I'm sorry to hear about your situation - losing $160 suddenly from your monthly benefits is really stressful! Based on what you've shared about being on SSDI and working part-time, it sounds like the most likely explanations are either Trial Work Period/Extended Period of Eligibility issues or an overpayment recovery that SSA initiated without proper notice. Since you mentioned your mail sometimes gets mixed up in your building, I'd definitely check with neighbors to see if any SSA letters ended up elsewhere. They're legally required to notify you before reducing benefits, so if you didn't receive anything, that's a problem on their end. For getting through to SSA, try calling right when they open (8 AM local time) - that's usually when wait times are shortest. You can also try visiting your local field office in person, though you might need to wait there too. Don't give up - you have rights as a beneficiary and they need to explain exactly why your payment was reduced. Keep detailed records of all your attempts to contact them. Good luck!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My SSDI payment dropped by $200 last month with no explanation. After reading through all these responses, I'm realizing I should check if any SSA mail got lost - my apartment complex has had issues with mail delivery lately. One thing that might help you get through to SSA faster: I've had better luck calling the main number (1-800-772-1213) and immediately pressing 0 repeatedly when the automated system starts. Sometimes it bypasses the menu and gets you to hold for an actual person quicker. Also try calling on Wednesdays or Thursdays - Mondays and Fridays seem to be their busiest days. Keep us posted on what you find out - it'll help others who might face the same issue!

I work as a benefits counselor and see this confusion all the time. Since you were born in 1957/1958 (age 67 in 2025), you're subject to deemed filing rules - you can't do the restricted application strategy that was eliminated for people born after January 1, 1954. However, there might be one small silver lining to explore: if you have a significant reduction in earnings this year or next (maybe reducing work hours), it could be worth running the numbers on whether filing earlier makes sense. But given your $98K salary and family longevity, waiting until 70 is almost certainly your best bet. One thing to double-check: make sure your ex-husband's benefit amount is accurate. Sometimes people misunderstand what their actual benefit is versus what they're currently receiving (which might be reduced if they filed early). Your ex-spouse benefit would be 50% of his full retirement age benefit, not necessarily 50% of what he's currently collecting.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who recently navigated this same decision. I'm 68 and was born in 1956, so I also missed the restricted application cutoff by a couple years - super frustrating! One thing that helped me was using the Social Security break-even calculators to see the actual dollar amounts. In my case, I realized that even though waiting until 70 would give me the highest monthly payment, I'd need to live past 83 to come out ahead compared to filing at my FRA. Since I'm in great health like you, I decided to wait. But here's something to consider: if you're still working and contributing to Social Security, those continued contributions could actually boost your benefit calculation. I found out my last few high-earning years replaced some lower-earning years from the 1980s in my calculation, which increased my projected benefit at 70 even more than just the delayed retirement credits alone. Definitely get your most recent Social Security statement online to see your exact projected amounts before making the final decision!

I'm so sorry for your loss and the additional stress of dealing with the SSA bureaucracy during such a difficult time. As someone who has navigated similar issues with government benefits, I wanted to add a few practical tips for your upcoming appointment: First, consider recording the call (if legal in your state) or at least take detailed notes with timestamps. This can be crucial if you need to reference what was discussed later. Second, if the representative seems unfamiliar with the Fairness Act changes, you can reference Publication No. 05-10045 (the updated WEP/GPO fact sheet) and ask them to consult their Program Operations Manual System (POMS) for the most current guidance. Third, regarding the child-in-care benefits - these are paid at 75% of your husband's PIA and are NOT subject to GPO at all. So even before the Fairness Act, you should have been eligible for these benefits while caring for your 13-year-old. The fact that they denied this previously suggests the representative was misinformed. Finally, if you encounter resistance or confusion during your call, don't hesitate to end the call politely and try again with a different representative. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get someone who fully understands the current rules. You've got this! The Fairness Act was designed to help people in exactly your situation.

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful information about the WEP/GPO Fairness Act. I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - my spouse passed away last year and I have a state teacher's pension, though I don't have minor children involved. Reading through this thread has been incredibly educational. I had no idea about the 3-year phase-in period for GPO relief, and like many others, I've been getting conflicting information from SSA representatives. The suggestion about asking for a Technical Expert or supervisor is brilliant - I wish I had known that during my initial calls. @Haley Stokes - I really hope your appointment goes well! Your situation with the incorrectly processed application sounds so frustrating. The advice about documenting everything and getting written confirmation seems crucial given how much confusion there seems to be about implementing these new rules. One question for the group: Has anyone successfully received retroactive benefits dating back further than 6 months by proving they had attempted to apply earlier? I'm wondering if there's any precedent for this, especially in cases where the initial application was mishandled due to representative error.

ALSO!!! don't forget bout TAXES!! up to 85% of ur SS benefits can be taxable depending on ur other income. we didnt realize this and ended up owing a bunch at tax time that first year 😠

As someone who just went through this decision process last year, I'd recommend using the Social Security benefits calculator on their website (ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/estimator.html) to run the numbers for your specific situation. You can see exactly what your benefits would be at different ages. Also consider your health and family longevity - if you're in good health and have parents/grandparents who lived into their 90s, waiting might make more financial sense in the long run. But if you need the income now or have health concerns, taking it early could be the right choice. One thing that helped me was calculating the "break-even" point - basically how old I'd need to be for the total benefits received by waiting to exceed what I'd get by taking it early. In my case it was around age 78-79. Since I'm healthy and my mom is 92, I decided to wait.

Unpopular opinion: maybe if we all stopped relying on government handouts, we wouldn't have to deal with this bs 🤷‍♂️

I completely understand your frustration! I went through a similar ordeal last year. Here's what finally worked for me: 1) Call the main SSA number (1-800-772-1213) at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - your chances are much better then. 2) When you get through the automated system, press 0 multiple times to try to reach a human faster. 3) If you keep getting disconnected, try calling your local SSA field office directly - they often have shorter wait times. 4) Have your Social Security number, birth date, and all relevant documents ready before calling. 5) Be prepared to wait on hold for 1-2 hours even if you get through. Also, if you're able to visit in person, that might be faster than phone calls. Bring all your paperwork and get there early! The whole system is definitely broken, but persistence pays off. Good luck - you've got this! 💪