my dad got hung up on twice last month trying to deal with his GPO situation its like they dont want to help csrs people

To update on your specific question - yes, most SSA offices will help you with a walk-in, but be prepared for significant wait times. For establishing a protective filing date related to WEP/GPO specifically, I recommend: 1. Bring your CSRS pension documentation 2. Bring both your and your wife's SS cards and IDs 3. Have a simple written statement explaining you want to establish a protective filing date for spousal benefits in anticipation of potential legislative changes 4. Arrive first thing in the morning (ideally 30+ minutes before opening) 5. Be polite but firm about needing written documentation of the protective filing date Also, your wife does need to be present since it's her benefit application. The current GPO reduction is significant with CSRS pensions, so be prepared for them to try to discourage filing, but stand firm on establishing that date regardless.

one thing nobody mentioned is that youre on survivor benefits not regular retirement so theres different rules sometimes. but at your age it doesnt matter youre good to work

To summarize what everyone has said: 1) At 67, you're past FRA so there's NO earnings limit 2) You will keep 100% of your survivor benefits no matter how much you earn 3) Working could potentially make some of your benefits taxable if your total income exceeds certain thresholds 4) Working now might actually increase your benefit slightly if you replace lower-earning years in your calculation. Sounds like taking that bookstore job is a good move for you!

good point about taxes! up to 85% of SS can be taxable if your combined income is high enough

Thank you everyone for all these helpful responses! I've learned so much. Based on what I'm hearing, it makes the most sense for me to claim at my FRA since delaying won't increase my total benefit beyond the 50% spousal benefit cap. And it's good to know that my husband delaying until 70 will increase the survivor benefit I'd receive if he passes away first.I appreciate all of you taking the time to explain this to me with actual numbers!

I see a LOT of confusion about this topic! My wife is 7 years younger than me, and we went through this exact situation. Here's what ACTUALLY happens: 1) Your husband CANNOT receive spousal benefits until YOU file for YOUR retirement benefits 2) The SSA calculator is showing a HYPOTHETICAL amount based on if you filed RIGHT NOW 3) When you DO file at your FRA, then your husband can apply for spousal benefits 4) He'll only get the DIFFERENCE between his current benefit and 50% of your PIA (if that's higher) Don't be fooled by that $1140 number - that's likely 50% of your projected PIA, not the actual amount he'd receive as a top-up. His actual top-up will be that amount MINUS his current benefit. And YES, it's worth waiting until your FRA to file!!!! Don't file early - you'll reduce BOTH your benefit AND any potential spousal benefit for your husband.

somebody told me once that if ur spouse dies the survivor gets the higher of the two benefits. not sure if thats true but might be something to think about with ur planning

Wait so what happens if you suspend your benefits at 67? Do the kids benefits stop too?? This happened to my cousin and he had NO idea the kids payments would stop when he suspended to get the 8% per year increases!

Thank you all for the helpful insights! I think I need to weigh the immediate benefit for the twins against my long-term retirement security. Since I'd lose the kids' benefits if I suspend at 67, and my early filing permanently reduces my spousal amount, I'm now leaning toward waiting a couple more years before filing. Maybe I can work part-time a bit longer and file when they're 15 to minimize the early filing reduction while still getting them some benefits before they finish high school. I'll definitely use that Claimyr service to talk with SSA and go through my specific numbers before making the final decision.