To clarify what's being discussed - there are two separate calculations happening: 1) The basic survivor benefit calculation, which is affected by when your husband died and when you claim, and 2) The GPO reduction, which is based on his non-covered pension. Both affect your final payment amount. Under the 2025 changes, you'll likely see a significant improvement because your husband had relatively few years of non-covered work compared to his SS-covered employment. Document everything carefully and consider working with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning for government employees.

I'm so glad this discussion is happening! I'm in a very similar situation - my husband worked for the state for 8 years (no SS contributions) but had 25+ years paying into Social Security before and after. He passed away last year at 62 and I'm 54 now. Reading through these responses gives me hope that the 2025 changes will actually make a meaningful difference for people like us. The current GPO rules seem so unfair - penalizing survivors when their spouses paid into Social Security for the vast majority of their careers. Has anyone here actually gone through the process of getting their benefits recalculated once the new law takes effect? I'm wondering how proactive SSA will be about applying the new formula or if we'll need to specifically request it.

When you apply, be very clear about your CSRS pension. They'll ask about government pensions not covered by Social Security. Bring documentation showing your CSRS pension amount. Be prepared to wait for processing - these GPO cases often take longer to calculate. Don't be surprised if they request additional information after your initial application. Based on what you've shared, there's a good chance you'll receive some survivor benefits, even after the GPO reduction. Your husband's 40+ years of substantial earnings means his benefit was likely significant enough that even after a $2,800 reduction, you may still receive a monthly payment worth pursuing.

That's great news that you got through to SSA! Looking forward to hearing how your appointment goes. For others reading this thread who might be in similar situations, this is a perfect example of why it's worth applying even when GPO seems discouraging. With a CSRS pension of $4,200/month and a husband who had 40+ years of substantial Social Security earnings, there's a real possibility of receiving meaningful survivor benefits after the GPO reduction. The key takeaways here are: 1) Apply as soon as possible (benefits only go back 6 months), 2) Don't wait until 70 since survivor benefits don't increase after FRA, and 3) Be persistent about getting through to SSA - services like Claimyr can help bypass the phone wait times. Good luck with your appointment!

That makes sense, though it's disappointing. I've probably lost out on thousands already. I just hope they actually pass something soon - I've been hearing about GPO/WEP reform for years but nothing ever seems to happen. Thank you for all this helpful information!

I'm in a very similar situation and have been following this closely. One thing that might help while you're waiting - make sure you have all your documentation organized now. Get copies of your husband's DD-214 (military discharge), his Social Security earnings record, and your CSRS pension details. Also, I've found the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board website has some good resources explaining how military service affects federal retirement benefits. Your husband's dual FERS/military situation might actually work in your favor if the GPO is repealed, since his Social Security benefit calculation likely included his military service credit. The waiting is frustrating, but having everything ready will help you act quickly if/when the law changes. Hang in there!

When you apply for retirement benefits, the SSA will ask if you've ever been married and if any spouse has died. Be honest about this, but you can explain that you want to apply for your own benefits now and potentially survivor benefits later. They'll make a note in your record. Just be clear about your intention, and they'll process your retirement claim without waiting for the survivor documentation.

Just wanted to add a practical tip from my own experience - when you do apply for your retirement benefits, ask the SSA representative to put a note in your file about your potential future survivor benefit claim. This can help streamline the process later when you're ready to apply for survivor benefits, since they'll already have context about your situation. Also, since your husband worked mostly in state government jobs, you might want to check if he had a state pension that could affect your survivor benefits through the Government Pension Offset. Even if the survivor benefit ends up being small, having all the information will help you make the best decision when the time comes. Good luck with your application process!

Just wanted to add another perspective here - while waiting until FRA definitely maximizes the monthly benefit amount, don't forget to factor in the "break-even" analysis. If your wife claims at 65, she'll receive 12+ months of benefits before she would have received anything by waiting until FRA. Those early payments can add up to around $11,000+ (using the $917/month example from earlier). It takes about 11-12 years of receiving the higher FRA payment to "break even" with taking the reduced benefit early. If she's in good health and expects to live well into her 80s, waiting makes sense. But if there are health concerns or you need the income now, claiming at 65 might still be the right choice. Just make sure you're looking at the complete picture, not just the monthly payment difference!

As someone who's been researching Social Security benefits for my own family, I wanted to add that it's also worth considering whether your wife has any gaps in her work history or lower-earning years that might affect her own benefit calculation. Sometimes people are surprised to find their own retirement benefit is higher than they expected, which could change the spousal benefit calculation. Also, if your wife is still working, she should be aware of the earnings test - if she claims benefits before her FRA and continues to work, her benefits might be temporarily reduced if she earns over the annual limit ($22,320 for 2024). The SSA will give those benefits back later, but it's something to factor into your timing decision. Definitely recommend she create that my Social Security account mentioned earlier to get the most accurate benefit estimates for both scenarios!