has anyone else noticed that the SSA website says different things about WEP than what the reps tell u on the phone???

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I feel much better knowing that WEP won't affect me until I actually start receiving my pension payments. I'm definitely going to keep my SS benefits in that separate account just to be safe. I'll make sure to contact SSA as soon as I start receiving my STRS pension so there are no surprises. Thanks again for clearing this up!

To address your follow-up question - yes, the WEP reduction will apply to all retroactive payments. And you absolutely need to specifically request retroactive benefits when you apply - they don't automatically give you retroactive benefits even if you're eligible. Regarding the 6 vs. 12 months confusion: The law allows up to 12 months retroactive for retirement and spousal benefits when you're past FRA. However, spousal benefits cannot begin before your spouse started receiving their benefits. So if your wife only started her benefits 6 months ago (which doesn't appear to be your case), that would limit your spousal retroactive period. Given that your wife has been collecting for 3 years, you should be eligible for the full 12 months retroactive on both benefits.

watch out for taxes too!! my friend got a big retroactive payment and it pushed him into a higher tax bracket that year and he wasnt ready for the big tax bill!!

One thing nobody's mentioned - if you're earning enough to have to pay back benefits, you might want to consider whether it makes sense to just suspend your benefits until you reach FRA. I did that when I went back to work, and it saved me the hassle of paying back benefits. Plus, for each month your benefits are suspended, you get a little boost when they restart (they recalculate to remove some of the early retirement reduction).

To address your specific situation more directly: Since your 2023 earnings were from a period when you were still receiving your own retirement benefits (before switching to survivor benefits in September), those earnings could indeed replace a lower year in your 35-year calculation. However, there's an important timing element here. The SSA doesn't apply new earnings to your record until after the employer W-2 forms are processed, typically around September of the following year. So you might not see any change in your record until late 2024, and any increase to your own PIA wouldn't be relevant while you're receiving survivor benefits (unless your own benefit eventually becomes higher).

Just wanted to add - make sure your wife knows exactly what paperwork she'll need if something happens. My mom had to provide: death certificate (certified copy), marriage certificate, both their Social Security cards, birth certificate, and photo ID. The SSA website lists everything but having it all ready saved her a second trip. Also tell her she should apply in the month of death - they don't pay benefits retroactively beyond a certain point.

To answer your follow-up question about optimal strategy: Generally, yes - claiming the lower benefit first then switching to the higher one later can maximize lifetime benefits. For example, if your wife's own benefit at age 70 would be higher than your survivor benefit (unlikely with the numbers you provided, but possible for others), she could take reduced survivor benefits at 60, then switch to her own maximized benefit at 70. More commonly for couples with disparate earnings like yours, she might take her own reduced retirement benefit at 62, then switch to the full survivor benefit at her FRA. The optimal approach depends on: 1. Both benefit amounts 2. Her life expectancy 3. Whether she's still working (earnings test) 4. Any other income sources during potential gap years The SSA won't automatically tell her about these strategies, so it's good you're researching now.

To address your vacation payout concern: Yes, lump sum vacation pay counts as earnings in the month received, not when earned. However, you could ask your employer if they'd be willing to spread the vacation payout over multiple months instead of one lump sum. Not all employers will do this, but it's worth asking if it helps you stay under the monthly limit. Also, regarding your spouse's SSDI application - if she's approved, you may become eligible for a caregiver spouse benefit once you're both receiving benefits. This is something to discuss with SSA when the time comes.

For caregiver resources check out the Family Caregiver Alliance and your local Area Agency on Aging. They saved my sanity when I was caring for my dad!!