Thank you all for the responses! This has been incredibly helpful. I've made an appointment with SSA for next month and will specifically ask about surviving divorced spouse benefits. I'm gathering all my documents, including our marriage certificate, divorce decree, and her SSN. From what you've all shared, it sounds like I might be eligible since we were married over 10 years, even though we both remarried. I'll update once I learn more from SSA - this forum has already given me a much better starting point than I had before!

Just wanted to add that you should also ask SSA about the timing of when to claim these benefits. Since you're still working and have 3 years until FRA, you might want to understand how the earnings test works if you claim survivor benefits early (you can claim as early as 60, but at a reduced rate). Also, survivor benefits don't earn delayed retirement credits like your own retirement benefit does, so there's no advantage to waiting past your FRA to claim them. The strategy might be to claim survivor benefits at FRA and let your own retirement benefit grow until age 70 if that would result in higher lifetime benefits. Definitely worth discussing all the timing options with them!

As someone who works with families navigating Social Security benefits, I want to emphasize something crucial that hasn't been fully addressed: since you're caring for a special needs child, you may want to explore whether you qualify for disabled adult child benefits on your son's record once he turns 18, assuming his disability began before age 22. This could provide additional income streams for your family. Also, when you do apply for spousal benefits, make sure to mention your caregiving situation - sometimes there are additional protections or considerations for families with disabled dependents. The SSA representatives should walk you through all available options, not just the standard spousal benefit conversion. Don't let them rush you through the process without exploring every avenue that might benefit your specific family situation.

I'm currently in a similar situation - turning 62 in a few months and receiving CIC benefits for my disabled daughter. After reading through everyone's experiences, I'm realizing I need to start the application process NOW. One thing I learned from my caseworker that might help others: if you're worried about the income drop from CIC to reduced spousal benefits, ask SSA about any state supplemental programs in your area. Some states have additional support for families caring for disabled children that can help bridge the gap. Also, definitely keep detailed records of all your communications with SSA - dates, names, reference numbers. I've had to reference these multiple times when there were processing delays or conflicting information between representatives. The system is frustrating but being organized and persistent helps. Good luck to everyone navigating these transitions!

I'm so glad you were able to get everything sorted out, Omar! Your experience is a great reminder for others that calling the local office directly can be much more effective than the national hotline. It's encouraging to hear that the staff was helpful and accommodating during such a difficult time. Having dealt with similar paperwork issues myself, I know how overwhelming it can feel when you're already grieving. Wishing you the best as you wrap up the tax filing process.

As someone who works in tax preparation, I want to emphasize how important it is to get the actual SS-1099 rather than trying to estimate from bank deposits. The form contains crucial information that affects the tax calculation - not just the gross benefits in Box 3, but also details about any Medicare Part B premium adjustments, voluntary tax withholding, and whether any benefits are considered a repayment of prior year benefits. These details can significantly impact the taxable amount and potential deductions. I'm glad you were able to get the official form, Omar - your tax preparer will definitely appreciate having all the correct figures to work with.

Just want to add another perspective as someone who started benefits at FRA while still working. The key thing that helped me was getting everything in writing from SSA. When I called, I asked the agent to send me a written confirmation of how the earnings test would apply to my specific situation. This way I had documentation if there were any issues later. Also, don't forget that once you start receiving benefits, you'll need to report your estimated earnings for the following year on Form SSA-777. Since you're planning to continue working full-time through 2025, you'll want to be prepared for that. But again, since there's no earnings limit after FRA, it's really just for their records and won't affect your benefit amount. The peace of mind of having everything documented upfront was worth the extra step for me!

As someone who just went through this process myself (reached FRA last month), I can confirm what others are saying is correct. The earnings limit only applies BEFORE you reach FRA, and even then, in the year you reach FRA, they use a higher limit and only count earnings from months before your FRA month. One tip I'd add: when you do call SSA, have your estimated monthly earnings ready to share with them. They can run the exact calculation for your situation and tell you definitively whether you'd be over the limit for January-August 2025. With your $86K salary, you're probably fine, but it's worth confirming. Also, I'd recommend applying about 3 months before your FRA date (so around June) to ensure everything gets processed in time. The application process can take a while, and you want your first payment to start the month after you reach FRA without any delays. Don't let the complexity scare you off - you've earned those benefits and there's no reason to leave money on the table by waiting until 2026 if you don't need to!

I'm a newcomer to this community but found this thread incredibly informative as someone who might be facing a similar situation soon. My mother worked as a teacher for 30 years and has been affected by WEP, so I've been trying to help her understand how the repeal might impact her benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been eye-opening - especially the advice about being very specific during phone calls with SSA and asking for direct contact information and reference numbers. It sounds like the key is to be proactive and clearly connect all the different issues you're dealing with rather than assuming they'll figure it out on their own. @AstroAdventurer - I hope your March 18 call goes smoothly! It sounds like you're well-prepared now with all the great advice from this thread. Please consider updating us on how it goes - I'm sure others in similar situations would benefit from hearing about your actual experience with the process. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating these complex government systems more manageable!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm also dealing with WEP repeal issues but haven't applied for spousal benefits yet. Reading everyone's experiences makes me realize I should probably call SSA soon to check on my WEP recalculation status - I've been waiting since January and haven't heard anything. One thing I'm curious about - for those who have received their WEP backpay, did it come as a direct deposit or a check? And did you get any advance notice that the payment was coming? I want to make sure I'm watching for it in the right place and don't miss any notifications. Also, @AstroAdventurer, the advice about writing down specific questions before your call is so smart. I think I'll do the same when I finally work up the courage to call them. The phone system is so frustrating but it sounds like it's worth pushing through to get answers directly from a representative.