I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help. I had a similar issue last year where my credits seemed to fluctuate wildly on my online account. After months of frustration, I discovered that the SSA was actually doing a "data integrity review" on records for people who had mixed covered/non-covered employment. What helped me was requesting something called an "earnings discrepancy investigation" when I went to my local office. This is different from just asking them to look at your record - it's a formal process where they compare their database against IRS records and employer reports. It took about 6 weeks, but they found several quarters where my earnings had been incorrectly classified. The key phrase to use is "earnings discrepancy investigation" - don't just ask them to "look into it" or "check your record." This triggers a specific review process that goes deeper than what the front desk staff usually do. Also, if you have access to your old tax returns (even just the 1040 forms), bring those too. The SSA representative told me that seeing the actual wages reported to IRS versus what's in their system often helps identify where the disconnect happened. Really hope you get this sorted out quickly!

I'm really sorry this is happening to you! Reading through all these responses has been so educational - I had no idea Social Security credits could be this complicated. I'm in a somewhat similar boat where I'm trying to earn my final few credits before retirement, though thankfully I haven't had any disappear (yet). Your situation is exactly why I keep printed copies of everything now. Based on what everyone has shared, it sounds like you have a really solid action plan. I especially like the advice about requesting the "earnings discrepancy investigation" - that seems like the most direct path to getting answers. One small thing to add: when you go in, maybe ask them to email you a summary of what they find/do during your visit. I've found that having written documentation from government offices really helps if you need to follow up later or if there are any misunderstandings about what was discussed. Please keep us updated on how this goes! Your experience will definitely help others who might face similar issues. Fingers crossed you get all 42 credits restored quickly!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My ex-husband also has a government pension and I've been putting off looking into ex-spousal benefits because I thought his pension would drastically reduce what I could get. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening - I had no idea that HIS pension doesn't directly affect MY ex-spousal benefits. I think a lot of us get confused about how WEP and GPO actually work. It sounds like the key thing is whether YOU have a government pension, not your ex-spouse. I'm definitely going to call SSA now to get my situation reviewed. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so helpful to hear from people who've actually been through this process!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm new to this community but I'm dealing with a very similar situation with my ex-husband who has both a federal pension and Social Security. I've been hesitant to apply for ex-spousal benefits because I assumed his government pension would drastically reduce what I could receive. After reading through everyone's experiences, I realize I may have been completely wrong about how this works. It sounds like his WEP reduction doesn't affect my potential ex-spousal benefits at all - only whether I have my own government pension would trigger GPO for me. I'm definitely going to contact SSA to have my case reviewed. Has anyone had success getting through to SSA recently, or should I try that Claimyr service that was mentioned? I'm 68 and have been collecting my own benefits for 2 years, but now I'm wondering if I've been leaving money on the table this whole time!

I'm going through a similar widow's benefits application process right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea that SSA representatives sometimes take shortcuts in their documentation like this. My application also has some information that seemed off, but now I understand it might just be how they streamline things when certain details don't affect eligibility. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it's so reassuring to know I'm not alone in finding this process confusing and stressful. I'm definitely going to double-check my Application Summary now and call if anything looks inaccurate, even if it's just for peace of mind.

I'm a former SSA claims specialist and can confirm what others have said - this is unfortunately a common shortcut that some representatives take when previous marriages don't affect benefit eligibility. The system has fields for all marriage history, but when a prior marriage was under 10 years, some reps will mark "no previous marriages" to avoid entering details that won't impact the claim. While this won't affect your widow's benefits (only your marriage to your deceased spouse matters for those), it's absolutely worth correcting for accurate records. When you call, be prepared that they may initially tell you "it doesn't matter," but you can insist on having factually correct information in your file. Ask to speak with a supervisor if needed. Also, keep documentation of when you called and who you spoke with about the correction - it helps if any questions come up later during processing.

Based on everything you've shared - your continued part-time work, your good health, and your husband already receiving benefits - waiting until at least your Full Retirement Age would likely be more advantageous than claiming early. This would avoid both the permanent early claiming reduction and the earnings test reduction. You might even consider waiting until 70 for your maximum benefit, especially if family longevity suggests you'll live well into your 80s or beyond. I recommend using the calculators on SSA.gov to compare different scenarios based on your exact earnings record, or consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies.

I'm glad you found this discussion helpful! Just to reinforce what others have said - the old "claim and switch" strategies are definitely off the table now. One additional thing to consider: since you mentioned you're in good health and planning to work part-time, you might also want to look into whether those continued earnings could potentially increase your benefit calculation. Social Security uses your highest 35 years of earnings, so if your current part-time work years are higher than some of your earlier lower-earning years, it could bump up your Primary Insurance Amount. The SSA recalculates benefits annually if you have qualifying earnings. Just another factor to weigh as you decide on your timing!

One more important thing! The reverse mortgage company will require you to stay current on property taxes, homeowners insurance, and home maintenance. If you don't, they can foreclose. Make sure you budget for these ongoing expenses with your SS benefits. That's where some seniors get into trouble with reverse mortgages.

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this same decision process two years ago. I was 69 and in a very similar financial situation - living on Social Security and a small pension, needed about $40k for home repairs and some medical debt. I can confirm what others have said - my Social Security benefits were completely unaffected, and my Medicare premiums stayed the same. The key thing that helped me was working with a HUD-approved counselor (which is mandatory anyway) who walked me through all the scenarios and helped me understand the true costs. One tip: if you're comparing lenders, pay close attention to the "Total Annual Loan Cost" (TALC) rates they're required to show you - this gives you a better picture of the real cost over time than just looking at interest rates. Also, some lenders offer a "line of credit" option where you only take what you need when you need it, which can save on interest charges compared to taking a big lump sum upfront. The peace of mind of having my roof fixed and medical bills paid off has been worth it for me. Just make sure you're working with a reputable lender and have someone you trust review everything with you. Good luck with your decision!