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Can't find survivor benefits application after WEP/GPO repeal - website not updated?
I'm trying to help my mother-in-law apply for survivor benefits now that she's eligible after the WEP/GPO repeal. We spent hours yesterday going through the SSA website after setting up her login.gov account, but every path we tried ended with a 'call us' message. Has anyone successfully applied for survivor benefits online since the repeal took effect? Or is telephone application the only option right now? Seems like the website might not be updated to handle these new cases yet? Really don't want to spend 3+ hours on hold if there's another way to do this!
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Confused about 2025 SS benefit difference - $5,108 for new age 70 retirees vs. $4,994 for 2024 retirees?
I've been tracking Social Security max benefits as I approach retirement, and something's confusing me. According to my research, people turning 70 in 2025 and starting benefits this year can get a maximum of $5,108/month. But those who already started benefits at 70 in 2024 are only getting $4,994/month in 2025 after the COLA. This doesn't make sense to me. It's like the newer retirees are getting a better deal despite having the same birth year as those who claimed in 2024. Am I missing something about how the calculations work? Does SSA somehow give better COLAs to people who wait longer? My financial advisor couldn't explain it clearly and now I'm wondering if I should delay my application even though I'm already 70.
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To clarify a key point that's causing confusion: Once you reach age 70, there is NO BENEFIT to waiting longer to apply. Age 70 is the maximum age for delayed retirement credits (DRCs). If you're already 70 in 2025, you should apply now. Waiting until 2026 will not increase your benefit amount through DRCs. The only thing that could potentially increase your benefit by waiting would be if you're still working and replacing a lower-earning year in your calculation with a higher-earning 2025 year. The difference between someone who turned 70 and applied in 2024 versus 2025 is due to the wage indexing in the initial calculation, not because of some advantage to waiting past 70.
Thank you for emphasizing this! I'll definitely apply now rather than waiting. My highest earnings years were already within my top 35, so working longer wouldn't help my calculation anyway. I appreciate everyone's help in understanding this confusing system!
wait so if I'm turning 66 this year should I wait till 70? will I get more $$$ that way? or should I just take it now? i'm so confused by all this!!!!
That's a different question from what the original poster asked, but generally: Yes, waiting until 70 will give you a significantly higher monthly benefit (approximately 32% more than at your full retirement age of 66). Whether that's the right choice depends on your health, financial situation, and other factors. But if you're trying to maximize your lifetime benefit and expect to live past roughly age 80, waiting is mathematically advantageous.
Can I claim spousal Social Security benefits now at 68 and switch to my own at 70?
I've been working and paying into Social Security since I was 18 and finally retired last year at 67. My husband is 78 and started collecting his SS benefits when he was 62. His monthly check is about $1,850 now with COLAs. I'm trying to maximize my retirement income, so my plan has been to wait until 70 to start my own benefits (which should be around $3,200/month according to my SS statement). But I'm wondering if I could receive the 50% spousal benefit based on my husband's record NOW, and then still switch to my own higher benefit when I turn 70? I've heard conflicting information about whether this is still possible since the rule changes. Does anyone know if this strategy still works for someone my age? Would collecting a spousal benefit now affect my own benefit amount when I turn 70?
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THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!!! They got rid of file and suspend, they eliminated restricted application, they tax our benefits, and they STILL haven't fixed the WEP/GPO problems!!! When will Congress stop treating seniors like ATM machines????
While there are certainly issues with how Social Security has evolved, the changes to file and suspend and restricted application were actually intended to eliminate strategies that primarily benefited higher-income households. Most people who could afford to delay benefits were higher earners. That said, I do agree that more transparency and consistency in the rules would help everyone.
Thank you all for the helpful information. I'm disappointed but at least now I understand my options better. I think I'll wait until 70 to maximize my benefit since I can afford to do so at this point. It's frustrating that the rules changed and eliminated this strategy, but I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain it so clearly!
That's a good decision if you can afford it. Every year you wait after your FRA adds approximately 8% to your lifetime benefit amount, and that increase is permanent and includes future COLAs. At current life expectancies for women your age, waiting until 70 tends to pay off in the long run.
Can I claim Social Security on my higher-earning husband's record at 62 while separated?
