Just to add one more important detail: The "deemed filing" rules changed in 2015. For anyone born after January 1, 1954, when you file for either your retirement or spousal benefit, you are "deemed" to have filed for both. This eliminated some filing strategies that older retirees could use. In your case, when you file, the SSA will automatically give you the higher of either your own benefit or the spousal benefit. But since your own benefit is less than 50% of your husband's, you'll receive your own benefit plus the difference to reach that 50% threshold (assuming you both file at FRA).

One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - you mentioned you're both turning 62 next year. Even though you CAN start claiming at 62, the reduction is pretty significant. For someone with a full retirement age of 67 (which applies to people born in 1960 or later), claiming at 62 means your benefit is reduced to about 75% of what you'd get at FRA. So in your case, instead of getting your $1,250 plus the $450 spousal supplement (total $1,700), you'd get about 75% of that if you claim at 62. That's a permanent reduction that doesn't go away later. I'd strongly recommend running the numbers on waiting even just a year or two if you can swing it financially. The SSA's retirement estimator tool can show you exactly how much more you'd get by waiting. Sometimes even working part-time for a couple more years while delaying Social Security can make a big difference in your monthly income for the rest of your life.

This is a common mistake I see people make - they don't realize that with self-employment what counts is what you TAKE HOME after business expenses. My sister-in-law was selling on Amazon and worried about going over the limit but after we sat down and calculated her actual NET income (after all the fees, supplies, shipping, etc) she was way under the limit. Just make sure you can document all your expenses if they ever ask!

Just wanted to add one more important point that might help you - make sure you're reporting your self-employment earnings to SSA promptly when they happen, not just at tax time. They have a form (SSA-1099) you can use to report monthly earnings if needed. I learned this the hard way when I had a really good month on my craft business and didn't report it right away. SSA ended up overpaying me and I had to pay it back later. It's much easier to stay on top of it month by month, especially with something like Etsy where sales can be unpredictable. Also, keep in mind that the $22,320 limit applies to your tax year, so if you started your business partway through 2024, you still get the full annual limit amount.

One thing no one has mentioned yet - make sure your husband's CSRS survivor benefit election is properly documented with OPM. There should be a form (I believe it's SF 2801) on file that confirms his election of survivor benefits. Might be worth checking that everything is in order while you're both still here to address any issues.

This thread has been really helpful! As someone new to understanding these retirement benefits, I want to make sure I have this straight: the key point is that GPO and WEP only apply to the person who actually worked in the non-covered government job, not their spouse. So if you worked your whole career paying into Social Security and your spouse had CSRS, you're in the clear to receive both benefits without any reductions. It sounds like the confusion often comes from people not realizing these provisions are based on YOUR work history, not your spouse's. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - that's so much more reassuring than just reading the official rules!

I haven't tried going in person yet, but that's a great suggestion. The office is about 40 minutes away, so it's not too bad. I've just been avoiding it because I heard the wait times can be long even with an appointment. But it might be worth it to get this sorted out face-to-face with someone who can look at all my documentation at once.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Rachel. This situation is unfortunately common but can definitely be resolved with the new WEP/GPO changes. Since you were a teacher in a non-covered state for 22 years, WEP was definitely reducing your benefit. Here's what I'd recommend as your next steps: 1. **Don't wait for automatic recalculation** - While SSA says they'll do it automatically, being proactive is smart given how overwhelmed they are with these changes. 2. **Schedule an in-person appointment** - I know it's 40 minutes away, but for something this complex, face-to-face is often more effective. You can bring all your documents and they can review everything at once. 3. **Bring specific documents**: your original denial letter, marriage certificate, death certificate, and any correspondence about WEP reductions. 4. **Ask specific questions**: - What was your exact benefit amount before and after WEP? - What would your survivor benefit be without any reductions? - When exactly will they recalculate as WEP phases out? The phase-out means your WEP reduction will decrease by 20% each year starting in 2025. If this makes your survivor benefit higher than your own benefit at any point, they should automatically switch you. You've got this! The new law is designed to help people exactly like you.

When dealing with the earnings limit adjustments, timing is crucial. Since you're past the 30-day mark with no response, I'd recommend a three-pronged approach: 1. Call the national number first thing in the morning (they open at 8am local time) when wait times are shortest 2. Schedule an appointment at your local office through the SSA website rather than just showing up - this saves tremendous time 3. Send a follow-up letter via certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of delivery Also, make sure you understand exactly how the adjustment will work. When you reach FRA, SSA will automatically recalculate your benefit to give you credit for months when benefits were reduced or withheld. This results in a higher monthly payment going forward. However, if their earnings record for you is incorrect, that calculation will be wrong, so getting this fixed now is important. Don't worry too much about the late response - as long as you've provided the documentation, they should process it correctly even if it takes some time.

I'm dealing with a similar earnings verification issue right now! Been waiting 6 weeks since I sent in my W-2s and pay stubs. The anxiety is real when you're missing out on benefits you're entitled to. One thing that helped me was creating a detailed timeline of everything - when I received notices, when I sent documentation, etc. When I finally got through to someone at SSA, having those dates ready made the conversation much more productive. Also, if you do go to the local office, bring EVERYTHING - copies of your original notices, copies of what you sent them, your W-2s, recent pay stubs, even bank statements if you have them. The more documentation you have, the better they can help you on the spot. Hang in there - from what everyone's saying here, it sounds like these adjustments do eventually get processed, just not in any reasonable timeframe. The system is definitely broken but at least you'll get your money back at FRA even if this takes forever to resolve.