btw if u can get 2 more years of SS covered work somehow before u retire, ull hit 20 yrs of substantial earnings and get a better wep calculation. might be worth looking into part time work that pays into SS?

I'm in almost the exact same situation as you - Texas teacher with previous Social Security work history! One thing that helped me was creating a my Social Security account online if you haven't already. While it won't show your pre-WEP amount, you can at least see all your earnings history year by year, which helps when you're talking to SSA reps. Also, I'd suggest calling SSA early in the morning (around 8 AM) on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday - I've had better luck getting through then. When you do get through, ask specifically for your "Primary Insurance Amount before WEP adjustment" and your AIME. Having both numbers will let you verify their calculations and really understand the impact. The good news is that with 18 years of substantial earnings, you're not facing the maximum WEP reduction. But I totally get wanting to know the exact numbers for planning purposes. The uncertainty is almost worse than knowing the bad news!

One more thing to consider: if you're planning to make any large purchases or have home repairs coming up, having that extra income now could help you avoid tapping into savings. That's a non-mathematical factor, but still important for many retirees. Based on everything you've shared, it sounds like claiming now aligns with your situation. Just make sure to coordinate with your husband on a plan for when one of you passes - the household will go from two SS benefits to one at that point, so having a financial cushion is important.

I'm in a very similar situation - turning 66 next month with a husband who's already collecting at his maximum benefit. After reading through all these responses, I'm leaning toward claiming now too. The break-even analysis that Dylan provided really helped clarify things for me. One additional consideration I'd mention is inflation protection. While Social Security has COLA adjustments, having that money in hand now means you can potentially invest it or use it for necessary expenses before costs rise further. With everything getting more expensive, that $175/month difference 8 months from now might not have the same purchasing power it would today. Also, since you mentioned you're fully retired, you won't have to worry about the earnings test, which is really the main "gotcha" for claiming before FRA. Sounds like you've done your homework and the math supports claiming now in your situation!

For 2025, the IRMAA thresholds for Medicare Part B and D start at $103,000 for single filers. Based on your income estimates (SS + FERS + 401k), you'll be below that threshold so you should pay the standard premium. But it's good to be aware of this for future planning, especially if you decide to take larger 401k distributions later.

I'm just starting to research this topic as I'm approaching retirement age myself. This thread has been incredibly helpful! One question I have - if you're already receiving Social Security benefits and realize you need to start withholding taxes, can you submit the W-4V form at any time during the year, or do you have to wait until the next calendar year? I want to make sure I don't get caught off guard like some of the stories shared here.

my mom went thru something similar and she hired a financial advisor who specializes in SS to help her... maybe thats an option? it cost like $300 but saved her thousands in the long run because the SSA people kept telling her different things every time she called!! i mean you'll get decent advice here but a professional might be worth it for such a big decision

Another resource worth checking is the Social Security Administration's Program Operations Manual System (POMS) - it's their internal manual that's publicly available online. Section GN 00305.125 specifically covers survivor benefit applications and the ability to switch between benefits. I'd also suggest contacting your local Area Agency on Aging - they often have counselors trained in Social Security benefits who can provide free guidance. They're usually more knowledgeable about these complex scenarios than the general SSA staff. Given your past experience with SSA giving incorrect information, I'd recommend getting any promises or benefit calculations in writing before making your final decision. Ask them to provide a written estimate showing both your survivor benefit amount and your projected retirement benefit at 70, so you can make an informed comparison.

One more thing to consider - if you're enrolling in Medicare at the same time, that starts the first day of your birthday month (July). So if you apply for both SS and Medicare together in March, your Medicare will begin July 1 regardless of when your SS benefits start. Just something to keep in mind for your overall retirement transition planning.

Just wanted to add one more option you might consider - COBRA health insurance coverage. Since you're retiring at 65 and will be eligible for Medicare starting July 1st, you could potentially use COBRA to bridge your health insurance from July 1st until Medicare kicks in, which gives you more flexibility with your SS timing. Also, don't forget that you can change your mind about your SS start date up until the month before benefits begin, so if you apply in March for July benefits but your situation changes, you still have some wiggle room in your planning.