Thank you for breaking down those percentage details - that helps me understand what he might receive. So there's basically a floor of 82.5% of what my FRA benefit would have been. That's good to know. I really appreciate all this information!

I just wanted to add one more important detail that might be helpful - since your husband is a dual US/German citizen living in Germany, he should also be aware of the annual reporting requirements. Even though he's eligible for survivor benefits, the SSA may require him to complete Form SSA-7162 (Report of Contact) annually to continue receiving payments abroad. This is pretty standard for beneficiaries living outside the US, but it's something to keep in mind for the future. The Federal Benefits Unit in Germany can help guide him through this process when the time comes. Also, just echoing what others said about Claimyr - I've heard good things about that service for getting through to SSA representatives without the endless hold times!

I'm dealing with something very similar! Got an unexpected $203 payment from SSA about two weeks ago with no explanation. Like you, I couldn't get through on the phone and was worried it might be an error they'd want back later. The letter finally arrived yesterday and it turned out to be a retroactive COLA adjustment - apparently my initial 2025 benefit calculation was processed before the full 3.1% increase was applied to my payment tier. The letter was really detailed and showed exactly how they calculated the back pay for January through March. From what I'm reading in these responses, it sounds like your situation is probably the same thing. The timing and amount seem right for a COLA backpay. I'd definitely wait for that explanation letter before worrying too much - it should arrive within the next week or so based on my experience. Hope this helps ease your mind a bit! These adjustment payments seem to be pretty common right now.

I completely understand your anxiety about unexpected payments - I went through the same thing a few months ago! Based on all the responses here, it sounds like you're dealing with a routine COLA adjustment or Medicare premium correction, which is actually good news. One tip that really helped me when I was locked out of my SSA account: if you have any old SSA letters or documents lying around, gather them before calling. Having your previous benefit amounts, Medicare premium details, or even old correspondence numbers can help verify your identity over the phone much faster. Also, don't feel bad about not knowing what the payment was for - the SSA's communication about these adjustments is honestly pretty poor. They should really include a brief explanation with the deposit notification, but they rarely do. The detailed letter will come, and from what everyone's saying, it sounds like you'll be pleasantly surprised that it's money you were actually owed! Keep us posted when you get that explanation letter - I'm curious to see if it matches what others have experienced with the COLA backpay.

This is such a helpful discussion! I'm also a federal employee (FERS) with about 20 years of service and have been wondering about these same issues. Reading through everyone's experiences has really clarified things for me. One thing I wanted to add that might be useful - I recently attended a pre-retirement seminar through my agency, and they mentioned that you can actually get an estimate of your Social Security benefits that takes into account any potential WEP or GPO reductions by creating an account at ssa.gov and using their online calculators. There's a specific section where you can input pension information to see how it might affect your benefits. The presenter also emphasized what others have said here - that FERS employees generally don't need to worry about WEP since we've been paying into Social Security throughout our careers. But they did stress the importance of understanding GPO if you're planning to claim spousal or survivor benefits. It's really reassuring to see so many people confirm that FERS pensions and Social Security work together as designed. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - it's way more helpful than the confusing information you sometimes get from official sources!

As a newer community member who's been following this discussion, I just want to say how valuable this thread has been! I'm currently working in the private sector but considering a federal position, and understanding how FERS interacts with Social Security was one of my concerns. It's really reassuring to see the consistent message from multiple people with actual experience that FERS employees don't face WEP reductions since they pay into both systems. The distinction between WEP (which affects those who didn't pay SS taxes) and GPO (which can affect spousal/survivor benefits even for FERS employees) is something I never would have understood without reading everyone's experiences. The practical tips about using services like Claimyr to actually get through to SSA, checking your Social Security Statement for accuracy, and asking for technical experts when calling are incredibly helpful. It's clear that even SSA representatives sometimes get confused about these provisions, so having multiple sources of information is crucial. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their real-world experiences - it's made a complex topic much clearer for those of us still planning our careers and retirement strategies!

Thank you all for the helpful responses. I've learned a lot and will share this information with both my dad and his soon-to-be ex. It sounds like she definitely needs to be proactive about contacting SSA as soon as the divorce is finalized to see what benefits she might qualify for on her own record. I'll also suggest they discuss some kind of temporary financial arrangement in the divorce settlement to help her transition, since the spousal benefits will end. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!

As a former SSA field office manager, I can confirm everything that's been shared here is accurate. The 10-year rule is absolute - no exceptions for age, health, or circumstances. One thing I'd add: make sure she understands that if she does qualify for benefits on her own record, she should file her application BEFORE her spousal benefits terminate if possible. This can help avoid any gap in payments. Also, if she worked for the government or railroad, different rules might apply, so she should mention that to SSA. The transition period can be financially devastating for people who aren't prepared, so having all the information upfront is crucial.

Just wanted to add one more consideration - since you mentioned your husband said "we'll have plenty saved" but that didn't pan out, make sure you factor in your spouse's Social Security situation too if applicable. If your husband is still working or hasn't claimed yet, coordinating both of your claiming strategies could maximize your combined household benefits. Also, if you're married and your husband has passed away, you might be eligible for survivor benefits that could be higher than your own benefit. It's worth asking SSA about spousal/survivor benefit optimization when you call them. Sometimes couples can use strategies like "claim and suspend" or file and restrict to squeeze out every dollar possible from the system.

I'm 72 and went through a very similar situation! Took SS at 62 due to health issues, then went back to work part-time at 69. Here's what I learned: Yes, those SS deductions are normal and they DO help your benefit amount, but probably not by much given your current earnings vs. your construction years. The real opportunity is suspension - I wish I had known about it earlier! One thing to consider: if you suspend benefits and return to full-time work, make sure you have a realistic backup plan. I tried going back full-time at 70 but my body just couldn't handle it anymore, even in an office job. The 8% annual increase is fantastic, but only if you can actually make it work physically and financially. Maybe test out a few months of full-time work while still collecting benefits (since there's no earnings limit at your age) before making the suspension decision? That way you can see how your body handles it without losing your safety net.