I just got off the phone with SSA again today (waited 1.5 hours!). The rep I spoke with said they've been told to tell people that all WEP adjustments will be completed "by the end of the year" but he admitted that could easily slip into 2026. He also mentioned they're prioritizing people over 80 years old first. Has anyone else heard this age prioritization thing? I'm 68 so I guess I'll be waiting a while...

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience. I'm 74 and have been affected by WEP for about 8 years - my monthly benefit has been reduced by roughly $650. I haven't received any adjustment yet, but after reading through all these comments, I feel a bit more hopeful! It's reassuring to hear that Jamal actually got his increase, even though the timeline seems all over the place. I tried calling SSA twice this month but gave up after waiting over an hour each time. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like we just need to be patient and keep checking our accounts. I'll definitely look into that Claimyr service Zoe mentioned to avoid those long hold times. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it helps to know we're all in this together!

Just wanted to add that if you're planning to visit your local SSA office in person, you can use the SSA office locator on their website to find your nearest location and their specific hours. Some offices have different procedures for walk-ins versus appointments, so definitely call ahead. Also, bring a copy of your Social Security card and photo ID when you go. I've found that having all your documentation ready speeds up the process significantly. Good luck with your withdrawal - sounds like you've thought it through carefully!

I just went through this exact process two months ago and wanted to share a few additional tips that might help. First, when you download the SSA-521 form, make sure you're getting it directly from ssa.gov - there are some unofficial sites that have outdated versions. Second, if you decide to visit the office in person (which I'd recommend), try to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the lunch rush. I went at 2 PM and barely waited 10 minutes. Also, don't forget to sign and date the form - sounds obvious but the person ahead of me in line had to fill out a new form because they missed the signature! One last thing: when they give you the receipt, take a photo of it with your phone as backup. The paper receipts from SSA can fade pretty quickly. You're making a smart financial decision by waiting until FRA - the extra monthly income will definitely be worth it in the long run!

don't forget you need your marriage certificate and divorce decree when you apply! learned that the hard way

I just went through this process myself last year! A few practical tips that might help: 1. **Call SSA early in the morning** (right at 8 AM) or late in the afternoon for shorter wait times. Tuesday-Thursday seem to be less busy. 2. **Have all your documents ready** before calling: marriage certificate, divorce decree, your Social Security card, and your ex's full name and DOB if you have it. 3. **Use the exact phrase "restricted application for divorced spouse benefits only"** when talking to the representative. Don't just say you want ex-spouse benefits - be specific that you want to delay your own retirement benefits. 4. **Get confirmation in writing** - ask them to mail you a summary of what you applied for to avoid any mix-ups. The whole process took about 45 minutes once I got through to someone, and my first payment came about 6 weeks later. Even if you're not 100% sure about your ex's benefit amount, it's worth applying now since you can always withdraw the application within 12 months if you change your mind. Good luck!

Glad you got confirmation! One last tip - schedule the appointment for AFTER you've submitted your own retirement application. Her benefits are dependent on yours being processed first. You can actually apply for both at the same time, but make sure your retirement application is mentioned first when you schedule the appointment.

Just wanted to add another piece of info that might be helpful - when you do apply for your daughter's benefits, they'll be retroactive up to 6 months from your application date (but not before your retirement benefits start). So even if there's a delay in getting the appointment scheduled, you won't lose out on those monthly payments. The SSA will calculate back to when she first became eligible and issue any back payments in a lump sum with her first check. This was really helpful for us when there was a 2-month delay getting all our paperwork processed!

My kids were in almost identical situation when my husband died. Your income has literally nothing to do with their survivors benefits. Take that job and build a better future for all of you! Besides when the kids turn 18/19 the benefits stop anyway so you need that income!

Congratulations on your new job! This is such great news. As someone who works in benefits administration, I can confirm what everyone else has said - your income absolutely does not affect your children's survivor benefits. These are two completely separate programs. Your kids' benefits are based on their father's work record and will continue until they age out, regardless of what you earn. You made the right decision taking that position. It's wonderful that you'll have both the survivor benefits for your children AND a stable full-time income to help secure your family's future. Best of luck with the new job!