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just a random thought but did u check if taking your OWN retirement might be better than survivor? my neighbor discovered her own benefit was higher than her husbands!
This is a good point. You can take one benefit now and switch to the other later if that would maximize your lifetime benefits. For example, some widows take reduced survivor benefits early, then switch to their own maximum retirement benefit at 70. But this depends on your individual circumstances.
Update: I called back today and got a much more knowledgeable representative. He confirmed that starting in January would indeed reduce my benefit slightly compared to waiting until my FRA in February. He corrected my application to show February 1st as my start date and gave me a confirmation number. Thanks everyone for giving me the confidence to push back!
Great news! Always trust your gut when dealing with government agencies.
Perfect! Good job advocating for yourself. This is exactly why it's so important to understand your benefits and options. That small percentage will add up significantly over your lifetime.
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After reviewing everything more carefully, here's what will likely happen in your case: 1. January counts as a month where you exceeded the limit ($4,000 vs $1,950) 2. If you stay under $1,950 for all remaining months of 2025 AND work part-time, you'll only have January counted against you 3. SSA will likely withhold your February payment (the first one) to account for the January excess 4. Starting March, as long as you stay under the monthly limit, you should receive regular payments But as others have suggested, it's essential to confirm this with SSA directly regarding your specific case.
Thank you for breaking it down so clearly. This makes a lot of sense. I'll definitely get confirmation from SSA, but this helps me understand what to expect.
EVERYBODY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT!! My friend and I both started survivors benefits within a month of each other and SSA treated our earnings completely differently. Don't assume what happened to someone else will happen to you.
This is so true! My sister and I both get SSDI and they calculated our benefits totally differently even though our situations seemed similar. The system feels completely random sometimes.
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Regarding your most recent question: SSA should have all your earnings history in their system. When you apply, make sure to mention you have a government pension (or will have one) AND that you believe you have 30+ years of substantial covered earnings under Social Security. They should calculate everything correctly, but it doesn't hurt to specifically bring it up. Based on everything you've shared: 1. With 32 years of substantial earnings, you might escape WEP reductions entirely 2. Given your break-even calculation and life expectancy estimate of 82, claiming at 67 is reasonable 3. The zeros on your record from recent years won't negatively impact your benefit (they just don't help increase it) I recommend applying soon if you've done your calculations carefully. Each month you wait past FRA increases your benefit by about 0.67%, but if your break-even math shows claiming now makes sense, then follow your analysis.
Thank you so much for this thorough advice! I think I'm going to go ahead and file next month when I turn 67. I've been so confused about this decision for months, but I feel much more confident now. I'll definitely mention both the government pension and my 32 years of substantial earnings when I apply.
Don't forget about taxes! If your pension + SS puts you in a higher tax bracket, part of your SS benefits might be taxable. Up to 85% of SS can be taxed depending on your combined income. Did you factor that into your break-even analysis?
this is such a good point!! i totally forgot about taxes in my calculations and got a nasty surprise at tax time last year. now i have to make quarterly estimated payments which is a huge pain
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I dont know why people are telling you to delay benefits. My sister and her husband waited and now regret it. They could have traveled more when they were younger and healthier. Money now is worth more than money later! TAKE IT NOW and enjoy life while you can!!!
This is actually a very personal decision that depends on many factors: financial needs, health status, family longevity, other income sources, etc. Mathematically, delaying benefits provides insurance against longevity - you'll get more total money if you live beyond the break-even age (usually early 80s). But quality of life considerations like your sister's are equally valid. There's no universal right answer.
Ian Armstrong
I hate to say this but you might be facing an uphill battle. The SSA routinely applies GPO incorrectly and their own employees often don't understand the rules. I've seen cases like yours take MONTHS to resolve. When you visit the office, they'll probably tell you that you need to file a formal appeal. Don't leave without getting something in writing! And don't sign anything acknowledging the debt is valid. ALSO - check if your husband's military service was before 1957 or if his fire department was part of a state system that didn't participate in Social Security. Some special rules might apply in those cases.
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Adrian Hughes
•This is partially correct, but it's important to note that the military service timing isn't as relevant for GPO purposes as whether the OP herself worked in non-covered employment. What matters most is demonstrating these are survivor benefits from her husband's employment, not her own pension. The key factor is whose employment generated the benefits.
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Kaylee Cook
Thank you everyone for your helpful responses! I was feeling so overwhelmed before posting here. I've started gathering all the documentation suggested, including letters from both pension administrators clearly stating these are survivor benefits. I'll be filing the SSA-561 form for reconsideration and bringing copies of SSA's own policy on GPO. I'm still nervous about the meeting next week, but I feel much better prepared now. I'll update this thread after my appointment to let you know how it goes in case anyone else faces a similar situation.
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Eli Butler
•Good luck! Be prepared for them to initially insist they're right - it took me two visits to get someone who actually understood the rules. If they tell you the decision stands, immediately ask to speak with a supervisor while you're there. Don't leave without filing the reconsideration paperwork!
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