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
One important clarification that might help you understand the timing: Social Security benefits are paid one month in arrears. This means your May benefit is paid in June, your June benefit is paid in July, and so on. Also, to be eligible for a benefit for a particular month, you need to be eligible for the entire month. Since benefits begin the month you reach your eligible age (in your case, 63), your first benefit would be for your birthday month, but paid the following month. The exact payment date within that month depends on your birth date (as others have mentioned). Since you said you're turning 63 next month, your first payment would indeed come two months after your birthday month.
AND they don't tell you ANY of this when you apply!!! They just leave you hanging and wondering where your money is!!! The SSA needs to be more TRANSPARENT about their ridiculous payment schedule!!!
Thank you everyone for the helpful explanations! I finally understand how the payment schedule works now. I called SSA again using that Claimyr service someone suggested and got through right away. The agent confirmed that my first payment will be in July (since my birthday is in May), and it'll come on the third Wednesday since I was born on the 18th. I'm going to have to dip into my emergency fund to cover the next couple months, but at least now I can plan accordingly. I really wish they had explained this better when I applied!
Join the conversation
wont this mess up your earnings record when you do eventually file for benefits? my uncle did something like this and said it caused all kinds of problems with his benefit calculation later.
No, withdrawing an application won't negatively affect your earnings record or future benefit calculations. In fact, returning to work will likely increase your future benefit amount! The SSA uses your highest 35 years of earnings to calculate benefits, so additional years of good earnings can replace lower-earning years in the calculation. Your uncle may have experienced a different issue - perhaps related to the Windfall Elimination Provision if he had a pension from non-covered employment.
Update: I called SSA this morning (was on hold for over an hour) but finally got through. The agent confirmed everything you all said - I need to submit Form SSA-521 before my April entitlement date, and yes, this does count as my one-lifetime withdrawal even though I haven't received payments yet. They're mailing me the form today, but the agent also mentioned I could download it from ssa.gov and submit it immediately. I'm going to do that and also mail a copy with delivery confirmation. Thanks everyone for your help! Can't wait to rejoin the working world (never thought I'd say that!).
Social Security annual statement missing for 2025 - anyone else waiting?
Is anyone else still waiting for their 2025 Social Security statement? Mine is nowhere to be found and I'm getting worried. I usually receive it by early February but we're well into March now and nothing has shown up. I've checked my online account at mysocialsecurity.gov but there's no updated statement there either. Just says 'Your statement is being processed' when I try to view it. I'm 59 and planning my retirement in the next few years, so I really need to see those updated earnings numbers and benefit estimates. Starting to wonder if it's lost in the mail or if there's some kind of system-wide delay this year. Has anyone successfully received theirs yet?
Join the conversation
Thanks for the update! This is really helpful information. I'll try calling during those recommended time slots. My SSN ends in 64 - I wonder if that means I'll be in an earlier or later batch?
According to what I was told, they're processing in 10-digit groups, starting with 00-09, then 10-19, etc. So ends in 64 would be in the 7th batch (60-69). They're currently working on the 40-49 group, moving through about one group every 3-4 days. So your batch should be processed in about two weeks if you don't call in.
Join the conversation
wait they still use paper checks? I thought everything was direct deposit now
The OP didn't mention paper checks. They're talking about the amount that gets direct deposited to their bank account being $1 less than what's shown on their benefit verification letter. Most people do use direct deposit now - paper checks are rare except in special circumstances.
Thank you all for the helpful responses! I checked my verification letter again and noticed it does show cents ($1,648.72) while my deposit is exactly $1,648. Mystery solved - it's the rounding that several of you mentioned. Such a relief to know this is normal and not an error or fraud! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this to me.
Glad you got it figured out! This is a very common question that confuses many beneficiaries. SSA could probably do a better job explaining the rounding policy on their statements to avoid causing unnecessary worry.
Join the conversation
The IRMAA thresholds for 2025 haven't been announced yet, but for 2024, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $174.70, with IRMAA surcharges starting at incomes above $103,000 for single filers. Since your income will be much lower in 2025 after retirement, filing the SSA-44 promptly will save you from paying the higher premium amounts based on your 2023 income.
Wow those premiums keep going up! My mom paid like $140 last year and now it's $174?? That's a huge increase for people on fixed incomes!
Thank you all so much for the helpful advice! I'm feeling much better about this now. I'll definitely file the SSA-44 form immediately after retiring to report the life-changing event. And I'll be careful to account for any non-SS income like interest when estimating my 2025 income. I'm glad I asked because I had no idea they initially use a 2-year lookback period! That would have resulted in much higher premiums than I budgeted for. This forum has been incredibly helpful.
