I'm in a similar situation as you, Abby! I'm 64 and started taking my benefits at 62, getting about $1,200/month. My husband is 66 and just filed for his benefits last month. I had to specifically apply for the spousal benefit - it definitely wasn't automatic like I thought it would be. The process was actually pretty straightforward once I got through to someone at SSA (took a few tries though). They calculated my spousal benefit based on his PIA minus what I'm already getting, then reduced it because I filed early. I ended up getting an extra $89/month, which isn't huge but every little bit helps! One tip: when you call, have your Social Security statements handy for both you and your husband. They asked for specific numbers from our earnings records to verify the calculations. Good luck!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm also navigating spousal benefits and had no idea about the deemed filing rule that Sadie mentioned. One thing I'm wondering about - if your husband is still working while collecting Social Security, does that affect your spousal benefit calculation at all? I know there are earnings limits that can reduce his benefits if he's under FRA, but I'm not sure if that impacts the spousal portion. Also, for those who've actually gone through the application process - did SSA require any documentation beyond the marriage certificate? My husband and I have been married for 15 years but I want to make sure I have everything ready before I call. The horror stories about wait times are making me want to be super prepared!

I know this isn't directly related to your question, but have you looked into whether that Nevada government job might make you eligible for Medicare Part B premium reduction through the Medicare Savings Program? Some state/local government retirees qualify for help with Medicare costs even with small pensions.

Just want to add that when you contact SSA about your pension, ask them to put a note in your file about when you reported it and what documentation you provided. I've seen cases where people reported their pensions properly but there was no record of it in the system later, which caused problems. Getting a receipt or confirmation number when you report it can save you headaches down the road. Also, since you mentioned the Medicare supplemental coverage from your county job is valuable, that's probably worth keeping even with the GPO reduction. Those government health plans often have better coverage than what you'd pay for privately, so the math might still work in your favor overall.

UPDATE: I finally got through to SSA! The agent confirmed there was an error in my case. Apparently, they had me coded incorrectly in their system, which prevented the automatic recalculation at FRA. They're fixing it now and said I should receive the retroactive adjustment within 30-60 days. The agent said the back payment will be for all reduced benefits from June 2024 (my FRA month) through now. Thank you all for encouraging me to keep pushing on this!

Congratulations on getting this resolved! This is such a perfect example of why we all need to advocate for ourselves with SSA. A "coding error" that prevented automatic recalculation - that's exactly the kind of thing that could have gone on indefinitely if you hadn't pushed for answers. I hope when you get that retroactive payment it's a substantial amount that makes up for all the stress and time you spent trying to get through to them. Your persistence really paid off, and I'm sure your story will help other people in similar situations know they need to keep fighting for what they're owed!

one more thing - make sure u have ur marriage certificate! they made us bring original or certified copy, no photocopies allowed. was a whole extra trip to county office to get it

Welcome to the community! I just wanted to add that it might be worth contacting your local congressional representative's office as well. They often have staff who specialize in Social Security issues and can sometimes get faster responses from SSA than calling directly. My neighbor used this approach when she had issues with her disability claim and got much better service. They can also help clarify any confusing information you might receive. Given how many people will be affected by the GPO repeal, having an advocate might be really helpful in navigating the process once applications open in 2025.

Based on everything discussed here, my recommendation would be: 1. Request your Social Security Statement online (if you haven't already) to see your projected benefit amounts at different ages 2. If possible, try to calculate what your ex-spousal benefit might be (approximately 50% of your ex-husband's benefit at his full retirement age, reduced if you claim early) 3. Consider whether you absolutely need the income now or if you can wait 4. Remember that for every year you delay filing between your FRA and age 70, your own benefit increases by about 8% 5. Speak directly with an SSA representative about your specific situation before making your final decision While general advice is helpful, your optimal strategy will depend on your specific benefit amounts, health status, financial needs, and other income sources.

Hi Mateo! I went through a similar decision process a few years ago and wanted to share what I learned. Given your numbers ($1,620 at 63 vs $2,175 at FRA), that's a significant difference - about $555 per month or $6,660 per year. One thing that really helped me was using the SSA's online benefit calculator to run different scenarios. You can create a my Social Security account and see projections for different claiming ages. For the ex-spousal benefit calculation, you'll need an estimate of your ex-husband's benefit at his FRA (not what he'll get at 70). Since he hasn't filed yet and you mentioned he's waiting until 70, you might want to consider this: if your own benefit at FRA ($2,175) is already pretty substantial, the ex-spousal benefit might not add much. The spousal benefit is calculated as the difference between 50% of his FRA benefit and your own benefit amount. Also, I noticed someone mentioned Claimyr - I actually used them too and found it really helpful for getting specific answers about my situation. Sometimes paying a small fee to get through to an actual SSA expert is worth it when you're making a decision that affects thousands of dollars over your lifetime. Have you considered working with a fee-only financial planner who specializes in Social Security optimization? They can run scenarios with your actual numbers.