How to actually reach a Social Security agent for survivor benefits appointment - 2+ hour holds!

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. Unfortunately, this is pretty common with SSA phone lines these days. For survivor benefits specifically, you really do need to speak with someone since there are so many factors that affect your benefit amount - especially with the government pension involved (sounds like you might be dealing with WEP/GPO issues). A few suggestions that helped me: 1. Call right when they open (8:00 AM local time) 2. Try mid-week (Wed/Thurs) rather than Monday/Friday 3. Try the last week of the month when call volume is sometimes lower 4. If you have a local office, sometimes physically going there to schedule the appointment works better Also, make sure you have your husband's death certificate, marriage certificate, and information about his government pension ready when you do get through.

Have you tried using Claimyr? It's a service that helps you get through to SSA without the crazy wait times. I was in a similar situation trying to get info about my disability benefits and was on hold for hours. Then I found Claimyr at claimyr.com and they got me through to a real person in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It was honestly such a relief after weeks of frustration. The agent I spoke with was able to set up my appointment right away. Just thought I'd share since it sounds like you're in the same boat I was in!

It really did work for me. I was skeptical too, but after spending literally DAYS on hold over several weeks, I was desperate enough to try anything. They basically call SSA for you and then connect you once they get through to a person. Saved me hours of listening to that terrible hold music!

its not just u the whole system is BROKEN!!! i tried for 3 MONTHS to get somebody for my disabilty question. finaly went to the office and waited for 4 hours!!!! and then they told me i needed different paperwrk anyway. the govt doesnt care about us

Have you created a my Social Security account online? You can't get all the pension offset calculations, but you CAN see your deceased spouse's earnings history and get a rough idea of survivor benefits. It at least gives you something to work with while you're trying to get an appointment. If you're planning budget-wise, remember that survivor benefits are generally 100% of what your husband received if he already filed, or 100% of what he would have received at his FRA if he hadn't filed yet. Then the GPO would reduce that amount if you're receiving your teacher's pension. The general formula is that your survivor benefit is reduced by 2/3 of your government pension amount. So if your teacher pension is $1,500/month and your potential survivor benefit would be $2,500/month, the GPO would reduce it by $1,000 (2/3 of $1,500), leaving you with $1,500 in survivor benefits. Hope that helps while you're waiting!

Your calculation looks correct! $3,100 - $1,533 = $1,567 in survivor benefits alongside your $2,300 pension. So about $3,867 total monthly income before taxes. Just remember that survivor benefits have some flexibility - you can take them as early as age 60 (at a reduced rate) or switch between your own retirement and survivor benefits depending on which is higher. For example, some people take reduced survivor benefits early, then switch to their own retirement benefit at 70 if it's grown larger. But yes, definitely confirm with SSA since every situation has nuances they need to evaluate.

You're right that you can't receive BOTH your own retirement benefit AND survivor benefits at the same time at their full amounts - you get the higher of the two. However, the strategy being discussed is about TIMING. For example, you could take reduced survivor benefits at 60, then switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 if it's grown larger due to delayed retirement credits. Or take your own reduced retirement benefit at 62 and later switch to survivor benefits at your FRA. The government pension is different - you DO receive that alongside either survivor OR retirement benefits, but with a reduction applied through the GPO or WEP.

Update: Success! I tried the Wednesday morning at 8:00 am strategy AND used the Claimyr service that someone recommended. Got through to a person in about 25 minutes! They scheduled my appointment for next Tuesday. The agent confirmed the rough calculation I was working with about my survivor benefits with the GPO reduction. She also mentioned something I didn't know - I can apply for survivor benefits online! But she still recommended coming in for the appointment first since my situation with the pension offset is a bit complicated. Just wanted to update everyone and say thanks for all the help!

this is why i always tell people to use the local office!!! been trying to tell my sister this for MONTHS but she keeps trying to call...drives me crazy...glad u got thru finally!!!