I had to start SS at 62 to protect my DW because she is impacted by WEP. No other viable choice.
Having a spouse you want to protect financially who is impacted by WEP makes SS an interesting game. I likely would have waited until 70 otherwise. QUOTE]
I don't quite understand how your DW being affected by WEP would force you to start SS at 62 (I assume that you are not affected by WEP). The Windfall Elimination Provision reduces any earned SS she receives on her own earnings by at least $385 or more (depending on when she turned 62). It has nothing to do with your SS benefit. As a retired CSRS fed, my SS benefit has been reduced by about 35%. The longer your DW waits to claim, the larger the penalty (you didn't think the gov would give you a free pass for longevity
?).
Are you referring to the Government Pension Offset, or GPO? The basic rule is that GPO will reduce the amount of your Social Security spouse's, widow's or widower's benefits by two-thirds of the amount of your government pension. This means that, if her pension from her non SS employment is anywhere near your SS benefit, she will receive nothing. There are exceptions and other rules, but when you claim SS is irrelevent to this rule. In fact. your best bet is to wait as long as possible (70?) as she will not get any of your benefit - probably ever.
Am I missing something that you left out? See my earlier post for what I did in a similar situation.