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A few more points to consider before you make your decision: 1. If your boyfriend's SSDI is based on a relatively high earnings history, and your alimony is based on a lower income level, getting married might make financial sense. But based on the numbers you've shared ($1,675 SSDI, $1,950 alimony), it appears marriage would create a financial shortfall. 2. Look beyond just monthly cash flow. Marriage affects inheritance rights, medical decision-making, tax filing status, and healthcare access. Some of these could provide significant financial or practical benefits. 3. Some divorces have provisions for partial continuation of alimony even after remarriage - check your divorce decree carefully. 4. Remember that your spousal benefit would increase if your boyfriend waits until his Full Retirement Age to convert from SSDI to retirement benefits. This is a complex decision that merges financial considerations with emotional ones. I'd recommend consulting both an SSA representative and a financial advisor who specializes in retirement planning before making your decision.
Thank you for these additional points. I think you're right that I need professional advice. Based on everyone's comments, it seems the pure monthly income would be less if we marry, but there might be other financial and legal benefits that could offset that somewhat. I'm going to try to speak with both SSA and a financial advisor before we make any decisions.
My cousin was in a similar situation last year. She ended up just living with her boyfriend without getting legally married. They had a commitment ceremony with family and friends, exchange rings, call each other husband and wife, but legally they're single. That way she keeps her alimony and there's no negative impact on his benefits. They've been happy with this arrangement. Obviously there are some legal protections you don't get this way, but they took care of most of that with wills, advanced directives, and power of attorney documents. Something to consider if the numbers don't work out for a legal marriage.
Oh and forgot to mention - you should also check what happens to his SSDI if you get married. Some types of disability benefits can be reduced based on household income after marriage. You both need to understand all the possible impacts.
Just to clarify - SSDI benefits (Social Security Disability Insurance) are NOT affected by marriage or household income. You're thinking of SSI (Supplemental Security Income), which is means-tested and can be reduced when you marry. Based on the benefit amount mentioned ($1,675), the boyfriend is almost certainly on SSDI, not SSI, as SSI maxes out around $900.
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Has anyone successfully appealed a GPO reduction? I've heard rumors that if you can prove financial hardship you can get the offset reduced. Is that true or just another SSA myth?
That's definitely a myth. The GPO is written into law and SSA has no authority to waive or reduce it based on hardship. The only way around GPO is if you meet one of the very specific exemptions (like being covered by both your government pension AND Social Security at the same time for your last 60 months of government employment).
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my neighbor started SS early and they messed up his payments so bad he had to pay back $12,000!!! be really careful with all this, the rules are super confusing and SS workers give wrong info all the time
this is y u should always get everything in writing!!! never trust what they tell u on phone
To summarize for you: 1. Yes, you can earn the entire annual limit in Jan-Feb 2025 2. You'll likely not receive benefits for those two months due to the monthly earnings test 3. As long as you perform no work from March onward, you should receive full benefits for March-December 4. Make sure to report your work activity through your mySocialSecurity account 5. If you have trouble reaching SSA by phone to verify everything, consider using a service to get through 6. Any benefits withheld aren't permanently lost - they're factored in when you reach FRA Good luck with your retirement plans!
This is incredibly helpful - thank you for laying it all out so clearly! I feel much more confident now about how to handle this.
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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
Actually, the 2026 COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) won't be announced until October 2025. The COLA for 2025 will be announced in October 2024. It's based on the third-quarter Consumer Price Index, and they need the September numbers to make the calculation. But you're right that the annual COLA will likely have a more direct impact on benefit amounts than this executive order.
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.
You shouldnt trust everything ppl tell you online either!!! Do your own research!!! The government doesn't want you to know whats REALLY happening with social security!!!
Dylan Cooper
My husband's cousin didn't report his extra income and the SSA hit him with a HUGE overpayment notice two years later!!! They wanted ALL the money back at once! Such a nightmare! Don't make that mistake!!
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
To summarize for you: 1. You can't suspend benefits until FRA (probably 66+some months for you) 2. You'll exceed the earnings limit with your contract ($30k vs ~$21k limit) 3. SSA will withhold about $4,380 from your benefits (probably as 2-3 full months with no payment) 4. You'll still come out financially ahead by taking the contract 5. Report your expected earnings to SSA right away in January 6. When you reach FRA, you'll get credit for the withheld months Good luck with your contract!
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Liam Fitzgerald
•Thank you so much for this clear summary! This helps me understand exactly what to expect. I'm definitely going to take the contract - it's too good to pass up even with some benefits being withheld. I appreciate everyone's help!
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