One more thing to keep in mind - since your wife is at full retirement age (FRA), she's eligible for the full spousal benefit of 50% of your Primary Insurance Amount (before any GPO reduction). If she's eligible for both her own retirement benefit and a spousal benefit, SSA will pay her own benefit plus the difference to equal the higher amount. Also, since she's past FRA, there's no penalty for either of you working while collecting benefits. The earnings test doesn't apply after FRA. Bring to your appointment: 1. Photo ID for both of you 2. Social Security cards 3. Marriage certificate 4. Pension documentation with lump sum details 5. Recent tax returns 6. Bank account information for direct deposit Good luck with your appointment!

after all ur appointments done come back and tell us what happend! lots of us dealing with same stuff and its helpful to hear real examples

I think its great that the GPO is finally going away. My mom lost out on so many benefits because of that unfair rule. She worked for the school system for 35 years and got almost nothing from dads SS when he passed away, even though he worked and paid in his whole life!

That's exactly why this change was needed! So many public servants were effectively penalized twice - once with often lower government pensions compared to private sector, and then again by being denied Social Security benefits their spouses earned. My sister feels like she's been waiting forever for this fix.

Don't let anyone tell you there's nothing you can do about these unfair provisions! There are bills in Congress right now to reform or eliminate WEP/GPO. Contact your representatives! My mom's teacher group is fighting this tooth and nail. Public servants deserve better!

Thank you all for your helpful responses! I've scheduled an in-person appointment at my local SSA office for next week and I'm gathering all my pension documentation. I've also made a list of questions based on all your advice. I'm still frustrated about the WEP/GPO reductions, but at least I understand the process better now. I'll update once I've had my appointment and let you know how it goes.

I don't think this is correct advice. Your sister can't just "pause" her benefits whenever she wants. Once you start collecting, you're locked in. At least that's what happened with my brother-in-law. He tried to pause his at 67 and they told him it was impossible.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their helpful responses. My sister and I talked it over, and based on your advice, she's decided to wait the extra 4 months until she reaches her FRA before filing for her own benefits. That way, she'll have maximum flexibility if her ex-husband passes away. I'm also going to help her document everything (their marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.) so she has it ready if she needs to file for survivor benefits. This whole situation is emotionally difficult, but having a clear financial plan helps reduce some of the stress.

My sister lost her ex last year too. She got about $450 extra a month by switching to his benefit. The way they calculate it is weird though... something about your FRA and his FRA and when you both started collecting. My sister was already 73 when she applied so it was pretty simple but I think there's reductions if you're under FRA.

Thank you all for the helpful replies. I used the Claimyr service this morning and it worked - got through to an agent in about 15 minutes! The agent told me based on our benefit amounts I'm likely eligible for about $820 additional per month. I have an in-person appointment next Tuesday to bring in my documents and finalize everything. They also confirmed they use the application date for benefits, not the date of death, so I'm glad I didn't wait longer!