Can I create MySocialSecurity account to check my deceased husband's SS benefits after GPO repeal?
I've been a widow since 2001 (24 years already, wow) and I just found out I might qualify for survivor benefits once the GPO repeal happens. My late husband worked under Social Security while I worked for a state government with a pension. I've got a phone appointment scheduled with SSA for late February, but I'm getting anxious waiting. Would it be against any rules for me to create a mySocialSecurity account now just to view my husband's earnings record and benefits information? I want to use the calculators to estimate what my survivor benefit might be after the GPO goes away. Has anyone done this? I don't want to do anything improper, but I'm really eager to get an idea of what I might receive.
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Amara Eze
Yes, it's completely legal for you to create a mySocialSecurity account. The online account is designed to give you access to your own information, but you can't directly access your deceased husband's records through your account. For survivor benefit estimates, you'll need to speak with a Social Security representative during your February appointment. They can provide you with all the information about your husband's earnings history and what your potential survivor benefits would be after the GPO repeal takes effect.
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Liam McGuire
•Thank you! That clarifies things. I was hoping I could see his records directly, but I'll wait for my February appointment. Do you know if they'll be able to give me a written estimate during the phone call?
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Giovanni Ricci
I tried doing something similar last year when my wife passed. You CANNOT see your deceased spouse's records through your own mySocialSecurity account!! They keep that information separate because of privacy laws. When I called, they told me I had to bring death certificate and marriage license to the office to get ANY info about my deceased wife's benefits. The phone appointment might not be enough - they might make you come in person with documents to prove relationship.
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Liam McGuire
•Oh that's frustrating! My appointment is by phone because the nearest office is 75 miles away. Do you think I should try to reschedule for an in-person visit instead?
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NeonNomad
I was in a similar situation with the GPO affecting my survivor benefits. While you can create your own mySocialSecurity account (and should!), you won't be able to access your husband's specific earnings information online. However, during your phone appointment, they can look up his earnings history and give you estimates based on the GPO repeal. I recommend preparing these questions before your call: 1. What would my survivor benefit be without the GPO reduction? 2. When exactly will the GPO repeal affect my specific case? 3. Will the benefits be retroactive from when the law passed? Also, make sure you have your husband's SSN, death certificate info, and marriage certificate details ready for the call.
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Liam McGuire
•Those are excellent questions! I've written them down for my appointment. I already have all his information ready, including our marriage certificate from 1975 and his death certificate. I'm really hoping the benefit will be substantial since he worked for 38 years under Social Security.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
I just went through this last month trying to figure out my own widow benefits with the GPO repeal. When I called the regular SSA number, I was on hold for THREE HOURS and then got disconnected! So frustrating. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a real person in about 15 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU showing how it works. It was worth it because the agent was able to look up my deceased husband's info and gave me an unofficial estimate of what I might get after GPO repeal. Just a suggestion if your February appointment is too far away or if you get disconnected.
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Liam McGuire
•Thank you for the suggestion! I might try that if my February appointment doesn't work out. I'm getting more anxious as the date approaches. Did they give you a written estimate or just verbal information?
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•Just verbal unfortunately. They said they can't provide official written estimates for GPO repeal benefits yet since the implementation details are still being worked out. But the information was helpful for my own planning.
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Dylan Mitchell
my sister tried to get her husbands info online and couldnt. had to go in person with the death certificate and marriage license and ID. but they were super helpful once she got there! the gpo repeal is confusing tho, noone seems to know exactly when we'll see changes
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Sofia Martinez
I created my own mySocialSecurity account and it only shows MY earnings, not my deceased husband's. That's normal. But the online calculators aren't very helpful for survivor benefits with GPO situations anyway - they don't have the special rules programmed in. Wait for your appointment.
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Liam McGuire
•Thanks for confirming that. I'll focus on preparing my questions for the appointment rather than trying to figure it out myself.
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Dmitry Volkov
THE WHOLE GPO THING IS A MESS!!! I've been fighting with SSA for YEARS about my widow benefits. They told me 4 different amounts over 2 years. Even when you DO talk to them, half the agents don't understand the GPO rules themselves! And now with the repeal, it's even more confusing. Don't trust anything they tell you on the first call. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING and talk to at least 2 different agents to confirm. The system is BROKEN!!
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NeonNomad
•While I understand your frustration, the SSA is actually working on detailed implementation plans for the GPO repeal. It's complex because it affects different people in different ways depending on their work history. The best approach is to work with an agent who can document your specific situation, rather than assuming all information will be incorrect.
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Giovanni Ricci
One more thing to consider - if you've been widowed for 24 years, make sure SSA has your correct address and contact info. Sometimes they lose track of potential beneficiaries if your info isn't updated. My mom almost missed out on benefits because they had her old address from 15 years ago.
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Liam McGuire
•That's a good point! I moved twice since my husband passed away. I'll make sure they have my current information when I talk to them.
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Amara Eze
To clarify some confusion in this thread: The GPO repeal being implemented has specific timelines. The reduction will decrease by 1/3 in 2025, another 1/3 in 2026, and be fully repealed in 2027. So you'll likely see a partial increase in 2025 rather than the full amount immediately. Your February appointment is perfect timing to get information about how this phased implementation will affect your specific case.
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Liam McGuire
•Thank you for explaining the timeline! That helps set my expectations. I wasn't sure if it was an immediate full repeal or phased in. This gives me a better idea of what to plan for financially.
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Dmitry Volkov
•And they'll probably DELAY it even more! Government always drags their feet when it comes to PAYING us but are quick to TAKE our money in taxes!!
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NeonNomad
One additional tip: During your phone appointment, ask them to mail you your deceased husband's earnings record. They can send an official copy that shows his lifetime earnings under Social Security, which is what they'll use to calculate your survivor benefit. This document is very useful for your own planning and verification even if they can't give you an official GPO-adjusted estimate yet.
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