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Can SS survivor benefits be backdated to missed phone appointments from August/September?
I'm so stressed about my survivor benefits application timeline! I had a phone appointment with SSA back in August, but we couldn't complete the application due to time constraints. Then in September, I had another appointment but never received the call (possibly phone issues on my end). Now I finally have another phone appointment scheduled for tomorrow. My big question is: Can I request that my survivor benefits start date be based on that first incomplete August appointment? Or even the September one where I missed the call? I really need these benefits and every month makes a huge difference financially. I just don't want to say the wrong thing tomorrow and lose out on potential backdated payments I might be entitled to. Has anyone dealt with this kind of situation before?
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When will Social Security pay recalculated benefits after WEP repeal with 80+ quarters?
Recently heard that Social Security was repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision for people with significant time in both covered and non-covered employment. I've paid into Social Security for 80+ quarters from my jobs in the private sector, then became a teacher in our state pension system. Since 2004, my SS retirement benefit has been reduced by WEP. Has anyone received their recalculated payment yet? I've been checking my account online but nothing's changed. How long should I expect to wait for SSA to restore my full benefit amount? I have no idea what I should even be getting since that reduction letter came nearly 20 years ago. Anyone else in this boat?
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Does anyone know if the payments will be RETROACTIVE when they finally implement this? I've been getting reduced benefits for 12 years now because of WEP!
Based on the legislation, the adjustments will be retroactive to the effective date of the law (January 2025), but not for the entire period you've been affected by WEP. So you'll get retroactive payments from January 2025 until whenever they actually implement the changes in their system, but not for the 12 years prior to the law changing.
My cousin told me this doesn't apply if you're already receiving disability instead of retirement. Is that true? I get SSDI and had my benefit reduced by WEP too.
Your cousin is incorrect. The WEP changes apply to all Social Security benefits that were subject to WEP, including disability (SSDI). If your SSDI benefit was reduced because of WEP and you meet the criteria under the new formula, you should see an adjustment when SSA implements the changes.
Can I get 71.5% of my husband's current SSDI with COLA or original FRA amount for survivor benefits?
I've been taking care of my husband (65) since 2011 when he qualified for SSDI. His medical condition was expected to be terminal, but thankfully he's beaten the odds. I'm 58 now but don't have enough work credits to qualify for my own Social Security benefits because I've been his full-time caregiver for over a decade. I'm trying to understand what my survivor benefits would be if something happens to him. The SSA website says I'd get 71.5% of his benefit if I claim at my current age, but I'm confused about WHICH benefit amount that percentage applies to. Would it be: 1. 71.5% of his ORIGINAL benefit from when he first got approved for SSDI? 2. 71.5% of what his retirement benefit would have been at his FRA? 3. 71.5% of his CURRENT benefit after all the COLA increases over 12+ years? The difference between these amounts is significant. When I called SSA, I got disconnected twice and then got different answers from two representatives. Can anyone here explain how this actually works?
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btw if u havent already u should apply for spousal benefits right now, u dont need to wait for survivor benefits. since ur over 50 u can get them while hes still alive
I thought about that, but I think I need to be at least 62 to collect spousal benefits? I'm only 58 now. Unless there's something I'm missing?
That's correct. For spousal benefits based on a living spouse, you generally need to be at least 62 years old to collect (unless you're caring for a child under 16 or a disabled child). The only exception to the age-62 rule for spousal benefits is if you're caring for the disabled worker's child who is under 16 or disabled. However, for survivor benefits, you can claim as early as age 60 (or 50 if you're disabled yourself).
One more IMPORTANT thing I forgot to mention!!! If you're taking care of your husband full-time and he requires constant attendance, check if you qualify for the "Aid and Attendance" benefit through VA (if he's a veteran) OR look into whether your state has a paid family caregiver program through Medicaid. I missed out on YEARS of potential benefits because nobody told me about these programs!!! The system is DESIGNED to keep us in the dark!!
Thank you for this tip! He's not a veteran, but I'll definitely look into the Medicaid caregiver program. I've been doing this for so long without any financial support - it would be life-changing if I qualified for something like that.
Social Security WEP/GPO confusion - can my husband reapply for spousal benefits or will it mess up backpay?
