Wait I'm still confused... does FRA mean Full Retirement Age or something else?? And is that different for everybody? Mine says 67 on my statement but my friend who's older says hers is 66 and something months.

My neighbor said the tax thing depends on what state you live in too. Some states don't tax SS at all. I'm in Illinois and they don't touch my SS.

Will this affect either of your Medicare premiums??? I've heard that if your income is too high you pay more for Medicare!! The whole system is so complicated I'm afraid to make any decisions at all.

Thank you all for the incredible advice! To summarize what I've learned: 1. Yes, my wife can claim her own $1,000 benefit now, and later switch to the spousal benefit 2. Important correction: The spousal benefit will be 50% of my Primary Insurance Amount (my FRA benefit), not 50% of my age-70 increased amount 3. When the time comes, she'll need to file form SSA-2 to apply for the spousal benefit 4. We should consider potential IRMAA impacts on Medicare premiums This community has been amazing. I feel much more confident in our plan now, with realistic expectations about the benefit amounts!

My sister went thru the same thing last yr. Monthly limit the first yr then annual after. But wat really messed her up was that she didnt realize they count GROSS wages not take-home pay! So watch out for that too!!

I remember when I started collecting early at 62 back in 2020. Had a similar confusion about the monthly vs. annual limits. Learned that in the first year, they use the monthly test as a grace to help you transition to retirement. Makes it easier if you had high earnings before starting benefits. But be careful - they don't automatically figure this out. You need to contact them if you want them to use the monthly test instead of the annual test in that first year. Don't wait for them to come asking for money back later! Also, don't forget that self-employment income counts too, not just W-2 wages. I almost got tripped up by that one since I do some consulting on the side.

My son got me a direct express card and now i dont have to worry about bank stuff. social security puts the money right on the card. its like a debit card. maybe this is easier for u than changing banks?

when i changed my bank last year i just went to my bank and they helped me fill out the form right there! my credit union did all the work and i didnt have to call ssa at all. maybe try asking ur new bank?

did u try filing for reconsideration after u got denied?? that mightve changed ur application date i think

To follow up on my earlier comment, I want to clarify something important: The application date issue depends partly on whether your wife was technically denied spousal benefits or if she never formally applied because it was clear she wouldn't qualify due to GPO. If she formally applied and was denied (with documentation), then that application date should stand. If she never formally applied for spousal benefits because SSA representatives advised it wouldn't be worthwhile due to GPO, then you might need to establish a protective filing date. In this case, bring any documentation showing she inquired about spousal benefits, even if she didn't complete a formal application. For maximum back benefits, document every interaction you've had regarding spousal benefits over the years.

To directly answer your question about when to make tax arguments: this isn't something you negotiate with SSA at all. They simply don't have the regulatory authority to reduce overpayments due to tax consequences - only Congress could change that. Instead: 1. Handle the overpayment process with SSA (reconsideration, waiver, or payment plan) 2. Keep meticulous records of all repayments 3. Address the tax remedy separately with IRS when you file taxes for the year(s) you make repayments For a repayment of $17,500, the tax benefit could be significant, especially if you use the claim of right provision rather than an itemized deduction. This would absolutely require consultation with a tax professional who understands Social Security repayments.

my aunt had this happen she just called and cried to the lady and they reduced what she had to pay back. worth a try lol

wait a sec, turning 65 has nothing to do with ss retirement! that's just for medicare. your ss full retirement age depends on when u were born. my sister took hers at 62 and got way less than waiting would have given her.

My husband did his online application last year and got so confused he just gave up and went to the local office. waited 2 hours but at least got it right the first time!

my husban had similar prob. the ssa website is down ALOT for "maintenance" could just be that??? maybe try logging in at weird hours like super early morning??

UPDATE: I want to thank everyone for their help! I used the Claimyr service that someone recommended and got through to an agent in about 10 minutes. Turns out they had my mailing address slightly wrong (wrong apartment number), so the verification letter was probably returned to sender. The agent was able to verify my identity over the phone and restore my account access immediately. I also downloaded and submitted the Medicare enrollment form as a backup. Such a relief to have this handled before my birthday next month!

I understand your concern about remarriage affecting survivor benefits. I just want to add that while your benefits are protected since you're over 60, you might want to consider consulting with an elder law attorney before marriage. They can help you understand implications beyond Social Security - things like inheritance for children from previous marriages, medical decisions, long-term care planning, etc. My sister remarried at 63 and wished she had gotten some legal advice first to protect both their interests.

Thank you all for your helpful responses! I feel so much better now understanding that I can keep my survivor benefits if we decide to get married. I'm going to look into making an appointment at my local SSA office to discuss all the details of my specific situation, including implications related to his teacher's pension. I might also try that Claimyr service someone mentioned if I can't get through to schedule an appointment. And the suggestion about consulting an elder law attorney is definitely something we'll consider - we both have adult children and our own retirement savings/assets to think about. It's strange navigating romance and practical matters at this stage of life, but I'm grateful for all your insights!

wait im confused do u have to be widowed to get survivor benefits? my husband is sick too but still alive can i get them now? or only after he passes away?

Thank you all so much for this incredibly helpful information! I understand the situation much better now. To summarize what I've learned: 1. If I wait until my FRA to claim survivor benefits, I'll get the higher of either his current benefit ($1,750) or 82.5% of his FRA amount (about $1,930) 2. I should look into whether my husband might qualify for SSDI, which could eliminate the reduction entirely 3. I need to compare my own retirement benefit to the survivor benefit when the time comes and consider claiming strategies This gives me a much better foundation for financial planning. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain all this!