Regarding your question about notification before they reclaim the payment - no, they typically don't provide advance notice. The Treasury Department electronically withdraws the funds directly from the financial institution. This is why it's important to keep sufficient funds in the account to avoid overdraft fees. Also, I wanted to clarify about the month of death benefits since there's some confusion in the comments. The rule is: - Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month they're due for - A person must live through the entire month to be entitled to that month's payment - Since your wife passed in November, the November payment she received was her October benefit - This payment is proper and won't be reclaimed - However, since she didn't live through all of November, she wasn't entitled to a November benefit (which would have been paid in December) As a survivor, your benefits would typically start with December (paid in January). But since there's a processing delay, you'll eventually receive back payments for all months they owe you.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Isabella. Losing a spouse is devastating, and dealing with Social Security bureaucracy on top of grief is incredibly difficult. I went through this exact situation when my husband passed away two years ago. The 45+ day wait is unfortunately very typical right now - mine took 82 days to process. A few things that might help: 1. Keep calling every 2-3 weeks to check status. Sometimes this helps move things along, and you want to make sure your file hasn't gotten lost in the system. 2. Document everything - dates of calls, who you spoke with, what they told you. This becomes important if there are any issues later. 3. Regarding that final payment - they WILL take it back without notice. I learned this the hard way when it caused an overdraft. Keep extra money in that account until they do the clawback. 4. You should receive 100% of her benefit amount since you're at FRA. When it finally processes, you'll get back payments from December forward plus the $255 death benefit. The waiting is agonizing when you're already dealing with so much. Hang in there - it will eventually get processed and you'll receive what you're entitled to.

One more important consideration - if your future husband might qualify for disability benefits based on his multiple myeloma, he should look into that as soon as possible. SSDI has the same credit requirements as retirement (40 credits), but there's a recent work test too (20 credits in the last 10 years). With only 20 credits total, he might not qualify, but it's worth checking. If he does get approved for disability before your passing, it could affect how survivor benefits work in his case. Disabled widow(er)s can claim as early as age 50 with less reduction.

Just wanted to add something I learned when my aunt was in a similar situation - make sure to keep excellent records of your marriage date and any relevant documentation. SSA sometimes requires proof of the marriage duration when processing survivor benefit claims, especially if there's any question about timing. Also, since your future husband has health issues, you might want to consider consulting with a Social Security attorney or certified benefits planner to make sure you're both maximizing your benefits strategy. They can help you understand all the nuances and plan for different scenarios. Many offer free consultations and only charge if they help you get additional benefits. The peace of mind of knowing he'll be financially secure with your survivor benefit is worth taking these extra steps to ensure everything is properly documented and planned.

btw if u can get 2 more years of SS covered work somehow before u retire, ull hit 20 yrs of substantial earnings and get a better wep calculation. might be worth looking into part time work that pays into SS?

I'm in almost the exact same situation as you - Texas teacher with previous Social Security work history! One thing that helped me was creating a my Social Security account online if you haven't already. While it won't show your pre-WEP amount, you can at least see all your earnings history year by year, which helps when you're talking to SSA reps. Also, I'd suggest calling SSA early in the morning (around 8 AM) on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday - I've had better luck getting through then. When you do get through, ask specifically for your "Primary Insurance Amount before WEP adjustment" and your AIME. Having both numbers will let you verify their calculations and really understand the impact. The good news is that with 18 years of substantial earnings, you're not facing the maximum WEP reduction. But I totally get wanting to know the exact numbers for planning purposes. The uncertainty is almost worse than knowing the bad news!

Thanks everyone for the helpful information! I feel much better understanding how this works now. So to summarize what I've learned: 1. The $4,500 taxable amount from the calculator is likely correct based on our current income 2. We're dangerously close to the second threshold where taxation increases dramatically 3. Need to be careful about RMDs and other income that could push us over 4. The SSA calculator is probably more reliable than random websites I think we'll consult with a tax professional before making any decisions about additional income this year. This has been incredibly helpful!

Just wanted to add another perspective on the calculators - I work as a tax preparer and see this confusion constantly. The issue is that many online calculators don't clearly explain the "provisional income" concept or use outdated thresholds. Your $4,500 figure is correct based on what you've shared, but I'd strongly recommend double-checking that your "other income" figure of $8,000 includes ALL taxable income - wages, interest, dividends, pension distributions, etc. People often forget about small amounts that can add up. Also, since you're so close to that $44,000 threshold, consider the timing of any income you have control over. Even something like selling stocks or taking a larger withdrawal from savings could accidentally push you into the 85% taxation bracket if it generates taxable income. The cliff effect between 50% and 85% taxation is one of the most brutal aspects of the tax code for retirees.

Before you file, you might want to gather these documents to make the process smoother: - Your birth certificate or passport - Your Social Security card (if available) - Your most recent W-2 or tax return - Direct deposit information (routing and account numbers) - Marriage certificate if you've been married Having these ready will help whether you complete the application in one sitting or save it to finish later.

Just wanted to add one more consideration - if you're still working and earning income, make sure to factor in the earnings test. Even though you're past 70 and the earnings test no longer applies to you going forward, it could affect your retroactive benefits if you had significant earnings in the months you're claiming retroactively (August onward). The earnings test for 2024 is $59,520 annually ($4,960 monthly) for those who reached FRA. Since you're claiming retroactive benefits for months when you were working, SSA will need to verify your earnings for those months. Just something to keep in mind when you apply!