Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I've decided to: 1) File the SSA-632 waiver form TODAY, 2) Contact legal aid in my county tomorrow morning, 3) Submit a FOIA request for my file, and 4) Try to make an in-person appointment at my local office. If legal aid can't help, I'll look for an attorney who specializes in Social Security and works on contingency. I feel so much better having a plan now. Will update once I have news!

Good luck Emily! You have a really solid plan there. I went through something similar a few years ago and keeping that detailed log like Amara mentioned was crucial - I had to reference it multiple times during my hearing. Also, when you go in person to the SSA office, bring copies of EVERYTHING and ask them to put a note in your file about what documents you showed them. Sometimes things get "lost" in the system and having that paper trail saved me. Rooting for you!

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out after reading your story, Beatrice. First, I'm so sorry for your loss - dealing with Social Security terminology while grieving sounds incredibly overwhelming. Your "windexing" mix-up actually made me feel better about my own confusion with these acronyms! I've been trying to understand WEP and GPO myself as a newcomer here, and everyone's explanations have been so helpful. The way Dallas and Melina broke down the calculations really clarifies how these provisions work. From what I'm learning from all the responses, it sounds like getting those comparative calculations from SSA will be crucial for your decision. The fact that you have both private sector work history AND a teaching pension creates multiple scenarios to evaluate - that's actually potentially good news even if the GPO reduction seems harsh at first glance. Thank you for posting this question. As someone just starting to navigate similar territory, seeing this supportive community help work through real situations like yours is invaluable. The knowledge sharing here is amazing!

Hi Beatrice, I'm so sorry for your loss. As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all the helpful responses here and learning so much about these confusing Social Security provisions. Your "windexing" story actually made me feel less embarrassed about my own recent call to Social Security where I asked about "spousal windfall benefits" when I meant survivor benefits! It seems like we all struggle with these acronyms at first. What I'm gathering from everyone's excellent explanations is that you're dealing with two separate provisions: - WEP might affect your own retirement benefit calculation - GPO will likely reduce your survivor benefits based on your teaching pension The community's advice to get both scenarios calculated by SSA seems really smart. Given your 12 years in private sector work, your own retirement benefit (even with potential WEP reduction) might end up being competitive with the GPO-reduced survivor benefit. Thank you for asking this question - it's helping newcomers like me understand what we might face. This community's knowledge and patience with complex situations like yours is incredible!

wait i just realized something - if ur ex passed away recently shouldn't you be getting more money not less? my aunt got survivor benefits and it was way more than her own SS check

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation! As someone new to Social Security, this thread has been really eye-opening about how complex these overpayment situations can be. From what everyone is saying, it sounds like you have several options to explore. The suggestion about Form SSA-634 to request a lower recovery rate seems particularly promising, especially since you can demonstrate financial hardship. I also think the idea of requesting a temporary reduction until your FRA next year is brilliant - that shows you're willing to work with them while acknowledging your current financial constraints. One thing that struck me from reading all these responses is how important it is to get everything documented in writing going forward. It seems like verbal agreements with SSA aren't reliable, unfortunately. I hope you're able to get this resolved quickly and get back to the $145 amount you originally agreed to. Please keep us posted on how it goes - your experience could really help others who might face similar situations!

Thanks everyone for the helpful information! Just to make sure I've got this straight: 1. Apply 3-4 months before August 2025 2. I'll be eligible for full benefits for the entire month of August even though I turn FRA on the 14th 3. My first payment will arrive in September (3rd Wednesday) 4. The earnings test won't apply to me at all once I reach FRA in August This is all much clearer now. The SSA website is so confusing with all the different rules!

One small clarification on the timing - when you apply 3-4 months early (around April/May 2025), you'll select August 2025 as your benefit start date on the application. This is important because if you don't specify, they might default to starting benefits immediately when you apply, which could result in a reduction if you're not yet at FRA. Also, make sure you have your documents ready when you apply online: birth certificate, W-2 forms or tax returns, and bank account info for direct deposit. The online application will walk you through exactly what you need. Much easier than trying to gather everything while on a phone call with SSA!

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your post really resonates with me. I'm currently going through the SSDI application process myself for a different chronic condition, and the uncertainty around family coverage has been keeping me up at night. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - I had no idea about auxiliary benefits for children or how the Medicare waiting period actually works. The clarification that your children's benefits would be based on YOUR work record rather than your husband's income is such important information that I don't think is widely understood. One thing that struck me from everyone's advice is how crucial it seems to be to connect with local resources. The suggestions about disability resource centers, independent living centers, and even calling 211 for local program information seem like they could uncover options that aren't obvious from federal websites alone. Your approach of keeping detailed symptom records is really smart. From what I'm learning here, the functional limitations documentation seems to be just as important as the medical records themselves. The SSA wants to see how your condition actually impacts your ability to work and perform daily activities. I know this whole process feels overwhelming when you're already dealing with health challenges, but you're clearly being proactive about planning ahead for your family. The fact that you're researching options now and asking the right questions puts you in a much better position than many people who wait until after approval to figure out next steps. This community has been such a valuable resource - I've learned more from reading everyone's responses here than from hours of searching government websites. I hope your SSDI application goes smoothly and that you find good solutions for your family's healthcare and financial needs!

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because I'm also navigating the SSDI application process for a chronic condition and your situation sounds incredibly challenging. Reading through all these responses has been so educational - I had no idea about the distinction between auxiliary SSDI benefits and Medicare coverage, or how the family maximum works. What really stands out to me from everyone's advice is the importance of connecting with local resources that know your state's specific programs. It sounds like there are often state-level options for both healthcare coverage and financial assistance that aren't well-publicized but can make a huge difference during waiting periods and transitions. Your approach of keeping detailed symptom and functional limitation records seems spot-on based on what others have shared. The emphasis on documenting how MS affects your daily activities rather than just medical symptoms makes so much sense for building a strong SSDI case. I'm struck by how supportive this community is - everyone has been so generous sharing their knowledge and real-world experiences. It's given me hope that even though the system is complex, there are people and resources available to help navigate it successfully. I hope your application goes smoothly and that you're able to find good coverage solutions for your whole family. Thank you for asking such thoughtful questions that have helped educate all of us newcomers about how these programs actually work!