredibly helpful though - I had no idea about the PEBES option or that the switch is permanent once you make it. That's terrifying! I think I'm going to try the in-person appointment route that several people have mentioned. At least then I can hopefully get someone who knows what they're talking about and can show me the actual numbers side by side. Has anyone had luck getting same-day appointments, or do you typically have to wait weeks? Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it's comforting to know I'm not the only one dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare!