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!

I'm glad to see this got sorted out for you! Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful for others reading this thread - there's also something called a "restricted application" strategy that used to be available, but it was phased out for people born after January 1, 1954. Since you mentioned you're turning 63, you likely don't qualify for this option, but it's worth mentioning that Social Security rules have changed over the years. Also, if you haven't already, consider creating a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. You can see your benefit estimates there and even get personalized projections for different claiming ages. It's really helpful for planning purposes and much easier than trying to get through on the phone! Best of luck with your retirement decision - sounds like you've got a good handle on things now.

I'm new to this community but have been lurking and reading through posts like this because I'm in a similar situation (turning 62 next year). This thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my financial advisor - it's also worth considering your overall health and family longevity when making these decisions. If you have reason to believe you might not live as long (health issues, family history), taking benefits earlier might make more sense even with the reduction. But if you expect to live well into your 80s or 90s, the math often favors waiting for larger monthly payments. Also, don't forget about Medicare enrollment! You'll need to sign up for Medicare at 65 even if you're not taking Social Security yet. That's a separate decision but important to keep in mind for your overall retirement planning. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this discussion - I've learned so much from reading all your experiences and advice!

My sister works full time too and she said her office had an online form specifically for requesting a callback. Have you checked your local office's website? Some have different options than others.

I feel your pain! I'm in a similar situation - work 8-5 and my boss isn't thrilled about long personal calls either. What finally worked for me was using the SSA's "appointment request" feature on their website late at night (around 11pm when the site is less busy). You have to create a my Social Security account first, but then you can submit a request for a callback to schedule an appointment. It took about 5 business days, but they called me back and we scheduled everything over the phone during my lunch break. Way better than sitting on hold for hours! Also, since you mentioned retirement at 62 with spousal benefits involved, definitely ask about "restricted application" strategies when you do get through - there might be some timing advantages you can take advantage of.

I finally got through to SSA today! The agent told me my husband's PIA (what he would get at his FRA) is about $3,750, and half of that is $1,875. Since my benefit is $1,580, I qualify for an additional $295 per month in spousal benefits! They're processing it now and said I'll get retroactive payments to when I reached FRA. I'm so glad I asked about this - thank you everyone for your help!

Wow, this is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - I'm 66 and my husband is 68, both collecting our own Social Security. I never even thought about spousal benefits since we're both already getting our own checks. Reading through all these responses makes me realize I should probably check into this too. Does anyone know if there's a time limit on how long after you start collecting your own benefits you can apply for additional spousal benefits? I've been on Social Security for about 8 months now.