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Amina Sy
my uncle said something about requesting a recalculation but that was years ago, maybe its all automatic now?
Yeah it's automatic now - they do it every year. Your uncle probably had to request it in the old days before everything was computerized. The SSA systems handle it all now without you having to do anything.
Emma Davis
To give you more technical details: SSA calls this process the Automatic Earnings Reappraisal Operation (AERO). It happens automatically every year, usually completed by September or October, and any increase will be reflected in your December payment (received in January of the following year). The calculation is based on your highest 35 years of indexed earnings. Each new year of substantial earnings has the potential to replace a lower-earning year in that calculation, which would increase your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The actual increase you'll see depends on several factors, including how your current earnings compare to your previous 35 highest years after indexing for inflation. For many people continuing to work at your age, the increases are modest but worthwhile - typically 0.5% to 2% per year of additional work.
Paolo Rizzo
•Thank you for explaining the AERO process - that's exactly the kind of technical explanation I was looking for! I appreciate knowing the specific timeline of when to expect any potential increases.
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I don't know why everyone's making this so complicated. Just file for your own benefits now and if the ex-spouse benefit is higher they'll adjust it automatically. That's what my cousin did. Waiting until 67 is ridiculous anyway, birds in hand people!!!
This is actually incorrect advice that could cost thousands of dollars over a lifetime. Filing early permanently reduces benefits, and there's no automatic adjustment to the higher benefit later. Once you file, the reduction is permanent. For someone with average life expectancy, waiting until FRA or even age 70 often provides significantly more lifetime income. Each situation is different, which is precisely why the original poster needs accurate benefit estimates before making a decision.
Diego Fisher
Don't forget they have that stupid earnings test too if your working!!! If you claim benefits before FRA and earn over the limit (like $21k or something for 2025) they take back $1 for every $2 you earn above that amount. ROBBERY!!!
Evelyn Kim
•That's a good point about the earnings test. I'm only working part-time now, making about $18k annually, so I should be under that limit. But definitely something to factor into the decision.
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Julian Paolo
OMG I've been trying to figure out this exact same thing!!! I'm 66 and so confused about when to take my SS. My husband wants me to wait but I don't think he understands that we might not live long enough for it to matter? Both my parents died at 78 so I'm really worried about waiting too long. Did any of those calculators people mentioned actually help you make a decision yet???
Noah Irving
•One consideration for married couples is that the lower-earning spouse will inherit the higher-earning spouse's benefit amount when they pass away. So if your husband's benefit is significantly higher than yours, it might make more sense for him to delay (to maximize what you'd get as a survivor) and for you to claim earlier. This is called a "split strategy" and it can be very effective.
KhalilStar
Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! I checked out the Open Social Security calculator and it was really enlightening. Based on my family history and current financial needs, I've decided to go ahead and claim my benefits now at FRA. Having that steady $2,750 coming in monthly will ease my immediate financial concerns and let me leave my investments alone during this volatile market. If I end up being the family outlier who lives past 85, I might slightly regret this decision, but the peace of mind now seems worth it. Really appreciate all the perspectives here - gave me a lot to think about beyond just the basic break-even calculation!
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Just to follow up on my earlier comment - I should clarify that what you're looking for is sometimes specifically called a "Medicare Premium Bill Statement" (for those who pay premiums directly) or a "Benefit Rate and Medicare Premium Notice" (for those with premiums deducted from Social Security). I recommend calling and using these exact terms. When you reach a representative, explain that you need documentation showing your Social Security benefit amount WITH the Medicare premium deduction clearly itemized for a housing application. They can generate this document for you.
Laura Lopez
•Thank you for the clarification and exact terminology! That will be really helpful when I call. I'll make sure to use those specific terms so they know exactly what I need.
I went through this frustrating process last year for my mortgage refinance! The SSA website is terrible for getting detailed statements. After THREE failed attempts calling SSA (kept getting disconnected after 1+ hour waits), I finally got through to someone who told me I needed to request a "BPQY" (Benefits Planning Query). This showed everything - my full SS benefit, Medicare deduction, and final payment amount. But honestly, in the end, my lender accepted my benefit verification letter combined with my bank statement showing the deposits. Much easier approach if your housing folks will accept it.
Laura Lopez
•A BPQY? I've never heard of that before! It's amazing how many different forms they have that aren't clearly explained anywhere. I'll try calling tomorrow and will mention that as well if the other document names don't work. Thank you!
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Leo Simmons
Social security is so confusing! I thought retirement age was 65 but now its like 67 for most people? the whole system needs to be simplified
Lindsey Fry
•You're right that it can be confusing. Full Retirement Age (FRA) varies based on your birth year. For those born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67. For those born between 1943 and 1954, it's 66. And for those born between 1955 and 1959, it increases gradually from 66 and 2 months to 66 and 10 months. The original 65 age hasn't applied to anyone retiring in quite some time.
