The REAL QUESTION is how they're going to pay for this!!! Repealing GPO/WEP would cost billions and SS is already headed for trouble. They'll probably just increase the debt more or raise taxes on everyone. Nothing is free - we'll all end up paying for it one way or another.

I just went through all this with my financial advisor last week. Here's what she told me (I'm also a former teacher with pension): 1) The current GPO reduces spousal/widow benefits by 2/3 of your government pension 2) Most pending legislation would phase out GPO over 5 years (20% reduction each year) 3) For spouses, there's NO benefit to waiting beyond FRA - you get 50% of your spouse's PIA at FRA 4) For survivor benefits (after spouse dies), there IS benefit to waiting up to age 70 5) Keep good records of your pension and SS communications Her advice was to wait until FRA to avoid the early filing reduction. In your case at 65.5, it's only about a 6% reduction, so if you need the money now and GPO is repealed, it might be worth taking slightly reduced benefits.

All this FRA and earning limit stuff is why I just waited until I fully stopped working to claim SS!!! The rules are IMPOSSIBLE to understand and I was terrified of messing up and owing them money later. SSA is the WORST at explaining their own rules clearly!!! 😡😡😡

My sister just went through this! Very important - make sure you tell Social Security your EXACT planned retirement date when you apply. She told them she'd work until June but then decided to quit in February, and didn't notify them. They kept withholding benefits based on her original income estimate and it took months to fix. Just keep SSA updated on any changes to your work plans!

Is your husband gettin SSI or SSDI? if its SSI then u DO hve to report his earnings every month cuz thats need-based!!!!

I think people who say SS automatically recalculates are being optimistic lol. My brother-in-law had to actually request a recalculation after working 3 years past retirement. Maybe it's supposed to be automatic but with the govt who knows if it actually happens!

Have u tried contacting your congressional representative? My friend is a retired police officer who had issues with WEP and his congress person's office helped straighten it out. They have staff who specifically handle SS problems!

After learning about how WEP works, I discovered that SSA had missed some of my substantial earnings years from when I worked summers during my teaching career. I was able to get my WEP reduction decreased by providing proof of those earnings. The WEP formula provides a 5% reduction in the penalty for each year of substantial earnings over 20 years, so each additional year you can document is worth fighting for.

One other thing to consider is that if your brother passes away (hopefully not for many decades!), your SIL would be eligible for survivor benefits. Those are calculated differently than spousal benefits. As a widow, she could get 100% of what your brother was receiving if she's at her full retirement age when she claims survivor benefits. However, if she claims survivor benefits early, they'll be reduced. The reduction factors for survivor benefits are different than for retirement or spousal benefits. This is why Social Security planning for couples often involves considering the higher earner delaying as long as possible (to age 70 ideally) to maximize the survivor benefit for whichever spouse lives longer.

After reading through this whole thread, I think your SIL has essentially three options: 1) Claim now at 63 and accept permanent reductions to both her retirement AND spousal benefits. This gives her income now but less income later. 2) Wait until her FRA to claim either benefit. This maximizes her spousal benefit when your brother claims. 3) A compromise approach: If she absolutely needs income now, she could consider whether she qualifies for any other benefits (like spousal benefits from a previous marriage if applicable) or look at other income sources to bridge the gap until FRA. The deemed filing rules that took effect for people born after January 1, 1954, eliminated many of the clever claiming strategies that used to exist. Now, when you file for one benefit, you're effectively filing for all benefits you're eligible for.