To directly answer your question about what to expect in 2025: Based on your 14 years of substantial earnings, your WEP penalty is likely reduced from the maximum by 40%. With the information you've provided, I estimate your benefit will increase by approximately $330-380 per month once WEP is eliminated. To get a more precise estimate, you can: 1. Log into your my Social Security account 2. Look for your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) before WEP reduction 3. Compare it to your current benefit amount The difference is approximately what you'll gain when WEP is eliminated. Keep in mind that there will also be COLA increases between now and 2025 that will make the actual dollar amount higher.

Thank you all for the helpful information! I've been trying to get straight answers for months. I'm going to request the non-WEP PIA calculation and try to get through to an agent. From what everyone has shared, it looks like I might see an increase of $300-350 per month once WEP is eliminated. That would make a huge difference for me. Does anyone know if we'll receive any official communication from SSA about our specific increase amount before the changes take effect in 2025?

After reading through all the comments, I'd recommend this approach: 1. Consult with a disability attorney who specializes in DAC claims specifically (not just general disability) 2. Have them review your daughter's medical records and previous SSI denial to assess likelihood of DAC approval 3. Consider scheduling a pre-retirement interview with SSA (use Claimyr if phone access is difficult) to get official information about how your benefit choices affect your daughter's eligibility 4. Run the financial numbers comparing scenarios: (a) take reduced benefits now to enable DAC, or (b) wait until 70 while continuing to support your daughter 5. Make sure your daughter's medical records clearly establish disability onset before age 22 A thorough preparation approach will give you much more confidence in your decision.

One additional consideration that might help with your decision-making: you can actually apply for both your retirement benefits AND your daughter's DAC benefits at the same time. This means you won't have to wait months between starting your benefits and getting her application processed. Also, if you do decide to start your benefits early, remember that you can still work and earn up to the annual earnings limit without affecting your benefits (in 2025 it's $23,400 if you're under full retirement age). This might help offset some of the reduction from taking benefits early. Have you calculated what your daughter's potential DAC benefit amount would be? It's typically 50% of your primary insurance amount, which might help you weigh the financial trade-offs more precisely.

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I've learned so much from this discussion. Just to summarize what I understand now: 1. My husband should go ahead and file for his own benefits when he turns 70. 2. He can't receive spousal benefits based on my record because his own benefit will be more than half of mine. 3. When I decide to file (likely at 70), I'll get my own benefit amount. 4. The higher benefit (mine) will become the survivor benefit if one of us passes away. I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this. The Social Security rules can be so confusing!

You've got it exactly right, Zara! Your summary is spot on. One additional tip I'd suggest - since you're planning to wait until 70 to file, make sure to apply about 3-4 months before your 70th birthday to avoid any processing delays. Social Security benefits can be retroactive up to 6 months, but you don't want to miss out on any payments due to paperwork timing. Also, keep good records of both your and your husband's work history and earnings - it helps when you finally do file to make sure your benefits are calculated correctly. Good luck with your planning!

Thank you all for the helpful information. I think we're going to continue waiting for the disability decision and not file for reduced retirement benefits yet. The potential long-term reduction isn't worth it if we can manage financially for a few more months. I'm going to try that Claimyr service to see if we can get through to someone about possibly expediting his case based on financial hardship. And we'll make sure our lawyer knows about the FRA timing issues so they can advise us properly. It's so frustrating that the system is this complicated and slow, especially for someone who worked and paid into it for 45+ years. But at least now I understand what happens with the timing better.

You're making a smart decision to wait it out, especially given the significant difference between reduced and full retirement benefits ($690/month is substantial over a lifetime). Since you already have legal representation, that puts you in a much better position than many applicants. One additional thing to consider - if your husband's condition has worsened since the initial application, make sure your lawyer documents any progression or new limitations. Sometimes cases get approved not just on the original condition but on how it has deteriorated during the waiting period. Also, keep detailed records of all your financial hardship during this waiting period (medical bills, lost income, etc.) as this documentation can be helpful both for expedite requests and potentially for calculating any additional backpay periods. The financial stress of waiting is real and legitimate grounds for requesting faster processing. Hang in there - 11 months is frustrating but not unusual, and having a lawyer significantly improves your odds at each stage of the process.

let us know what u find out! im curious what they tell u since ill be in the same boat in a couple years

Just wanted to add a quick tip from my own experience - when you do contact SSA, make sure you have your husband's Social Security statement handy too. They'll need his projected benefit amount to run the calculations for your potential spousal benefit. You can both create accounts at ssa.gov to access your statements if you don't have them already. Also, don't be surprised if different agents give you slightly different answers - I had to call twice to get consistent information, but it was worth it to understand exactly where we stood financially. The automatic adjustment when your husband files is nice though - one less thing to worry about!