Update: I finally got through to someone at SSA today after trying for three days. The agent explained that they had initially calculated my benefit based on my husband's estimated earnings for his last year of work, but when the actual earnings were processed, it was lower than estimated. They're giving me options to either have reduced payments for 10 months or pay a lump sum (which I can't afford). I'm still going to file for reconsideration because I don't think I should be penalized for their estimation error. Thank you all for your helpful advice and support during this stressful time. The forms and information you suggested really helped me understand what was happening and what my options are.

I'm so glad you were able to get through and get some clarity on what happened! That estimation issue is incredibly frustrating - you're absolutely right that you shouldn't be penalized for their error. When you file your reconsideration, make sure to emphasize that: 1. You relied on SSA's benefit determination in good faith 2. You had no way to verify their earnings estimate was incorrect 3. The overpayment was entirely due to their administrative process, not any action on your part Also consider requesting a waiver alongside the reconsideration. Even if the overpayment stands, you might still qualify for waiver if repayment would cause financial hardship. Many people don't realize you can pursue both options simultaneously. Keep us posted on how the reconsideration goes - your experience could really help others in similar situations!

This is such valuable information, and I really appreciate how thorough everyone has been in explaining the rules. As someone who's been helping folks navigate Social Security for years, I can confirm what others have said - your husband's early filing absolutely will NOT reduce his survivor benefits. One thing I'd add that might be helpful: if your husband does become a survivor, he'll want to understand his timing options. Since his own benefit will be permanently reduced due to early filing, but your survivor benefit would be based on your full amount, he might benefit from what's called a "restricted application" strategy where he could potentially switch between benefits at different times to maximize his total lifetime benefits. Also, just a heads up - when the time comes (hopefully many years from now), make sure to apply for survivor benefits promptly. Unlike retirement benefits, survivor benefits can't be paid retroactively for more than 6 months, so timing matters for maximizing the total amount received. You're doing great by planning ahead and getting the facts straight!

As someone who went through this exact scenario with my parents, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - your husband's early filing won't affect his survivor benefits at all. My dad filed at 62 and my mom waited until her FRA of 66. When mom passed away two years ago, dad was able to switch to her full benefit amount without any reduction due to his early filing. One thing that really helped us was creating a simple one-page summary of all the key facts - both of their Social Security numbers, their projected benefit amounts, and the key rules about survivor benefits. We kept copies in multiple places so it would be easy to find when needed. The SSA office actually commented on how organized we were and it made the whole process much smoother during an already difficult time. Your planning ahead like this will really pay off if your husband ever needs to navigate this situation. The peace of mind alone is worth it!

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.