Can my ex-husband (CSRS) now collect Social Security spousal benefits under me with the new WEP/GPO law changes?

The new WEP/GPO reform legislation would primarily affect HIM as the CSRS retiree, not you as the FERS employee. Under the old rules, his Social Security benefits were likely reduced by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) because of his CSRS pension. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) would have reduced any spousal/survivor benefits he could claim on YOUR record by 2/3 of his CSRS pension. With the reforms, he might see some increase in his own $320 benefit if WEP was applied. As for claiming on your record - since you were married over 10 years, he is technically eligible for ex-spouse benefits, but whether it makes financial sense depends on your earnings history compared to his. For him to get anything additional, your work record would need to generate a benefit amount more than twice what he currently receives.

my husband had the SAME EXACT SITUATION!! he was csrs for 30 years and i was fers for 22 years. the gpo killed his benefit from my record before. now with the new rules we are going to social security next month to get his benefit recalculated. they told us on the phone we have to go in person and bring marriage certificate etc. but yes he might be entitled to more!!!

This is a great question about the WEP/GPO reform and ex-spouse benefits. You're right that the rules are changing, but there are important details to understand: 1. Your ex-husband should definitely contact SSA to have his benefits reviewed. The legislation phases in changes over time, so the impact this year might be different than future years. 2. For him to get ex-spousal benefits based on your record, your primary insurance amount (PIA) would need to be high enough that 50% of it would exceed his own benefit after any WEP reduction. 3. If he's already filed for his own benefits and he's 74, any application for benefits on your record would be restricted to just the excess amount (if any) over his own benefit. 4. The GPO reduction would have been 2/3 of his CSRS pension amount, which often eliminates spousal benefits entirely for CSRS retirees. With the reform, he should see the GPO reduction decrease over time, potentially making him eligible for some ex-spousal benefits if your earnings record is strong.

I tried calling Social Security about a similar question last week and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get through to anyone! Kept getting disconnected after waiting on hold for over an hour. Has anyone found a better way to actually talk to a human at SSA? This is driving me crazy!

Doesn't the WEP/GPO reform have a long phase-in period? I thought I read somewhere that the changes won't be fully implemented until like 2045 or something crazy like that. Might not be worth getting too excited about right away.

wait i'm confused are u asking if YOU can claim on HIS record or if HE can claim on YOUR record?? cause those are totally different things!!

my neighbor went thru something like this last month. she said that her ex (also csrs) had to fill out form SSA-795 (statement of claimant) explaining his pension situation along with the regular application. might be good to tell your ex about that form in case ss office doesnt mention it.