my neighbor went thru something like this last month. she said that her ex (also csrs) had to fill out form SSA-795 (statement of claimant) explaining his pension situation along with the regular application. might be good to tell your ex about that form in case ss office doesnt mention it.

As someone who's been through the federal retirement system maze, I'd strongly recommend your ex-husband contact SSA sooner rather than later. The new WEP/GPO legislation is still being implemented and SSA offices are getting swamped with questions about these changes. A few practical tips based on what I've seen: - He should gather all his CSRS pension documentation before visiting/calling - If he can't get through by phone, try going to the local SSA office early in the morning (they're less crowded) - Ask specifically about both WEP recalculation AND ex-spousal benefits - sometimes they only address one unless you ask about both Since you were married 20+ years and he's already 74, time is important here. Even if the benefit increase is small initially due to the phase-in, getting the claim filed establishes his rights going forward as the reforms continue to roll out over the next decade. The fact that his current SS benefit is only $320 suggests WEP hit him pretty hard, so there's likely room for improvement with the new rules.

Hey there - I went through this exact process! So I have hereditary spastic paraplegia (diagnosed at 16) and my dad passed away when I was 19. I didn't know about CDB until I was 34! What finally worked for me: 1) I went IN PERSON to my local SSA office with ALL my medical records organized chronologically (original diagnosis through current) 2) I specifically requested to talk to someone familiar with CDB/DAC benefits (not everyone knows these well) 3) I brought a letter from my neurologist specifically stating my condition began before 22 and has prevented substantial gainful activity continuously since then 4) Here's what they don't tell you - you need to specifically fill out both the adult disability application AND form SSA-4-BK (Child's Benefits) My application was approved in about 4 months, which is lightning fast for disability. I think going in person with everything perfectly organized made all the difference. Good luck!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating process! I went through something similar with my own disability case a few years ago. The waiting is absolutely the worst part, especially when you're already dealing with health issues and financial stress. A few things that helped me during my long wait: 1. Document EVERYTHING - keep a log of every phone call, date, time, who you spoke with, and what they told you. This saved me multiple times when representatives gave conflicting information. 2. For your current stuck case, try calling first thing in the morning (8am) or later in the evening. I found I got through faster and sometimes reached more experienced reps who could actually see detailed case notes. 3. Consider reaching out to your congressional representative's office. They have a constituent services department that can sometimes get movement on stalled federal cases. It's a free service and they're surprisingly effective at getting answers from SSA. Your situation with potentially qualifying for CDB is really promising - having that genetic condition diagnosed at 13 definitely meets the "before age 22" requirement. The fact that you could have been eligible for years is infuriating but also hopeful for your future benefits. Stay strong - I know it feels endless, but you WILL get through this process. Your condition is real, your limitations are valid, and you deserve support. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise.

To summarize for the original poster: Yes, you can move to Portugal and continue receiving your Social Security retirement benefits without interruption. You should: 1. Notify SSA before you move (ideally 3 months before) 2. Set up direct deposit to a US bank for simplicity 3. Be prepared to complete periodic questionnaires 4. Research the US-Portugal tax treaty to understand tax implications 5. Keep your mySocialSecurity account active so you can manage things online You can find all this information in the SSA publication "Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States" on the SSA website.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - I work for an international benefits consulting firm and we see a lot of folks making this move. Portugal is actually one of the easier countries for US retirees because of their D7 visa program and the tax treaty. One tip that hasn't been mentioned: consider opening your Portuguese bank account BEFORE you move if possible. Many Portuguese banks will let you do this remotely if you're planning to become a resident. This way you can test the international transfer process while you're still in the US and have easy access to customer service if anything goes wrong. Also, Portugal has excellent healthcare for retirees, but make sure you understand how Medicare works (or doesn't work) outside the US. You'll likely need private international health insurance or Portuguese health insurance to supplement what Medicare doesn't cover abroad.

One more thing to consider - if you're planning to claim early retirement benefits next year, remember that the earnings limit for 2025 will likely be around $22,500 (they adjust it each year for inflation). So even if you're still working part-time, you have some room before your benefits get reduced. For every $2 you earn over that limit, SSA reduces benefits by $1. But again, only earned income counts toward this limit.

Just wanted to add that if you do hit a big jackpot on the cruise, make sure to keep all your documentation! The cruise ship will give you forms, but it's also smart to take photos of any paperwork and keep receipts. When tax time comes around, you'll need to report it properly. Also, if you're planning to gamble regularly in retirement (not just this one cruise), you might want to consult with a tax professional about how it could affect your overall tax situation year over year. But for a one-time celebration jackpot - go for it and enjoy! The earnings test won't be impacted.

Please do update us! I'm curious how much additional benefit you might get. I ended up with about $340 extra per month which has been really helpful with inflation being so high lately.

I'm in a very similar situation - also receiving SSDI for about 2 years now due to a back injury, and my ex-husband is approaching retirement age. This thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea I could potentially receive divorced spouse benefits while on SSDI. One question I have - does it matter if my ex-husband remarried? We've been divorced for 8 years and he got married again about 3 years ago. Would his current marriage affect my eligibility for divorced spouse benefits based on our previous marriage?