To clear up any confusion: For retirement benefits, if you start benefits in the exact month you reach FRA, your benefit will be calculated based on the number of days in that month before you reached FRA. For example, with FRA on November 15: - If you select November 1 as your start date, your benefit would be reduced by about 1/2 of one month's early retirement reduction (roughly 0.25-0.3%) - If you select December 1, you get your full benefit with no reduction For most people, waiting until the month after FRA (December 1 in your case) makes the most sense, especially if you want to ensure you get your full PIA amount.

Great question! I'm approaching my own FRA soon and had the exact same confusion. After reading through all these responses, it's clear that waiting until December 1st is the smart move for your situation. The key thing I learned is that SSA pays benefits for the previous month, so your November payment would reflect that partial month before reaching FRA on the 15th. Even though the reduction might only be around 0.25-0.3%, that adds up to real money over 20+ years of retirement. Better to wait one extra month and get your full benefit amount from the start!

I'm in a very similar situation - turned 70 three months ago and still working full-time. Reading all these responses is making me panic! I had no idea the benefits stopped growing at 70. I thought I was being smart by waiting since I don't need the money right now and my employer insurance is great. But losing $15k-40k like some of you mentioned is terrifying! I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned because I've been trying to get through to SSA for weeks with no luck. Question though - when you all applied late like this, did you have any issues with the application process being more complicated? I'm worried they'll ask why I waited so long and make it difficult.

As someone who works in retirement planning, I can't stress enough how important it is to file immediately! You're absolutely correct that benefits stop growing at 70 - those delayed retirement credits max out then. The good news is you've only been 70 for about a month, so your losses are minimal compared to some of the horror stories shared here. A few quick tips for your application: - You can apply online at ssa.gov/retire which is often faster than calling - If you do need to call, try early morning (8 AM) when lines are less busy - Have your W-2s from the last 2 years handy - Since you're still working, make sure to tell them about your current employer insurance when discussing Medicare The retroactive benefits (up to 6 months) should help minimize your losses. Don't beat yourself up too much - this is unfortunately a very common situation because SSA doesn't actively notify people about this rule change at 70. The important thing is you're taking action now!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm in a very similar situation - retired teacher with 28 years in the system, and my husband passed away 3 years ago. I've been collecting on my own record because that's what SSA told me was higher at the time, but reading through all these responses makes me think I should request a new calculation. Like you, I also have some years where I paid into both systems when I worked summer jobs and substitute teaching in different districts. I never thought to mention those specific years when I first applied. The whole WEP/GPO system is so confusing, and it really does feel like we're being penalized for choosing careers in public service. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service that Zara mentioned - I've had the same experience with trying to call SSA directly and either getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Has anyone else here had success getting through to someone knowledgeable using that method? I'd love to hear more experiences before I try it myself. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories and advice. It's so helpful to know we're not alone in dealing with this complicated situation!

I'm a retired teacher dealing with a very similar WEP/GPO situation, and I want to echo what several others have said about requesting a detailed recalculation. After reading through all these responses, I'm realizing there are some key points that might help you: First, since your husband passed away 6 years ago and hadn't started collecting yet, the survivor benefit calculation would be based on 100% of what he would have received at his Full Retirement Age - not what he was actually receiving (which was nothing). This could be significantly higher than what you compared against initially. Second, those dual-contribution years from 1970-1977 are definitely worth documenting thoroughly. While they won't eliminate the GPO, they might help reduce your WEP penalty on your own benefit, which could affect which option is ultimately better for you. The GPO formula is harsh - it reduces survivor benefits by 2/3 of your government pension - but as Natasha pointed out, there might still be something left after that reduction. With 6 years of COLAs applied to both benefits, the math could have shifted in your favor. Don't let the SSA office give you different answers every time. Insist on speaking with someone who specializes in WEP/GPO cases, and ask them to show you the specific calculations in writing. You've earned these benefits through decades of service and contributions - make sure you're getting everything you're entitled to receive.

One more thing to watch out for - if your wife has any employer-sponsored retirement plan distributions (401k, pension, etc.) scheduled around her retirement date, make sure those don't accidentally get counted as "earnings" for the Social Security earnings test. Only wages and self-employment income count toward the limit, but I've seen people get confused and delay their retirement unnecessarily because they thought their 401k rollover would affect their benefits. Also, if she's planning to do any consulting or part-time work after retirement, that WILL count toward the earnings test, so factor that into your planning for 2026 total income.

Just wanted to add something that might help with your planning - make sure to check if your wife's employer has any specific policies about retirement date requirements. Some companies require you to work the full month to get benefits coverage, while others are more flexible. I found out the hard way that retiring on the last day of February versus March 1st affected my health insurance transition timing, which was something I hadn't considered when focusing just on the Social Security aspects. Also, since you mentioned she'll be 63, don't forget that she won't be eligible for Medicare until 65, so you'll need bridge coverage. The timing of when her employer benefits end could be another factor in choosing between Feb 28th vs March 1st retirement dates. Sometimes an extra day or two can make a big difference in benefit coordination!

btw did u guys sign up for medicare too or just ss retirement

One thing I don't see mentioned yet - make sure you keep checking your mail for any correspondence from SSA even after you get your first payment! Sometimes they send follow-up letters requesting additional documentation or notifying you of benefit adjustments that could affect future payments. I missed an important letter last year that was buried in my mailbox and it caused a temporary hold on my benefits. Also, once you start receiving payments, you can set up text alerts through your MySSA account to get notified when payments are deposited. Really helpful for peace of mind, especially in those first few months when you're still getting used to the new payment schedule.