One additional important point: Your husband will only be able to collect spousal benefits when YOU file for your retirement benefits. Since you're planning to wait until 70, he won't be able to receive spousal benefits until then, even if he's already retired from his federal job. There used to be a strategy called "file and suspend" that would have allowed him to collect while you delayed, but that option was eliminated in 2015 with the Bipartisan Budget Act. So factor that timing into your retirement plans.

Just wanted to add some clarity on the timing aspect that Matthew mentioned. Since your husband is retiring at 62 but you're waiting until 70, you might want to consider whether it makes sense for you to file earlier if the spousal benefit would be substantial for your household budget during those gap years. Remember that even if you file at your full retirement age instead of 70, you'd still get your full Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), and your husband could get up to 50% of that amount as a spousal benefit (assuming no GPO reduction as a FERS employee). You'd miss out on the delayed retirement credits that boost your benefit by 8% per year until 70, but you'd both have income coming in sooner. It's a trade-off calculation: your higher benefit at 70 vs. having both benefits starting earlier. A financial planner familiar with Social Security strategies might be helpful for running the numbers on your specific situation.

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this incredibly stressful situation. From what I understand, your current benefit reduction is likely because you were receiving spousal benefits in addition to your own retirement benefit, and when your husband became incarcerated, that spousal portion was suspended. The good news is that several people here have correctly pointed out that widow's benefits work differently. If your husband passes away while incarcerated, his imprisonment status at the time of death won't affect your eligibility for survivor benefits. You would potentially receive his full $2870 monthly benefit since you're already at full retirement age. I'd also suggest documenting everything now - keep records of the benefit reduction notice you received, your husband's benefit amount, and any correspondence with SSA. This will help when you need to apply for survivor benefits in the future. Have you considered reaching out to your local Area Agency on Aging? They often have benefits counselors who can help navigate these situations and might be able to connect you with additional resources during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly difficult situation. As someone who has helped family members navigate Social Security issues, I want to emphasize what others have said about widow's benefits - you would indeed be eligible for your husband's full $2870 benefit if he passes away while incarcerated, regardless of his imprisonment status. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given is to consider getting everything in writing from SSA when you do connect with them. Sometimes phone representatives give conflicting information, so having written confirmation of your benefits status and future eligibility can be really valuable. Also, many local senior centers have volunteer SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors who are trained specifically in Medicare and Social Security issues. They're free and can sometimes help you prepare for SSA conversations or even accompany you to appointments. You're dealing with an unimaginably stressful situation, but please know that this community is here to support you through it. The fact that you're planning ahead shows incredible strength.

As someone new to this community and approaching 62 myself, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences here! This thread has been incredibly educational. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all the different rules and calculations, but reading about everyone's real-world experiences with the earnings limit has been so much more helpful than the confusing official SSA materials I've been struggling through. It's clear there are a lot of nuances and strategies that you only learn from people who've actually navigated this system. I'm bookmarking this discussion to reference as I start planning my own early retirement timeline. The tips about being conservative with earnings estimates, understanding the grace year monthly limit, and keeping detailed records are exactly the kind of practical advice I needed. Thanks again to this community for being such a valuable resource!

As a newcomer to this community, I just have to say this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm 61 and planning to claim benefits next year, and honestly, I was completely overwhelmed trying to understand the earnings limit rules from the SSA website. The way everyone has broken down the different scenarios - the annual vs monthly limits, the grace year rule, what income actually counts, and all the practical tips about reporting earnings upfront - has made this so much clearer. I had no idea about things like the timing of vacation payouts mattering, or that withheld benefits aren't actually "lost" but get credited back at FRA. I'm definitely going to use that earnings test calculator mentioned and be very conservative with my estimates. It's amazing how much real-world wisdom is shared here that you just can't get from official sources. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space for people navigating these complex decisions!

I think you might be mixing up some things here. WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) affects your OWN Social Security benefits if you also receive a pension from work not covered by Social Security. GPO (Government Pension Offset) affects SPOUSAL or SURVIVOR benefits if you receive a government pension from non-covered work. So the answers to your questions depend on whether we're talking about: 1. Your own SS retirement benefits (WEP) 2. Your potential claim on your wife's record (GPO if she passes) 3. Your wife's potential survivor claim on your record (GPO if you pass) Do you know which one concerns you most?

As someone new to understanding WEP/GPO, I'm finding this discussion really helpful! I worked for a city water department for 18 years (no SS taxes) and then private sector jobs for 12 years. I'm 58 now and starting to think about retirement planning. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like I should create that MySocialSecurity.gov account to see what my estimated benefits would be with WEP applied. Are there any other resources people recommend for understanding how these proposed changes might affect someone in my situation? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth waiting a few more years to see if any reform passes, or if I should just plan assuming the current WEP rules will stay in place.

This thread has been a goldmine of information! I'm new to the community and facing a similar situation - eligible for benefits in a few months but still working part-time. The clarity everyone has provided about the monthly vs annual earnings test distinction is exactly what I needed. I had no idea about the first-year monthly testing rule, and honestly, the SSA website makes this so confusing. One question I haven't seen addressed yet: if you voluntarily suspend benefits for certain months during your first year, does that affect your benefit calculation when you reach FRA? I understand that benefits withheld due to excess earnings get factored back in later, but I'm wondering if voluntary suspension works the same way or if those months are just "lost." Also, huge thanks to those who mentioned specific resources like the POMS references and the Claimyr service - having actual tools to navigate this bureaucratic maze is incredibly helpful. The phone system really is impossible! I'm definitely going to be proactive about reporting my expected earnings and keeping detailed records based on all the advice here.

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm approaching eligibility for Social Security in a few months and had no idea about the complexity of the earnings limit rules. The distinction between the monthly earnings test in the first year versus the annual test afterward is something I never would have understood from the SSA website alone. What strikes me most is how many people are dealing with similar situations - it really highlights how unclear the official guidance is. I'm particularly grateful for the practical advice about voluntary suspension and the importance of proactive communication with SSA. The tip about keeping detailed records and the 60-day advance notice recommendation will definitely influence how I approach my own situation. One thing that's concerning me after reading through all of this is how difficult it seems to actually reach SSA by phone. Has anyone had better luck with in-person visits to local SSA offices, or are those just as challenging to navigate? I'm wondering if it might be worth scheduling an appointment well in advance to discuss my specific earnings pattern and get guidance directly from an agent. Thanks to everyone who has shared their real-world experiences - this kind of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is invaluable when dealing with such a complex system!