wait so if you apply for social security do you HAVE to take medicare too?? I'm turning 65 later this year but still have good insurance through my wifes job. dont want to pay for something i dont need yet

As someone new to navigating Social Security, this whole thread has been incredibly educational! I'm still a few years away from retirement but seeing real experiences like yours helps me understand what to expect. The fact that SSA representatives actually call to discuss complex benefit options is reassuring - I always assumed everything would be done through impersonal letters or online portals. One question for the community: For those who've gone through this process, how far in advance should someone apply? The original poster mentioned applying 6 weeks ago - is that typical timing, or should people apply earlier to avoid any delays in receiving their first payments?

I'm so sorry for your loss, Alexander. This is such a difficult time to have to navigate these complex decisions. I went through something similar when my spouse passed away two years ago. One thing that really helped me was using the SSA's online benefit calculators at ssa.gov/benefits/calculators/ - they have a survivor benefits estimator that can give you rough projections based on your husband's earnings record. Also, since you mentioned you're still working part-time, make sure to factor in that if you earn more than the annual earnings limit ($22,320 for 2025), they'll temporarily withhold $1 of benefits for every $2 over that limit until you reach full retirement age. But like others mentioned, this gets paid back to you later through benefit recalculation. The flexibility to switch between survivor and retirement benefits is really valuable - not everyone knows about this option. Take your time with the decision and don't let anyone pressure you either way. Wishing you all the best during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Alexander. This is such a complex situation to navigate while grieving. Just to add one more perspective that might be helpful - if you do decide to take survivor benefits now at 60, you're not locked into that decision forever. You can actually file what's called a "withdrawal of application" within 12 months of first receiving benefits if you change your mind, though you'd have to pay back any benefits received. Also, something worth considering: even though survivor benefits max out at your FRA (not 70), if your own retirement benefit would be higher, you could potentially take the reduced survivor benefit now for immediate income, then switch to your maximized retirement benefit at 70. This strategy can sometimes result in higher lifetime benefits despite taking the early reduction on survivor benefits. The key is getting those actual dollar amounts from SSA for both scenarios. Given your part-time work and the fact that you're under the earnings limit, you might find that having some benefit income now while still working could provide valuable financial breathing room. Hang in there - you're asking all the right questions.

As someone who's been following Social Security policy changes closely, I want to add a few practical considerations for your decision. The WEP/GPO repeal is indeed a game-changer, but you're right to think carefully about timing. Since you mentioned having 11 zeros in your 35-year calculation, continuing to work until 70 serves a dual purpose: replacing those zeros with actual earnings AND getting the 8% delayed retirement credits. That's potentially a significant boost to your monthly benefit. Also, keep in mind that your teaching pension is substantial at $3,750/month, so you're not in a position where you desperately need the Social Security income right now. The math strongly favors waiting if you're in good health and have family longevity on your side. One tip: create a my Social Security account online if you haven't already - it should eventually reflect the WEP elimination in your benefit estimates, though as others noted, the system updates are still rolling out.

Congratulations on reaching this milestone! The WEP/GPO repeal is absolutely life-changing for so many of us with government pensions. I'm in a similar boat - retired from the postal service with 28 years and have been agonizing over my Social Security timing. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly enlightening. The key insight that really resonates is that with your pension already providing solid income, you have the luxury of optimizing for maximum lifetime benefits rather than immediate need. With 11 zeros to replace and the 8% annual credits, waiting until 70 seems like a no-brainer mathematically. I'm curious though - have you considered what happens to your spousal benefits if you're married? The WEP elimination affects those calculations too. Also, for those still waiting on SSA system updates, I called last week and the representative mentioned they're expecting the new benefit calculations to be available online by late spring, so keep checking those estimates!

As someone completely new to Social Security, this thread has been incredibly educational! I came in with similar confusion to @636c4a2971ed - I had no idea that many government jobs don't pay into Social Security at all, or that people could be penalized for working in both types of employment. The personal stories really helped me understand the real impact: @185b7cc3e99e losing $750/month despite 20 years of SS contributions, @0102a303a458's wife getting almost nothing from her SS payments because of her teaching pension, and @f59779e06f95's brother-in-law having his benefits slashed by 60%. These examples show this wasn't about giving free benefits to people who never paid in - it was about fixing unfair penalties on people who earned benefits from multiple systems. The technical explanations from @701b0c41f1c8 and @d4ba18f09350 about WEP vs GPO were really helpful too. I'm glad they're finally phasing out these provisions, even if it takes 5 years. Thanks everyone for such a clear discussion of this complex topic!

As a complete newcomer to Social Security policy, this has been one of the most educational discussions I've ever read! Like @636c4a2971ed, I started with a totally wrong understanding - thinking this was about giving SS benefits to people who never paid in. But reading through everyone's explanations and personal experiences completely changed my perspective. The stories from @185b7cc3e99e (losing $750/month despite 20 years of SS contributions), @0102a303a458 (wife getting almost nothing from SS due to teaching pension), and @f59779e06f95 (brother-in-law's benefits slashed by 60%) really show how unfair the old system was. These weren't people trying to cheat the system - they were workers who happened to have split careers between SS-covered and non-covered jobs and got penalized for it! The technical explanations from @701b0c41f1c8 and @d4ba18f09350 about WEP vs GPO were incredibly helpful too. I had no idea so many government jobs don't pay into SS, or that this could create such harsh penalties later. The 5-year phase-out seems reasonable even though immediate relief would be better for those affected. Thanks to everyone for making this complex topic so understandable - this community is amazing for newcomers like me trying to learn about these important issues!

This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone new to navigating these government benefit systems, I'm amazed at how complex the interactions between Railroad Retirement and Social Security can be. One thing I'm curious about - for someone in the aunt's situation who is 74 and potentially entitled to both benefits, is there any advantage to applying for Social Security retirement benefits even if they'll be reduced due to GPO? I'm thinking that even a partial benefit might compound over time and provide valuable financial security. Also, does anyone know if there are any advocacy organizations or resources specifically for people dealing with RRB/SSA coordination issues? It sounds like these cases require specialized knowledge that regular SSA representatives might not have. Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences and expertise here - this is exactly the kind of practical advice that makes a real difference for families trying to navigate these systems!

As someone who recently helped my grandmother navigate a similar situation with state teacher retirement and Social Security, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to get the official calculations from the source. What I learned is that these benefit coordination rules are incredibly nuanced - what works for one person might not apply to another even in seemingly similar situations. The Railroad Retirement Board has specialized representatives who understand these intersections much better than general SSA staff. One practical tip: when your aunt calls RRB, ask them to send her a written summary of the benefit calculation and explanation of any offsets. Having it in writing helped us tremendously when we had follow-up questions later. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person she talks to can't give her a complete answer - these cases sometimes require escalation to more specialized staff. The key is persistence and making sure she gets a thorough analysis of all her options. Even if the benefit ends up being smaller than hoped due to various offsets, that extra monthly income could still make a real difference in her financial security. Good luck to your aunt!