I'm completely confused about WEP and GPO and how they're affecting my husband's Social Security benefits. My husband worked 27 years for a state agency not covered by Social Security, but also has enough Social Security credits from private-sector work to qualify for his own reduced SS retirement benefits (WEP reduced it significantly). He started collecting his own benefits last year at 67. He applied for spousal benefits based on my record last October and got denied due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The rep said his pension completely offset what he'd get from my record. BUT - I just found out his pension amount actually decreased by about $750/month starting in January 2024 due to some pension system changes. My question is: Does he need to reapply for spousal benefits now that his pension is lower, or will SSA automatically recalculate? And if he does need to reapply, would he still be eligible for backpay from January 2024 when his pension decreased? I'm worried if we submit a new application, we'll lose potential backpay for the months since January. Any help understanding this GPO/WEP nightmare would be so appreciated!
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Important point that hasn't been mentioned yet: When your husband goes to SSA about this issue, he should specifically request a "GPO recalculation based on pension amount change." This uses specific language their systems recognize. Also, the timing matters here. If your husband was denied in October 2023, and the pension decreased in January 2024, you're dealing with a subsequent change in circumstance rather than an incorrect initial determination. This is why the reopening request based on new and material evidence is the correct approach. One more thing - make sure he brings proof that the pension decrease is permanent and not temporary, as that affects how they process the adjustment.
i just remembered something that might help u guys. my friends wife had something like this happen and she said that even though they were past the appeal deadline they were able to get backpay by filing whats called a "good cause" statement explaining why they didnt report the change sooner. might be worth asking about that too when u go in.
That's really helpful, thank you! We'll definitely ask about a "good cause" statement when we go in. We honestly didn't realize we needed to report the pension change right away since the original application was denied completely.
Social Security earnings limit nightmare - husband's benefits suspended until March after working 2 months
I'm completely stressed out about my husband's Social Security situation. He started collecting retirement benefits in June 2025, but just got a letter saying he exceeded the earnings limit and his benefits are being suspended until everything's paid back! He only worked for 2 months and was certain he stayed under the annual $22,300 limit for 2025. Turns out he didn't realize there's also a MONTHLY limit of $1,860 that applies during your first year on benefits (something about the grace year rule?). He immediately called SSA when we got the letter and the rep said they could work with us by withholding just 10% of his monthly benefit until the overpayment was recovered. Seemed reasonable. But when he called today to check the status, a different rep told him the 10% repayment plan was NOT approved and now he won't receive ANY benefits until March 2026! We're in a panic since we budgeted based on having those monthly checks. Has anyone dealt with this monthly earnings limit problem or had SSA change their minds about repayment plans? Any advice on appealing this?
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To answer your question from earlier - typically, SSA will continue recovery efforts while a reconsideration is pending, meaning benefits could remain suspended. However, you can specifically request that recovery be paused during the appeal process. This isn't automatically granted, but it's worth requesting. Also, something important to note: if your husband has stopped working completely now, make sure SSA knows this. Once he has a month where he's below the earnings limit AND no longer working (or working very limited hours), benefits should resume for that month forward, regardless of the overpayment from previous months. The critical forms you need are: - SSA-561 (Request for Reconsideration) - SSA-632 (Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery) - SSA-634 (Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate) Submit all three to cover all your bases. The SSA-634 specifically addresses the 10% withholding you were initially offered.
Thank you for this detailed follow-up! My husband has completely stopped working now, so we'll definitely make sure SSA knows this. We'll submit all three forms tomorrow. I really appreciate your help!
Emma Davis
DONT FORGET to ask about the lump sum death payment too!!! Its only $255 but its something extra!!!! A lot of people dont know about this and SSA wont tell u!!!!
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Natasha Petrova
AuthorOh! I hadn't even thought about that. Thank you for mentioning it! I'll add it to my list of questions for tomorrow.
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Javier Morales
After your call tomorrow, if they don't agree to use your August date, you can request a formal determination in writing and then appeal if necessary. SSA has an established appeals process. But hopefully they'll handle it correctly tomorrow if you clearly explain the situation. Also, make sure you're prepared to provide all the necessary information for your application: your spouse's death certificate, marriage certificate, both your Social Security numbers, and your direct deposit information. Having this ready will help ensure the application gets completed this time.
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Natasha Petrova
AuthorI've gathered all those documents and made copies. If they don't agree to the August date, I'll definitely request the formal determination in writing. Thank you for explaining that there's an appeals process - that makes me feel better knowing I have options.
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