To answer your original question directly - no, there is no official implementation date for WEP repeal because it hasn't passed yet. The current Congressional session ends in January 2025, so any bills not passed by then would need to be reintroduced in the next Congress. If your FRA is March 2025, you should definitely plan your retirement based on current law. The calculations you mentioned sound about right - WEP can reduce benefits by up to half of your non-covered pension or about $600 per month maximum (adjusted annually), whichever is less.

I'm in a similar boat - my FRA is coming up in June 2025 and I've been watching the WEP situation closely. From what I've researched, even if something does pass Congress (which is a big IF), most proposals include phase-in periods or only apply to future filers. One thing that might help is to get your exact WEP calculation from SSA. I finally got through to them (took forever!) and learned that my reduction was actually less than I expected because of how they calculate the "substantial earnings" years. They also confirmed that any legislative changes would likely have effective dates well after 2025. My advice? Plan for the WEP-reduced amount and treat any future changes as a pleasant surprise. The $580/month difference you mentioned is significant, but don't let uncertainty about potential changes delay your retirement planning if you're otherwise ready to file at FRA.

My cousin went through this exact situation last year. Had to change his start date because of the earnings limit. Just call SSA and tell them you want to modify the application to change the start month to May. Shouldn't be a big deal as long as benefits haven't started being paid yet. They told him it happens all the time.

Just wanted to add some reassurance - I'm a benefits specialist and see this situation frequently. You're absolutely making the right call to be cautious about the earnings limits. The SSA overpayment process can be really stressful and they're not always quick to resolve issues. A few quick tips for when you call SSA to change the start date: 1. Have your husband's Social Security number and confirmation number from his original application ready 2. Ask to speak to a claims specialist specifically about modifying a retirement application 3. Get a confirmation number for the change and ask when you can expect written confirmation Also, since you mentioned budgeting concerns - remember that even though his first SS check won't come until June now, you can still plan around knowing exactly what that amount will be. The delay is frustrating but much better than dealing with overpayments later! Your Medicare timing will work perfectly regardless of the SS benefit start date.

One thing I'd add that helped me when I went through this with my mom - keep really good records of all earnings throughout the year. SSA sometimes doesn't get updated W-2 or 1099 information right away, so having your own documentation can save a lot of headaches if there are any discrepancies later. Also, if your husband is doing consulting work, remember that quarterly estimated tax payments might be required since taxes won't be withheld automatically. The IRS has a safe harbor rule where you can pay 100% of last year's tax liability to avoid penalties, which can be helpful when income is variable from consulting. Good luck navigating this - it's definitely confusing at first but once you understand the rules it becomes much more manageable!

I went through this exact same situation with my spouse two years ago! The confusion is totally understandable because the SSA representatives really aren't consistent in how they explain it. Here's what I learned after dealing with this firsthand: The $22,320 earnings limit is ONLY for work income - wages, self-employment, consulting fees, etc. Your husband's $30,000 in Social Security benefits doesn't count toward this limit at all. So yes, option #1 is correct - he can receive his full $30,000 in SS benefits AND earn up to $22,320 from consulting work without any penalty (total income = $52,320). One thing that really helped us was setting up a simple tracking system. I created a monthly spreadsheet to monitor his consulting income so we could stay well under the limit. We also learned that if you do go over, they don't take benefits away permanently - they get credited back when you reach full retirement age, though the cash flow impact in the short term can still be tough. The earnings test completely disappears once he hits his full retirement age, so this is really just a temporary consideration for the next few years. Hang in there - once you get the hang of tracking it, it becomes much more manageable!

One thing I wanted to mention that might help with your planning - since you're both filing early (before full retirement age), both of your benefits are permanently reduced. Your husband's $1,650 would have been higher if he'd waited until his FRA, and your $1,950 at 62 will also be less than your full benefit. The spousal benefit calculations others mentioned are based on the unreduced Primary Insurance Amounts, which is why the math might seem confusing when comparing to your actual reduced payments. If you do decide to contact SSA directly, ask them to show you both your PIA amounts so you can see exactly how the spousal benefit would be calculated in your case.

As a newcomer to Social Security planning, I'm finding this discussion incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation where my spouse and I are trying to figure out the best claiming strategy. One question I have - when you mention that survivor benefits allow the surviving spouse to get the higher benefit, does that apply even if both spouses filed early and took reduced benefits? For example, if both Zainab and her husband are taking reduced benefits (since they're filing before full retirement age), would the survivor still get the full higher amount, or would it be the reduced amount that was actually being paid? I'm trying to understand if there's any way to preserve the full benefit amount for survivor purposes even if you file early.

Something to consider - have you calculated what your spousal benefit will be at FRA versus what your own benefit will grow to with delayed retirement credits if you wait until 70? If your own benefit plus delayed credits would be higher than your spousal benefit at FRA, this whole issue might be moot. For example, if your own benefit at FRA would be $1,500 and could grow to $1,860 at age 70, but your spousal benefit at FRA would only be $1,700, you'd be better off focusing on maximizing your own benefit rather than worrying about the spousal component. Do you know both those numbers? If not, I'd recommend calling SSA to get an estimate of both scenarios before proceeding with any withdrawal.

I'm actually going through something similar right now! I'm 64 and was planning to file for my own benefits soon while waiting until FRA for spousal benefits. After reading your post, I immediately logged into my mySocialSecurity account to run some projections and make sure I understand exactly what will happen when I apply. This deemed filing rule seems like such a trap - especially since the online application doesn't make it crystal clear that you're automatically applying for ALL benefits you're eligible for. I've been doing research for months and this is the first time I'm seeing real-world examples of how confusing the process actually is. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like the Form 521 partial withdrawal approach might work, but you definitely need to get it submitted before your first payment. Have you been able to get through to SSA again to get a second opinion on the exact wording for the form? Also, thank you for sharing this experience - it's probably going to save me from making the same mistake when I file in a few months!