I'm so sorry for your family's loss. What you're doing for your niece is truly admirable during such a difficult time. I wanted to share something that helped us tremendously when we went through a similar situation with my nephew. Before heading to the SSA office, I'd recommend calling your local office directly (not the main 1-800 number) to ask what their current wait times are like and if they have any preferred appointment slots. Some offices are much less busy on certain days of the week. Also, bring a small folder with dividers to keep all your documents organized - it makes the process smoother and shows you're prepared. The agents really appreciate when families come in well-organized. One thing I wish someone had told us earlier: if your niece has any medical or therapy needs related to grief counseling, those expenses can be covered by the survivor benefits. Mental health support is crucial during this transition, and it's completely appropriate to use the funds for professional counseling if needed. The benefits will make a real difference for her future, and you're handling this exactly the right way by getting the process started quickly. Your niece is so fortunate to have you both stepping up for her.

I'm so deeply sorry for your loss, and my heart goes out to you and your niece during this incredibly difficult time. Losing a parent at such a young age is devastating, and it's beautiful to see how you're stepping up to care for her. I wanted to add a few things that might be helpful as you navigate this process: 1. When you call SSA, ask specifically about expedited processing for minor survivor benefits. Some offices can fast-track applications for children who have lost parents, especially when there are clear documentation and urgent need. 2. Request a case number for your application and write it down - this will help you track the status and reference it in future calls. 3. If your niece has any existing medical conditions or if she needs counseling to cope with the loss of her mother, make sure to mention this. The benefits can cover these essential healthcare needs. 4. Consider asking about automatic enrollment in Medicare for when she turns 18 if she has any disabilities, as this can provide important healthcare continuity. The community here has given you excellent advice about documentation and the application process. Just remember that while this feels overwhelming right now, you're taking exactly the right steps at the right time. These benefits exist precisely for situations like yours, and your niece deserves every bit of support available to her. You're giving her such a gift by providing stability and love when her world has been turned upside down. She's incredibly lucky to have you both.

I had a very similar experience when I applied for my benefits last year! Like you, I was married for over 10 years and provided all my ex-husband's information on the application, but my approval letter only mentioned my own retirement benefit. I was worried I was missing out on something too. After calling SSA (which took forever to get through), they confirmed that they had already run both calculations - my own benefit versus the divorced spouse benefit - and my own was higher by about $95 per month. The agent explained that this is actually pretty common, especially for people who worked steadily throughout their careers. What surprised me was learning that even though my ex earned significantly more in his peak years, the Social Security formula favors consistent earnings over high peaks. Plus, since I worked for 38 years and he had some periods of unemployment early in his career, my benefit calculation came out ahead. The fact that they didn't request your marriage/divorce certificate is actually a good sign - they typically only ask for those documents when they need to process a spousal benefit claim. Since you provided his SSN and they have access to his earnings record, they could easily compare the two amounts electronically. Still worth calling to confirm for your peace of mind, but it sounds like you're already getting the higher benefit amount!

I'm going through a similar situation right now! Just applied for my benefits last month and I'm waiting for my approval letter. I was married to my ex for 14 years and he definitely earned more than me throughout our careers, so I'm curious to see if I'll get a similar result where my own benefit ends up being higher. Reading through all these responses has been really educational - I had no idea about the progressive formula or how consistent work history could sometimes beat out higher peak earnings. I worked pretty steadily for 35 years while my ex had some career changes and gaps, so maybe I'll be in a similar boat. Thanks for posting this question! It's helping me understand what to expect when I get my own letter. Hope everything works out smoothly when you call to verify!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was also affected by WEP due to my teacher's pension and never pursued spousal benefits because I assumed they'd be reduced to nothing. Now with the repeal coming, I'm realizing I might have left money on the table. One thing I'm curious about - does anyone know if there's a statute of limitations on how far back they'll pay retroactive benefits once you provide the proper documentation? I've been collecting for 18 months already and I'm wondering if I'll only get the difference going forward, or if they'll recalculate back to my original start date. The SSA website mentions something about a 6-month retroactive limit for some benefit types, but I can't tell if that applies to this situation.

Great advice from everyone here! Just wanted to add one important point that I learned the hard way - when you go to your appointment, ask them to put a "remark" or "alert" in your file noting that you've requested consideration for divorced spouse benefits under the WEP/GPO repeal. I had a similar situation where I provided documents during one visit, but when I followed up months later, there was no record that anyone had ever looked into it. The remark helps ensure continuity if you end up dealing with different representatives later. Also, get the name and direct number of whoever handles your case - it can save you from starting over each time you call. The whole process is going to take months given the volume of WEP/GPO cases they'll be handling, so documentation of every step is crucial.

Glad you got through to SSA and have a clear path forward! Smart move downloading and submitting the form right away rather than waiting for the mail. Just a heads up - when you do eventually file for Social Security again (whether at FRA or 70), make sure to mention this previous withdrawal application to the SSA agent. Sometimes it helps them locate your complete file history more quickly. Best of luck with returning to healthcare administration - sounds like you'll be much happier back in the working world!

Congratulations on successfully getting through to SSA and getting this sorted out! Your proactive approach of downloading the form immediately while also getting the mailed copy is smart. I went through a similar situation a few years back and the key is definitely acting fast before your entitlement date. One thing I'd add - keep copies of everything you submit (the form, any correspondence) in a file for your records. When you do eventually apply for benefits again down the road, having that documentation can be helpful. And honestly, it sounds like you know yourself well - some people thrive in retirement immediately, others need more time to transition. There's no shame in realizing you're not quite ready yet! The fact that you can return to healthcare administration where there's high demand puts you in a great position.

My sister works full time too and she said her office had an online form specifically for requesting a callback. Have you checked your local office's website? Some have different options than others.

I feel your pain! I'm in a similar situation - work 8-5 and my boss isn't thrilled about long personal calls either. What finally worked for me was using the SSA's "appointment request" feature on their website late at night (around 11pm when the site is less busy). You have to create a my Social Security account first, but then you can submit a request for a callback to schedule an appointment. It took about 5 business days, but they called me back and we scheduled everything over the phone during my lunch break. Way better than sitting on hold for hours! Also, since you mentioned retirement at 62 with spousal benefits involved, definitely ask about "restricted application" strategies when you do get through - there might be some timing advantages you can take advantage of.