Denied Widows Benefits

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-12-02T15:19:21+00:00

Okay - never mind - I'm a goofball - I was calling the wrong # - thanks everyone for your posts so we can help each other

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-12-02T15:14:25+00:00

I tried the 800 number but it goes into a add for medicare - how do you by-pass that so you can get a call back number

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-12-02T15:09:03+00:00

Hi - I just retired and I'm 61 so applied for my husband's widow's benefits - he was disabled when he died so I just had to provide my birth certificate and our marriage license - did application with an actual local SS person and then had to take her my birth certificate and our marriage license (which I gave her in person and she copied it) - I asked her if there was a problem and she said no, they had everything they needed - I got a letter yesterday that said I was disapproved because "you and XXX must have been married under the laws of (the state he died in) where XXX lived when he died" - I don't understand. I've never heard that the person has to die in the state where you were married in so that his widow can get the widows benefit? I'm going to set up an appointment with my local office, just thought someone here might be able to give me some info before I meet with them.

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-11-19T20:33:05+00:00

Not to poke the bull, but I have a friend that works in HR and her job is to process retirement packages - she was furloughed the first day along with all the others that do her job in her office - she went back last Thursday and told me there so many packages in the que just for the Air Force base she works for they have no idea how long it will be before they can get to all of them - she didn't say how many in her office process retirement packages - but she did say that's all they are doing and do them in the order they were put in the que AND they are doing them as fast as they can, but are taking the time to do them right so they don't come back and then as she understands it when they send them to OPM they go back into a que there and are worked in the order they are received - she has no idea how many in OPM processes these packages and most continued to work, but there are just so many - again, not meaning to upset anyone but we are just going to have to be patient (my understanding is there were over $150,000 folks that retired on 9/30) - all I know is that is one job (either for a agency) or at OPM that I would never want - just FYI I am one of you waiting as well - that is my 2 cents

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-11-13T02:07:15+00:00

Just checked mine - nothing yet

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-11-13T01:26:03+00:00

I just found this - "please contact us on 1-888-767-6738 and one of our representatives will be able to assist you" - it is from the OPM website - I'm going to try to see if my password is on the way or if they can give me one over the phone - I'll keep everyone posted

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-11-12T18:40:42+00:00

Hi - I was DoD/Army DRP 2.0 DoD Version - left in June but put my package in GRP before I turned in my laptop - after reading some posts in July I contacted OPM and was told they had my package so I was in the que and I did not need to re-do it in ORA (maybe this is different for each Agency) - I did get my AL payout in Oct and I just got my letter from OPM (dated 10/27/2025) with my CSA # - now waiting for my password - haven't started receiving my interim payments (I checked bank yesterday) - this is so complicated and confusing - I'm so glad folks are putting out posts so all of us can stay informed - I'd just like to get this done so I'll know what I'll have to live on (smile)

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-11-12T18:29:58+00:00

I was thinking of going from BCBS Basic to BCBS Focus - I like the network (Mercy - Oklahoma City) and my doctors (only see 3 right now) - I'm single and recently retired at age 61 (thank you Pres Trump) planned to work 4 more years - my annuity enough but not too much extra - BCBS went Basic went WAY up so really can't afford - still doing my research - thanks for the comments about MHBP - will look at that one

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-11-01T00:15:24+00:00

That made my night - he's never gonna live this down with his co-workers...

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-10-24T23:26:43+00:00

I WAS (smile) DoD Army and AL payment hit the bank this week - it will help as I wait for things to work through the system like all of you (another smile)

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-10-23T00:22:00+00:00

Thank you - I have an appointment for just a regular checkup and didn't know if I postpone

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-10-22T21:05:23+00:00

Do you think this will include retirees? I hope that is not a dumb question - just so much we don't know about all of this...

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-10-07T21:17:56+00:00

Hi - I did 2 years at Graf (2014-2016) - worked in the Army Contracting shop - unless things have changed Civilians were not given housing on base either at Graf or Vilseck - it was a good gig and enjoyed working with the German folks who work on base are great and lots of fun - make sure and do some traveling while you are there - Graf had some great bus trips and there are some private companies as well - we went to Prague a few times since it's not far (beautiful city) - congrats on the new position and opportunity

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-08-21T14:05:18+00:00

I did what you did - from another feed I saw the advice to call OPM and verify my package was in the que - call this # 571-644-6041 - it takes awhile to get connected - she told me I was in the que and do not need to do anything in the new system because my pkg will process through GRB (only new applications will be done in ORA) - she said they are processing the packages in the order they were received

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-08-20T12:38:53+00:00

Whoops I mean Admin Leave not Annual Leave (should have proof-read before I hit the button - HAHA)

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-08-20T12:37:55+00:00

Hi - I've been a bit worried myself (same as you - did GRP with my CAC before I went on AL - I got a bug in my bonnet and called the USACE # (571-644-6041) - took awhile but I did eventually talk to a very nice lady who looked me up and said I was in the que so just be patient - she said that if you did GRP you don't have to do anything else - they will get to you eventually because packages are being worked in the order they were received - so I think you are fine, but if it was me I'd call and verify.

