Confused about PIA after SSDI to retirement transition - need to calculate spousal benefits

ur PIA is what SSA uses to calcuate how much you get for certain. SSDI = 100% of PIA always, and retirement at FRA = 100% of PIA. so if u didnt see any change when u went from SSDI to retirement, thats probably why. the PIA gets COLAs every year so it goes up, but the formula is the same

Your situation is actually quite straightforward once you understand how SSA handles the transition from disability to retirement benefits. When you reach Full Retirement Age (FRA), SSDI benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits. The good news is that your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) remains exactly the same during this conversion. So what you're receiving now is indeed your current PIA, which includes all the COLAs that were applied during your years on disability. Regarding spousal benefits: If your PIA is less than 50% of your husband's PIA, you would be eligible for a spousal top-up to bring your total benefit to 50% of his PIA. However, you need to specifically apply for the spousal benefit - it's not automatic. You can verify your current PIA by: 1. Checking your most recent benefit verification letter (you can request one online) 2. Looking at your Social Security Statement if you can access it 3. Calling SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213 I recommend option #3 since you're specifically looking to apply for spousal benefits anyway.

Dealing with same exact thing right now!!! SSA website is USELESS after transition from SSDI to retirement. All my info just disappeared! Been trying to call for 3 weeks but keep getting disconnected after waiting forever. Going to my local office next week but they're booked out til November for appointments so have to take my chances as a walk-in. This system is completely broken!!!

I went through this exact situation last year. Your current benefit amount IS your PIA with all COLAs applied. The PIA is the base amount used to calculate benefits, and at FRA, you receive 100% of your PIA whether it's SSDI or retirement. For spousal benefits calculation, here's what you need to know: 1. Calculate 50% of your husband's PIA 2. Compare that to your own PIA (your current benefit) 3. If 50% of his PIA is higher, you'll get a supplement to make up the difference Example: If his PIA is $2,800, then 50% is $1,400. If your PIA is $1,250, you'd get a $150 spousal top-up. Just be aware that the SSA representative may need to look up your husband's information when you call, so have his SSN handy. Also, spousal benefits don't include any delayed retirement credits he might have earned if he waited past FRA to claim. I tried calling about this but ended up using Claimyr.com to get through to a representative without waiting for hours. They have a service that gets you connected to an actual SSA agent quickly. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU that shows how it works. Saved me a ton of frustration.

Yes, it really works. I was skeptical too but was desperate after getting disconnected three times. The service connects you to an actual SSA agent, usually within 15-20 minutes. I used it twice - once for this spousal benefit issue and again when I had a question about taxes on my benefits. One tip: when you do talk to SSA, specifically ask them to check if you're eligible for the "excess spousal benefit" - that's the technical term for the top-up amount. And request that they make it retroactive to when you became eligible (likely when you reached FRA 8 months ago). You might get some back pay.

I don't understand why SSA makes all this so complicated! When I converted from disability to retirement last year, I was also confused about my PIA. The website should clearly show your PIA, but it doesn't! I eventually found mine by requesting a benefit verification letter through the SSA website (under "My Social Security"). It listed my monthly benefit amount which is my PIA at FRA. For spousal benefits, you need to apply - either online through the SSA website or by calling/visiting. Based on the numbers you mentioned, you're definitely leaving money on the table if you don't apply. BTW, my local office was actually pretty quick when I went in person without an appointment - I went right when they opened at 9am and was out by 10:30. Much better than waiting on the phone forever!

this is why the SSA is so frustrating!!! they should make this stuff CLEAR on their website!!! i'm years away from FRA but I'm already dreading dealing with all this. the fact that info disappears when you convert from SSDI to retirement is ridiculous. it's OUR information and WE should be able to access it whenever we want!!! my mom went through something similar and ended up having to make THREE trips to the SSA office because each time they gave her different information. can you believe it??? THREE TRIPS!!! and she's in a wheelchair! i hope you get this figured out without too much more hassle!!!

just wondering if you solved this yet? im in a similar situation and wondering if I should just hire a financial advisor who specializes in SS to figure this out for me. feels like an unnecessary expense but the opportunity cost of missing out on benefits seems worse!

