One final tip - when you go to your appointment, ask them to show you a benefit comparison between filing for your own benefits only versus filing for the combination of yours plus ex-spouse benefits. In rare cases, it might actually be more advantageous to file a restricted application for just the ex-spouse benefits and let your own benefit continue to grow until age 70. The rules changed in 2015, but some people born before 1954 still have this option.

Another thing to keep in mind - if you remarried after your divorce, you generally can't claim benefits on your ex-husband's record unless that subsequent marriage ended (either by divorce, death, or annulment). Since you didn't mention remarrying, this probably doesn't apply to you, but it's worth noting for others in similar situations. Also, your ex-spouse benefits won't affect his benefits at all - he'll still receive his full amount regardless of what you collect. Good luck with your appointment!

One more thing to consider - when your spouse does reach retirement age, you should definitely reapply for spousal benefits even if you think the GPO might eliminate them. The calculations are complex, and depending on the size of their pension versus their Social Security benefit, you might still get some additional amount. Also, keep in mind that the rules for disability benefits can differ from retirement benefits in terms of how they interact with spousal benefits. Make sure when you contact SSA you specifically mention you're on SSDI, not retirement benefits, as this changes how certain provisions apply.

I'm dealing with a similar situation but from a slightly different angle - my spouse has been on SSDI for 8 years and I work for the state (pension system). We're trying to plan ahead for when I retire in about 10 years. One thing our benefits counselor mentioned that might apply to your situation: even though your spouse switched to a pension-only job, those earlier 18-20 years of SS contributions don't disappear. They'll still factor into any future Social Security retirement benefit calculation, just reduced by WEP if applicable. Also, regarding SSI - it's worth asking about even though you're married. SSI has income and asset limits, but they do consider your household situation. With your SSDI being so low and depending on your spouse's income, you might qualify for some supplemental amount. The worst they can say is no, but it could potentially help bridge that gap until your spouse reaches retirement age. Have you considered contacting your local Area Agency on Aging or disability advocacy organization? They often have benefits counselors who specialize in these complex multi-program situations and can walk through the scenarios with you for free.

does anyone know if they check if ur actually living together for these benefits? asking for a friend lol

Just wanted to add something that might help with your planning - you mentioned your husband's health isn't great. If he becomes disabled and starts receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), that could actually increase his benefit amount, which would then increase your potential survivor benefit too. SSDI benefits are calculated differently and can sometimes be higher than early retirement benefits. Also, if he's currently receiving reduced benefits because he claimed before his full retirement age, those reductions don't carry over to survivor benefits - you'd get his full unreduced amount. So even if you're both expecting $750 now, the actual survivor benefit could end up being more. Definitely worth getting a personalized estimate from SSA when you're ready to make concrete plans.

Thanks everyone for the clear answers. I'm relieved to know that only the annual limit applies in my second year (2025). I've been stressing about turning down extra hours in certain months, but now I can just focus on staying under the yearly total of $22,320. I'll make sure to report my expected earnings to SSA as suggested to avoid any surprise overpayments. This forum has been so much more helpful than the official publications!

Just wanted to add one more helpful tip for tracking your earnings - I use a simple spreadsheet to track my monthly income throughout the year so I can see exactly where I stand against that $22,320 limit. Since you mentioned your work has seasonal ups and downs, this might help you plan which months to take on extra hours versus when to scale back. I also set myself a buffer of about $1,000 under the limit just to be safe, since unexpected income can sometimes pop up (like a bonus or extra project). Better to leave a little money on the table than deal with SSA overpayment headaches!

Thank you all for the responses! I think I'm going to try to talk to a Social Security rep directly about my specific situation. Then I'll probably wait until 70 to maximize my benefit since I'm fortunate enough to have some savings to tide me over. It's disappointing that the restricted application strategy isn't available to me, but I appreciate understanding my actual options clearly now.

One additional consideration for your situation: since you mentioned being out of the workforce since 2020 due to health issues, you might want to explore whether you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If approved, SSDI benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits at your full retirement age without any reduction. This could potentially bridge the gap if you're struggling financially while waiting until 70. The application process can be lengthy, but it's worth investigating if your health condition meets SSA's definition of disability. You can apply online or through that Claimyr service mentioned earlier to speak with an agent about eligibility requirements.