Hey OP, just a heads up - make sure you keep track of all your communications with SSA. I learned the hard way that they sometimes 'lose' records of conversations. CYA always!

Katherine, I went through the exact same thing last year! The key is being persistent but polite. When you call, ask specifically about Form SSA-632 (Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery) if you think you shouldn't have to pay it back, or Form SSA-634 (Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate) if you need a payment plan. Having the form numbers ready shows you know what you're talking about. Also, if your first call doesn't go well, don't be afraid to call back and get a different representative - sometimes you just need to find the right person who actually wants to help. Document everything with dates and names, and follow up in writing. You've got this! 💪

I wonder if there's ANY scenario where you could get more? What if he delays claiming until 70? Would 50% of his increased benefit be more than your FRA amount? Just thinking out loud here...

Just wanted to add one more perspective as someone who went through this exact calculation recently. You're absolutely right that you won't get any spousal benefit top-up since your own benefit ($2500) exceeds 50% of his maximum benefit. One thing that helped me was creating a simple comparison chart with different scenarios - your benefit at various claiming ages vs. 50% of his PIA. Even though you won't get the spousal benefit, you still have the flexibility to optimize your own claiming strategy. Since you mentioned possibly waiting past FRA for delayed retirement credits, that could boost your benefit significantly (8% per year until age 70). Also worth noting that you can always check your ex's earnings record isn't needed for this calculation - you just need to know his approximate benefit amount, which sounds like you already have a good estimate of. The 22-year marriage definitely qualifies you (need 10+ years), so that box is checked!

Just want to update - I just got my 1099-SSA in the mail TODAY after requesting it 3 weeks ago. So it's taking way longer than they say. I would definitely push your husband to create an online account, it's so much faster!!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue! My mom is 78 and didn't receive her 1099-SSA either. She's not comfortable with computers at all, so the online account isn't really an option. I called SSA for her last Monday and was on hold for over 90 minutes before finally getting through. The agent was helpful and said they're seeing this problem nationwide - apparently it's a combination of USPS delivery delays and some printing/mailing issues on SSA's end. They expedited a replacement form for her and said it should arrive within 7-10 business days. For anyone helping elderly relatives with this, I found that calling right at 8:00 AM sharp seems to have shorter wait times. Also, have all their information ready (SSN, address, etc.) because they'll verify everything before processing the request.

I'm getting so confused by all the different rules! Let me see if I understand correctly: 1. My husband can apply for spousal benefits based on my SSDI 2. He'll get either that OR his own benefit (whichever is higher) 3. If he claims at 63, he gets a reduced amount 4. If he's earning too much, they'll take some back So is there ANY advantage to him claiming early? Or should he just wait until his Full Retirement Age? His health isn't great either, so we're worried about waiting too long...

Hey Sean! I went through something similar with my parents a few years ago. One thing that really helped us was creating a simple spreadsheet to compare the scenarios: 1. What he'd get claiming his own benefit at 63 (reduced) 2. What he'd get claiming spousal benefit at 63 (35% of your PIA) 3. What he'd get waiting until his FRA for either option We plugged in his estimated earnings from part-time work and factored in the earnings test deductions. It made the decision much clearer when we could see the actual dollar amounts side by side. Also, since you mentioned his health concerns - that's definitely a factor to consider. The "break-even" analysis is important, but peace of mind and having income now can be worth the reduction if you're worried about future health issues. Have you been able to find out what your actual PIA is? That's the key number you need to calculate the spousal benefit amounts. It should be on your SSDI award letter or your my Social Security account.

Just to clarify the survivor benefit rules for divorced spouses: 1. You must have been married for at least 10 years (you qualify with 13 years) 2. You must be at least 60 years old (or 50 if disabled) 3. You must not have remarried before age 60 (if you remarried after 60, you can still claim on your ex's record) 4. As a survivor, you're eligible for 100% of your ex-husband's benefit amount if you claim at your FRA The 50% figure applies only to spousal benefits when your ex-spouse is still living, not to survivor benefits. When you contact SSA, make sure to ask about both your own retirement benefit (with the WEP repeal adjustment) AND the potential survivor benefit based on your ex-husband's record. Take the higher of the two. Remember that survivor benefits don't grow after your FRA, but your own retirement benefit can grow until age 70 with delayed retirement credits.

As someone who works in benefits administration, I want to emphasize a few key points that might help you navigate this process more smoothly: For the earnings test before FRA, consider timing your application strategically. Since you reach FRA in May 2025, you might want to delay filing until then to completely avoid the earnings test complications. This way you won't have to deal with benefit withholding and subsequent recalculations. Regarding survivor benefits - definitely pursue this! Many people don't realize that divorced spouses have the same survivor benefit rights as widows/widowers. Since your marriage lasted 13 years, you clearly meet the 10-year requirement. Here's a practical tip: Before calling SSA, gather all your documentation including your divorce decree, your ex-husband's death certificate, and his Social Security number if you have it. This will help the representative access his earnings record more quickly. Also, consider visiting your local SSA office in person if phone wait times are excessive. Sometimes face-to-face meetings can be more productive for complex cases like yours, especially when dealing with both WEP recalculations and survivor benefits simultaneously. Document everything - names of representatives you speak with, dates, and what they tell you. Given the recent WEP changes, there's definitely some inconsistency in how different agents are handling these calculations.