Can't reach Social Security Administration? Claimyr connects you to a live SSA agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the SSA
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the SSA drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
I'm brand new to this community and just started receiving my Social Security benefits this month. Like everyone else here, I was totally confused when my deposit showed $2,156.00 instead of the $2,156.84 on my benefit letter. I actually called the SSA three times thinking there was a mistake with my account setup! Reading through all these responses has been such a huge help - I had no idea this rounding down policy even existed. It's honestly a bit frustrating to learn I'll be losing 84 cents every month (over $10 per year), but at least now I understand it's just how their system works and not some error I need to chase down. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this so thoroughly, especially about the POMS documentation. As someone completely new to navigating Social Security, these kinds of detailed explanations from experienced community members are invaluable. It's clear this rounding policy catches a lot of new beneficiaries off guard - SSA really should mention it somewhere in their benefit letters to save people the confusion!
Welcome to the community, Leeann! Your experience sounds exactly like what so many of us have gone through - I'm also new here and had that same frustrating experience of calling SSA multiple times convinced there was an error. It's almost funny how we all seem to have the exact same reaction when we first notice this discrepancy! I totally understand your frustration about losing 84 cents each month - when you're on a fixed income, those amounts really do add up over time. But you're absolutely right that at least knowing it's intentional policy gives us peace of mind. I completely agree that SSA should include even just a brief mention of this rounding policy in their benefit letters - it would save so many new beneficiaries like us from all this confusion and unnecessary phone calls to their already busy system. This community has been such a lifesaver for understanding these policies that aren't explained clearly elsewhere!
I'm new to this community and just started receiving my first Social Security payments a couple months ago. Like so many others here, I was initially confused when my actual deposit was $1,189.00 instead of the $1,189.52 shown in my benefit notice. I thought maybe there was some kind of processing fee or deduction I wasn't aware of! This entire thread has been incredibly enlightening - I had absolutely no idea about SSA's rounding down policy until reading everyone's experiences. It's reassuring to know this is standard practice and not an error, though I do wish they'd mention this somewhere in their communications. Losing 52 cents per month doesn't sound like much, but that's over $6 per year when you're trying to stretch every dollar. The tip about considering timing when filing for benefits to potentially get over the next dollar threshold is brilliant - I wish I had known that before I applied! Thank you to all the experienced members who took the time to explain this policy so thoroughly. This community is such a valuable resource for newcomers like me trying to understand all these SSA procedures that aren't always clearly documented elsewhere.
Welcome to the community, Henrietta! Your story is so similar to mine and many others here - I'm also relatively new to receiving Social Security benefits and had that exact same worry about hidden fees or deductions when I first noticed the discrepancy. It's actually reassuring to see how common this confusion is among new beneficiaries! You're absolutely right that 52 cents per month really does add up over time, especially when you're managing a fixed income. I also wish I had known about that timing strategy before filing - it's such valuable advice for anyone who hasn't applied yet. This community has been amazing for learning about all these little details that SSA doesn't explain well in their official materials. Thanks for sharing your experience - it helps to know we're all navigating these same learning curves together!
Join the conversation
UPDATE: You all were right! I finally got a letter in the mail today explaining the payment. It was indeed a Medicare IRMAA adjustment based on my 2023 tax return showing lower income than 2021. They had me in a higher premium bracket and are refunding the difference for the first part of 2024. Mystery solved! Thank you all for your help and suggestions!
free money!! congrats :
That's great news! IRMAA adjustments can be confusing but at least this one worked in your favor. It's always nerve-wracking when unexpected money shows up, but sounds like you can enjoy it guilt-free now. Thanks for updating us with the resolution!
This is exactly why I love this community - so helpful to see everyone's experiences! I had a similar surprise payment last year that turned out to be a windfall elimination provision (WEP) adjustment. The waiting and wondering is the worst part, but it sounds like most of these unexpected payments are legitimate corrections that work in our favor. Katherine, I'm glad you waited for the explanation rather than spending it immediately - that's always the smart move with SSA payments!
Absolutely agree! This community is so valuable for navigating these Social Security mysteries. I'm relatively new to receiving benefits and posts like Katherine's really help me understand what to expect. The WEP adjustment you mentioned is something I worry about since I have a government pension - did you get much advance notice before that adjustment happened, or was it also a surprise payment like Katherine's?