I'm turning 62 in about 4 months and planning to file for Social Security benefits. Here's my situation - I'm currently separated from my husband (not legally divorced), and he's about 3 years younger than me (so he's around 59). I know he's earned significantly more than me throughout our working years, and I'm wondering if I can collect spousal benefits based on his record even though we're separated? Also, since he hasn't filed for his benefits yet (being younger), does that affect my ability to claim on his record? I've tried calling SSA but haven't gotten clear answers. Any insights from those who've navigated similar situations would be really helpful!
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another thing to think about - how long have u been married? if its not 10 years yet and ur heading for divorce u might want to wait till u hit 10 years before finalizing anything
We've been married for 23 years, so thankfully that's not an issue. But that's a really good point for others in similar situations who might be close to that 10-year mark!
Here's a summary of your options: 1. File for your own retirement at 62 (approximately 30% reduction) 2. Wait until your husband is eligible (62) AND files for his benefits, then file for spousal benefits 3. Consider divorce if appropriate (after 10 years of marriage) which could allow you to claim on his record once he's 62 even if he hasn't filed 4. Wait until your Full Retirement Age to avoid reductions If you expect to receive spousal benefits eventually, consider whether the extra money from filing early on your own record will offset the permanent reduction to both benefits. This calculation depends on your life expectancy and financial needs. For specific estimates, you'll need to know: - Your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) at Full Retirement Age - Your husband's approximate PIA - Your exact birth date to determine your FRA and reduction percentages
This is so helpful - thank you for laying out all my options clearly. I think I need to find out what my husband's PIA would be to make an informed decision. I'll try to get through to SSA for specific numbers. Based on everyone's advice, I'm leaning toward taking my own benefit now at 62 since I could really use the income, and then possibly switching to spousal later if it makes financial sense, even with the reduction.
Will taking SS spousal benefits at 67 reduce my own retirement benefits at 70?
I'm trying to figure out the best strategy for my Social Security benefits and could use some advice. I'm currently 67 and a half, and I'm planning to continue working until I'm 70. Based on my earnings history, I should qualify for maximum SS benefits (around $4,300/month) when I claim at 70. Meanwhile, my wife started collecting her own Social Security at 62 (she's now 64). Her monthly benefit is about $2,200. I've been told I might be eligible for spousal benefits (approximately $1,100/month) while I continue working. My question is: If I apply for spousal benefits now based on my wife's record, will it somehow reduce what I'll get when I switch to my own retirement benefits at 70? I've heard conflicting information about this. Some people say I can collect spousal now and then switch to my own higher benefit later with no penalty, but others say this could affect my maximum benefit. Anyone know how this actually works?
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im 66 and my husband is 70 can i do this too
It depends on your birth date. Were you born before January 2, 1954? If yes, then you can file a restricted application for spousal benefits only (assuming your husband is already receiving his benefits). If you were born January 2, 1954 or later, then you cannot use this strategy - you'd be subject to deemed filing rules.
Fatima Al-Suwaidi
I've been dealing with Social Security for YEARS and this is nothing new. They NEVER update their systems on time. My husband and I both got caught in the confusion when the FRA changed years ago. The website said one thing, the phone people said another thing, and the office staff said something completely different! Then they have the nerve to blame YOU when their mistakes cause problems. Do NOT trust what one agent tells you - always get a second opinion and GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING!!!
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StarSailor
This happened to my cousin too! She was told different things by different people and ended up missing out on 6 months of benefits. Makes me nervous about applying myself next year.
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GalacticGuru
Update: After reading all your helpful comments, I decided to try calling. After THREE HOURS on hold, I finally got through to someone. They confirmed that yes, for WEP/GPO repeal cases, phone or in-person are the only options right now. They're "working on updating the website" but couldn't give a timeframe. So frustrating! The agent was actually very helpful once I got through and started my mother-in-law's application. They'll be mailing her some forms to complete and return. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
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Dylan Cooper
Glad you got through! Make sure she keeps copies of EVERYTHING she sends them. And note the date the forms were mailed back. If they claim they never received something (happens all the time), having proof of when it was sent can make a big difference. Also, if she has MySSA account, she can check the status online even though she couldn't apply online.
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Giovanni Mancini
3 hours!!! thats actually not bad compared to what some people r waiting lol. glad u got through
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