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Can my husband apply for reduced spousal benefits after new WEP/GPO changes - confused about start date
I need advice about my husband's spousal benefits after the recent WEP/GPO changes. I started collecting my Social Security at 62 last year (probably not the smartest move but needed the income). My husband has worked for the postal service since he was 22 and doesn't have enough quarters for his own SS benefit, but now with the new law changes to WEP/GPO, we're thinking spousal benefits make sense for him. I understand his spousal benefit will always be reduced because I started collecting early at 62 - is that correct? Since this finally makes financial sense, we want to apply right away, but I'm confused about what date to put as his start date. Can they backdate his application 6 months, or is that retroactive payment only available for people at Full Retirement Age? I'm 63 now and he's 64 if that matters for the calculation. Any advice on timing or what date to use on the application would be really helpful!
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Finding my Social Security start date online to determine spousal benefit top-up eligibility
I started collecting Social Security retirement benefits a while back but honestly can't remember exactly when or at what age! Now I'm trying to figure out if I qualify for a spousal top-up benefit from my husband's record. He's already collecting at his full retirement age, but I haven't reached mine yet (which is 66 and 10 months). Can I find my SS start date information online somewhere in my SSA account, or am I going to have to call and wait on hold forever with the Social Security office? I'm also confused about how they calculate the spousal benefit amount if I did start early. Anyone been through this process recently?
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just wondering, did your husband work for the government? my sister's husband did and she got almost nothing from spousal benefits because of something called WEP or GPO i think?
No, he worked in the private sector his whole career, so that shouldn't affect us. But thank you for mentioning it - I've heard those government pension offset rules can really reduce benefits for some people.
One last tip - when you do reach your FRA and apply for the spousal benefit, print out a copy of your husband's benefit verification letter showing his PIA amount, and bring your own as well. Having documentation of both benefit amounts will help ensure they calculate everything correctly. Also, if the online benefit verification letter doesn't show your exact start date, you can request your complete earnings record, which will show when benefits began. Log in to your my Social Security account, go to "Review Your Information" and then "View Earnings Record.
Thank you for all the help! I've got my earnings record now and see exactly when I started. I'm going to make a calendar reminder for when I reach FRA so I don't forget to apply for the spousal benefit. Fingers crossed it's worth the effort!
Can SSDI recipients get auxiliary benefits from ex-spouse without reducing FRA benefits?
Just found out my SSN is floating around on the dark web (thanks, credit card company for that lovely news). When I called SSA about it, the conversation took an unexpected turn. The rep mentioned I might qualify for "auxiliary benefits" from my ex-husband's record and scheduled me a phone appointment for November 12th. My situation: I'm 62, on SSDI for $1,340/month due to permanent disability, and divorced from someone who earned about $275K annually. He's already collecting his retirement at FRA. I'm confused about these "auxiliary benefits" - would getting them now affect what I'll receive when I reach full retirement age? I don't want to mess up my future benefits by taking something now. Does anyone know if these payments are in addition to my SSDI or would they replace it? Really appreciate any insights from folks who've dealt with this before!
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I think with SSDI u can get divorced spouse benefits at ANY age not just retirement age. Normal retirement people have to wait till 62 but SSDI is different rules I think???
That's correct. If you're receiving SSDI, you can qualify for divorced spouse benefits at any age, not just retirement age, as long as you meet the marriage duration requirements (10+ years) and haven't remarried.
Social Security benefits confusion for same-sex marriage - counting legally married years after divorce
I recently got divorced after a 10-year same-sex marriage and trying to understand my Social Security benefits is making my head spin! My ex and I married in June 2013 in Massachusetts, but we lived in Florida which didn't recognize our marriage until the Obergefell decision in June 2015. We just finalized our divorce in January 2025 after separating last year. I'm trying to figure out if I can claim ex-spouse benefits eventually (I'm 52, she's 58). Does Social Security count our marriage as lasting 12 years (2013-2025) or just 9.5 years (2015-2025) because of when federal recognition happened? The 10-year mark for ex-spouse benefits seems to depend on this technicality and I'm getting different answers from everyone I ask. Has anyone dealt with this specific situation?
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This is so confusing! I thought I understood how marriage duration works for Social Security but now I'm not sure. I was in a traditional opposite-sex marriage for 9 years and 10 months before divorce, and I was told I missed the 10-year cutoff for ex-spouse benefits by just 2 months. It seems unfair that some people get different rules than others, but I guess that's how the law works sometimes. In any case, OP, I hope you can get those benefits!
The rules aren't different - all marriages follow the same 10-year duration requirement for ex-spouse benefits. The difference is only in how the start date is determined. For same-sex marriages, SSA had to clarify that they recognize these marriages from their original legal date, not from when federal recognition occurred. In your case, unfortunately, the marriage was indeed just shy of the 10-year mark.
Thank you all so much for the helpful information! I feel much better prepared now. I'll definitely keep records of all the policy information mentioned here when I eventually apply. I'm still years away from being eligible age-wise, but it's a relief to know I'll qualify based on the marriage duration. Social Security rules are so complicated - I'm grateful for this community's knowledge!
Social Security spousal benefits eligibility with GPO suspension at 78 - can I get half my husband's benefit?
I'm confused about my eligibility for Social Security spousal benefits after years of GPO (Government Pension Offset) affecting my situation. I'm currently 78 and my husband is 79. He started claiming his Social Security benefits when he was 63 (I was 62 at that time). I worked for a state government agency for 32 years and have a pension from that job, which triggered the GPO. I haven't been collecting Social Security benefits because the GPO reduction would have eliminated any payment completely. Now that we're older and benefit amounts have increased, I'm wondering if I'd be eligible to receive 50% of his CURRENT monthly benefit? His benefit is now about $2,450/month after COLAs. Would I be entitled to roughly $1,225, minus whatever the GPO reduction would be? Has anyone navigated this situation successfully? Thank you!
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That's correct about survivor benefits. While a spousal benefit is 50% of the worker's benefit amount, a survivor benefit is up to 100% of what the worker was receiving (depending on when you claim it). The GPO still reduces it by 2/3 of your government pension, but since the starting amount is higher, you're more likely to receive some benefit.For example, if your husband's benefit is $2,450/month, the potential survivor benefit would be $2,450 (not $1,225 like the spousal benefit). With your $2,890 pension, the GPO reduction would be about $1,927, leaving you with roughly $523/month in survivor benefits after your husband passes.I'd recommend getting this calculation verified by SSA when the time comes, as benefit amounts will have changed by then due to COLAs.
Omar Fawaz
has anyone actually received increased benefits from this GPO change yet? my mom has a teacher pension and we applied in february but her check hasnt changed
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Freya Pedersen
The systems at SSA are still being updated to fully implement the GPO changes. Many people who applied early in the year are seeing delayed processing. If your mom applied in February, I recommend checking the status of her application online through her mySocialSecurity account or contacting SSA directly. Some payments may also include retroactive adjustments when they finally process.
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Isabella Santos
Update: We submitted the application yesterday and put the current date as the start date. The claims specialist said they will determine if any retroactive benefits apply based on the new law. She also confirmed that his benefit will increase gradually over the next few years as the GPO phases out, starting with 20% this year. Thank you all for your helpful advice!
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GalacticGuru
Glad it worked out! Let us know when he gets his first payment and how much it ends up being. Curious about the actual amounts with the new changes
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Ravi Gupta
That's great news! You did exactly the right thing. And yes, the benefit will increase by about 20% of the original GPO reduction each year until fully phased out in 2029. Congratulations on maximizing your household's Social Security benefits!
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