One thing to keep in mind: even though Michigan doesn't tax Social Security benefits, your total income will affect whether your pension is taxable in Michigan. The rules depend on your birth year and filing status. For someone born after 1952, there's a limited pension/retirement income deduction once you reach age 67. For 2025, the deduction is around $22,000 for single filers and $45,000 for married filing jointly (these numbers get adjusted). So while your SS isn't taxed by Michigan, it might affect the taxation of your other retirement income. This might be why there was confusion.

I'm new to this community and dealing with a similar situation in Michigan. Just want to confirm what everyone else is saying - Michigan absolutely does NOT tax Social Security benefits. I called the Michigan Department of Treasury directly last month when I was getting conflicting information, and they confirmed this on the phone. The SSA agents sometimes get state tax rules mixed up, which is frustrating when you're trying to make important financial decisions. I ended up having 10% withheld for federal taxes, which seems to be working well for my situation. For anyone else dealing with this confusion, I'd recommend calling your state's tax department directly rather than relying on federal SSA agents for state-specific tax advice. They're great with federal rules but not always up to date on all 50 states' different tax policies.

call that brother and set him straight! family shouldnt do this to family especially when its ur own father trying to help u out. shame on him. ur dad needs to talk to the lender right away and explain the situation maybe they can work something out. credit unions are usually more understanding than big banks for this kinda thing

One more important thing: if your father is receiving ONLY Social Security retirement, he should send the creditor (and their attorneys if they have any) a formal letter stating that his only income is Social Security benefits, which are exempt from garnishment under 42 U.S.C. § 407. Include his Social Security award letter or benefit statements as proof. This won't stop them from pursuing legal action, but it puts them on notice that even if they win a judgment, collection will be difficult. Sometimes this is enough to get them to offer a much reduced settlement.

When I went through this process, the SSA office told me they prefer appointments for survivor benefit applications because they're more complex. I tried to apply online and ended up having to go in person anyway. Just a heads up - their website says 60 days for processing but mine took almost 4 months before I saw the first payment! And they were backdated to my application date, so it was a big lump sum. Make sure you have enough savings to tide you over while waiting.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I understand how frustrating the SSA can be to deal with during an already difficult time. Based on what you've shared, you should absolutely qualify for survivor benefits from your first husband. The key requirements are that your first marriage lasted at least 9 months (yours was 12 years), and you're currently unmarried - which you are. Your brief second marriage doesn't disqualify you at all since it ended in divorce. The SSA only cares about your current marital status when you apply, not past marriages that ended. A few practical tips from my own experience: Make an appointment rather than calling - it's much more efficient. Bring certified copies of all documents (both marriage certificates, both divorce decrees, your birth certificate). The SSA may already have your ex-husband's death information in their system, but ask when you schedule. At 62, you'll get about 71.5% of the full benefit, but given what you said about your work record, this might still be your best option. The agent can run calculations to show you different scenarios. Processing can take several months, so apply as soon as you're ready. Hang in there - you've got this!

Based on your latest comments, I'd recommend she gather all possible documentation (health insurance card, tax returns, medical visit summaries, photos, social media posts) and request another appointment. When she goes in, she should confidently (but politely) state: "I understand that under state inheritance laws, a child born during a legal marriage is presumed to be the legal child of the husband. I have our marriage certificate and birth certificate to establish this legal presumption." If they still insist on more proof, then ask them to provide the specific legal basis for requiring additional evidence beyond what state law recognizes, and request to speak with a Technical Expert. Document everything - who she spoke with, when, and what was said. This sounds like a case where an individual claims representative is applying stricter standards than necessary rather than an actual SSA policy issue.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. This situation is unfortunately more common than it should be. As someone who has dealt with SSA bureaucracy, I wanted to add a few things that might help your sister-in-law: 1. If she has any hospital records from when the baby was born that show your brother's name as the father, those can be very powerful evidence since they're created at the time of birth. 2. Consider checking if your brother had any life insurance policies through work that listed the baby as a beneficiary - this documentation often gets accepted. 3. Bank statements showing your brother made deposits or payments for baby-related expenses can also help establish the father-child relationship. The key is to bring multiple forms of evidence rather than relying on just one document. SSA representatives seem to feel more confident approving claims when they see a "pattern" of evidence rather than a single piece of documentation. Also, if possible, try to schedule the appointment for earlier in the day when the staff is less overwhelmed and more likely to take time to properly review everything. Best of luck to your family!

If he's registered on the my Social Security website (SSA.gov), he should be able to view his entire earnings history and benefit estimates. The site will show his PIA (the amount at his FRA) as well as reduced and increased amounts at different claim ages. Alternatively, he can request a Social Security Statement by filing Form SSA-7004, which will show this information. Either option is more accurate than our calculations since SSA has his complete earnings record and can calculate the exact amount.

Just wanted to add another option that might help - you can also call the SSA automated phone system at 1-800-772-1213 and use the automated service to get some basic benefit information without speaking to a representative. It's available 24/7 and can provide your uncle's current benefit amount and payment history. While it won't give you the detailed breakdown of what his FRA amount would have been, it might give you some additional information to verify your calculations. The automated system is much easier to access than trying to reach a live agent, and it's a good starting point before deciding whether you need to pursue other options like the online account or visiting an office.