My husband turns 67 next month (his full retirement age) and currently gets about $1,375/month in Social Security based on his own work record. His benefit got hit hard by WEP because he worked 18 years for a state agency without paying into Social Security. With Congress now repealing WEP, we're totally confused about what to do next. I'm 69 and already collecting $2,650/month on my own record. Since half of my benefit at FRA would be around $1,325, my husband wasn't eligible for spousal benefits before (his own benefit was higher). But now with the WEP repeal, his recalculated benefit might be higher OR maybe switching to spousal would make more sense? The SSA website is so confusing and we can't get through on the phone. Should he just go ahead and apply for spousal benefits now just in case that ends up being higher than his adjusted post-WEP benefit? Or will SSA automatically adjust and give him whatever is higher? We don't want to leave money on the table!

My mother passed away 3 weeks ago at age 67 (she was still working part-time). My father is 65 and completely lost about what Social Security benefits he might qualify for. Dad worked most of his life but has a lower earning history than Mom did. He hasn't filed for his own retirement benefits yet because he was planning to wait until 70. I've heard something about survivor benefits but don't understand if he can get those AND his own benefits later? Or does he have to choose one? The SSA website is so confusing and we can't get through on the phone. Any advice would be deeply appreciated - Dad is grieving and I'm trying to handle the financial stuff for him.

I've been a stay-at-home parent for nearly 25 years and only started working part-time about 5 years ago. Now I'm trying to figure out if there's any real benefit to waiting until my Full Retirement Age (67) to collect Social Security. I'm currently 64.5 and wondering if my monthly payment would increase significantly in the next 2.5 years given my limited work history. My total lifetime earnings are probably around $75,000, all from these recent years. I've heard something about wages not being adjusted for inflation at this point? My husband has always been the primary earner, but we're trying to maximize both our benefits. Would collecting on my own record now and then switching to spousal benefits later make sense? So confused about what's best in my situation!

I've been researching the rules about claiming benefits on my ex-husband's record and I'm confused about the waiting period. We divorced last year after 12 years of marriage. I understand there's normally a 2-year waiting period after divorce before you can claim on an ex-spouse's record, but I read somewhere that this waiting period might get waived if my ex starts collecting his benefits first. My situation: I'm 64 and haven't filed for benefits yet, planning to wait until closer to my full retirement age. My ex is 65, and honestly I have no idea if he's started collecting his SS benefits yet (we don't communicate). My own benefit would be around $1,850/month at my FRA, but his would be substantially higher since he earned more throughout our marriage. Does anyone know if that 2-year post-divorce waiting period gets waived if he files for his benefits before the 2 years are up? And if so, how would I even know when he files since we're not in contact? Would SS notify me somehow?

Finally some good news! Wanted to share that SSA is actually processing applications for those affected by the WEP/GPO Fairness Act. I retired from Arizona teaching in 2019 and submitted my spousal benefit application online on January 15th after the new law passed. I was expecting a long wait but got a call yesterday from an SSA rep who finalized my application over the phone! They told me I'll be getting backpay from August 2024 through February 2025, with my first regular payment hitting in March. For those still waiting - they ARE working through the applications! Anyone else had their WEP/GPO application processed yet? Feeling relieved after 5 years of reduced benefits.