I'm dealing with something very similar! Filed for retirement in December and they found 3 missing years from when I was doing contract work. It's been about 2.5 months since I submitted everything and still waiting. The lack of communication is the most frustrating part - you'd think they could at least send an update saying "we received your documents and they're in the queue." From what I've learned lurking in this community, it seems like the Earnings Modernization Department is severely backlogged. A friend who works at SSA (not in that department) told me they're still processing cases from last fall. One thing I discovered is that if you call and specifically ask for a "case status inquiry" rather than just asking about your application, sometimes you get routed to someone who can actually see more details about where your case stands in the process. The waiting is brutal when you don't know if those missing years will make a meaningful difference to your monthly benefit, but at this point we're all in too deep to give up!

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed for retirement in October and discovered 4 missing years from the early 2000s when I was working multiple part-time jobs. Submitted all my W-2s and tax returns in November and it's now been over 4 months with zero communication from SSA. What's really frustrating is that when I log into my SSA account, it just shows my application as "pending" with no details about what stage it's in or estimated timeline. I've called three times and gotten three different answers about processing times - one agent said 60-90 days, another said up to 6 months, and the third one had no idea and just kept saying "it's being processed." The uncertainty is killing me because those missing years were from when I was working in tech during the dot-com boom, so the earnings were actually pretty decent. They could potentially bump up my monthly benefit significantly, but I have no way of knowing until this whole process finally gets resolved. Has anyone had luck getting more specific information by visiting their local SSA office in person rather than calling? I'm wondering if face-to-face might get better results than the phone representatives who seem to have limited access to case details.

I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. Losing your spouse after 38 years is incredibly difficult, and having to navigate bureaucracy during this time just adds to the pain. Everyone here has given you excellent advice - you're absolutely right that the SSA website is confusing about this. I went through the same frustration when helping my mother apply for survivor benefits. Unfortunately, widow/widower benefits cannot be completed entirely online - you will need to call SSA to start the process. Here's what made it easier for us: Call early morning (around 8:30 AM) on Tuesday through Thursday. Have your husband's death certificate, both Social Security numbers, your marriage certificate, and bank account info ready. Most importantly, tell the representative right at the beginning that you're recently widowed and feeling overwhelmed - they're trained to be extra patient and thorough in these situations. Don't put pressure on yourself to make any decisions during that first call. The representative should explain all your options, including whether it might make sense to take reduced survivor benefits now at 63 or wait until full retirement age. They can also tell you about the possibility of taking your own retirement benefit first and switching to survivor benefits later if that works out better financially. You mentioned your neighbor suggested applying online - while the initial application requires a phone call, once you get started, some parts of the process may be completed through your MySocialSecurity account online. Take it one step at a time. You don't have to figure everything out at once. This community is here to support you through this difficult process.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Losing your husband after nearly four decades together is heartbreaking, and trying to navigate government systems while grieving feels impossible - your feelings are completely valid. Everyone here has given you excellent guidance, and I want to echo their advice: unfortunately, survivor benefits cannot be applied for entirely online. The SSA system requires phone verification for widow/widower benefits, which is frustrating but necessary for their process. Here's what helped when I assisted my neighbor through this same situation last year: Call on a Tuesday or Wednesday around 9 AM for shorter hold times. Have a glass of water nearby, your husband's death certificate, both SSNs, marriage certificate, and banking information within reach. Start the call by saying "I'm recently widowed and need to apply for survivor benefits - I'm feeling overwhelmed with this process." This immediately signals to the representative that you may need extra patience and thorough explanations. Remember, this first call is just to begin the application and understand your options. They should explain the difference between taking reduced benefits now at 63 versus waiting until your full retirement age, and whether there are any strategies involving your own work record that might be beneficial. You're already doing the hardest part by reaching out and gathering information. Take this one step at a time, and don't hesitate to ask the representative to repeat anything or explain it differently if needed. You've got an entire community here supporting you through this difficult process.

