Social Security spousal benefits showing $0 due to GPO - did I already apply?
I'm confused about my Social Security spousal benefit status. For several years (until 2015), I used to receive an annual letter from Social Security that showed what my spousal amount would be, but then stated I would receive $0 due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These letters suddenly stopped coming around 2015. When I check my Social Security statement online now, it just shows "$0" and "suspended" next to my benefits, with a note saying I am the "dependent of the wage earner." I understand this is how they refer to spouses. What's bothering me is that I don't remember ever formally applying for spousal benefits. Does this "suspended" status mean I've already applied for spousal benefits in the past? Or is this just their way of showing I'm eligible but affected by GPO? My pension is from teaching for 29 years, and my husband has been collecting his retirement benefits since 2010. I just want to make sure I haven't missed something important or if I need to take any action.
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Sofia Price
The "dependent of wage earner" notation definitely means you're listed as a spouse in their system. The fact that it says "suspended" and shows $0 strongly suggests you have applied for spousal benefits in the past. When did your husband start collecting his benefits? Sometimes spouses are automatically considered for spousal benefits when the primary worker applies, especially if you were included in his application process.
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Mateo Warren
•He started collecting in 2010. I honestly can't remember if I was included in his application process - it was so long ago. Is there a way to confirm with SSA whether I officially applied? I just don't want to accidentally apply twice or miss out on anything I might be entitled to despite the GPO.
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Alice Coleman
my sister had the same thing happen!!! her statement showed $0 with suspended but she NEVER applied for anything. she called ssa and they told her it was just their system showing she COULD be eligible as a spouse but the gpo wipes it out completely. doesnt actually mean u applied before
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Owen Jenkins
•This is correct. The SSA system automatically calculates potential entitlements even if you haven't applied. The "suspended" status with GPO reduction is their way of showing you're eligible for spousal benefits in theory, but would receive $0 due to the Government Pension Offset. It's confusing because the same terminology is used for people who have actually applied and those who are just potentially eligible.
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Lilah Brooks
You should definitely call SSA to confirm your status. The terminology in their system is incredibly confusing. The fact that your benefit shows as "suspended" with $0 due to GPO doesn't necessarily mean you've applied - it could just be their system showing your theoretical entitlement. GPO typically reduces your Social Security spousal benefits by 2/3 of your government pension. If your pension is large enough, this often results in $0 spousal benefits, which is probably why your statement shows this amount. I'm assuming you're drawing your teacher's pension now? If so, and if the 2/3 of your pension exceeds what your spousal benefit would be, you'll continue to receive $0 in spousal benefits regardless of whether you've officially applied or not.
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Mateo Warren
•Yes, I've been receiving my teacher's pension since 2012. It's substantial enough that 2/3 of it definitely wipes out any spousal benefit I might get. So I guess there's no real benefit to figuring out if I've applied or not since I'll get $0 either way? I just don't want to leave anything on the table or have some issue come up later.
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Jackson Carter
The GPO is such a SCAM!!! My wife taught for 31 years and gets ZERO of my SS even though I paid in my whole life. Meanwhile people who never worked a day get spousal benefits. How is this fair to teachers?!?!
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Kolton Murphy
•I understand your frustration, but it's important to remember that the GPO exists because many government employees with pensions didn't pay into Social Security during their careers. The logic (whether we agree or not) is that these pensions serve as a replacement for Social Security. The system isn't perfect, but there is some rationale behind it.
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Evelyn Rivera
I was in a similar situation last year with my husband's benefits and the GPO from my federal pension. I spent WEEKS trying to get someone at Social Security on the phone. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. The agent confirmed I HAD applied when my husband initially filed, even though I couldn't remember doing so. Turns out there was a checkbox on his application that automatically filed for me too!
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Mateo Warren
•Thank you for this suggestion! I've been trying to call SSA for days with no luck. I'll check out that service - seems like talking to an actual agent is the only way I'll get a definitive answer about my application status.
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Kolton Murphy
To directly answer your question: The notation on your statement doesn't necessarily mean you've formally applied in the past. SSA's systems often display potential entitlements even if you haven't applied. Here's what I recommend: 1. Request your Social Security records through a FOIA request - this will show your complete application history 2. Check with your husband if you were included on his application (there's often a checkbox for spouse) 3. Call the SSA directly and ask them to check if there's an application on file for you Even though GPO means you'll likely receive $0 regardless, it's still good to know your exact status for future planning and record-keeping.
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Jackson Carter
•Good luck getting SSA on the phone! I called 43 times last month before giving up. Their customer service is a JOKE.
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Alice Coleman
wait im confused about the gpo thing...does this mean teachers cant get ANY spouse benefits?? my wife is retiring from teaching next year, will she get any of my ss??
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Lilah Brooks
•It depends on several factors. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces spousal/widow(er) Social Security benefits by 2/3 of the government pension amount. If your wife receives a pension from teaching in a state where she didn't pay into Social Security (like California, Texas, or several others), then yes, her spousal benefits would be reduced by 2/3 of her pension amount. For example, if she would be eligible for $1000 in spousal benefits, but receives a $1200 monthly teacher's pension, the GPO reduction would be $800 (2/3 of $1200), leaving her with $200 in spousal benefits. If her pension is large enough that 2/3 of it exceeds her potential spousal benefit, she would receive $0 in spousal benefits. However, if she taught in a state where teachers DO pay into Social Security, GPO might not apply. I'd recommend consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in government pensions.
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Mateo Warren
Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! Looks like I need to contact SSA directly to get a definitive answer. I'll try calling them (with help from that service someone mentioned if needed) and specifically ask if there's an application on file for me. Even though the GPO means I'll get $0 either way, I just want to make sure everything is correct in their system. I appreciate all the explanations about how the notation on my statement might just be showing my theoretical entitlement rather than confirming I've applied.
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Sofia Price
•Good plan. For peace of mind, it's worth confirming your status. When you do reach them, also ask them to explain why those annual letters stopped coming after 2015. There might have been a policy change about notifications that's good to understand.
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