my cousin works for ssa she says most ppl mess up paperwork when they apply and it delays benefits for months

As someone just starting to research this myself, I've found the AARP Social Security calculator really helpful for getting a baseline understanding of different scenarios. It's free and walks you through the basics before you dive into the more advanced tools others have mentioned. I'd also suggest checking if your local library offers free financial planning workshops - ours had a "Social Security Maximization" session that covered spousal strategies with real examples. Sometimes having someone explain it in person makes all the difference when you're trying to wrap your head around all the variables.

One more important detail based on your situation: Since you're reaching FRA in January 2026, you'll be eligible for Medicare in January 2025 (Medicare eligibility starts at 65). The Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month and extends 3 months after. So you'll need to decide about Medicare about a year before you reach FRA. If your employer has 20+ employees, you can decline Part B during this period without penalties, but you'll need to get that employer coverage verification I mentioned. Just be aware of this timeline so you're not caught off guard by Medicare decisions before your FRA.

I'm actually going through something very similar right now! I reached my FRA last month and have been researching this extensively. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet is to double-check with your HR department about how your employer handles Medicare coordination. Some employers automatically make you the primary insurance once you're Medicare-eligible, even if you don't enroll, which can create coverage gaps. Also, since you mentioned your part-time job has "pretty good" benefits, make sure to compare the actual coverage details with what Medicare would provide. Sometimes employer plans for part-time workers have higher deductibles or limited networks that might make Medicare + a supplement plan more attractive financially, even if the employer plan seems "free." The good news is you have plenty of time to research since you're not hitting FRA until January 2026. I'd recommend creating a timeline with key dates (Medicare eligibility, FRA, any employer benefit deadlines) so you can make informed decisions without rushing.

One more important point: If you find you are eligible for a small survivor benefit after the GPO reduction, you should know that you would receive your own benefit PLUS the additional survivor amount. You don't have to choose one or the other - if your survivor benefit after GPO would be higher than your current benefit, you'd receive your current benefit plus the difference. This is why it's definitely worth having SSA do the calculation.

I'm so glad you're looking into this now! As someone who went through a similar situation with my late spouse's benefits, I can tell you that the initial advice you received was unfortunately not uncommon - SSA representatives sometimes give oversimplified answers about WEP/GPO without doing the detailed calculations. Here's what I'd recommend for your appointment: 1. Bring certified copies of all documents (death certificate, marriage certificate, your pension award letter) 2. Ask them to calculate BOTH scenarios - your current benefit vs. potential survivor benefit after GPO 3. Request they show you the math on paper so you can understand exactly how they arrived at their conclusion 4. If there's any benefit due, ask about retroactive payments (even if limited to 6 months) Given that your numbers are so close to the GPO threshold, even small differences in the actual calculations versus your rounded estimates could make you eligible for some monthly benefit. The worst they can say is no, but you'll have peace of mind knowing you explored every option. Good luck!

When I called Claimyr to get connected to Social Security for my situation, the agent I spoke to mentioned that hospital social workers can help file something called a "dire need" request to expedite SSDI processing. Has anyone done this successfully? Might be worth asking about given the hospitalization.

I'm so sorry your family is going through this difficult situation. As someone who has navigated SSDI with a family member, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help his kids right now: 1. **Document everything** - Keep a detailed log of his symptoms, medications, hospitalizations, and how the condition affects his daily activities. This will be crucial for the SSDI application. 2. **Contact his previous employers** - They'll need his work history and earnings records. The trade show company might have documentation of any work limitations he experienced before hospitalization. 3. **Ask hospital staff about discharge planning** - They should be coordinating with social workers about his ability to return to work and live independently. Get copies of all these assessments. 4. **Consider getting help from a disability attorney** - Many work on contingency (no fee unless you win) and can navigate the complex process while the family focuses on his health. The combination of his age, documented mental health crisis, and inability to work creates a potentially strong SSDI case. The key is getting all the paperwork and medical evidence organized while he's still receiving treatment. Wishing your family strength during this challenging time.

Just wanted to add one more consideration that might be helpful - you should also check if your ex-husband has filed for his benefits yet. Since you mentioned he started collecting at 65, this shouldn't be an issue, but it's worth confirming. You can only claim ex-spouse benefits if your ex has already filed for his own benefits (unless you've been divorced for at least 2 years). Also, when you do your calculations, remember that the ex-spouse benefit is based on his Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), not what he's actually receiving. So even if he took a reduced benefit by claiming early, your potential ex-spouse benefit would still be calculated from his full benefit amount at FRA. One last tip: if you do decide to wait until 70, make sure you sign up for Medicare at 65 even if you're not taking Social Security yet. You don't want to face late enrollment penalties for Medicare Part B!

I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this extensively. Everything mentioned here about the deemed filing rules is correct - those of us born after January 2, 1954 can't use the old "claim now, switch later" strategy. However, I want to emphasize something that might help with your decision: make sure you get your actual benefit estimates from SSA, not just rough calculations. When I finally got through to them (took forever!), I discovered my own projected benefit at 70 was significantly higher than I expected, making the wait much more worthwhile than the ex-spouse benefit. Also, don't forget that if you do wait until 70, you'll miss out on 5 years of payments. So even though the monthly amount is 24% higher, you need to live long enough for that higher amount to make up for the missed years. The breakeven point is usually around age 82-83, but it varies based on your specific numbers. One more thing - if you're still working and have decent earnings, those high-earning years could boost your benefit calculation even more, making the wait until 70 even more attractive. Good luck with whatever you decide!