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Thank you all for the helpful responses! I just checked my most recent SSA statement and it does mention I'm subject to GPO, so hopefully that means I'm in their system correctly. I'm going to try calling them next week to confirm. Does anyone know if there are specific documents I should have ready when I call? I have my husband's death certificate and his pension information, but not sure what else they might need.
Having your husband's death certificate and pension info is good. Also have your own Social Security card, ID, and if possible, any award letters you received when you first started getting survivor benefits. Those usually mention GPO if it was applied. And definitely be prepared for a long wait when calling - unless you use a service to get through faster.
I talked to my neighbor who used to work for Social Security and she said these changes are gonna be a administrative nightmare for SSA to implement. She thinks there will be delays and errors for the first couple years. So definitely keep an eye on your payments starting in 2025 and don't assume they'll get it right automatically!
That's concerning! I'll definitely watch my deposits carefully. Our local SS office closed during COVID and never reopened, so everything has to be done by phone or online now.
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my neighbor told me u can get divorcee benefits even if u remarried??? Is that true??
Nope, that's not accurate. If you remarry, you generally can't collect benefits on your ex-spouse's record unless your later marriage ends (by death, divorce, or annulment). The only exception is if you're collecting survivor's benefits (after an ex has died) and you remarry after age 60.
To directly answer your question about when the calculation/adjustment comes into effect: it happens at the exact time you apply for benefits. There's no automatic recalculation or adjustment later. If you apply at 63: - SSA will calculate your own reduced retirement benefit - SSA will calculate your reduced ex-spouse benefit (which would be about 37.5% of his PIA instead of the full 50% you'd get at FRA) - You'll receive whichever amount is higher If your own benefit grows over time (due to additional earnings), SSA won't automatically recalculate to see if you should switch between your benefit and the ex-spouse benefit. That's why it's so important to understand the numbers before you file. One last tip: make sure you specifically mention you want to file for ex-spouse benefits when you apply. Sometimes this gets overlooked if you don't explicitly bring it up.
Thank you! That's super clear. I'll definitely make sure to explicitly mention the ex-spouse benefits when I apply. Would bringing my divorce decree to the appointment be helpful, or does SSA already have that information in their system?
Bringing your divorce decree is always a good idea, along with your marriage certificate if you have it. While SSA might have access to some of this information, having the documents with you can prevent delays. Also bring your ex's Social Security number if you have it (though they can usually find him in their system without it). I'd also recommend bringing recent tax returns, birth certificate, and a government-issued photo ID to your appointment. Better to have too much documentation than not enough!
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My condolences for your loss. When my wife passed I was so confused about all this stuff too!! I ended up taking the survivors benefit early even though I was still working. SSA withheld almost everything because of the earnings test, but what nobody told me was that I'd get some small payments during months when I earned less (like when I took some unpaid time off). So even though I didn't get much until FRA, it wasn't zero either. Just something to consider.
That's helpful to know. I typically take a few weeks of unpaid leave each year to visit my kids, so I might at least get some payments during those months.
Based on your situation, here's what I would recommend: 1. Apply for survivor benefits now even though they'll be reduced and mostly withheld 2. Continue working until your FRA (this won't affect your future options) 3. At FRA, evaluate whether to keep the survivor benefit or switch to your own retirement benefit 4. If your own benefit would be higher with delayed credits, consider switching to your own benefit at age 70 This strategy preserves maximum flexibility. And remember - after FRA, there's no earnings test, so you can work and collect full benefits. One thing to note: you mentioned being 2.5 years from FRA, which means your FRA is likely 67. The survivor FRA might be slightly different (66 or 66.5), so double-check that specific detail when you apply.
Thank you so much for this clear strategy. I'll definitely apply for the survivor benefits now to keep my options open, even if most is withheld. You're right about checking my exact FRA - I need to confirm that. I really appreciate everyone's help as I navigate all this during such a difficult time.
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wait i just thought of something - doesnt this affect medicare premiums too? like if u show too much income don't they charge u more for part b or something?
Yes, that's called IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount). If your modified adjusted gross income from two years prior exceeds certain thresholds, you pay higher Part B and Part D premiums. So income reported in 2024 would affect your 2026 Medicare premiums if you're enrolled by then. It's another factor to consider in your calculation.
Oh wow, I hadn't considered the Medicare angle. I need to check those IRMAA thresholds too. This is getting complicated!
just wondering why worry about this at all? social security is going bankrupt anyway lol
That's a common misconception. Social Security is not going bankrupt. According to the 2023 Trustees Report, even if Congress does absolutely nothing (which is unlikely), the trust fund would be depleted in the 2030s, but ongoing payroll taxes would still fund approximately 80% of promised benefits. And Congress has always acted to shore up the program before significant cuts would take effect, as they've done several times over the program's 89-year history.
Lena Schultz
wait im confused now. does this mean the money from ss is completely separate from the earnings limit? so u can get full ex spouse benefits as long as ur job doesnt pay too much?
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Pedro Sawyer
•Yes, that's correct. The Social Security benefits themselves don't count as "earnings" for the earnings limit test. Only your wages from work count. So you could receive $15,000 in ex-spouse benefits, and as long as your job pays less than the annual limit ($22,320 in 2025), you'd get your full benefits with no reduction. If your job pays more than the limit, only then would they reduce your benefits.
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Philip Cowan
Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I think I understand now - my spousal benefits don't count toward the earnings limit, but my work income might reduce how much I receive if I earn over $22,320 this year. I'll definitely contact SSA to set up the proper reporting for my estimated income. When I reach my Full Retirement Age in a few years, none of this will matter anymore and I can earn whatever amount without reductions. This community has been so much more helpful than the confusing explanations I got elsewhere!
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