Oh, I stand corrected! Thanks for explaining that. I wish someone had told me about the limited widow's benefit when my wife passed. The SSA rep never mentioned it.

Thank you for this discussion! I had no idea the calculation could be so complicated. It sounds like we really need to talk with a knowledgeable SSA representative to understand exactly what amount Dad would receive under different scenarios.

Have u checked if u can get more on ur husbands record NOW? My wife got more on my record even before i retired! Worth checking!!

Thanks everyone for the advice! After reading all your comments, I'm leaning toward waiting until my FRA to claim any benefits. It seems like the math works out better long-term, even though it's tempting to take something now. I'm going to try that Claimyr service to talk directly with SSA and get the exact numbers for my situation. I'll also talk with my husband about our overall retirement strategy to make sure we're coordinating our claiming decisions properly. It's such a relief to get all this information!

one more thing - if ur gonna do this make sure ur actually eligible for a top up first. if ur own benefit is already kinda high (like $1,850 is decent!) u might not get anything extra anyway. my ex made waaaaay more than me during our 22yr marriage so for me its a big difference. but some of my friends found out they get nothing extra cuz their own benefit was already higher than half their exs benefit.

ugh i got so confused by all these rules when i was applying! the thing that helped me most was actually going to my local office in person with all my documents. they were able to look everything up right there and tell me exactly what i qualified for. so much easier than trying to figure it out online or over the phone.

I'm so confused...I went to SSA office yesterday and the person told me they aren't processing these yet and to come back in April. But you all are saying you've gotten calls? Are different offices handling this differently?

This is why I tell EVERYONE to file as early as possible when new benefits become available! My mother-in-law waited 3 months after the POMS update for GPO and now she's at the back of the line. The early bird gets the worm with SSA. Always file right away and let them sort it out.

Your calculation is correct. If your teacher's pension is $3,400/month, then 2/3 of that is about $2,267. If your late husband's benefit would have been $3,000, then after applying GPO, your survivor benefit would be approximately $733 ($3,000 - $2,267). This is why GPO can be so devastating for those with non-covered pensions. Many people are shocked when they realize how much it reduces their survivor benefits. However, you'll still receive your own retirement benefit if it's higher than the GPO-reduced survivor benefit. You don't lose both - you'll get the higher of the two. For your next call, I suggest asking for a PEBES (Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement) and a detailed written explanation of how both WEP and GPO affect your specific situation. This documentation will be invaluable for your records and for understanding exactly what benefits you'll receive.

To answer your question about WEP and survivor benefits: The two calculations are separate, but related in terms of what you ultimately receive. Applying for survivor benefits doesn't directly change the WEP reduction on your own retirement benefit. WEP only applies to benefits based on your own earnings record. However, when you apply for survivor benefits, SSA will determine which is higher: your WEP-reduced retirement benefit OR your GPO-reduced survivor benefit. You'll receive the higher amount, not both. This process might be what the representative was referring to when mentioning adjustments, as they need to recalculate and compare both benefits. Regarding documenting your conversation: While SSA calls aren't officially recorded for your access, I recommend: 1. Taking detailed notes during the call 2. Asking for the representative's name and ID number 3. Requesting all information be sent to you in writing 4. Following up with a written summary to your local SSA office The most important thing is getting a formal, written explanation of your benefits calculation that shows exactly how WEP and GPO are being applied in your case.