I've been following this thread and wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful for your situation. Since you're dealing with the complexity of teacher pensions and Social Security, you might want to check if your state has a SHINE program (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). While they're primarily known for Medicare counseling, many SHINE counselors are also trained on Social Security issues and can provide free, unbiased advice about benefit strategies. Also, I noticed someone mentioned the online Retirement Estimator - that's great for getting rough numbers, but since you have the WEP/GPO complications, those estimates might not be accurate for your actual situation. The tool doesn't account for government pensions, so definitely don't rely on those numbers alone for your decision. One practical tip for your SSA appointment: if possible, bring your husband's Social Security statement or any records you have of his earnings. Sometimes having that information handy can help speed up the process of calculating your widow's benefit, especially if there are any discrepancies in their system. You're getting excellent advice here, and I can tell you're going to be well-prepared for this decision. The fact that you're taking the time to understand all your options will really pay off in the long run. Wishing you the best as you navigate this process!

I'm so glad you found this community and asked these important questions! Reading through all the excellent advice here, I can see you're getting a really comprehensive picture of your options. As a newcomer to navigating Social Security benefits myself, I wanted to share something that might help - when I was researching similar questions for my own family situation, I found that having a written timeline really helped clarify things. You might want to create a simple chart showing what your monthly income would look like under different scenarios (taking retirement at 62 vs waiting, taking widow's benefits now vs later, etc.) once you get those calculations from SSA. Also, since everyone has mentioned how crucial the WEP/GPO calculations are for your teacher's pension, you might want to ask SSA to put those specific reduction amounts in writing when you meet with them. That way you can review the numbers at home without feeling rushed during the appointment. The fact that you're asking these questions now, before making any decisions, shows you're going to make the best choice for your situation. It sounds like you have several potentially good strategies to choose from once you get all the numbers. Best of luck with your SSA appointment - you've got this!

I'm so sorry for your loss and the frustration you're experiencing with this delay. As a newcomer here, I've been reading through these discussions and it's clear that estate underpayment claims like yours are unfortunately common and often take longer than they should. From what everyone has shared, it sounds like you've done everything correctly - filing the SSA-1724 with proper documentation showing you're the executor. The fact that you're now approaching 6 months definitely warrants more aggressive follow-up. I'd suggest combining several of the strategies mentioned here: call early morning using those specific questions about alerts/holds and fund confirmation status, document everything in writing, and don't hesitate to escalate to a supervisor or even your congressional office if you continue getting vague responses. Your husband's estate is absolutely entitled to that March payment since he lived the entire month, and at this point the delay seems unreasonable. Keep advocating for yourself - you shouldn't have to wait indefinitely for money that rightfully belongs to the estate.

I'm so sorry for your loss and the additional stress this bureaucratic delay is causing you during an already difficult time. As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through everyone's helpful advice and wanted to add a few thoughts. You're absolutely right to pursue this - your husband's estate is entitled to that March payment since he was alive for the entire month. The fact that you're now at 6+ months is definitely beyond the normal 4-6 month processing time everyone mentions. Based on what I've read here, I'd suggest trying a multi-pronged approach: First, call early morning (8am) with those specific questions others outlined about alerts, holds, and fund confirmation status. Second, if that doesn't yield results, definitely consider reaching out to your congressional representative's office - they can often cut through bureaucratic delays much faster than individual calls. One thing I noticed from similar posts is that sometimes these claims get stuck on technical issues that aren't communicated clearly. The suggestion about confirming SSA actually received the returned funds is particularly important since there can be delays between when you see the bank withdrawal and when their system registers it. Keep detailed notes of every interaction and don't accept vague "it's in queue" responses. You deserve specific answers about what's preventing this from moving forward. Hang in there - you're advocating for something the estate is rightfully owed.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a spouse after so many years together is heartbreaking, and dealing with government paperwork during this time feels impossible. Everyone here has given you solid advice about needing to call SSA. I wanted to share something that helped me when I was dreading making difficult phone calls during my own family crisis - I set aside a specific day and time for it, made sure I had everything I needed within reach, and told myself I only had to make the call, not solve everything in one conversation. One thing I don't think anyone mentioned yet: if you're feeling too overwhelmed to handle the call yourself right now, you might be able to have a trusted family member or friend make the initial contact with you present. They can't make decisions for you, but they can help navigate the conversation while you're listening. Some people find this less intimidating than going it alone. Also, many local Area Agencies on Aging have volunteers who are trained to help people navigate Social Security applications. They can't make the call for you, but they can sit with you and help you understand the process. It might be worth looking into if you have one in your area. Take your time, be gentle with yourself, and remember that thousands of people go through this process every month. The system may be confusing, but you will get through it.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Losing your husband after 38 years must be incredibly difficult, and having to navigate government systems during your grief feels overwhelming - that's completely understandable. Everyone here has given you excellent guidance that survivor benefits require calling SSA rather than applying entirely online. I wanted to add something that might help with the actual phone experience: consider using the SSA's callback feature if available, or try calling on Tuesday-Thursday mid-morning (around 10 AM) when call volumes tend to be slightly lower than Mondays/Fridays. When you do get through, don't hesitate to ask the representative to speak slowly or repeat information. Let them know you're recently widowed and feeling overwhelmed - they encounter this situation frequently and most are very understanding. You can also ask them to explain the difference between survivor benefits and retirement benefits, as understanding both options will help you make the best decision for your situation. Remember, that first call is just to start the process and gather information. You don't need to make any final decisions immediately. Take notes if you can, or have someone with you to help remember the details. You're taking the right steps by reaching out for help here first. This community clearly cares about supporting you through this difficult process.

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful and informative this entire thread has been! CosmicCruiser, congratulations on your new job - what a wonderful outcome! Reading through everyone's responses really highlights how important it is to get accurate information from people who've actually dealt with these situations firsthand. The consistent message from experienced community members that your income won't affect your children's survivor benefits must have been such a relief to hear. It's also educational to see the clarifications about different types of benefits (survivor benefits vs. SSI) and how the earnings limits work. This is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that makes such a difference for families navigating these complex systems. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - it's clear this community is a valuable resource for anyone dealing with Social Security benefits!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to express how incredibly valuable this entire discussion has been to read! CosmicCruiser, huge congratulations on your new job - what an amazing outcome! This thread is such a perfect example of why community support matters so much when dealing with Social Security benefits. Seeing how you went from genuine worry about potentially losing your children's benefits to confidently accepting a great career opportunity really shows the power of getting accurate information from people with real experience. The consistent reassurance from multiple members that your income has zero impact on your kids' survivor benefits must have been such a weight off your shoulders. I've learned so much just from reading through everyone's responses, especially the important distinctions between different benefit programs. It's wonderful that your family now has both the continued survivor benefits AND the stability of your new full-time position. Thank you to all the experienced members who shared their knowledge - this community is clearly an invaluable resource for navigating these complex systems!

Glad you got confirmation! One last tip - schedule the appointment for AFTER you've submitted your own retirement application. Her benefits are dependent on yours being processed first. You can actually apply for both at the same time, but make sure your retirement application is mentioned first when you schedule the appointment.

Just wanted to add another piece of info that might be helpful - when you do apply for your daughter's benefits, they'll be retroactive up to 6 months from your application date (but not before your retirement benefits start). So even if there's a delay in getting the appointment scheduled, you won't lose out on those monthly payments. The SSA will calculate back to when she first became eligible and issue any back payments in a lump sum with her first check. This was really helpful for us when there was a 2-month delay getting all our paperwork processed!