Just a heads-up for everyone following this issue - the Social Security Fairness Act has been introduced in multiple Congresses but hasn't passed yet. The current version (H.R. 82 in the House and S. 1398 in the Senate) would eliminate both WEP and GPO if passed. While we wait to see if legislation passes, here's what affected individuals should do: 1. Stay informed through official channels (SSA.gov and Congress.gov) 2. Consider joining advocacy groups focused on this issue 3. Keep documentation of your earnings history, both from covered and non-covered employment 4. If legislation does pass, wait for official guidance from SSA about implementation In most cases, if changes are made, SSA would implement them systematically, but it's always wise to follow up if you don't see adjustments within the timeframe specified in the legislation.

After trying to navigate this WEP/GPO situation myself, I found that having a one-on-one conversation with an SSA representative was really the most helpful. They explained exactly how my benefits were calculated and what would happen if the law changed. But getting through on the phone was nearly impossible until I used that Claimyr service I mentioned. If you do end up needing to speak with someone at SSA, I'd recommend trying them rather than wasting days getting disconnected. The agent I spoke with was surprisingly knowledgeable about the proposed legislation too.

My wife worked for 33 years before claiming at 62 and kept working pt and they still increased her benefit every year! Even tho she was over the earnings limit at first. its been 5 years now and her check is almost $200 more than when she started! But like someone else said she did have to wait till FRA to get the full increase.

To summarize what's been discussed: 1. Your 35-year calculation continues throughout your lifetime 2. New earnings can replace lower years, potentially increasing your benefit 3. The earnings limit applies until FRA ($21,240 for 2025) 4. Benefits withheld due to the earnings limit are partially returned at FRA through a recalculation 5. These recalculations happen automatically 6. The taxation of benefits is a separate consideration If you're replacing very low earning years from when you cared for your parents, you could see a meaningful increase over time, especially considering you'll potentially have many years of part-time work ahead of you.

just want to point out something nobody mentioned - when ur husband files makes NO difference to your spousal benefit amount!! your spousal benefit is based on his PRIMARY INSURANCE AMOUNT (his benefit at full retirement age), not whatever benefit he actually receives when he files. so if his PIA is $2000, your max spousal is $1000 (50%) whether he files at 62, 67, or 70!!!

The previous commenter is absolutely correct, and it's an important point that's often misunderstood. Your spousal benefit is based on 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is his benefit at full retirement age - NOT the increased amount he would get by delaying beyond FRA. So from a spousal benefit perspective, there's no advantage to your husband waiting to file beyond his FRA, as your benefit amount won't increase. This is different from survivor benefits, which ARE based on the actual amount he was receiving (including any delayed retirement credits). Given this information, if your financial situation allows it, it often makes mathematical sense for the higher-earning spouse to file at FRA if the other spouse is eligible for spousal benefits only. The exception would be if there are strong reasons to maximize the survivor benefit (e.g., significant age difference or health considerations).

Has anyone actually succeeded in getting spousal benefits approved since the GPO repeal? I keep hearing about denials but no successes yet. Makes me wonder if we're all misunderstanding something about the implementation timeline...

Update: I finally spoke with an SSA representative! After trying for days, I got through this morning. The rep confirmed I should absolutely file an appeal rather than a new application. She said they're aware of the issue with applications being automatically denied and are working on a fix, but it could take months. She also mentioned they're developing special procedures for GPO-affected claims. I've submitted my appeal online and included specific reference to the Social Security Fairness Act repealing the GPO provision. Now I just wait... again! Thank you all for your help and advice.

Just to add a practical note - if your brother-in-law's bipolar disorder includes periods where he has trouble managing his finances, you might want to look into becoming his representative payee. My daughter has bipolar and during manic episodes, she would spend all her money immediately, leaving nothing for rent and necessities. Being a rep payee allowed me to ensure her benefits were used for housing and basic needs first. It's a bit of paperwork but worth considering if money management is an issue during episodes. SSA has a specific form for this (SSA-11).

A quick update on timing expectations: the reconsideration phase typically takes 3-5 months (though some areas are faster). If denied again, requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) can take 8-12+ months depending on your location. The good news is that the ALJ approval rate is much higher (around 50%) than initial applications or reconsideration. With appropriate medical documentation and attorney representation, those odds improve significantly. For SSI/SSDI concurrent benefits calculation: if he's approved for SSDI at $1,200/month, his SSI would be reduced to approximately $743 (current $943 SSI minus $200), for a total of $1,200. This is because SSA counts SSDI as unearned income for SSI purposes, but they disregard the first $20 of unearned income. Hope this helps with planning!