Join the conversation
One thing I learned the hard way - make sure to ask about what happens if your husband predeceases you. The survivor benefit rules are different from spousal benefits, and it could significantly impact your planning. As a widow, you could potentially receive 100% of your husband's benefit amount (including any delayed retirement credits he earned), but only if you wait until your Full Retirement Age. If you claim survivor benefits early, they're reduced. Also, if you do end up taking reduced spousal benefits at 62, that reduction doesn't carry over to survivor benefits - those are calculated separately. This might influence whether it makes sense to take reduced benefits now or wait. The SSA worker should be able to run scenarios for you showing spousal benefits versus survivor benefits at different claiming ages. And definitely ask for everything in writing before you leave! I made the mistake of trying to remember everything they told me and got confused later about what my actual options were.
This is such important information that I completely overlooked! The survivor benefits piece is crucial for long-term planning. I really appreciate you explaining that the reductions don't carry over - that's exactly the kind of detail that could make a huge difference in my decision. I'm definitely going to ask them to run those scenarios comparing spousal vs survivor benefits at different ages. It sounds like this decision is even more complex than I initially thought, but all these insights from everyone are helping me prepare much better for the appointment. I'll make sure to get everything in writing before I leave - seems like that's a common theme from everyone's experiences!
This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation and learning so much from everyone's experiences. One additional question you might want to ask is about the break-even analysis - at what age would waiting to claim benefits versus taking reduced benefits at 62 result in the same total lifetime benefit amount? This can help you understand the financial trade-offs if you're trying to decide between taking benefits early or waiting. Also, ask if they can explain how cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) work with reduced benefits. If you take a reduced benefit at 62, the annual COLA increases are applied to that reduced amount, so you're getting cost-of-living adjustments on a smaller base for the rest of your life. And here's something I wish I had known earlier - if you're still working part-time, ask about whether it makes sense to try to get a few more higher-earning years into your Social Security calculation. Your benefit is based on your highest 35 years of earnings, so if you have some very low or zero earning years in there, working a bit more now could potentially increase your own retirement benefit calculation. Bring a list of all your questions written down so you don't forget anything in the moment - these appointments can be information overload!
This is exactly the kind of detailed analysis I need! The break-even point question is brilliant - I hadn't thought about looking at it from a total lifetime benefit perspective. And you're absolutely right about the COLA adjustments being applied to a reduced base amount - that's a long-term impact I completely missed. The point about potentially improving my earnings record is really interesting too. I've been working part-time retail for the past few years, but my wages are definitely higher now than they were in the 1980s and 90s when I was working sporadically. I should ask them to show me my 35-year earnings history and see if continuing to work could bump out some of those really low earning years. Thank you for suggesting I write down all my questions - I'm going to make a comprehensive list from all the great advice in this thread. Between break-even analysis, COLA impacts, earnings record optimization, survivor benefits, tax implications, and all the other factors everyone has mentioned, this is way more complex than I originally thought! But I feel much better prepared now thanks to everyone sharing their experiences.
Join the conversation
As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this discussion with great interest! I'm still about 4 years away from my FRA but already starting to think about these timing decisions. This thread has been incredibly educational and has completely changed how I'm approaching retirement planning. What really stands out to me is how everyone's experiences demonstrate that the Social Security benefit amount difference (that 0.67% monthly increase) is almost negligible compared to the potential tax planning opportunities. The real-world examples shared here - like the $800 in tax savings and $2,000+ in Medicare premium avoidance - really put things in perspective. I'm particularly grateful for the practical tips about applying 3-4 months early to maintain flexibility in changing the start date. That seems like such a smart strategy that gives you time to optimize based on your actual year-end financial picture. One question I have for the group: for those who worked with financial advisors or tax professionals on this decision, how did you find someone who was truly knowledgeable about these Social Security timing strategies? Did you specifically look for retirement planning specialists, or were you able to work with your existing CPA/financial advisor? Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences - this discussion has become an invaluable resource for anyone facing similar timing decisions!