As someone who recently went through this same decision process, I can confirm what others have shared - the retroactive payment option is definitely a trade-off you need to carefully consider. I was in a similar situation last year (born in 1961, so FRA of 67) and ultimately decided against the retroactive payment after running the numbers. The key insight for me was realizing that even though SSA presents it as "getting money you're entitled to," you're actually trading higher lifetime benefits for a lump sum now. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also consider the tax implications. That retroactive lump sum will be added to your taxable income for the year you receive it, which could potentially bump you into a higher tax bracket or affect other income-based benefits like Medicare premiums. For someone with your birth year (1960), the math is pretty clear - if you're in decent health and don't have an immediate financial emergency, skipping the retroactive payment will almost certainly leave you better off in the long run. The reduction might seem small on a monthly basis, but it compounds significantly over a 20+ year retirement. Good luck with your decision! It sounds like you're doing your research, which puts you ahead of many people who just take whatever SSA offers without understanding the long-term implications.

I just went through this exact decision process myself last month! Born in 1960 as well, so I totally understand the confusion around FRA timing and retroactive benefits. What really helped me was sitting down with a calculator and mapping out the actual dollar impact over different time periods. Like others mentioned, that 3.33% reduction might not sound like much, but when you're looking at 20-25 years of retirement, it really adds up. I also want to echo what someone said about being very explicit when you file. The SSA rep I spoke with was really pushing the retroactive option and kept saying "you're leaving money on the table." I had to firmly decline multiple times and ask them to note in my file that I specifically did NOT want any retroactive benefits. One tip that helped me - I actually wrote down my key points before the appointment: "Filing at FRA in January 2026, NO retroactive benefits, want full monthly amount." Having it written down kept me focused when they started their sales pitch about the lump sum. You're making the right choice by doing your homework first. So many people just go with whatever SSA recommends without realizing the long-term impact. Good luck with your filing next year!

my wifes on medicare and we get so confused with all the paperwork they send. ss and medicare need to get there systems working together better

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! My Social Security benefit is only $154/month due to WEP from my teacher's pension, and I've been getting the runaround between SSA and Medicare for months. What's really frustrating is that when I first enrolled, nobody explained how the billing would work with such a small benefit. I finally got through to someone at Medicare last week (after trying for literally 6 weeks), and they told me I should have been receiving quarterly statements but their system shows my account as "premium handled by SSA" even though my benefit doesn't cover the full amount. The representative couldn't even tell me how much I might owe in back premiums! Has anyone found a specific department or phone number at Medicare that actually understands these WEP situations? The regular customer service line keeps transferring me around and nobody seems to know what they're talking about when I mention partial premium withholding.

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your situation really resonates with me. My father-in-law was in an almost identical position - 67 with no official work history and untreated anxiety issues. We successfully got him on SSI about two years ago, and it made such a difference in all our lives. What I learned is that the age qualification (65+) is actually much easier than the disability route - you don't need medical records or extensive documentation of his mental health issues, though they can help. The key is just proving he's over 65, has limited income/resources, and is a citizen. One thing that helped tremendously was bringing a trusted family member (in your case, you) to the interview as moral support. SSA allows this and the interviewer was very understanding about his anxiety. We also scheduled the appointment for mid-morning when he was typically calmer. The reduced payment due to living with you ($645-ish instead of the full amount) is still significant when someone has zero income. Plus the automatic Medicaid eligibility opened doors to mental health services he'd been avoiding for years. Start the process now - even if it takes months to complete, benefits are retroactive to the application date. You're being an incredible advocate for your brother, and there really is help available for people in exactly his situation.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some hope from a similar experience. My stepfather was in almost the exact same situation at 68 - no work history, severe social anxiety, and living with family. We were able to get him approved for SSI within about 4 months of applying. The key things that helped us: - Applied online first to get most of the paperwork done without pressure - Contacted our local Area Agency on Aging for an advocate to help navigate the process - Emphasized his age qualification (65+) rather than trying to document disability - Prepared a simple folder with his birth certificate, Social Security card, and a letter explaining his living situation The interview was much less scary than we expected. The SSA worker was patient and understanding about his anxiety. We were allowed to sit with him for support, and she explained everything clearly. Yes, his payment is reduced because he lives with family (around $650/month), but combined with Medicaid and SNAP benefits, it's given him dignity and independence he never had before. More importantly, it took the financial stress off our family. Don't wait to apply - the sooner you start, the sooner benefits can begin. Your brother is lucky to have someone who cares so much advocating for him. This is exactly what SSI was created for, and there really is light at the end of this tunnel!