Thanks everyone for the advice. I tried that Claimyr service mentioned above and actually got through to SSA this morning! The agent said for my situation (I'm affected by WEP), I need to send a copy of my updated pension statement showing both the previous amount and new amount after COLA. She said I could either upload it through my MySocialSecurity Message Center (she walked me through where to find it) or fax it to my local office. She also made a note in my file that I called about this. Feeling much better now that I know what to do!

Great to hear you got through and got clear instructions! For others reading this thread, I want to emphasize what @NightOwl42 said about keeping copies. I've been dealing with SSA for years and documentation is EVERYTHING. When you upload through the Message Center, take a screenshot showing it was successfully submitted. If you fax, keep the transmission report. And always note down the date, time, and name of any agent you speak with. SSA's record-keeping isn't perfect, so having your own paper trail can save you major headaches down the road if there are any disputes later.

This has been such an enlightening discussion! I'm 63 and starting to plan my Social Security strategy, and I had the exact same confusion about FRA timing. Reading through everyone's experiences really clarifies things. One additional resource I wanted to share - the SSA has a retirement estimator tool on their website (ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/estimator.html) that can help you see how your monthly benefit amount changes based on when you file. It's pretty helpful for comparing scenarios like filing at 62 vs FRA vs waiting until 70. Also, for those mentioning spousal benefits - don't forget that if you're eligible for both your own retirement benefit and spousal benefits, SSA will automatically pay you the higher of the two amounts. You can't "stack" both benefits, but they'll make sure you get the maximum you're entitled to. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge. It's so much better getting real-world advice from people who've actually navigated this process!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 63 and was completely confused about the FRA timing until reading through everyone's responses. Like many others here, I thought I had to wait until my actual birthday in the relevant month. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - I recently attended a Social Security workshop at my local library (many libraries offer these for free), and the presenter emphasized the importance of creating a "my Social Security" account online at ssa.gov. You can see your exact FRA date, your estimated benefits, and your complete earnings history. It's really useful for catching any errors in your earnings record before you file. Also, regarding the discussion about coordinating with other retirement accounts - I've been working with a fee-only financial planner on this exact issue. One strategy she mentioned is the "Social Security bridge" approach, where you use other retirement funds to "bridge" the gap if you delay Social Security past your FRA. The key is making sure you have enough liquidity in non-Social Security accounts to cover your expenses during the delay period. The tax implications are definitely complex, especially when you factor in how Social Security benefits can become taxable and affect Medicare premiums. It's worth running the numbers for your specific situation rather than just following general rules of thumb. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community knowledge is invaluable!

I'm dealing with something very similar right now with my sister's case! She was approved for both SSI and SSDI in February, and we're getting the exact same runaround about the backpay. The SSA representative told us "you can't get both" which is completely wrong - you can absolutely receive concurrent benefits. What's really helped us is keeping detailed records of every phone call (date, time, representative name if they give it, and exactly what was said). We also started requesting supervisor callbacks instead of just accepting what the first person tells us. One thing that might help your brother - if he has any advocacy organizations in your area that help with disability cases, they often know exactly how to navigate these SSA errors. The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) has a directory of advocates who specialize in these situations. Don't let them wear you down - your brother is absolutely entitled to that backpay from both programs!

I was volunteering helping the homeless at a clothing center, I tripped fell and didn't sue. Dec 7 2023. I broke my leg in 27 places. This had been a battle. I was denied back pay, here in Pulaski County, for my mother passed and there's no home on this property, because there's no will, it's considered cash value of $2200. There's no home only a barn. I truly need my back pay. I have Haight a long hard battle staying in the barn and with friends and family after my injury. Nothing is there only a security light and a barn.

I went through this exact same situation a few years ago when I turned 62! Like everyone else has mentioned, the restricted application strategy unfortunately doesn't work anymore for people born after January 1, 1954. I had the same misconception and was really disappointed when I learned about the deemed filing rules. Since your own benefit at FRA ($2,100) is already higher than what you could get in spousal benefits (50% of your husband's $2,800 = $1,400), you're actually in a pretty good position. The spousal benefit wouldn't help you anyway since your own earned benefit is higher. I ended up waiting until my FRA to claim, and I'm glad I did. The peace of mind of getting my full benefit amount was worth it for me. Just make sure you factor in your health, family longevity, and current financial needs when making your decision. Good luck!

I'm in a very similar situation and have been researching this extensively! You're right to be confused - there's a lot of outdated information floating around about Social Security strategies that don't work anymore. As others have mentioned, the restricted application strategy ended with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. But here's something that might help with your decision-making: since your own benefit ($2,100 at FRA) is already higher than what you'd get in spousal benefits anyway, you're essentially choosing between taking your reduced benefit now versus your full benefit later (or even larger if you wait until 70). I've been using the SSA's online calculators and also found a really helpful break-even analysis tool on their website. For most people in our situation, if you expect to live past about age 78-80, waiting until FRA usually comes out ahead financially. One thing I'd suggest is creating an account on ssa.gov if you haven't already - you can see your exact benefit estimates at different claiming ages, which might help you make a more informed decision based on your specific numbers rather than estimates.

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I made some calls today based on your suggestions. Found out that Illinois does have a Community Care Program that might help with some of my daughter's expenses. Also planning to try that Claimyr service tomorrow to get through to SSA about the spousal benefits question - still a bit confused about how the math works there. I'll update once I know more in case it helps someone else in a similar situation.

Great to hear you're making progress! The Illinois Community Care Program is definitely worth pursuing - they often have waitlists but can provide valuable support. When you call SSA through Claimyr, I'd suggest having a list of specific questions written down beforehand, including your exact benefit amounts and dates. That way you can get precise calculations rather than general guidance. Also ask them to walk through the spousal benefit math step-by-step so you understand exactly what to expect when you reach FRA. Looking forward to your update - these complex benefit interactions affect so many families and real-world examples are incredibly helpful for others navigating the same challenges.