Glad you got through to SSA and have a clear path forward! Smart move downloading and submitting the form right away rather than waiting for the mail. Just a heads up - when you do eventually file for Social Security again (whether at FRA or 70), make sure to mention this previous withdrawal application to the SSA agent. Sometimes it helps them locate your complete file history more quickly. Best of luck with returning to healthcare administration - sounds like you'll be much happier back in the working world!

Congratulations on successfully getting through to SSA and getting this sorted out! Your proactive approach of downloading the form immediately while also getting the mailed copy is smart. I went through a similar situation a few years back and the key is definitely acting fast before your entitlement date. One thing I'd add - keep copies of everything you submit (the form, any correspondence) in a file for your records. When you do eventually apply for benefits again down the road, having that documentation can be helpful. And honestly, it sounds like you know yourself well - some people thrive in retirement immediately, others need more time to transition. There's no shame in realizing you're not quite ready yet! The fact that you can return to healthcare administration where there's high demand puts you in a great position.

Thanks everyone for the reassurance! It sounds like this is totally normal and I was worried for nothing. I'll check again early next year to make sure my 2024 earnings show up correctly. And I'll definitely be more diligent about reviewing my SS records annually going forward.

Just wanted to add that you can also set up email notifications through your my Social Security account to get alerts when your earnings record is updated. I started doing this after having a similar scare a few years ago. The notifications typically come in late fall when the previous year's earnings get posted. It's a nice way to stay on top of things without having to remember to manually check every year!

I had a very similar experience when I applied for my benefits last year! Like you, I was married for over 10 years and provided all my ex-husband's information on the application, but my approval letter only mentioned my own retirement benefit. I was worried I was missing out on something too. After calling SSA (which took forever to get through), they confirmed that they had already run both calculations - my own benefit versus the divorced spouse benefit - and my own was higher by about $95 per month. The agent explained that this is actually pretty common, especially for people who worked steadily throughout their careers. What surprised me was learning that even though my ex earned significantly more in his peak years, the Social Security formula favors consistent earnings over high peaks. Plus, since I worked for 38 years and he had some periods of unemployment early in his career, my benefit calculation came out ahead. The fact that they didn't request your marriage/divorce certificate is actually a good sign - they typically only ask for those documents when they need to process a spousal benefit claim. Since you provided his SSN and they have access to his earnings record, they could easily compare the two amounts electronically. Still worth calling to confirm for your peace of mind, but it sounds like you're already getting the higher benefit amount!

I'm going through a similar situation right now! Just applied for my benefits last month and I'm waiting for my approval letter. I was married to my ex for 14 years and he definitely earned more than me throughout our careers, so I'm curious to see if I'll get a similar result where my own benefit ends up being higher. Reading through all these responses has been really educational - I had no idea about the progressive formula or how consistent work history could sometimes beat out higher peak earnings. I worked pretty steadily for 35 years while my ex had some career changes and gaps, so maybe I'll be in a similar boat. Thanks for posting this question! It's helping me understand what to expect when I get my own letter. Hope everything works out smoothly when you call to verify!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was also affected by WEP due to my teacher's pension and never pursued spousal benefits because I assumed they'd be reduced to nothing. Now with the repeal coming, I'm realizing I might have left money on the table. One thing I'm curious about - does anyone know if there's a statute of limitations on how far back they'll pay retroactive benefits once you provide the proper documentation? I've been collecting for 18 months already and I'm wondering if I'll only get the difference going forward, or if they'll recalculate back to my original start date. The SSA website mentions something about a 6-month retroactive limit for some benefit types, but I can't tell if that applies to this situation.

Great advice from everyone here! Just wanted to add one important point that I learned the hard way - when you go to your appointment, ask them to put a "remark" or "alert" in your file noting that you've requested consideration for divorced spouse benefits under the WEP/GPO repeal. I had a similar situation where I provided documents during one visit, but when I followed up months later, there was no record that anyone had ever looked into it. The remark helps ensure continuity if you end up dealing with different representatives later. Also, get the name and direct number of whoever handles your case - it can save you from starting over each time you call. The whole process is going to take months given the volume of WEP/GPO cases they'll be handling, so documentation of every step is crucial.

Just wanted to add some clarity on the timing aspect that others mentioned. When applying for survivor benefits, there's typically a 5-month waiting period from the date of death before benefits begin, unless the surviving spouse is already receiving benefits on their own record. In your wife's case, since she'd already be receiving her own retirement benefit, she could switch to the higher survivor benefit immediately after your death (assuming she's past FRA). Also, make sure to keep good records of your benefit statements - it helps speed up the application process when the time comes. The SSA should have everything on file, but having your own documentation never hurts.

I went through something similar with my parents' situation. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that you should also consider the impact of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) if either of you has worked for government agencies or have pensions from jobs where you didn't pay into Social Security. These can significantly reduce survivor benefits even if everything else looks straightforward. Also, I'd recommend getting a formal benefit estimate from SSA closer to retirement - the online calculators are helpful but an actual SSA representative can walk through your specific scenario and put it in writing. That peace of mind is worth the phone call hassle!