BTW be careful about any retroactive benefits they might try to give you!!! My friend switched at her FRA and they offered her 6 months of retroactive benefits which SEEMED great but actually permanently reduced her monthly amount!!! The rules are super complicated and the reps don't always explain everything correctly.

I'm going through something very similar right now! I'm 63 and have been on survivor benefits since my wife passed in 2022. The online system is absolutely useless for our situation - I get the same message about information not being available. What I ended up doing was calling the SSA national number (1-800-772-1213) early in the morning around 8 AM when they open. The wait was still about 45 minutes, but much better than later in the day. The agent was able to pull up my estimated retirement benefit right over the phone and explain the difference. In my case, my survivor benefit is higher, but she also explained that I could potentially switch to my own retirement benefit later if it grows enough with delayed retirement credits. The key thing I learned is that you really need to speak with someone directly - the online tools just aren't designed for people in our situation. One tip: have your Social Security number and your late husband's SSN ready when you call. They'll need both to access all the information.

EVERYONE impacted by WEP and GPO should join advocacy groups fighting to repeal these unfair penalties! There are bills in Congress almost every year to reform or repeal them but they never pass because most people don't understand these rules until they're personally affected! I'm part of a retired teachers group that's lobbying on this issue. The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal both WEP and GPO but it keeps stalling in Congress. Google "repeal WEP GPO" to find groups in your state working on this. Public servants are getting ROBBED of benefits and it needs to STOP!

I'm in a very similar situation - divorced teacher with a state pension trying to figure out the GPO maze! One thing that helped me was getting a copy of my Social Security Statement online at ssa.gov/myaccount to see what MY estimated benefits would be on my own record vs. what I might potentially get as an ex-spouse (before GPO reduction). Also, I found out that some states have different pension systems - mine allows "dual coverage" where I paid into both Social Security AND the state pension for certain years. If you had any years like that, those might affect your calculations. The key thing I learned is that GPO is based on your GROSS monthly pension amount, not what you actually take home after taxes and deductions. So if your pension statement shows $2,250 gross but you only get $1,800 after taxes/insurance, they still use the $2,250 for the GPO calculation. Definitely worth getting professional help navigating this - the rules are so complex and the stakes are too high to guess wrong!

As a newcomer to this community, I have to say this entire discussion has been incredibly enlightening! I'm about 18 months away from my own early retirement decision and had no idea about the Monthly Earnings Test for the first year - this is exactly the kind of real-world information you can't easily find on the SSA website. What really stands out to me is how many different experiences people have had, which seems to depend on whether they qualified for that "grace year" provision or not. For anyone else following along who might be in a similar situation, it seems like the key takeaways are: 1) There ARE two different earnings tests, 2) The monthly test can be much more favorable if you qualify, 3) You need to specifically ask SSA about the "grace year" provision by name, and 4) Get everything documented in writing. Andre, I hope you get the clarity you need when you call SSA directly - please consider updating us on what you learn, as I'm sure others will benefit from your experience! This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complex decisions.

As someone who recently navigated this exact situation, I can add some clarity here! I claimed my Social Security benefits at age 64 in March 2024 while still working part-time, and I was initially just as confused as you are about the earnings test timing. Here's what I learned from my SSA representative: If you're claiming benefits for the first time and have significantly reduced your work activity (what SSA calls a "grace year"), you'll likely qualify for the Monthly Earnings Test for the remainder of your first year. This means from May through December 2025, you'd be evaluated month-by-month using the $1,770 monthly limit rather than being subject to the full annual limit. The key is that "substantial reduction in work activity" requirement - since you mentioned you're reducing from full-time to part-time consulting, you should qualify. Each month after you start benefits, if you earn under $1,770, you get your full benefit for that month. If you earn over $1,770 in a specific month, you simply don't receive benefits for just that month - no penalties or payback issues. Starting in 2026, you'd then be subject to the standard calendar year earnings test (January-December). I'd definitely recommend calling SSA and specifically asking about the "Monthly Earnings Test" and "grace year provision" - use those exact terms. The regular customer service reps are more familiar with these concepts when you use the official terminology. This monthly approach was a game-changer for my planning since I could take on higher-paying projects occasionally without worrying about exceeding an annual limit. Hope this helps with your budgeting!

My sister had to call like 6 or 7 times before she got someone who actually knew how to calculate survivor benefits. Not all the reps are trained on all the different benefits I guess. So frustrating!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and it's incredibly frustrating! What finally worked for me was going to a different SSA office - apparently some locations have more experienced staff than others. The first office I went to couldn't help at all, but the second office had someone who knew exactly how to pull up survivor benefit calculations. Also, try asking them to print out your husband's earnings record (Form SSA-7004). Even if they can't calculate your exact survivor benefit on the spot, having his complete earnings history can help you or a financial advisor estimate what you should expect. The survivor benefit is typically based on what he was receiving (or would have received at FRA), so that earnings record is key. One more tip - bring a notebook and write down the name of whoever helps you. If you get conflicting information later, you can reference who told you what. I learned this the hard way after getting three different benefit estimates from three different reps!

I'm so sorry for your loss. Having gone through something similar with my late father's benefits, I wanted to share a few practical tips that might help: 1. **Documentation prep**: Gather your husband's death certificate, your marriage certificate, both of your Social Security cards, and your ID before contacting SSA. Having everything ready will make the process smoother. 2. **Get specific calculations**: When you do reach SSA, ask them to calculate your exact benefit amounts for each scenario - survivor benefits at 61, at FRA, your own retirement at 62, and at 70. They can run these numbers and show you the lifetime benefit comparison. 3. **Consider the "do-over" option**: If you take survivor benefits early and later realize your own benefit at 70 would be much higher, you might be able to withdraw your survivor application within 12 months and pay back what you received (though this has strict rules). 4. **Health considerations**: Don't forget to factor in your health and family longevity when deciding between getting money now vs. waiting for higher payments later. The emotional exhaustion you're feeling is completely normal. Take your time with this decision - you don't have to rush into anything. The numbers will help guide you, but ultimately you need to choose what gives you the most peace of mind during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a spouse is incredibly difficult, and having to navigate these complex benefit decisions while grieving makes it even harder. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you're on the right track with your thinking. Since you'll be 61 when you retire in March 2025, you can definitely take survivor benefits then (they start at 60, not 62). The key question is whether your own benefit at age 70 would be higher than the survivor benefit at your FRA. One thing that might help reduce some stress: you don't have to make this decision right now. You could retire in March, live off savings/part-time income for a few months, and use that time to get the benefit calculations from SSA without the pressure of needing the money immediately. Also, consider reaching out to your local SSA office to schedule an in-person appointment rather than trying to get through on the phone. As others mentioned, bring all your documents (death certificate, marriage certificate, both Social Security cards, your ID) and write down your questions beforehand. Take care of yourself during this process. These financial decisions are important, but your emotional well-being matters too. The right choice is the one that gives you financial security and peace of mind.