I'm so sorry for your neighbor's loss. This is such a difficult time to be dealing with these complicated benefit rules. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - she should also ask SSA about any potential benefits from her husband's employer. Some companies provide survivor benefits or life insurance that aren't related to Social Security. Also, if he was a veteran, she might be eligible for VA survivor benefits which have different rules than SSA. It's worth checking all possible sources of support during this incredibly challenging period. The fact that you're helping her navigate this shows what a caring neighbor you are!

I'm really sorry to hear about your neighbor's situation. Losing a spouse is devastating enough without having to navigate these complex benefit rules. From what everyone has shared here, it sounds like the main takeaways are: 1) She'll likely have to wait until age 60 for survivor benefits unless she qualifies for disability exceptions, 2) She should definitely get a second opinion from SSA and ask specifically about disabled widow benefits given her back injury, 3) She should keep all his documentation safe for when she does become eligible, and 4) Creating a my Social Security account will help her plan ahead. The earnings limit issue that Omar mentioned is also crucial to keep in mind for when she does reach 60 if she's still working. It might be worth her consulting with a Social Security disability attorney just to make sure there aren't any options being overlooked - many offer free consultations. Wishing her strength during this difficult time.

Glad you got through to SSA and have a clear path forward! Smart move downloading and submitting the form right away rather than waiting for the mail. Just a heads up - when you do eventually file for Social Security again (whether at FRA or 70), make sure to mention this previous withdrawal application to the SSA agent. Sometimes it helps them locate your complete file history more quickly. Best of luck with returning to healthcare administration - sounds like you'll be much happier back in the working world!

Congratulations on successfully getting through to SSA and getting this sorted out! Your proactive approach of downloading the form immediately while also getting the mailed copy is smart. I went through a similar situation a few years back and the key is definitely acting fast before your entitlement date. One thing I'd add - keep copies of everything you submit (the form, any correspondence) in a file for your records. When you do eventually apply for benefits again down the road, having that documentation can be helpful. And honestly, it sounds like you know yourself well - some people thrive in retirement immediately, others need more time to transition. There's no shame in realizing you're not quite ready yet! The fact that you can return to healthcare administration where there's high demand puts you in a great position.

Thanks everyone for the reassurance! It sounds like this is totally normal and I was worried for nothing. I'll check again early next year to make sure my 2024 earnings show up correctly. And I'll definitely be more diligent about reviewing my SS records annually going forward.

Just wanted to add that you can also set up email notifications through your my Social Security account to get alerts when your earnings record is updated. I started doing this after having a similar scare a few years ago. The notifications typically come in late fall when the previous year's earnings get posted. It's a nice way to stay on top of things without having to remember to manually check every year!

I had a very similar experience when I applied for my benefits last year! Like you, I was married for over 10 years and provided all my ex-husband's information on the application, but my approval letter only mentioned my own retirement benefit. I was worried I was missing out on something too. After calling SSA (which took forever to get through), they confirmed that they had already run both calculations - my own benefit versus the divorced spouse benefit - and my own was higher by about $95 per month. The agent explained that this is actually pretty common, especially for people who worked steadily throughout their careers. What surprised me was learning that even though my ex earned significantly more in his peak years, the Social Security formula favors consistent earnings over high peaks. Plus, since I worked for 38 years and he had some periods of unemployment early in his career, my benefit calculation came out ahead. The fact that they didn't request your marriage/divorce certificate is actually a good sign - they typically only ask for those documents when they need to process a spousal benefit claim. Since you provided his SSN and they have access to his earnings record, they could easily compare the two amounts electronically. Still worth calling to confirm for your peace of mind, but it sounds like you're already getting the higher benefit amount!

I'm going through a similar situation right now! Just applied for my benefits last month and I'm waiting for my approval letter. I was married to my ex for 14 years and he definitely earned more than me throughout our careers, so I'm curious to see if I'll get a similar result where my own benefit ends up being higher. Reading through all these responses has been really educational - I had no idea about the progressive formula or how consistent work history could sometimes beat out higher peak earnings. I worked pretty steadily for 35 years while my ex had some career changes and gaps, so maybe I'll be in a similar boat. Thanks for posting this question! It's helping me understand what to expect when I get my own letter. Hope everything works out smoothly when you call to verify!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was also affected by WEP due to my teacher's pension and never pursued spousal benefits because I assumed they'd be reduced to nothing. Now with the repeal coming, I'm realizing I might have left money on the table. One thing I'm curious about - does anyone know if there's a statute of limitations on how far back they'll pay retroactive benefits once you provide the proper documentation? I've been collecting for 18 months already and I'm wondering if I'll only get the difference going forward, or if they'll recalculate back to my original start date. The SSA website mentions something about a 6-month retroactive limit for some benefit types, but I can't tell if that applies to this situation.

Great advice from everyone here! Just wanted to add one important point that I learned the hard way - when you go to your appointment, ask them to put a "remark" or "alert" in your file noting that you've requested consideration for divorced spouse benefits under the WEP/GPO repeal. I had a similar situation where I provided documents during one visit, but when I followed up months later, there was no record that anyone had ever looked into it. The remark helps ensure continuity if you end up dealing with different representatives later. Also, get the name and direct number of whoever handles your case - it can save you from starting over each time you call. The whole process is going to take months given the volume of WEP/GPO cases they'll be handling, so documentation of every step is crucial.