Quick update on HR 82 - there was actually a hearing scheduled for March 2025 in the House Ways and Means Committee. While this doesn't guarantee passage, it's the furthest the bill has progressed in years. Consider joining advocacy groups like the Social Security Fairness Coalition who are organizing virtual lobbying days this spring. Also, regarding your specific situation, if your spouse's benefit increases in the future (like when he turns 70 if he's delayed claiming), your potential spousal benefit would increase too, which might exceed the GPO reduction at some point.

Has anyone else noticed that the SSA website barely even EXPLAINS GPO properly???? I had to find out about it from my teacher's union, SSA never warned me until it was too late!!!! The whole system is designed to keep us in the dark!!!!

My cousin works for SSA and she told me that only income that had FICA taxes taken out counts for SS benefits calculation. So jobs where you got a W2 and paid into the system. She said distributions from retirement accounts DEFINITELY don't count toward your SS benefit calculation no matter how they're taxed.

Thank you everyone for the helpful information! It's clear that my IRA distributions won't help with Social Security calculations, so I'll focus on continuing my part-time work to replace those zero years. I'll also look into the divorced spouse benefits since we were married for 22 years. I appreciate all the advice!

Trying to contact SSA to ask questions like this is IMPOSSIBLE these days!! I tried calling for THREE WEEKS straight and couldn't get through. Then I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real SSA agent in under 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent I spoke with confirmed everything the first commenter said - you can't do restricted applications anymore if you were born after 1954. Saved me from making a big mistake with my filing strategy.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! It sounds like my best option is to simply wait until 70 to maximize my own benefit, since the restricted application strategy isn't available to me. I'll encourage my spouse to stick with their plan to file at their FRA. We're fortunate to have savings to bridge the gap until then. I really appreciate all the insights and personal experiences shared here. Social Security filing strategies are so much more complicated than I initially thought!

One more thing I forgot to mention - if your school district offers a 403(b) instead of a traditional pension, that's different. WEP only applies to traditional defined benefit pensions from non-covered employment, not defined contribution plans like 403(b) or 457 plans. You need to find out exactly what type of retirement plan you have through the school district.

One last tip: Request a benefit estimate directly from your pension system that shows what your monthly pension amount would be. If you are vested, this is the amount that would affect your calculations. Then, when you speak with SSA, you'll have all the information they need to give you an accurate WEP/GPO calculation. Also, remember that if your combined Social Security covered employment eventually reaches 30 years with "substantial earnings" (over $30,000 per year in 2025), you'd be fully exempt from WEP regardless of your non-covered pension.

did u try filing for reconsideration after u got denied?? that mightve changed ur application date i think

To follow up on my earlier comment, I want to clarify something important: The application date issue depends partly on whether your wife was technically denied spousal benefits or if she never formally applied because it was clear she wouldn't qualify due to GPO. If she formally applied and was denied (with documentation), then that application date should stand. If she never formally applied for spousal benefits because SSA representatives advised it wouldn't be worthwhile due to GPO, then you might need to establish a protective filing date. In this case, bring any documentation showing she inquired about spousal benefits, even if she didn't complete a formal application. For maximum back benefits, document every interaction you've had regarding spousal benefits over the years.