Social Security GPO question - do I need to reapply for spousal benefits after 2013 denial?

You absolutely need to file a new application for survivor benefits. What you applied for in 2013 was spousal benefits, which is completely different from survivor benefits now that your husband has passed away. The SSA rep was incorrect - these are considered separate benefits requiring separate applications.Call back and specifically request to apply for survivor benefits. Make sure to mention that you understand GPO will still affect your survivor benefits, but you need to file a new application because your status changed from spouse to widow. The formula for GPO works differently with survivor benefits than it did with spousal benefits, so you might actually get something now even if you got $0 before.

Thank you for the clarification. I thought it sounded wrong! Do you know if there's any way to document when I first called about this? I'm worried about losing retroactive benefits if they date everything from when I eventually file the correct application.

Dont listen 2 what that other person said!! I had almost the EXACT same situation with my wifes benefits and SSA told me the SAME thing about not needin to reapply. Its because it gets automatically converted or something. Just wait and see what happens but they should contact u eventually.

This is incorrect and potentially harmful advice. Spousal benefits do NOT automatically convert to survivor benefits when a spouse dies - these are separate benefits requiring separate applications. Waiting could cause the original poster to lose months of potential benefits. The only automatic conversion is from disability to retirement at full retirement age, not from spousal to survivor benefits.

I went through something similar when my husband died in 2021. I was affected by GPO because of my state pension, and I got nothing from spousal benefits either. When I called after he passed, I was told I needed to file a new application specifically for survivor benefits. The GPO still reduced my survivor benefit, but I do get $485 per month now, which is better than the zero I got as a spouse.You should definitely call back and insist on filing a new application. Ask to speak with a supervisor if they keep telling you that you don't need to apply. The GPO works differently with survivor benefits - it reduces them by 2/3 of your government pension amount, but you might still get something now.

Thank you for sharing your experience. This is exactly what I needed to hear from someone who's been through it. I'll definitely call back and insist on filing a new application. $485 is certainly better than nothing! Did you get any retroactive benefits from the date of your husband's death?

The representative you spoke with was incorrect. Survivor benefits require a new application, separate from any previous spousal benefit application. This is clearly stated in SSA's own Program Operations Manual System (POMS).Here's what's happening: While both benefits are affected by GPO, the calculation is applied differently for survivor benefits. With spousal benefits, if 2/3 of your pension amount exceeds the spousal benefit, you get nothing (which is what happened to you in 2013). But with survivor benefits, the full survivor amount (which is higher than a spousal benefit) minus 2/3 of your pension might still leave you with some payment. Many teachers who received $0 in spousal benefits do receive some survivor benefits.Call back immediately and file a new application. You can potentially receive up to 6 months of retroactive benefits from your application date, so don't delay further.

Thank you for the detailed explanation. I'll call back tomorrow morning. Is there a specific form number I should mention or specific language I should use to make sure they process my application correctly?

Getting through to SSA on the phone is the worst! I spent FIVE HOURS on hold last month trying to sort out a similar benefit issue. Every time I called the 800 number, I'd wait forever only to get disconnected.

I had the same problem last week! After wasting days trying to get through, I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an SSA agent in less than 20 minutes. Totally worth it when you're dealing with time-sensitive benefit issues like the original poster. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU and their website is claimyr.com. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed to sort out my WEP recalculation.

my sister in law is a retired teacher and she told me the gpo is so unfair!!! she worked for 30 years as a teacher AND paid into social security from a second job but still gets almost nothing from ss because of her teacher pension. its like being punished for choosing to be a teacher

You're right about how unfair GPO/WEP feels! I paid into Social Security for over 15 years at various jobs before becoming a teacher, but I still lose most of my earned SS benefit. The original National Education Association (NEA) estimate showed that over 300,000 retired educators lose benefits they earned. There's legislation proposed almost every year to reform or repeal GPO/WEP, but it never seems to go anywhere.

To address your original question more precisely: You were told incorrect information. The 2013 application for spousal benefits is completely separate from survivor benefits. Here's what you need to do:1. Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and specifically state that you need to file for survivor benefits following your husband's death.2. Mention that you already understand GPO will affect the benefit, but you still need to file a new application.3. If possible, schedule an appointment at your local office rather than trying to handle it by phone.4. Gather your husband's death certificate, your marriage certificate, and information about your pension.5. Be aware that you can receive up to 6 months of retroactive benefits from your filing date, so file as soon as possible.Despite both being affected by GPO, survivor benefits use a different calculation than spousal benefits, and many people who received $0 in spousal benefits do receive some survivor benefits.

Thank you for these specific steps. I've gathered most of those documents already, so I'll call first thing tomorrow. I really appreciate everyone helping me understand that I need to file a new application - I would have just been waiting for something that wasn't going to happen automatically!