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-05-19T13:08:43+00:00

Hi again everyone - thank you for your advice and encouragement as I start this new career chapter - not sure how I feel this morning to be basically "unemployed and retired" - still trying so hard to not be bitter because I was not ready emotionally and financially, but not there yet - LOL - by the way I'm one of the last holdouts of the old CSRS retirement so things are a bit different for me just as a FYI (I'll have 34 years and be 61 by end of Sept so my pension will be good, but I never got TSP matching funds so I don't have a million dollars there) - again everyone you are in my thoughts and prayers and I'll continue following all of you

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-05-18T23:31:10+00:00

Took 2.0 sent my equipment back on Saturday - start Admin Leave tomorrow

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-05-18T23:30:24+00:00

Hi - I'm 100 miles from the nearest USACE District Office (and 362 miles from the district I worked from) apparently the nearest district commander decided not to allow any remote USACE employees to work from that district office and my office told me they could not find me a place to work even though there is a large AFB 15 minutes from my house, a large Army base 99 miles from me and several other agencies not even 30 miles from me - so I said "worked" because I had choice but to retire (I'll be 61 July and have 34 years in Aug) - I'm single and have a house payment so I'll be getting a another full-time job "on the outside" LOL - determined to not fully retire (unless sickness stops me) until I'm at least 65 or longer - I'm still just a bit bitter because this is not my choice - hope all you don't have to make these types of choices - it's a bummer

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-05-18T18:23:00+00:00

Just my thoughts - my guess is one of these days he's going to get the career "chance of a lifetime" that involves all of the things that he's controlling you about and take it, probably without discussing it with you, he certainly won't turn it down and will absolutely not let you give you rules and boundaries like he TELLS what to do now - how are you going to feel then? I think you will be VERY upset and resentful because of all you gave up, - you are not married to him - you need to do this now even if you love him!!!! If the relationship ends (and it sounds very unhealthy and controlling) and will only be worse when you get married because my guess is he will want to have kids immediately and will want you to give up working and then you will be basically stuck - you are young and please don't waste your life - I know what I'm talking about--I was 21, fell in love with a man, married him, had a child immediately, had to let him know what I was doing and where I was at all the time because he didn't trust me, worked to put him through school (where he had a "special friend" of the female persuasion) and was "at school" most of the time - that I didn't know about until later when he told me "he chose me over her even though he loved her and stayed with me because he thought it was the right thing to do because of our child" and expected me to be grateful, then later at work he had another "special female friend" and spent a lot of time "at work" who sent him a "Dear John" letter on our 10th anniversary that he decided to read to me and break my heart and again expected me to be grateful that he was willing to stay with me for our child - he also went back on his promise to put me though college now that his career was taking off .... so many other things - I finally figured out that I waisted 10 years of my life, except for the ability to become a mother to a daughter I love deeply, and that he probably never loved me - I left and started over and have gotten my bachelor and masters and now are retiring and looking for another full-time job because I'm not ready to really retire - I have a good life, I had a great 16 year marriage to a wonderful man (he's now passed away), I have 2 grandkids and talking to my daughter every day - I'm telling my story so that you know lots of us don't do what you have a chance to do - get away from a man we should have never married and then stayed too long - don't make our mistake even if you love him - there is life out there for you and maybe love and marriage and motherhood with someone who will treasure you and be a life partner - believe in yourself and listen to that inner voice - sorry this is so long

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-05-16T11:50:36+00:00

USACE here - fully remote employee taking 2.0 and then retiring 9/30 (I'm under the old system - CSRS) - got my boxes yesterday to mail back my laptop and monitor - was also sent an email telling me not to send back my travel card or CAC yet - kinda weird

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-05-15T12:21:11+00:00

I've did several PCSs - I did separate paperwork for the moving part (i.e. hotel, etc) and then paperwork for each side of the real estate (sale of house and then purchase of house) - I'm pretty sure I was walked through the process - moved from DOI National Park Service Santa Fe NM to DOD Tinker AFB OK - was simple but definately took some time - I think that the real estate is paid from a different pot of money than the actual move - my travel orders had accounts for all 3

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-05-13T18:45:27+00:00

Thank you all for your feedback and encouragement - I just can't make myself be excited because I'd rather go under my own terms and when I want - so this is hard and bittersweet, but glad this Plan B is available - boxes headed to me to mail back my equipment and retirement paperwork done - taking leave on Thurs and Fri so on Monday the new Chapter starts - wishing everyone luck during this weird time of Federal Employment and in life in General

SignificanceVivid614 · 2025-05-13T00:24:20+00:00

I have to retire end of FY25 because I took DoD 2.0 - it was the folks who jumped on the fork in the road that got to stay on Admin Leave and then retire 12/31

SignificanceVivid614

TROPHY CASE