I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Applied in early February for my retirement benefits to start in May when I turn 70, and my application has been stuck at step 2 for about 5 weeks. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring - I was starting to panic that something was wrong with my application, but it's clear that 6-10 weeks is much more realistic than the advertised 30 days. Like everyone else here, I've been obsessively checking MySocialSecurity multiple times a day hoping to see it change to approved. The financial planning stress is so real when you've carefully mapped out your retirement based on these benefits starting on time. What's been most helpful from reading these stories is learning that step 2 seems to cover almost the entire processing period, and that even with significant delays, everyone's payments eventually came through correctly with proper backdating. I'm going to try to be more patient and maybe limit myself to checking the portal just once a day (we'll see how that goes!). Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines - this thread has been a lifesaver for managing my anxiety about the wait!

I'm new to this community but found this thread because I'm dealing with the exact same situation! I filed my retirement application in early February for benefits to start in June when I turn 66 and 4 months (my FRA), and it's been stuck at step 2 for about 4 weeks now. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful and reassuring - I was starting to worry that something was wrong with my application or that I had made some mistake in the process. Like so many others here, I've been obsessively checking MySocialSecurity multiple times a day hoping to see it change to approved. The 30-day processing time they advertise is clearly very optimistic! Based on all the stories shared here, it sounds like 6-10 weeks is much more realistic, which actually makes me feel better about where I am in the timeline. The financial planning aspect is definitely stressful - I've already made some major decisions about my work schedule and budget based on these benefits starting on time. But hearing from people like Yara and Savannah that even with longer delays, everything got backdated properly and payments came on schedule is really reassuring. Thank you Sofia for starting this conversation, and thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences. This community support is exactly what I needed to help manage my anxiety about the waiting process!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful and supportive this entire thread has been! I'm in a similar situation with my daughter who has dysgraphia, and I was also wondering about potential Social Security benefits. Reading through everyone's responses has really clarified things for me. What strikes me most is how the conversation evolved from "what benefits might be available" to "what opportunities can we pursue" - that's such a powerful shift in perspective. The suggestions about vocational rehabilitation services, assistive technology programs, college disability support services, and scholarships for students with learning differences have given me a whole new roadmap to explore. It's also reassuring to see so many parents and professionals emphasizing that academic success with a learning disability is actually a strength to build upon, not a barrier to support. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise - this has been incredibly valuable for those of us navigating similar situations!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to echo what others have shared about focusing on your son's strengths rather than pursuing SSA benefits. His academic success with dyslexia is truly remarkable and shows he's developing the exact skills he'll need for future success. One resource I haven't seen mentioned yet is the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - they have excellent information about workplace accommodations for people with dyslexia. While that's still years away for your son, understanding what's possible in the workplace can help with long-term planning and career exploration. Also, many high schools now offer transition planning services for students with IEPs that focus on post-secondary goals. If your son's school doesn't already include this, it might be worth requesting it be added to his IEP as he gets closer to graduation. These services can help bridge the gap between high school supports and college/career preparation. Your proactive approach to understanding all available options shows what great advocacy your son has in you. Keep building on that academic momentum - it's clearly working!

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - currently receiving SSDI and considering remarriage in the future. Reading through all these responses has been really helpful! A few additional thoughts based on what I've learned: 1. Definitely get everything in writing from SSA - as others mentioned, verbal information can be inconsistent 2. Consider consulting with a benefits attorney who specializes in Social Security if the amounts involved are substantial 3. The timing strategy mentioned about waiting until FRA for widow benefits is really important - that reduction from 100% to 71.5% at age 60 is significant One question I haven't seen addressed: Are there any tax implications to consider when switching from SSDI+survivor benefits to widow-only benefits? I know SSDI has different tax rules than regular Social Security retirement benefits. Congratulations on your engagement! It sounds like you're being very thoughtful about planning ahead, which is smart. The peace of mind from getting official answers will be worth the effort of dealing with SSA's phone system.

This is such a complex situation, and I'm glad you're thinking through all the scenarios before your wedding! One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - when you do contact SSA, ask them to walk through a "what if" scenario where you lose SSDI eligibility at different points (say, 6 months after marriage vs 2 years after marriage). The timing of when you might lose SSDI could affect your strategy for claiming widow benefits. Also, since you mentioned your medical condition might improve, have you considered whether there's any voluntary work activity you could do that might trigger a work review? Sometimes people don't realize that even small amounts of work can prompt SSA to reevaluate your disability status. Just something to keep in mind as you plan your future together. The fact that you're asking these questions now shows you're being really responsible about your financial planning. Best of luck with both the wedding and getting solid answers from SSA!

I had this EXACT situation last year - retired teacher with SS from other jobs. You've lost 40% of your benefit (keeping 60%). The formula is complex, but here's what happens: 1. Normal SS formula uses 90% of first chunk of your earnings in calculation 2. WEP reduces that 90% to 40% (a 50% reduction) 3. This doesn't mean 50% of your TOTAL benefit, just 50% of that first calculation tier 4. Result is usually a 30-40% reduction of total benefit With 18 qualified years, you should be getting a slight break on the full WEP penalty. Did you verify all 18 years meet the substantial earnings threshold? Each year has a different dollar amount.

I'm a newcomer here but dealing with a similar WEP situation. Reading through all these explanations really helps clarify the confusion! I had the same misunderstanding about the percentages - thinking WEP took a straight 40-60% of my total benefit rather than modifying the calculation formula. One thing I'd add for anyone in this situation: if you're still able to work part-time in Social Security-covered employment, it might be worth trying to accumulate more "substantial earnings" years. Even getting from 16 years to 20 years can make a meaningful difference in your monthly benefit going forward. Also, make sure to request an official WEP calculation worksheet from SSA if you haven't already. It breaks down exactly how they arrived at your reduction amount and can help you verify everything is calculated correctly. I found an error in mine that resulted in an extra $87/month once corrected. The whole system is needlessly complex, but at least understanding the math helps reduce some of the frustration!

also idk if this helps but my mom told me grandma eventually got on a subsidized housing list and that helped her a lot with expenses. the wait was like 2 years tho so maybe apply now even if ur not sure?

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the 10-year marriage rule is unfortunately one of the strictest requirements in Social Security law with no exceptions or hardship provisions. Your ex-husband deliberately timing the divorce is sadly more common than people realize. However, I'd strongly encourage you to pursue the worker misclassification issue aggressively. If you were truly functioning as an employee (set schedule, using their equipment, following their procedures), you may have been illegally misclassified. While Form SS-8 typically only allows corrections going back 3 years, there can be exceptions in cases of employer fraud or willful misclassification. You might also want to consult with an employment attorney who handles wage theft cases - some take these on contingency if there's a strong case against your former employer. They could potentially help you recover not just the Social Security credits, but also the employer portion of payroll taxes that should have been paid on your behalf. Additionally, contact your state's Department of Labor - they often have programs to help workers who've been misclassified recover what they're owed. This could potentially impact more than just the recent 3 years if there's evidence of systematic misclassification.