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My father-in-law went through something like this. What they don't tell you is that once you're at full retirement age, you should check again with SS. Sometimes the calculations change and you might be eligible for more. The whole system is designed to be confusing so people don't get everything they're entitled to!
This is partially correct but needs clarification. The WEP and GPO calculations typically don't change at full retirement age. However, life changes like the cessation of a pension or the death of a spouse can affect the calculations. It's always good to check with SSA when circumstances change, but reaching FRA alone doesn't usually modify WEP/GPO impacts.
I'm dealing with a similar mess right now. My husband has a federal pension and I'm on SSDI. The whole system seems designed to punish people who worked in public service. Have you talked to a financial advisor who specializes in federal benefits? We found one who really helped us understand our options better than any SSA rep could.
That's a great suggestion. We haven't consulted with a financial advisor who specializes in this area. Do you have any suggestions on how to find one? I agree that the system seems unnecessarily complicated, especially for those who've worked in both public and private sectors.
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This all sounds complicated! Wouldnt it be easier just to take the survivor benifits now? Why wait?
It might be simpler, but it wouldn't maximize her lifetime benefits. By taking her own reduced retirement benefits now and switching to full survivor benefits at FRA, she'll get some income now PLUS the maximum survivor benefit later. If she took survivor benefits now, they would be permanently reduced. In her specific situation (where her husband was the higher earner), this strategy often results in tens of thousands of dollars more over her lifetime. The exact difference depends on benefit amounts and life expectancy, but it's usually significant enough to justify the more complex approach.
When you do make the switch at 67, start the process at least 3 months before your birthday. I waited until the month of my FRA to switch strategies, and there was a gap in my payments that created some financial stress. The SSA backdated everything eventually, but I went almost 2 months without any benefits while they processed the change. Just something to plan for.
Thank you for this practical advice! I'll definitely start the process early. Did you have to complete a whole new application when you made the switch, or was it a simpler process since you were already in their system?
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just wondering - did your sister check if she qualifies for the one-time death payment of $255? its not much but at least its somthing while she figures out the survivor benefits
No, I don't think she knows about that! Thanks for mentioning it - I'll definitely tell her to ask about that when she contacts SSA.
To summarize what your sister should do now: 1. File for survivor benefits immediately (even if she'll receive $0 now) 2. Request detailed calculations showing how the earnings test applies to her specific case 3. Consider reducing work hours if financially feasible 4. Plan ahead for whether to take full survivor benefits at FRA or switch between benefits 5. Apply for the $255 death payment if she hasn't already The most important thing is getting an application on file. Benefits can be retroactive for up to six months for survivors, but only if the application is filed.
This is incredibly helpful - thank you! I'm going to help my sister put together a list of questions and make sure she gets that application filed right away. I really appreciate everyone's advice and explanations.
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The earnings limit is SUCH A HEADACHE! My advice? Have your husband tell his boss he needs to be paid MONTHLY, with the pay periods matching calendar months. That would solve everything. Not sure why companies can't figure this out when so many older workers have this exact problem with Social Security!
Since several people mentioned reporting: Your husband should call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report his return to work. Alternatively, he can report estimated earnings online through his my Social Security account or in person at a local office. For calculating his earnings during his first year of retirement, SSA uses the "Grace Year" rule. This means they'll look at his monthly earnings for the remainder of 2024. For each month he earns under the limit ($1,860), he'll receive his full benefit regardless of annual totals. Starting in 2025, SSA will switch to annual accounting. They'll estimate his expected earnings for the year and may adjust his benefits accordingly. If the estimate changes, he should update SSA to avoid overpayments. Keeping detailed records is absolutely critical - especially the breakdown of exactly which days' work falls into which calendar month.
This is extremely helpful - thank you! I didn't know about the "Grace Year" rule by name, but this confirms what others have said. We'll make sure to report his return to work right away and keep detailed records of when he performs the work.
Yara Nassar
my wife didnt get any extra $ when i filed last yr even tho i get almost $3000 a month and she only gets $1400. ssa told us she only qualifies if half my benefit is MORE than her own. its not 50% of what im getting now but 50% of my pia or something like that. kinda confusing system if u ask me lol
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Zainab Ismail
•You're absolutely right - it's 50% of the PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), which is what you would receive at your Full Retirement Age, not including any delayed retirement credits. The SSA benefit calculations can definitely be confusing!
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Keisha Williams
One thing nobody mentioned yet - if your husband hasn't filed yet, make sure HE understands that when HE files for his benefits, it won't change anything about how YOU file for spousal benefits. Some people get confused and think both spouses need to apply at the same time, or that the higher-earning spouse needs to do something special to "enable" spousal benefits. But the process is: 1) He files for his benefits when he's ready, 2) Once he's entitled to benefits, you become eligible for spousal benefits IF they would be higher than your own (which in your case, they wouldn't be). Also, keep in mind that if he passes away later, you would be eligible for survivor benefits equal to 100% of what he was receiving, which WOULD be higher than your current benefit.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Thank you for this additional information. I hadn't even thought about survivor benefits yet, but that's important to understand too. I'll make sure my husband knows that his filing won't affect my current benefits.
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