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i forgot to mention my sister had a similar problem but she was getting close to FRA and only had like 6 months to go so she just reduced her work hours for those months to get under the earnings limit and got some benefits. might not work for you if your younger but something to think about if your close
That's a creative approach! I'm still over 3 years away from FRA, so reducing work hours for that long wouldn't make financial sense for me. But it's a good strategy to keep in mind as I get closer to that age.
One last thing I'd recommend - schedule an appointment with SSA about 6 months before your FRA to review your survivor benefit eligibility and exact benefit amount. They'll need your ex-husband's death certificate and marriage/divorce records if you haven't already provided them. Also, keep documentation of your ex's earnings history if you have access to it, as survivor benefits are based on his earnings record and sometimes mistakes happen. The SSA's estimates aren't always accurate, so it's worth verifying everything in advance.
Great advice! I'll definitely schedule that appointment 6 months before my FRA. I have copies of our marriage certificate and divorce decree, but I'll need to request his death certificate. I don't have his earnings history, though - hopefully SSA has accurate records.
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wait i just thought of something - have you checked if you qualify for mother's benefits? or are your kids all over 16 already?
Our kids are all adults now (youngest is 22), so I don't think mother's benefits would apply in my case. But thank you for the suggestion!
I want to add one important point: if you're worried about future financial security, now is a good time to start planning beyond potential Social Security benefits. Since your husband has a pension and you're considering returning to work, you might want to explore opening a catch-up IRA or other retirement vehicles. Many stay-at-home parents face this situation, and there are financial strategies specifically designed for people who've been out of the workforce. Regarding your original question, when you speak with SSA, ask specifically about the "minimum survivor benefit" which might apply in cases with limited covered employment.
Thank you for mentioning the "minimum survivor benefit" - I hadn't heard of that term and will definitely ask about it. And you're absolutely right about planning beyond Social Security. I've been thinking about our retirement planning more seriously lately. I'll look into catch-up IRA options as well. Really appreciate the advice!
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FYI my neighbor just had her WEP benefit adjusted and it took like 3 months for SSA to process everything so dont expect the change right away when the law kicks in. she had to keep calling them to check on it
Thanks for the heads up! I'll make sure to start following up with them as soon as the WEP/GPO elimination takes effect. I don't want to lose out on any benefits because of their slow processing.
I'd recommend asking the SSA for a detailed calculation breakdown when you apply for the spousal benefit. Most people don't know that you can request this! They'll send you a letter showing exactly how they calculated your benefit amount, which is helpful if you think they've made a mistake (which happens more often than they'd like to admit). And make sure your husband coordinates with you when he files for his benefits so you can apply for the spousal benefit right away.
This is excellent advice. Always request a breakdown of calculations from SSA. It's also worth noting that the WEP/GPO elimination is being phased in over time according to the legislation, not happening all at once. Make sure you understand how the phase-in schedule affects your specific situation, as this will impact both your own benefit adjustments and subsequently your spousal benefit calculations.
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whats the diff between SSI and SSDI again? does that matter for spousal benefits?? sorry if thats a stupid question but all these acronyms confuse me lol
SSI and SSDI don't apply to the original question about retirement and spousal benefits. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with limited income/resources who are disabled, blind, or 65+. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is for disabled workers who have earned enough work credits. What the original poster is asking about is regular Social Security retirement benefits and the associated spousal benefits, which are based on earnings records and completely different from SSI/SSDI.
my aunt used to work for ssa and she said always always ALWAYS wait until FRA to get the full 50% for spouse benefit. taking early is a mistake she saw people make every day
That's a HUGE oversimplification!!! Whether to take benefits early or wait depends on SO MANY factors - health, life expectancy, other income sources, tax situation. Plus the breakeven point is usually in your late 70s or early 80s. Some people are better off taking reduced benefits earlier and investing them. There's NO one-size-fits-all answer!!!
Yara Khoury
One more thing to remember - fixing this isn't just about your retirement benefits. Your Social Security earnings record also affects potential SSDI benefits if you ever become disabled before retirement age, and could impact survivor benefits for your family. So there are multiple reasons to make sure your record is accurate.
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AstroAlpha
•I hadn't even thought about that aspect. Really appreciate everyone's advice here. I'm going to gather all my documentation and keep moving forward with getting this fixed.
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Keisha Taylor
just wondering but did you ever file a tax return that year with the wrong ssn? cuz if so the irs shouldve caught it?? or did the employer just report the wrong ssn to ssa but your w2 copy had the right one?
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AstroAlpha
•That's the weird part - the W-2 I received and filed my taxes with had my correct SSN. It seems like what they reported to SSA had the wrong number. The fraud case was mainly about them not submitting the taxes they withheld, but apparently they also messed up the reporting.
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