I'm dealing with similar spinal issues and wanted to share something that might help with your decision-making process. Since you mentioned your boss is starting to notice productivity issues, have you considered talking to HR about requesting reasonable accommodations under the ADA before making any major employment decisions? Things like a sit/stand desk, more frequent breaks, or even working from home a few days a week could help you maintain your job longer while you're going through the disability application process. This creates a paper trail showing you tried to continue working with accommodations, which can actually strengthen your SSDI case by demonstrating that even with workplace modifications, your conditions prevent you from maintaining substantial gainful activity. Also, given your upcoming laminectomy, make sure your surgeon documents in detail your current functional limitations and expected recovery timeline. Post-surgical complications or incomplete recovery can be significant factors in disability determinations, especially when you're already dealing with multiple conditions affecting different body systems. The fact that you're 59 with 35 years of work history puts you in a strong position under the medical-vocational guidelines if your conditions prevent you from doing any work you've done in the past 15 years. Don't lose hope - the process is daunting but your situation sounds like it has merit.

I want to echo what others have said about documentation being absolutely critical. As someone who went through the SSDI process with multiple conditions (though different from yours), I can't stress enough how important it is to be completely honest with your doctors about your pain levels and limitations. One thing I learned the hard way is that SSA doesn't just look at your individual conditions - they also consider the cumulative effect of multiple impairments. In your case, the combination of severe TMJ affecting eating/speaking, spinal issues requiring multiple surgeries, GERD with Barrett's, and fibromyalgia creates a compelling picture of someone whose overall functioning is significantly compromised. Since you're still working full-time, consider keeping a detailed daily log of how your symptoms affect your work performance - times you had to take breaks due to pain, days you couldn't concentrate because of medication side effects, instances where TMJ made it difficult to communicate with colleagues, etc. This real-world evidence of how your conditions impact your ability to perform work tasks can be incredibly valuable. Also, don't underestimate the impact of Barrett's esophagus - this is a serious condition with cancer risk that requires ongoing monitoring and can significantly affect your quality of life and ability to work consistently. The insurance gap issue mentioned by others is real and scary, but don't let fear paralyze you into continuing to damage your health. There may be options you haven't considered yet, and a disability attorney can help you navigate the timing to minimize gaps in coverage.

One last piece of advice - after you submit your application, create a my Social Security account on ssa.gov if you haven't already. You can track your application status there, and once you're receiving benefits, you can get benefit verification letters, change your address, set up or change direct deposit, and get your 1099 at tax time. It's super convenient and saves you from having to call or visit the office for routine things.

Just went through this process myself 6 months ago! You're smart to be proactive about it. One thing I wish someone had told me - when you fill out the online application, it will ask if you want to apply for Medicare Part B if you're not already enrolled. Since you mentioned you're already on Medicare, you can skip that section, but read it carefully because the wording can be confusing. Also, don't stress too much about the work history section - they already have most of your earnings records from your tax filings over the years. The system will pre-populate a lot of information and you just need to verify it's correct. Good luck with your retirement!

I've been following this thread with great interest as I work with Social Security issues regularly. A few additional points that might help: First, if you're still struggling to get through by phone, try using the automated system to schedule a "callback" - you can request SSA to call you back rather than waiting on hold. This often works better than trying to stay on the line. Second, regarding the protective filing for children's benefits that Jamal mentioned - this is absolutely correct and crucial. Even if you can't complete the full application, establishing that protective filing date in writing will preserve their retroactive benefits. Third, I wanted to clarify the conflicting information about retroactive benefits - the POMS (Program Operations Manual System) is very clear that auxiliary beneficiaries (including children) can receive benefits retroactive to the primary beneficiary's entitlement date, provided the auxiliary application is filed within the appropriate timeframes. Any office that tells you otherwise is either misinformed or applying incorrect procedures. Don't hesitate to ask for a supervisor and reference POMS sections if needed. Finally, if all else fails, definitely contact your Congressional representative as Mei suggested - their constituent services offices are specifically designed to help with federal agency issues like this.

I'm a newcomer here but have been reading through all these responses with great interest as I'm facing a somewhat similar situation. I wanted to add something that might help - have you tried contacting your state's Department of Aging or Area Agency on Aging? Many people don't realize that these agencies often have advocates who specifically help with Social Security issues and can sometimes intervene on your behalf with SSA. They're familiar with the system and may be able to help expedite your children's applications or at least ensure you're getting accurate information. Also, regarding the Claimyr service that Liam mentioned - I actually used them successfully about 6 months ago for a different SSA issue. While results may vary as others noted, they did get me connected to an agent much faster than I could on my own. The key is to have all your documentation ready before you use their service so you can make the most of the connection once it's established. Good luck with getting this resolved - it sounds like you're doing everything right and just dealing with typical SSA bureaucracy delays!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm dealing with the exact same issue - filed my W-4V twice by mail with zero results. Reading about everyone's experiences has convinced me that going in person is definitely the way to go. One question for those who've successfully done this - do you recommend bringing any additional documentation besides the W-4V form itself? I have my Social Security card and driver's license, but wondering if I should bring anything else like a copy of my award letter or recent benefit statement? Also, has anyone noticed if certain days of the week or times of day are better for shorter wait times at the local offices? I'm retired so I have flexibility in when I can go, and would love to avoid the longest lines if possible! Thanks again to Emma for sharing her successful experience and to everyone else for all the helpful tips. This community is amazing!

Thanks for sharing this detailed experience, Emma! I'm in a very similar situation - started receiving benefits in February and have been trying to get withholding set up ever since. I've mailed the W-4V twice with no luck, and like you, I can never get through on the phone. Your success story gives me hope! I'm planning to visit my local office next week. A couple of quick questions for you or anyone else who's done this: 1. Did you need to fill out any additional paperwork at the office, or was just bringing the completed W-4V sufficient? 2. How long did you actually wait in line once they opened? 3. Did they give you any estimate on when you might see the withholding start showing up? I'm also going to look into those quarterly estimated payments that others mentioned as a backup plan. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - it's so much more helpful than the vague information you get from the official SSA website!

I'm a newcomer to this community and dealing with almost the identical situation! I just had my SSA appointment last week and the agent told me the same thing about Michigan taxing Social Security - I walked out of there so confused because everything I'd read online said otherwise. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. It's clear that the SSA agent was mixing up federal and state tax rules, which seems to be a widespread training issue based on everyone's experiences here. I'm 65 and will have similar retirement income to yours - about $48,000 combined between SS and my pension. Based on what everyone has shared, I think I'll go with 11% federal withholding to start and can always adjust it later with Form W-4V if needed. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and clarify the Michigan tax situation. This is exactly the kind of practical, real-world advice that's so hard to find elsewhere!

I'm new to this community and just wanted to add my voice to everyone else's experiences. I'm a recent retiree in Michigan and ran into the exact same confusion about state tax withholding on Social Security benefits. Like many others here, my SSA agent incorrectly told me that Michigan taxes Social Security benefits and recommended withholding for state taxes. After reading all these responses, I called the Michigan Department of Treasury myself to get a definitive answer - they confirmed that Michigan does NOT tax Social Security benefits, period. It's really concerning how widespread this misinformation seems to be among SSA agents. Based on what I'm seeing in this thread, this appears to be a training issue that's affecting retirees across the state. I ended up choosing 10% federal withholding for my situation, but the key takeaway for anyone reading this is: always verify state tax information with your state's tax department directly rather than relying on federal SSA agents. They're knowledgeable about federal rules but clearly need better training on state-specific tax policies. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - it's incredibly valuable to have this kind of real-world confirmation when making important financial decisions!