Welcome to the community, Gavin! Great question about finding knowledgeable advisors. From my experience researching this (I'm also a few years out from FRA), I've learned that you really want to look for either a CPA who specializes in retirement planning or a fee-only financial planner who works closely with tax professionals. The key questions to ask during initial consultations are: "How often do you help clients with Social Security timing decisions?" and "Can you model different scenarios showing the tax implications of various start dates?" Some regular CPAs are great with taxes but don't dive deep into Social Security optimization, while some financial planners understand the benefits but miss the tax nuances. The sweet spot seems to be finding someone who can look at your complete picture - SS benefits, other retirement income, tax brackets, and Medicare implications all together. Don't be afraid to interview a couple of different professionals before deciding. The consultation fees are well worth it given the potential savings everyone has shared in this thread!
As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through this entire discussion and it's been absolutely eye-opening! I'm about 6 years out from my FRA but this thread has already changed how I'm thinking about retirement timing decisions. What strikes me most is how this seemingly simple "December vs January" question has revealed so many interconnected financial considerations. The consensus seems clear that the actual SS benefit difference is minimal (0.67% or roughly $12-15/month), but the tax planning opportunities can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. I'm especially grateful for everyone who shared real dollar amounts - Sofia's $800 tax savings and Finley's $2,000+ Medicare premium avoidance really demonstrate why professional consultation is worth the investment. The IRMAA consideration was completely new to me and something I never would have thought to factor in. The strategy of applying 3-4 months early to preserve flexibility seems brilliant - it gives you that valuable option to optimize based on your actual year-end financial picture without any downside. One thing I'm curious about: has anyone here dealt with this timing decision while also coordinating spousal Social Security benefits? I'm wondering if there are additional considerations when both spouses are approaching FRA around the same time and trying to optimize the timing for both. Thanks to everyone who has made this such a comprehensive and valuable discussion!
CosmosCaptain
I'm new to this community but going through a very similar situation. My spouse passed away 3 months ago and I'm currently 60 years and 8 months old. This entire discussion has been incredibly enlightening - I had no idea about the monthly percentage increases and have been agonizing over whether to apply now or wait. Reading everyone's experiences, especially the real-world confirmation that SSA calculates benefits down to the exact month, gives me confidence that waiting these extra months has actually been worthwhile. But like several others mentioned, the emotional and financial stress of delaying is also taking its toll. What's been most valuable to me is seeing how people have balanced the mathematical optimization against their immediate needs and peace of mind. I think I'm ready to apply within the next month - those 8+ months of monthly increases should give me a decent bump over the base 71.5%, and I'm ready for the security of steady income. Thank you all for sharing such detailed personal experiences. This thread has been more helpful than multiple calls to SSA and countless hours trying to decipher their website. It's comforting to know there's a supportive community of people who truly understand what we're going through.
0 coins
Natasha Kuznetsova
•Welcome to the community, and I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you've really absorbed all the valuable information shared in this thread, and your decision to apply within the next month seems very well-reasoned. At 60 years and 8 months, you've already gained a meaningful increase over the base 71.5% - those extra months definitely weren't wasted time. Your point about balancing mathematical optimization against immediate needs really captures what I think is the most important takeaway from this entire discussion. While the numbers matter, the peace of mind and financial security of having that guaranteed monthly income often outweighs the potential gains from waiting longer. I'm glad this community could provide the clarity that SSA's official channels couldn't. It's amazing how much more helpful it is to hear from people who have actually walked this path versus trying to interpret confusing government websites. Wishing you the best as you move forward with your application - you're making a thoughtful decision based on solid information and your personal circumstances.
0 coins
Maya Patel
I'm new to this community but currently facing this exact same situation. My husband passed away 4 months ago and I just turned 60 last week. This entire thread has been absolutely invaluable - I've learned more from reading everyone's experiences here than from multiple frustrating phone calls to SSA. The confirmation that percentage increases happen MONTHLY rather than annually is huge for me. I've been debating whether to apply immediately or wait a few months, and now I understand that even waiting 3-4 months could give me a meaningful increase in my monthly benefit for life. What resonates most with me is how many of you have emphasized the importance of balancing the mathematical optimization with immediate financial and emotional needs. I've been living off savings since my husband passed, and while I can continue for a while longer, the stress of constantly analyzing the "perfect" timing is exhausting during an already overwhelming time. I think I'm going to apply within the next 2-3 months. This will give me a small boost over the base 71.5% from those extra months, but more importantly, it will provide the financial security and peace of mind I need to focus on grieving and rebuilding my life. Thank you all for sharing your personal experiences so openly - this community support means more than you know.
0 coins