Social Security GPO alert: Filing for spousal benefits before deadlines could increase payments

You absolutely need to file ASAP. The SSA recently updated their guidance for GPO-affected individuals. While the Social Security Fairness Act hasn't passed, the SSA is acknowledging that filing date can impact your benefit amount even with GPO. For survivor benefits specifically, you CANNOT file online - you must call SSA directly. Given the backlog of cases, getting your application date established now is critical. Even with GPO reducing your survivor benefit (by 2/3 of your government pension), you might still be eligible for a partial benefit. The specific language from SSA says: "The date of your application might affect when your benefits begin. Filing sooner might help you get a higher benefit amount." Don't wait - establish your filing date immediately.

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Retired MA teacher with state pension, husband passed 2 years ago. I've been told for YEARS that GPO means I get zero survivor benefits. Now I'm hearing conflicting information. ANYONE successfully gotten survivor benefits recently despite GPO? How much did they reduce it? I'm worried about wasting time filing if I'll get $0 anyway.

Hey, I work with federal retirees, and here's what's happening: While the Social Security Fairness Act (which would eliminate the GPO) hasn't passed, there are other technical factors about when you file that can impact your benefit amount. The timing of your application can affect: 1. Any potential retroactive benefits (limited to 6 months for survivors) 2. How your benefit calculation works with any delayed retirement credits your husband earned 3. Establishing protective filing date while rules interpretations are evolving I've had clients recently who were GPO-affected but STILL qualified for partial survivor benefits. Remember: GPO reduces your benefit by 2/3 of your non-covered pension, not the full amount. Call SSA immediately to file for survivor benefits - it cannot be done online. The hold times are brutal right now though.

Wait so the fairness act didnt go thru but SSA is still changing rules?? typical govt confusion. my aunt got hit with GPO and gets like $117 from her husbands SS instead of $1800 she shouldve gotten. total ripoff system imo

I spent 4 days trying to get through to SSA about this exact issue!! kept getting disconnected after waiting for hours. finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me a callback from SSA within 2 hours. saved me so much frustration! they have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU if anyone else is trying to file survivor benefits right now and can't get through on the phone. for what its worth, the agent told me even with GPO i'd still get about $450/month in survivor benefits, which is WAY more than the zero dollars i thought i'd get!

This is specific to people affected by the Government Pension Offset (GPO) which applies when you receive a pension from employment not covered by Social Security (like many state and local government jobs). The SSA updated their guidance to emphasize that filing date matters even if you're subject to GPO. This is particularly relevant for: • Survivor benefits - can be worth filing even with GPO reduction • Spousal benefits - may qualify for partial benefits despite GPO The key is that while the reduction formula hasn't changed (still 2/3 of your non-covered pension gets deducted), there are timing factors that could maximize what you get. For example, if your husband had delayed claiming past his FRA and earned delayed retirement credits, those could make your potential survivor benefit higher, potentially leaving you something even after the GPO reduction.

@OP - Bring these documents when you call SSA to file for survivor benefits: 1. Your government pension award letter showing monthly amount 2. Your husband's death certificate 3. Your marriage certificate 4. Both your Social Security cards 5. Your birth certificate 6. Your direct deposit information 7. Your W-2 or tax return from last year Also, create a my Social Security account online before calling if you haven't already. This will speed up verification when you speak with a representative. Expect the call to take 30-45 minutes, and they'll likely schedule a follow-up phone appointment for your formal application interview.

i dont understand why SSA dosent just SAY whats changed? like tell us exactly what the diffrence is now vs before. im affected by WEP not GPO but its all so confusing!!!!

Just an update - I called SSA this morning (was on hold for almost 2 hours!) and the agent confirmed they're seeing many GPO-affected people filing now. He said they're processing these applications faster than normal because of the increased volume. He also mentioned something about "protective filing dates" being important, though I didn't fully understand what that meant.