I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar situation! I transitioned from SSDI to retirement benefits 6 months ago and I'm also trying to figure out spousal benefits. One thing that helped me was creating a my Social Security account if you don't already have one. Even though a lot of the historical info disappears after the SSDI-to-retirement conversion, you can still access your current benefit verification letter which shows your monthly payment amount (which equals your PIA at FRA). Also, I found this SSA publication helpful: "What Every Woman Should Know" (even though it's targeted at women, it has great examples of spousal benefit calculations). It's on the SSA website under publications. Based on what others have said about your numbers ($1,250 vs your husband's $2,800), you're definitely entitled to additional spousal benefits. Don't let the bureaucracy discourage you - that extra $150/month adds up to $1,800 per year! Good luck with your call tomorrow. I'd love to hear how it goes since I'm probably going to need to make the same call soon.

Hi Jenna! I'm new here but wanted to chime in since I just went through this exact process last month. The transition from SSDI to retirement is so confusing and you're absolutely right that the SSA website becomes basically useless afterward. A few things that might help: 1. Your current monthly benefit IS your PIA (since you're at FRA). All those COLAs from your SSDI years are already baked into that amount. 2. With your numbers ($1,250 vs husband's $2,800), you should definitely be getting an extra $150/month in spousal benefits. That's money you've been leaving on the table for 8 months! 3. I had good luck calling early morning (right at 8am when they open) - shorter wait times than later in the day. 4. When you call, ask specifically about "auxiliary spousal benefits" and request they make it retroactive to when you first became eligible. You might get a nice chunk of back pay. 5. Have your husband's SSN ready - they'll need it to look up his record. I know it's frustrating but don't give up! That extra $1,800/year is definitely worth a phone call. The whole system seems designed to make us give up, but you've got this! Keep us posted on how your call goes - there are clearly several of us dealing with similar situations who could benefit from hearing about your experience.

Hi Jenna! Welcome to navigating the wonderful world of SSA transitions (insert eye roll here). I just went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and I completely feel your frustration. A couple of quick tips that saved my sanity: 1. Your current benefit amount IS your PIA - you're receiving 100% of it at FRA, and yes, it includes all the COLAs from your SSDI years. 2. The spousal benefit calculation is pretty straightforward: if 50% of your husband's PIA exceeds your PIA, you get the difference. With your numbers ($2,800 vs $1,250), you should be getting about $150/month extra. 3. Here's the key thing nobody tells you: you have to specifically ASK for spousal benefits. They don't automatically kick in when you become eligible. 4. Pro tip for calling SSA: Try calling right at 7:59am and hitting the prompts exactly at 8am when they open. Much shorter wait times than calling later in the day. Also, make sure to ask about retroactive payments back to when you became eligible 8 months ago. That could be a nice chunk of back pay! Don't let the bureaucracy wear you down - that extra $1,800/year is absolutely worth the hassle of one phone call. You've got this! Please update us on how it goes - I know several people here are dealing with similar situations.

Hi Jenna! I'm new to this community but your situation hits close to home - I'm currently on SSDI and approaching my FRA in about 18 months, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about this transition process. Reading through all the responses here has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like you've gotten some really solid advice, especially from folks who have recently been through the exact same situation. The consensus seems clear that you're definitely entitled to additional spousal benefits. One thing I noticed from the responses is that multiple people mentioned the importance of calling early (right at 8am) and using specific terminology like "auxiliary spousal benefits" when you call. It's amazing how much difference the right words can make when dealing with government agencies! I'm really hoping your call goes smoothly tomorrow. That potential $1,200 in retroactive payments plus the ongoing $150/month would make such a difference. Please do update us on how it goes - as someone who will likely be in your shoes soon, I'd love to learn from your experience. Good luck, and don't let them wear you down! You've clearly done your homework and you know what you're entitled to. You've got this! 💪

Hi Jenna! I'm new to this community but your post really resonates with me. I went through almost the exact same situation about a year ago when I transitioned from SSDI to retirement benefits at my FRA. The disappearing information on the SSA website is SO frustrating - it's like they deliberately make it harder once you convert! Just wanted to add a few things that helped me: 1. Your current monthly payment IS your PIA at FRA - all those COLA increases from your SSDI years are already included in that amount. 2. Based on your numbers ($1,250 vs your husband's $2,800), you're definitely leaving money on the table. You should be eligible for about $150/month in additional spousal benefits. 3. When I called SSA, I found that asking for the "excess spousal benefit" got me transferred to the right department faster than just saying "spousal benefits." 4. Don't forget to ask them to make it retroactive to when you first became eligible! That 8 months of back pay could be around $1,200. One more tip: if you're dreading the phone call (totally understandable), try calling right when they open at 8am. The wait times are usually much shorter in the early morning. You're absolutely entitled to these benefits - don't let the bureaucracy discourage you from claiming what's rightfully yours! Looking forward to hearing how your call goes. This thread has been really helpful for understanding the process better.