Wow, thank you all for the helpful responses! I feel like I understand the basics now - we'll get separate checks based on our own work records. The points about the earnings test and tax implications were things I hadn't even considered. I think our next step will be to sit down with our tax advisor to figure out the tax angle, and maybe use that Claimyr service to connect with SSA directly about how the earnings test might affect my wife if she claims while still working. It's a relief to know there's no benefit reduction just because we're married. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain!

dont forget social security gets a cola raise most years my parents got like 3.2% more this year i think better than nothing lol

@user8 It's called the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), along with the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These are the provisions being phased out over the next decade. But they're being reduced gradually, not eliminated immediately. 10% reduction in 2025, 20% in 2026, and so on until fully eliminated in 2035. @yourusername If you can't find the marriage certificate, you should request a certified copy from the county clerk's office where they were married. SSA typically requires official documentation and may not have marriage records in their system. They need to verify both the marriage and that it remained valid until your father's passing.

i don't understand why this is so complicated lol. just call social security and tell them ur dad died and see what they say. my grandpa died and my grandma got his social security check the next month, it was automatic

Wait im confused...isnt SSI different from regular social security? Maybe the worker was talking about SSI which does have asset and income limits even after retirement age? Just wondering if there was a miscommunication about which program.

Thank you all so much for your helpful responses! I feel much better now knowing that the SSA rep was wrong and that my husband CAN earn unlimited income once he reaches his full retirement age next year without affecting his benefits. We'll definitely print out that SSA webpage for reference. And we'll make sure to verify that his benefit amount gets properly adjusted for any withheld amounts once he reaches FRA. What a relief - this means our retirement plan can proceed as we originally thought! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to help clarify this confusing situation.

Update: I finally got through to SSA after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. The agent confirmed what you all explained - my benefit IS calculated correctly. She walked me through it step by step. My husband's PIA (full retirement age amount) is $2,340, and my 50% would be $1,170, but since I'm taking it 5 years early, it's reduced by about 35% to $760. Since I have my own small benefit of $152, they pay me that plus the $608 difference. I understand now that my husband filing early doesn't actually reduce my spousal benefit at all - it's based on his full PIA regardless of when he filed. The only reduction is from ME filing early. Thank you all for your help explaining this complicated system!

i wish they would just make this simpler!!! why do we need to be math experts to get our benefits????

After reading more details on the bill, I want to clarify something important: The proposed formula would give you credit for your non-covered earnings (your nursing job) but would still result in a proportionally reduced benefit. The good news is that the arbitrary WEP reduction would be replaced with a formula that treats everyone fairly based on their actual earnings history. But since your covered earnings were minimal, your increase would be at the lower end of the range. If you can access your SSA earnings record, I could give you a better estimate of the potential increase.

With earnings figures like that, I can give you a rough estimate. Under the proposed proportional formula, they would calculate your benefit as if all earnings were covered, then multiply by the proportion of covered to total earnings. With $58,500 covered out of $1,458,500 total (4% covered), your benefit would be approximately 4% of what you'd get if all earnings were covered. That's actually close to what you're getting now, so your increase might be modest - perhaps 10-15%. The people who benefit most from the reform are those with substantial covered earnings (10+ years) alongside their non-covered work.