Lilly Curtis
One more thing I forgot to mention - if you DO get an overpayment notice (I HOPE YOU DON'T!), immediately file for a waiver! Even if you know you might have gone over slightly. The waiver process buys you time to gather MORE evidence about your work activity. When I dealt with this, I eventually had to PHYSICALLY GO to the local office with printouts of EVERYTHING - invoices, bank statements with deposits highlighted, my work calendar. The system is SO BROKEN for self-employed people!!!
That's a great tip about requesting a waiver - I wouldn't have thought of that. I'm taking detailed notes on everything you and others have suggested. I really hope to avoid that scenario, but it's good to be prepared just in case.
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Yara Nassar
Regarding ensuring your sister receives her personal needs allowance: The best practice is to have a written agreement with the facility about how they'll provide her personal allowance. Some facilities give residents a monthly check, others maintain an internal resident account where they credit the allowance amount. You should clarify: 1. How and when she'll receive her personal allowance 2. How she'll access those funds for personal items 3. What documentation you'll receive showing the proper allocation As her advocate, you have the right to request monthly statements showing how her Social Security payment was applied.
StarSailor}
•Thank you - this is extremely helpful. I'll draft up something in writing about the personal allowance arrangement before completing the Rep Payee application. Really appreciate everyone's advice on navigating this complex situation.
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Emma Wilson
my neighbor got 2 checks then they stopped sending any for 3 months said they paid him 2 much. ss is a mess rn
UPDATE: Called SSA this morning (finally got through after using Claimyr - thanks for that tip!) and they confirmed it's exactly what some of you suggested. Because my Medicare enrollment was processed after my SS benefits started, they couldn't deduct it from my first payment. The check is for me to pay Medicare directly just for this month, and starting next month they'll automatically deduct it from my SS payment. The agent said I should receive instructions in the mail in the next few days on how to make the payment to Medicare. Mystery solved! Thanks everyone for your help!
Ravi Sharma
•Glad you got it sorted out! This is exactly what happened to my sister-in-law last year. Once the automatic deductions start, you shouldn't have any more issues with this.
Great news! Thanks for updating the thread. This will help others who encounter the same situation.
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this is super important advice!! my local office starts lining up at like 7:30am even tho they dont open till 9. its crazy
Yara Nassar
Wow, I had no idea it was that bad. I'll definitely plan to get there early. Thanks for the heads up!
Filing for Social Security at 64 while on unemployment - timing question and spousal benefit confusion
I just got laid off last week at age 64 (and a half) and trying to figure out the best timing between unemployment benefits and Social Security. My state allows collecting both, but I'm confused about WHEN to apply for each.Unemployment benefits start March 15th for me, but they're pathetically low ($375/week max) and only last 26 weeks. I was thinking about filing for SS with an April 1st start date.My questions:1) Should I wait until my unemployment is approved FIRST before applying for SS?2) Will starting SS now permanently reduce my benefit compared to waiting until FRA?3) If I DO find a good job in the next few months, I know I can withdraw my SS application within 12 months if I repay everything - but is this process complicated?My situation: I'm the lower earner (my husband is 62, still working full-time). He'll eventually get 3 different pensions plus his own SS when he retires in a few years. I'm not feeling super optimistic about finding another job at my age, which is why I'm considering SS now rather than waiting until 66+.Any advice on the timing between unemployment and SS would be so helpful!
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Nia Thompson
OMG YES the ss website is the WORST! i had to start my application over 3 times because it kept timing out or giving errors. and then when i finally submitted it, i got some weird message that made no sense. ended up having to call them anyway. government websites are so frustrating!!
Since it hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand that Social Security benefits might be partially taxable depending on your combined income. If your provisional income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + 1/2 of Social Security benefits) exceeds certain thresholds, up to 85% of your benefits could be subject to federal income tax.With your unemployment benefits, any part-time work, and your husband's income, you might hit these thresholds, so it's worth factoring that into your calculations.
Aisha Hussain
why is everything with ssa so complicated!!! i swear they make it confusing on purpose so people give up trying to understand. happens with EVERYTHING not just medicare stuff
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Ethan Clark
•EXACTLY! Their systems are from the stone age and nobody there seems to understand how anything works either. Every time I call I get a different answer to the same question.
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Nia Wilson
One more thing - double check your February payment to make sure everything is correct going forward. Make sure they're deducting the right amount for Medicare Part B and that your withholding percentage is being calculated AFTER the Medicare deduction, not before. The first couple months of benefits often have little glitches that need to be fixed.
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NebulaNomad
•That's excellent advice - I'll definitely check all the math on my February payment when it arrives. Thanks for the heads up!
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