Social Security spousal benefit appointment confusion - husband got notified instead of me after WEP/GPO repeal
I'm finally trying to claim spousal benefits now that the WEP and GPO penalties have been repealed (thank goodness!). My husband and I both had government pensions that really reduced our SS benefits before. I called the SSA and they scheduled me for an appointment in March to file on my husband's record. Here's the weird part - my husband just received a letter saying HE has the appointment, and there's even a message about it in his MySocialSecurity account. Meanwhile, I've received absolutely NOTHING, even though I'm the one who's actually filing! The appointment is supposedly for ME to apply for spousal benefits, not him. Is this normal procedure? I'm confused why they'd notify him as if it's his appointment when he's not the one filing. Has anyone else experienced this when applying for spousal benefits? Should I be concerned that something is wrong with my application process?
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Mateo Rodriguez
This is actually standard procedure for spousal benefits. When you file on your husband's record, both of you are technically involved in the process. The letter is basically informing him that someone (you) is filing for benefits on his record. SSA does this to prevent fraudulent claims and ensure the number holder (your husband) is aware of benefits being claimed on their record. You should still receive your own correspondence closer to the appointment date with details on what documents to bring. If you don't receive anything about 2 weeks before the appointment, I'd recommend calling SSA again to confirm your appointment details and documentation requirements.
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Nia Thompson
•Thank you! That makes me feel so much better. I was worried they had the wrong person scheduled or something. I'll wait for my letter and call if I don't get one in a couple weeks.
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Aisha Hussain
my wife got my letter when she filed for spousal too!! its normal dont worry. they do this everytime someone files on anothers record. bring your marriage certificate they gonna want it!
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Nia Thompson
•Thanks! I'll definitely bring our marriage certificate. Did your wife need to bring anything else special to her appointment?
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GalacticGladiator
The whole spousal benefit process is SO CONFUSING since the WEP/GPO repeal!! I've been dealing with the EXACT same thing. My husband got notification and I got NOTHING. I called SSA like 20 times and couldn't get through to ANYONE! So frustrating!!! I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual person at SSA within 45 minutes instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed this is normal procedure - they notify the person whose record is being used (your husband) first, then send you info later. Still annoying though!
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Ethan Brown
•I've heard about that Claimyr thing. Does it actually work? I've been trying to get someone at SSA for WEEKS about my disability review.
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GalacticGladiator
•Yes! It saved me hours of frustration. The service calls SSA for you and then calls your phone when they get a representative. Much better than sitting on hold all day or getting disconnected.
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Yuki Yamamoto
This is totally normal now that WEP/GPO are gone. My wife and I went through this in January. They sent me (the husband) a letter first, then my wife got her info a week later. It's just how SSA keeps track of who's filing on whose record. BTW bring EVERYTHING to that appointment - marriage certificate, birth certificates, government pension info, recent SS statements for both of you. Better to have too much documentation than not enough!
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Nia Thompson
•Thanks for the tip about bringing extra documentation! I'll definitely gather everything. Did you both have to attend the appointment or just your wife?
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Yuki Yamamoto
•Just my wife went. They only need the person filing to be there, but make sure your husband is available by phone just in case they need to verify something with him.
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Carmen Ruiz
I think your missing an important part here... the fact that WEP/GPO got repealed doesn't automatically mean you'll get spousal benefits. The repeal just means that IF you qualify for spousal benefits, they won't be reduced by your government pension anymore. You still need to meet all the other requirements for spousal benefits. Your husband needs to be currently receiving either retirement or disability benefits for you to file for spousal benefits. Is he already collecting Social Security? If not, you can't file for spousal yet, which might explain the confusion.
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Nia Thompson
•Yes, my husband has been receiving his SS retirement benefits for about 3 years now. I waited to file for spousal benefits because the GPO would have reduced them to almost nothing before the repeal. Now it makes financial sense for me to apply.
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Carmen Ruiz
•Perfect! Then you're on the right track and the notification to your husband is completely normal. Enjoy those newly available benefits thanks to the repeal!
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Andre Lefebvre
i went thru this last yr. they ALWAYS notify the person whos record ur using first. my husband got his letter 2 wks b4 I got mine. dont worry about it!!! just make sure u bring ur marriage certificate and divorce papers if u were married before. and btw CONGRATS on getting those penalties removed!!!! my sister works for govt and shes finally getting her full SS now!
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Aisha Hussain
wait the WEP and GPO are gone now???? since when??? i've been getting reduced SS benefits for 6yrs because of my teacher pension!
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Mateo Rodriguez
•Yes, the Social Security Fairness Act fully repealed both WEP and GPO effective January 1, 2025. If you've been receiving reduced benefits due to these provisions, you should contact SSA immediately to have your benefits recalculated. You won't automatically get an increase - you need to request it. The increase will only be for future payments (no retroactive adjustments for prior years).
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Aisha Hussain
•OMG thank you!!!! calling tomorrow!!!
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GalacticGladiator
Can I ask what your benefit increase looks like with the WEP/GPO gone? My husband and I are both former federal employees with pensions and our SS benefits were basically nothing before. Trying to figure out if it's worth the hassle of reapplying.
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Nia Thompson
•We don't know the exact amount yet, but based on my husband's PIA and my own work record, I'm estimating about $1,450/month in spousal benefits that I would have gotten zero for before the repeal. Definitely worth looking into for your situation!
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