This is such a helpful discussion! I'm also a federal employee (FERS) with about 20 years of service and have been wondering about these same issues. Reading through everyone's experiences has really clarified things for me. One thing I wanted to add that might be useful - I recently attended a pre-retirement seminar through my agency, and they mentioned that you can actually get an estimate of your Social Security benefits that takes into account any potential WEP or GPO reductions by creating an account at ssa.gov and using their online calculators. There's a specific section where you can input pension information to see how it might affect your benefits. The presenter also emphasized what others have said here - that FERS employees generally don't need to worry about WEP since we've been paying into Social Security throughout our careers. But they did stress the importance of understanding GPO if you're planning to claim spousal or survivor benefits. It's really reassuring to see so many people confirm that FERS pensions and Social Security work together as designed. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - it's way more helpful than the confusing information you sometimes get from official sources!

As a newer community member who's been following this discussion, I just want to say how valuable this thread has been! I'm currently working in the private sector but considering a federal position, and understanding how FERS interacts with Social Security was one of my concerns. It's really reassuring to see the consistent message from multiple people with actual experience that FERS employees don't face WEP reductions since they pay into both systems. The distinction between WEP (which affects those who didn't pay SS taxes) and GPO (which can affect spousal/survivor benefits even for FERS employees) is something I never would have understood without reading everyone's experiences. The practical tips about using services like Claimyr to actually get through to SSA, checking your Social Security Statement for accuracy, and asking for technical experts when calling are incredibly helpful. It's clear that even SSA representatives sometimes get confused about these provisions, so having multiple sources of information is crucial. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their real-world experiences - it's made a complex topic much clearer for those of us still planning our careers and retirement strategies!

I work at a local SSA field office and can confirm that backdating up to 6 months is absolutely allowed for retirement benefits - that phone rep gave you completely wrong information! This happens way too often unfortunately. When you come in, bring your marriage certificate, birth certificate, and documentation of your government pension amount. Ask specifically for a "protective filing date" of 6 months ago. Make sure they calculate BOTH your own benefit (reduced by WEP) AND spousal benefit (reduced by GPO) to see which is higher after all reductions are applied. One tip from the inside - if the first person you speak with seems unsure about WEP/GPO rules, politely ask to speak with someone who specializes in these provisions. Not all our staff gets regular training on these complex situations, but we do have specialists who handle them regularly. Good luck with your appointment! The backdated payments should help with those home repairs.

I'm so glad you found an actual SSA employee to confirm what everyone has been saying! As someone who went through the WEP/GPO maze myself two years ago, I can't stress enough how important it is to get the right person who understands these provisions. One additional thing I learned - when they're calculating your GPO reduction, make sure they're using the correct pension amount. They need your GROSS monthly pension before any deductions for health insurance, taxes, etc. I initially gave them my net amount and it threw off their whole calculation. Also, don't be surprised if your first appointment takes longer than usual. WEP/GPO cases require more documentation review and calculations than standard retirement applications. But that backdating will definitely be worth the extra time - six months of payments is substantial money at our age!

@profile8 Yes, it's called the "Monthly Earnings Test" or sometimes the "Grace Year Rule." It only applies in the first year you receive benefits. It means that regardless of your total annual earnings, in any month you earn below the monthly limit AND don't perform substantial self-employment services, you'll receive your benefit for that month. This is particularly useful for people who have high earnings early in the year but then retire or substantially reduce their work mid-year. You can find this in the SSA's Program Operations Manual System (POMS) section RS 02501.080.

Just wanted to add one more consideration for your planning - make sure to factor in any potential cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) when calculating the earnings limits for future years. The $22,300 limit mentioned for 2025 is an estimate, and the actual amount could be slightly different when SSA announces it officially. Also, if you're planning to maximize your 401k contributions while working full-time, remember that those contributions will actually REDUCE your countable earnings for Social Security purposes since they're pre-tax deductions. This could help you stay closer to the earnings limit even while working more hours. Good luck with your planning - it sounds like you're being very thoughtful about this transition!

I want to add one more thing - if your brother is receiving Medicare due to his disability status, attending college won't affect that coverage either. Some people worry about losing health insurance, but education doesn't impact Medicare eligibility for disabled beneficiaries.

This is such a thoughtful question to ask on behalf of your brother! I'm a disability advocate and I can confirm that attending college generally does NOT jeopardize SSDI benefits. The Social Security Administration actually encourages education through several programs. One thing I'd add that others haven't mentioned - your brother might want to look into whether his college offers priority registration for students with disabilities. Many schools allow disabled students to register early, which can help him get classes that work better with his health needs and schedule. Also, if he does decide to pursue this, he should keep documentation of his educational goals and how they relate to managing his disability or potentially contributing to society in ways that work within his limitations. While it's not required, having that information can be helpful if any questions ever arise. The fact that he's considering this shows real strength and determination. Education can be incredibly therapeutic and provide that sense of purpose he's looking for, regardless of whether it ever leads to employment.

Emma, your strategy sounds very well thought out! I'm a former SSA employee and can confirm that what you're planning is absolutely correct. You can take your reduced retirement benefit at 62 and then switch to full survivor benefits at your FRA (67) if your husband passes away. A few key points to emphasize based on my experience: 1. When the time comes to switch, you'll need to specifically request survivor benefits - SSA won't automatically give you the higher amount. Make this request in writing or get written confirmation of your request. 2. The timing flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of your strategy. If your husband passes when you're 63-66, you can choose to either switch to reduced survivor benefits immediately OR continue your retirement benefit and wait until 67 for the full survivor amount. The choice depends on which amount is higher. 3. Document everything! Keep records of all conversations with SSA representatives, including names, dates, and what was discussed. This will help if there are any issues later. 4. Your break-even analysis at age 86 is smart planning. Given family health history and the 12-year age gap, taking benefits at 62 provides valuable income security during your early retirement years. The most important thing is that you understand your options and have a clear plan. It sounds like you've done your homework well!

As someone who works in retirement planning, I want to add one more consideration that hasn't been mentioned yet - the potential impact of Medicare decisions on your overall strategy. Since you're planning to take SS at 62, you'll still need to wait until 65 for Medicare eligibility. Make sure you factor in health insurance costs for those 3 years (62-65) when calculating whether taking benefits early makes financial sense. Also, once you're on Medicare, if you're receiving Social Security benefits, your Medicare Part B premiums will be automatically deducted from your monthly SS payment. This won't affect your survivor benefit calculation later, but it's good to know for budgeting purposes. Your strategy is solid, but healthcare costs during early retirement can be significant, so just make sure that's part of your overall financial picture when you file at 62.