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Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! To summarize what I've learned: 1) My rental income (both US and Portugal) won't reduce my Social Security benefits 2) Since I'll be at FRA (67), the earnings test won't apply to me anyway 3) I need to watch out for the taxation thresholds since rental income could make more of my SS benefits taxable 4) I should look into the tax treaty between US and Portugal 5) I need to be aware of FBAR requirements for the foreign account This is such a relief! I'll talk to my tax advisor about the taxation issues, but I'm glad my actual benefit amount won't be reduced. Thanks again to everyone who responded!
Great summary Carmen! You've got all the key points covered. Just want to add one more thing that might be helpful - since you mentioned you're turning 67 next year, make sure to apply for your Social Security benefits about 3 months before you want them to start. The application process can take some time, and you don't want any delays in getting your first payment. Also, regarding the Portugal rental income - you'll want to convert those euros to dollars using the average exchange rate for the tax year when reporting on your US tax return. Your tax advisor should be able to help with that, but it's good to keep records of the exchange rates you use. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!
This is really helpful advice about applying 3 months early! I had no idea the process could take that long. I was planning to wait until closer to my birthday, but I'll definitely start earlier now. And good point about the exchange rate documentation - I've been keeping track of the euro income but not the exchange rates. Thanks for the tip!
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I'm really sorry you're going through this Carmen. The combination of WEP and GPO can be devastating for educators and other public servants. Just to add to what others have said - when you do get that appointment at SSA, make sure to bring all your documentation: your teacher's pension award letter, your complete work history, and any W-2s or 1099s from your covered employment years. One small thing that might help - if you have any years where you worked both teaching and a covered job simultaneously, those earnings might count differently in the WEP calculation. Also, some teachers worked summer jobs or substitute taught in districts that DID pay into Social Security, which could add to your covered quarters. The system really is unfair to people who dedicated their careers to public service. I hope the appointment gives you at least some clarity, even if the outcome isn't what you're hoping for. Hang in there!
This is such helpful advice about bringing documentation to the appointment! I never thought about summer jobs or substitute work potentially counting differently. I did work some retail jobs during summers early in my teaching career, and I think a couple of those might have been in districts that paid into Social Security. It's probably a long shot, but worth investigating every angle at this point. Thank you for the encouragement - it really means a lot to hear from someone who understands how frustrating this whole situation is for public servants.
Carmen, I feel your frustration - the WEP/GPO rules are incredibly complex and can be devastating for educators. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given: when you visit the SSA office, ask them to show you exactly how they calculated your WEP reduction on your own benefit. Sometimes there are errors in how they apply the formula, especially if you have a mix of covered and non-covered years. Also, since you mentioned working some covered jobs before teaching, make sure they're using the correct "substantial earnings" years in the WEP calculation. The threshold changes annually, and jobs from decades ago might qualify as "substantial" even if they seemed small at the time. I know it's a long shot given your pension amount, but sometimes there are nuances in the GPO calculation that aren't immediately obvious. The 2/3 reduction isn't always straightforward, especially if there were any periods where you paid into Social Security while teaching. Keep advocating for yourself - you paid into the system during those 15 covered years and deserve to have every detail reviewed carefully. Good luck with your appointment!
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congratulations! glad it went smooth for you. my mom did this same thing last year (survivor to own benefits at 70) and she had no problems either. i think people mostly post when things go wrong not when they go right lol
That's so true! We tend to hear all the horror stories but not the successes. It's reassuring to hear your mom had a smooth experience too!
I'm so glad to hear about your positive experience! As someone who will likely face a similar transition in a few years (currently 67 and on survivor benefits), this gives me hope. I've been dreading the process after reading so many horror stories here. Quick question - did you need to provide any additional documentation during the call, or did they have everything they needed from your previous survivor benefits application? I'm wondering if I should start gathering paperwork now or if the transition is more straightforward than I'm expecting. Also, did they explain how the cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) would work during the transition? I'm curious if there's any timing issue with getting the full COLA increase when switching benefit types.
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OMG this makes me so nervous! I'm turning 60 next month and planning to apply for survivor benefits. Now I'm scared they'll give me wrong info too! Did you research before going in or just trust what they told you? I've been reading so many articles but they all say different things about how survivor benefits work!
I did some research but not enough, obviously. I trusted what the SSA representative told me, which was a huge mistake. If I could go back and do it differently, I would have consulted with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security benefits first. Definitely read up on survivor benefits before your appointment, specifically about the reduction for claiming early versus waiting until your Full Retirement Age. And get everything in writing if you can! Good luck with your application.
If you're turning 60 and planning to apply for survivor benefits, here's my professional advice: 1. Know your Full Retirement Age (FRA) for survivor benefits (between 66-67 depending on birth year) 2. Understand that taking benefits at 60 reduces them to about 71.5% of the full amount 3. Each year you wait increases the benefit amount 4. At FRA, you get 100% of your deceased spouse's benefit 5. Create a My Social Security account and look at your own benefit estimates too 6. Consider if a restricted application strategy might work in your situation Most importantly, get advice from multiple sources before making your decision. The claiming strategy that's right for you depends on your own work history, financial needs, and life expectancy.
This is exactly the kind of bureaucratic nightmare that makes people lose faith in the system. I'm a retired federal employee (not SSA) and have seen this pattern countless times - contradictory information, lost paperwork, and reps who don't understand their own procedures. Your situation highlights a critical flaw: you were given incorrect information that cost you potentially thousands of dollars, then when you tried to correct it, the system failed you again. The fact that your withdrawal has been in limbo for 6 months is unacceptable. Here's what I'd recommend as your next steps: 1. File a complaint with your Congressional representative's office - they have staff specifically for SSA issues and can often get faster results than going through normal channels 2. Document everything in writing and send a certified letter to your local SSA office manager outlining the timeline and requesting immediate action 3. Request all communications be provided in writing going forward The "misinformation provision" mentioned earlier is real and could protect you from penalties, but you need to document that initial incorrect advice you received. Don't let them rush you into decisions at appointments - if something doesn't sound right, ask for time to verify the information. You shouldn't have to become an expert in Social Security law just to get the benefits you're entitled to. This system is broken and your experience proves it.
GalacticGladiator
Thank you all so much for your helpful responses! Based on everything you've shared, I feel much more confident about moving forward with wedding plans. I'm definitely past 60 now, so timing should be fine, but I'll keep all the documentation organized and make reporting the marriage to SSA a priority right after the ceremony. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!
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Dylan Cooper
Congratulations on your engagement! Just wanted to add another perspective - I work at a local SSA field office and see this situation fairly regularly. The key points everyone has shared are correct: you must be 60 or older on your actual wedding date, and you need to report the marriage promptly after the ceremony. One tip from the administrative side - when you call or visit to report your marriage, have your Social Security number, your new spouse's Social Security number, and your marriage certificate ready. This will make the process much smoother. Also, don't be surprised if they ask for a copy of your late husband's death certificate again - it's part of their verification process. The agents are usually very helpful with survivor benefit cases, so don't hesitate to ask questions during the reporting process. Best wishes for your upcoming wedding!
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