Everybody here is making it more complicated than it needs to be. Just go on ssa.gov and create a my Social Security account if you don't already have one. Under benefit estimates, there's an option to calculate different scenarios. You can enter your ex's info there and see what you'd get without having to deal with anyone on the phone.

Just one more thing - if your ex has remarried but you haven't, you can still claim on his record. But if YOU remarry, you generally can't claim on your ex's record anymore (unless that marriage ends too). Just mentioning since I didn't know this before I started researching.

I'm also a retired teacher (Maine) married to someone getting SS. The GPO is still in effect and probably will be for the foreseeable future despite all the talk. Here's what helped me: go to socialsecurity.gov, create an account if she doesn't have one, and run the benefit calculator. It will tell her EXACTLY what she might get as a spouse. Don't count on getting anything though - with her pension amount, the 2/3 offset will probably eliminate any spousal benefit entirely. But survivor benefits later might still give her something. The whole GPO/WEP situation is incredibly frustrating for those of us who dedicated our careers to public service!!

I believe Colorado is one of the states where teachers DON'T pay into Social Security, which is why the GPO applies to her. In some states, teachers DO pay into both systems. Anyway, definitely have her apply regardless! My aunt was in almost the identical situation (teacher in Illinois) and she assumed she wouldn't get anything because of GPO. But it turned out part of her teaching career was actually covered employment because she worked in a different state early in her career where they DID pay into SS. She ended up qualifying for a small amount of spousal benefits! The SSA systems are complicated and even their own agents sometimes miss things. Always apply and get the official determination.

Just to add an important point - when you go in for your appointment, ask them to calculate what's called your "RIB-LIM" amount. This is a special calculation that applies in cases where your spouse was on disability benefits. In some situations, it can affect the amount of survivor benefits you're eligible for. Many SSA reps don't automatically check this, so you want to specifically ask for this calculation.

Thank you all for the helpful advice! I've scheduled an appointment with SSA for next week, and I've made a list of all the questions to ask based on your suggestions - especially about the earnings test and that RIB-LIM calculation. For now, I'm leaning toward taking reduced survivor benefits even with the earnings test reduction, since I could still receive around $1,388 monthly according to the calculations provided. That would help me a lot financially while I'm still working part-time. I'll update after my appointment in case the information helps someone else in a similar situation.

To directly answer your question about whether it's worth working 10 more months: Calculate what your benefit would be with the delayed retirement credits (about 6.67% more for 10 months beyond FRA). Then multiply that monthly increase by how many months you expect to collect benefits (life expectancy). If that total exceeds what you'd earn by working those 10 months (after taxes), then retiring might make more financial sense. But also factor in non-financial considerations like job satisfaction, health, and retirement plans.

I recommend calling SSA directly about this. The online estimates can sometimes have issues, especially with recent earnings. A $5 increase sounds suspiciously low and may indicate a calculation error or a data entry problem. The representative can walk through your entire earnings record and benefit calculation with you to explain exactly why the increase is so small.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST US!!! They purposely make these rules complicated so people don't get what they deserve! My husband and I missed out on this strategy by FIVE MONTHS because he was born in May 1954. FIVE MONTHS cost us thousands of dollars!!! And now they're practically impossible to reach by phone when you need help. The whole system needs to be torn down and rebuilt!!

Just wanted to update everyone - I successfully filed my restricted application yesterday! I used some of the advice here (especially bringing a printout of the POMS section) and was very explicit about wanting ONLY spousal benefits while my own continue to grow until 70. The representative initially seemed confused but after I showed the documentation, they understood. I double-checked the application before signing to make sure it only showed spousal benefits. It'll mean about $1,250/month for the next four years while my own benefit grows to about $3,400/month at age 70. Thanks everyone for your help! Hopefully this thread helps others in my generation who still qualify for this strategy.