Should I claim Social Security spousal benefits now after GPO/WEP repeal, or wait? Worried about future means testing

I'm in almost the identical spot! Also looking at spousal benefits after the GPO/WEP repeal. I've been told so many differnt things by different people that my head is spinning. Some say take it now, others say wait til FRA. What if they change the rules AGAIN before we reach FRA?? I don't trust the govt not to change things and screw us over again! Sorry, don't have advice just commiserating.

First, congratulations on being eligible for spousal benefits! The GPO/WEP repeal has been life-changing for many former government employees. Regarding your specific situation, let me offer some structured thoughts: 1. Earnings Limit: For 2025, if you're under FRA for the entire year, SSA will deduct $1 from benefits for every $2 earned above $22,320 (approximate - check the exact figure on ssa.gov closer to your filing date). How much is your consulting income likely to be? 2. Benefit Calculation: You're correct that your spousal benefit is based on 50% of your husband's FRA amount, reduced for your early filing. At 63, you'd face approximately a 25% reduction from the full spousal benefit. 3. Regarding means testing concerns: While this is speculative, historically, Social Security changes have typically grandfathered current beneficiaries. Taking benefits early to avoid potential future means testing is a strategy some consider, but it's balancing a known reduction now against a speculative policy change later. Have you run calculations for both scenarios (filing at 63 vs. waiting until FRA)?

means testing is coming no mattter what they say!!! they already tax are benefits and now theyll just take them away completely for anyone who saved for retirement. its all politics they WANT us dependant on government. id take every penny now while you still can get it!!

I personally faced a similar decision last year after the GPO/WEP repeal. After weeks of unsuccessful attempts to reach someone at Social Security, I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an SSA agent in under 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent I spoke with walked me through all my options and actually showed me that in my particular case, filing at 64 made the most sense due to my specific earnings history. Everyone's situation is different, but having that personalized advice directly from SSA made all the difference.

Based on what you've shared, here's a practical way to think about this: 1. Calculate your breakeven point. If you file at 63 vs. FRA (66+), you'll need about 9-10 years of collecting the higher benefit to make up for the 4 years of getting nothing. So around age 75-76 is your breakeven. 2. For your earnings in 2025: With $30K income and filing at 63, you'd be about $7,680 over the limit ($30,000 - $22,320), meaning approximately $3,840 would be withheld from your annual benefit ($1 for every $2 over). 3. The means testing concern is valid but historically, changes affect future beneficiaries more than current ones. Taking a 25% permanent reduction is significant. Practical solution: Consider filing right after your consulting contract ends in June 2025, when you'll have less income for the remainder of that year. This minimizes the earnings test impact while still getting benefits relatively early.

my sister went thru same thing last yr. she took it early bc who knows what govt will do in future right?? she said bird in hand worth 2 in bush lol. but her situation dif from urs maybe so its hard to say whats right for u

I think you're missing the most important factor which is the survivor benefit. If your husband passes away first, and you've taken a reduced spousal benefit, that same reduction carries to your survivor benefit FOR LIFE. Given typical gender longevity differences and that he's older, this is statistically important. My aunt took reduced benefits at 63 and regretted it deeply when her husband passed 5 years later. She's now stuck with a permanently reduced survivor benefit for what could be 20+ years.

Wait i'm confused...I thought the spousal benefit reduction was only based on when YOU file...but I thought the survivor benefit reduction was based on when the DECEASED person filed??? Is that not right?? Can someone clarify??

After reading through this discussion, I think there's an important distinction that needs clarification: The reduction from claiming spousal benefits early does NOT carry over to survivor benefits. These are completely separate calculations. For survivor benefits: 1. If you claim survivor benefits before your FRA, they are reduced based on YOUR age at the time you claim THOSE benefits. 2. Survivor benefits can be affected by whether your deceased spouse claimed early, but NOT by whether YOU claimed spousal benefits early. This is a common area of confusion. You can claim reduced spousal benefits early, and later still receive unreduced survivor benefits if you wait until your FRA to claim them (assuming your spouse didn't take reduced benefits, which in this case he did at 62).