Join the conversation
One more important point that hasn't been mentioned: If you claim spousal benefits early, you'll be subject to TWO reductions: 1. The reduction for claiming spousal benefits before your FRA (approximately 32.5% at age 62) 2. The earnings test reduction based on your work income Here's what I recommend you consider: - Option 1: Claim at 62, accept both reductions, but start receiving some benefits - Option 2: Reduce your work hours to stay under the earnings limit ($22,320 in 2025) - Option 3: Wait until your FRA to avoid both reductions entirely It's really a math problem based on your financial needs and longevity expectations. If you need the income now, Option 1 or 2 might make sense. If you can wait, Option 3 maximizes your lifetime benefits.
dont forget that if ur husband passes away u can switch to survivors benefits!!! thats why my sister waited, her husband is 12 yrs older
Thank you all for this helpful info! I think I'm going to run some actual numbers based on what you've shared. It seems like I have three choices: 1. File at 62, take the permanent reduction AND deal with earnings test reductions 2. Keep working but reduce hours to stay under that $22,320 limit 3. Just wait until my FRA to avoid all these complications I'm leaning toward option 3 now that I understand better. One more question though - when my husband files at 70, does that mean I need to file something with SSA right away to establish myself as eligible for spousal benefits later? Or can I just wait until I reach FRA and then apply?
You don't need to file anything when your husband applies. When you're ready to claim spousal benefits (whether at 62 or at your FRA), you'll submit your own application. The SSA will then establish the spousal relationship at that time. Your husband just needs to be receiving his benefits before you can receive spousal benefits on his record.
Join the conversation
This is a perfect example of why the "file as a survivor early, then switch to your own at 70" strategy doesn't always work. Many financial advisors push this as the universal best strategy, but it completely depends on the relative amounts of your benefit vs. your deceased spouse's. In your case, your own benefit was substantially lower than your wife's, so the reverse strategy made more sense - take your own reduced benefit early, then switch to the higher survivor benefit at FRA. One clarification: survivor benefits reach their maximum at your survivor FRA, while your own retirement benefits continue growing until age 70. This different growth timeline creates opportunities for strategic claiming that most people miss.
wait so survivor benefits DON'T grow after FRA?? i thought everything kept growing til 70??! nobody told me this when i was deciding!!
Correct - survivor benefits reach their maximum at your survivor FRA (which varies depending on your birth year, generally between 66-67). They do NOT earn delayed retirement credits after that point. In contrast, your own retirement benefit DOES continue growing by 8% per year from your FRA until age 70. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Social Security and unfortunately leads to people waiting too long for survivor benefits, thinking they're still increasing when they're not.
I just want to thank everyone for their insights! The Social Security system is so complicated, and it helps to hear from others who've navigated it. One thing I didn't mention in my original post - I almost gave up waiting about 2 years ago when my car broke down and I needed a new roof. Those were tough months living on my small retirement benefit. But I'm glad I stuck with the plan. For those currently deciding, don't forget to factor in Medicare premiums when you turn 65 - that was an expense I hadn't properly calculated and it took a bite out of my budget!
The Medicare premiums surprised me too! And if your income goes up too much (like from taking a larger SS benefit), you can get hit with IRMAA surcharges that make Medicare even more expensive. Did that affect you at all with the higher survivor benefit?
Fortunately no IRMAA issues for me yet, but you're right to mention it! My total income still keeps me in the lower brackets for Medicare premiums. But it's definitely something others should research if they have other income sources besides Social Security.
Join the conversation
Just to clarify some confusion in this thread - there are two separate processes at work here: 1. The automatic adjustment - this SHOULD happen without you doing anything after your tax return is processed. The IRS sends earnings data to SSA, and they're supposed to reconcile the withholding. 2. The manual request - if the automatic process fails (which unfortunately happens more often than it should), you can request a manual earnings test recalculation. For the manual process, you'll need to provide proof of your actual earnings (W-2s, tax return, etc.). You can submit this request by phone, but as others have mentioned, getting through can be challenging. If you don't see the adjustment by August, I'd recommend trying to contact them. The adjustment would come as a separate payment, not added to your regular benefit.
Thank you for breaking it down so clearly! I'll wait till August to see if the automatic process works for me. If not, sounds like I need to gather my tax documents and either call or visit an office. I appreciate everyone's help!
THE SSA NEVER GIVES YOU BACK YOUR MONEY WITHOUT A FIGHT!!!! I had the EXACT same situation and they claimed they never got my income information from the IRS even though I filed my taxes on time!!!! Had to go to my local office THREE TIMES to get it straightened out and they acted like they were doing me a favor giving me MY OWN MONEY back!!!! The whole system is designed to STEAL from seniors!!!!!
While there can certainly be frustrating delays and mistakes in the process, I want to assure folks that the SSA does routinely process these adjustments correctly for many beneficiaries. The system isn't perfect, but it's not designed to deliberately withhold funds people are entitled to. If the automatic process doesn't work in your case, definitely follow up, but many people do receive their adjustments without issues.
Eve Freeman
My neighbor just went through this same situation after her husband died. She said she ended up calling her congressional representative's office and they helped her get an expedited appointment with Social Security. Might be worth trying if you're really stuck!
0 coins
Everett Tutum
Update: I tried the Claimyr service that someone recommended above, and I actually got through to a Social Security rep this morning! Only had to wait about 15 minutes after they connected me. I've now got my survivor benefits application started. The rep was very helpful and I've got an in-person appointment next week to bring in my documents. Thank you everyone for all your suggestions and support!
0 coins
Melissa Lin
•That's awesome! Glad you got through. Did you have to wait long for them to call you back?
0 coins
Everett Tutum
•No, the whole process took less than an hour total. Way better than the 2+ hours I would've been on hold otherwise. And since they called me when they reached a rep, I didn't have to worry about my spotty cell service dropping the call during a long hold time.
0 coins