To follow up on your question about earnings - SSA counts GROSS earnings toward the limit, not net after taxes. And they count it when earned, not when paid (except for special payments like bonuses or accumulated vacation pay). Given that you're only $320 below the annual earnings limit, you might want to keep careful track of your income throughout the year. Going over by even a small amount could trigger withholding of some of your widow benefits.

One more important point - when you do go to apply for your own retirement benefits at 67, make sure you specifically tell SSA you want to SWITCH from widow benefits to retirement benefits. Don't simply say you want to "apply for retirement" or they might just give you a small increase instead of recalculating the full amount you're entitled to based on your work record. Also, you can actually file for this switch online through your my Social Security account when the time comes, which might be easier than dealing with representatives who may not understand the rules.

@OP Yes, there will be a gap. After your youngest turns 16, your caregiver benefits stop, and you won't be eligible again until either your own early retirement age (62) or your full retirement age. This is often called the "caregiver gap" and unfortunately, there's not much you can do about it unless you qualify for some other type of benefit. Many people return to work during this period if possible.

One more important thing: Benefits for children and caregivers may reduce the total family benefits due to the Family Maximum Benefit limit, but they do NOT reduce your husband's own retirement benefit. His check stays the same regardless of how many dependents receive benefits on his record. And yes, you'll have a gap between when your youngest turns 16 and when you can claim retirement benefits (earliest at 62).

my cousin worked for ssa for 30 yrs and she always said the wep is the most complicated thing they deal with!! even the agents get confused about it sometimes lol. just keep working and saving ur money dont count on ss to save u

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I'm going to try to increase my hours at the bookstore to see if I can get closer to the substantial earnings threshold, though $28,050 might be a stretch for part-time work. Even if I can't eliminate the WEP completely, it sounds like there's still value in continuing to work and pay into Social Security. I'll be keeping track of my earnings more carefully now that I understand how this works. And I might try that Claimyr service to finally speak with someone at SSA and get information specific to my situation. Really appreciate all the advice!

Just to clarify something important about survivor benefits that many people misunderstand: If you're already at full retirement age when you apply for widow's benefits, you'll get 100% of your deceased spouse's benefit amount. But if you take your own retirement early (before your FRA), and then later switch to survivor benefits, your survivor benefit won't be reduced. However, if you take survivor benefits early (before your survivor FRA), they will be reduced. The reduction amounts are different than for regular retirement benefits. This is why it's so important to compare scenarios like the agent did for you. Sometimes taking your own reduced benefit first, then switching to survivor benefits at your FRA is the best strategy.

My mother had a similar experience when my dad passed. She was shocked they answered all her questions by phone. I think people don't realize that for many common situations (especially straightforward survivor benefits), they've really improved their phone service. Now getting through and not being on hold for 2 hours is another story...

also don't forget that COLA for 2026 is supposed to be announced soon! thats probably more important for your benefits than this executive order thing

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! I feel much better now understanding that this doesn't affect my actual Social Security benefits. I think I need to be more careful about what news I listen to - they made it sound much more dramatic than it actually is.