Thank you all for such helpful information! I understand much better now. I'll make sure to specifically request the spousal benefit when I file for my own retirement, and I'll bring all our documentation. It's good to know the approximate amount too - every extra bit helps with today's costs. I might use that Claimyr service when the time comes since getting through to SSA seems to be a common frustration. One last question - if I decide to file at exactly 67 (my FRA), how long does it typically take for my husband's spousal addition to start showing up in his payments? I want to make sure we budget correctly.

If you apply for your benefits and your husband's spousal benefit at the same time, they typically process both together. Usually, it takes about 30-60 days for the first payments to begin, though the spousal adjustment might take an additional payment cycle to appear. I recommend applying 3 months before you want benefits to begin to allow processing time. Keep in mind that Social Security pays benefits in the month following the month they're due for, so there's always that one-month delay in the payment schedule. If you run into any issues with the spousal benefit not appearing after 2-3 months, definitely follow up with SSA directly.

Yes, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) would still apply to spousal benefits if you receive a pension from work not covered by Social Security. The GPO typically reduces spousal/widow(er) benefits by 2/3 of your government pension amount. For example, if your government pension is $3,000/month, your spousal benefits would be reduced by $2,000. If the spousal benefit would have been $1,500, you'd receive $0 after the GPO reduction ($1,500 - $2,000 = less than $0). This is separate from the WEP, which affects your own benefit based on your own work record. The GPO affects benefits based on someone else's work record.

The whole WEP/GPO thing is just the government STEALING money from teachers and public servants who worked hard their whole lives!!! My aunt lost over $700/month because of this garbage. Called her congressman and everything but nothing changed. Complete scam!!!!

is she getting medicare too? make sure to tell them to keep her medicare part b payment the same if she gets higher ss. otherwise they might increase the premium based on higher income

Just to clarify on the retroactive benefits question you asked: For survivor benefits, SSA can pay up to 6 months of retroactive benefits before the application date. Unfortunately, they won't go back to the date of death if it's been almost 2 years. One important note: When she's approved for survivor benefits, SSA will stop her current retirement benefit and start paying the survivor benefit instead (assuming it's higher, which sounds likely in your case). This is a complete switch, not an add-on to her current benefit. Also, while gathering documents, make sure she has her banking information ready for direct deposit if she wants to change where the payments go.

One crucial detail that hasn't been mentioned: the earnings limit only applies to wages or self-employment income. If you have investment income, interest, dividends, capital gains, pension payments, or annuity payments, those don't count toward the earnings test at all. Only the money you actively earn through working counts. Also, if you do exceed the limit and have some benefits withheld in 2025, you'll get those withheld benefits back gradually after you reach FRA through a recalculation of your monthly benefit amount. So it's not permanently lost money, just temporarily withheld.

BTW the exact 2025 numbers haven't been announced yet right? These are just estimates based on 2024?

Has anyone here actually RECEIVED survivor benefits? All this theoretical knowledge is great but I want to hear from someone who's been through the process. My husband is 12 years older than me and I'm worried about navigating this system when I'm grieving someday.

One important strategy note: If your wife is still relatively young, you might want to consider whether she should switch her benefit strategy. If she's currently receiving a reduced retirement benefit plus spousal supplement, when you pass away, she would receive the higher of: 1. Her own reduced retirement benefit 2. The reduced survivor benefit (reduced because she's taking it before FRA) Depending on your specific benefit amounts and her life expectancy, it might actually be more advantageous for her to restrict her application to just spousal benefits now (if she was born before January 2, 1954 and is at least at FRA) or consider other strategies to maximize her long-term benefits. This is complex enough that you might want to consult with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies.