my neighbor got her exs ss when he died but she had to wait till she was 60 even tho they were married for like 30 years... the whole thing is confusing

This is such valuable information for anyone in a similar situation! I wanted to add that it's also worth keeping copies of all your important documents (marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.) in a safe place where you can easily access them if needed. One thing I learned from helping my mom navigate Social Security issues is that having everything organized beforehand makes the process much smoother when you're already dealing with the stress of a loss. You might also want to consider reaching out to your local Social Security office to get familiar with their procedures now, rather than waiting until you actually need to file a claim. It sounds like you have a good understanding of your situation now thanks to all the helpful responses here. The fact that your marriage lasted 22 years definitely works in your favor, and being on SSDI shouldn't prevent you from receiving the higher benefit if your ex-husband's amount exceeds yours.

I'm a retired teacher from Texas who went through this process last month. Applied online on February 3rd and received my first payment on March 7th - so about 5 weeks total. The key thing that helped me was creating a detailed timeline of my previous GPO denial with dates and reference numbers. One tip: when you apply, ask specifically about the "GPO repeal expedited review" - apparently there's a special code they can put on your application that prioritizes it. My local SSA office didn't mention this initially, but when I called back and asked about it, they were able to add it to my case. Also, make sure to ask for a receipt or confirmation number when you submit everything. I had to follow up twice because they initially couldn't locate my application in their system. Having that confirmation number saved me from having to start over completely. The retroactive payments back to January were included in my first payment, which was a nice surprise! Hang in there - it's worth the wait after all these years of getting nothing due to GPO.

I'm also a retired teacher dealing with the same situation! Lost my husband two years ago and was devastated to learn I'd get zero survivor benefits due to GPO. Reading everyone's experiences here gives me so much hope. Based on what I'm seeing from all your posts, it sounds like the key factors for faster processing are: 1) applying in person if possible, 2) having all documentation ready, 3) asking about that "GPO repeal expedited review" code that StarStrider mentioned, and 4) getting a confirmation number. I'm planning to apply next week and will definitely ask about those special WEP/GPO appointment slots that Natalie mentioned. After years of getting nothing, I'm cautiously optimistic that this repeal will finally give us the benefits we deserve. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this community support means everything during such a difficult process!

I want to thank everyone for the helpful responses! Based on what you've all shared, I'm going to apply for benefits to start in January 2025 so I can get the COLA increase right away. I'll make sure to submit my application a few months in advance as suggested. I'm also going to check out that Claimyr service for getting through to SSA - sounds much better than waiting on hold for hours. Really appreciate all the insights!

One more thing to consider - since you're already past your FRA, you might want to double-check what your exact FRA was. If you were born in 1960 or later, your FRA is 67, not 66. I see a lot of people get confused about this and think they can start full benefits earlier than they actually can. Also, if you do decide to start in January, your first payment won't actually arrive until February since Social Security pays benefits the month after they're earned. Just wanted to make sure you're planning your finances accordingly!

One additional important note: If you do start working, even part-time and under the SGA limit, be sure to report your work activity to Social Security right away. Not reporting work is one of the most common reasons people end up with overpayments they have to pay back. You can report changes in work status through your my Social Security account online, by mail, or by phone. Also, if you're interested in returning to work, look into the Ticket to Work program. It provides free employment support services and additional protections for your benefits while you test your ability to work.

Just wanted to add something that might help - if you do decide to try part-time work, keep detailed records of your hours and earnings each month. I learned this the hard way when SSA asked me to provide documentation going back 6 months and I had to scramble to recreate everything. Also, if your spinal injury causes you to have any work-related expenses (special equipment, transportation costs, medications needed to work, etc.), those might qualify as Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) that can be deducted from your earnings when SSA calculates whether you're over the SGA limit. This could potentially allow you to earn a bit more while staying eligible. The key thing everyone's mentioned is absolutely right - report everything immediately, even if you're 100% sure you're under the limit. Better to over-communicate with SSA than deal with overpayments later!

The whole system is needlessly complicated. When I filed for benefits on my ex's record, the SSA agent told me I should have waited until FRA but by then it was too late - once you file early, you're stuck with the reduced amount forever. Just make sure you understand all the implications before you submit that application!

Didn't they also change it so if your ex dies you can switch to survivor benefits? Those work differently I think. My aunt did that and got more money when her ex passed away even though she started regular benefits early.