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
does anyone know if the 8% increase is compounded each year or just simple interest? like does it go up 8% of the original amount each year or does it grow on what it grew to the year before?
It's not compounded. Each year beyond your Full Retirement Age, your benefit increases by 8% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is your benefit amount at FRA. So if your PIA is $2,000, you get an additional $160 per year (8% of $2,000) for each year you delay, up to age 70.
I want to thank everyone for all the helpful information! I'm feeling much more confident about my decision to wait until 70 now. The points about the COLA being calculated on the larger amount, the potential tax benefits, and how my current work might further increase my benefit were all things I hadn't considered. I'll make sure to contact SSA a few months before my 70th birthday to make the switch, and I'll keep that Claimyr service in mind when the time comes. This community has been so helpful!
Join the conversation
im confused about something... when they say your "full retirement age" what age is that exactly?? is it 65 or 67 or what? and does that affect when i can get my exs benefits vs my own??
Full Retirement Age (FRA) varies based on your birth year: - If born 1943-1954: FRA is 66 - If born 1955: FRA is 66 and 2 months - If born 1956: FRA is 66 and 4 months - If born 1957: FRA is 66 and 6 months - If born 1958: FRA is 66 and 8 months - If born 1959: FRA is 66 and 10 months - If born 1960 or later: FRA is 67 Your FRA determines when you can receive 100% of your benefit or 50% of your ex-spouse's benefit (if higher). Taking benefits before FRA reduces them permanently.
anyone kno if you have to be divorced for a certain time before claiming? my divorce was final last yr after 18 yrs married
Yes, you need to be divorced for at least 2 years before claiming ex-spouse benefits, unless your ex is already receiving their own benefits. This is called the two-year divorce requirement. Since you were married for 18 years, you meet the 10-year marriage requirement, but you'd need to wait 2 years from the divorce date if your ex isn't collecting yet.
Join the conversation
Just to add a bit of practical advice - I work with retirement planning, and I always tell clients to order certified copies of ALL vital records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees) well before applying for Social Security. County records offices can take 4-6 weeks to process requests, especially for older records that may not be digitized. Better to have them and not need them than to delay your benefits while waiting for documentation.
That's excellent advice, thank you! My application appointment is in about 5 weeks, so I should probably request those records right away. Do you know if they need to be certified copies or will regular photocopies work?
SSA typically requires original or certified copies of vital records, not photocopies. They may make exceptions in some cases, but it's always safer to have the certified copies. They'll look at them during your appointment and return them to you - they don't keep your originals.
just wondering..... why did u divorce and remarry the same person?? lol thats kinda funny 😂
Haha, we were young and impulsive! Had a big fight over something that seemed important at the time but was actually pretty silly in retrospect. Divorced in the heat of the moment, then realized we'd made a huge mistake. The 6 months apart made us appreciate each other more. Been solid for 40 years since then!
awww thats actually really sweet!! ❤️ glad it worked out!
Join the conversation
my cousin jerry tried to get his wife on his ss and they told him she needed her own work credits no matter what. i think the whole spousal benefit thing might be going away soon with all the budget cuts
That's not accurate information. Spousal benefits are still very much available and don't require the spouse to have their own work credits (though if they do have their own benefits, they receive whichever is higher - their own or the spousal amount). There are no current legislative changes eliminating spousal benefits.
Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! Based on your advice, we're going to apply at the same time but make it very clear that mine needs to be processed first. I'll also be prepared for potential delays with her spousal portion and will use Claimyr if we run into trouble reaching someone at SSA. I'm also going to look at that Open Social Security calculator to get a better idea of the actual benefit amounts after the early filing reductions. Might be worth waiting a bit longer if the reduction is too severe. Really appreciate all the insights from your experiences!
Join the conversation
just wanted to say thanks for asking this question! I'm in almost the same boat and had no idea about the difference between spousal and survivor benefits from an ex!
One other thing - when he passes away, DON'T just accept what the first SSA rep tells you. I was initially told I wasn't eligible for my ex's higher benefit because he had remarried. That was WRONG. I had to speak to a supervisor who confirmed I was eligible. The rules are: 1) married 10+ years, 2) you're 60+ or 50+ if disabled, 3) not entitled to higher benefit on your own record. Your current marital status only matters if you're currently married (which you're not - widowed counts as unmarried).
That's really helpful advice! I'm going to save all this information for future reference. It's frustrating that even SSA reps give incorrect information sometimes. I appreciate everyone's help explaining this.
Join the conversation
To clarify some of the confusion in this thread: The earnings test for survivor benefits is indeed based primarily on ANNUAL earnings. The monthly earnings test only applies in two specific situations: 1. The first calendar year in which you receive benefits 2. The calendar year in which you reach Full Retirement Age In your case, since you've been receiving benefits for 8 months and aren't reaching FRA this year, only the annual limit applies. However, SSA regulations still require you to report significant earnings changes. SSA Publication No. 05-10069 states: "If you're receiving retirement benefits and you work, you must report your earnings to Social Security if you earn more than the annual limit." This doesn't mean monthly reporting, but if your earning pattern significantly changes, you should report it. The best approach is to contact SSA now and explain your variable income situation. They can document this in your file to prevent misunderstandings later. Since your annual income will remain under $22,320, you won't lose benefits, but proper communication prevents problems.
Finally someone who actually knows what they're talking about! My brother went through this whole mess and that's exactly what the SSA told him. Annual is what matters UNLESS it's your first year on benefits.
Thank you everyone for your helpful advice! I called SSA this morning (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it actually worked - got through in about 15 minutes instead of waiting forever). The agent confirmed that since I'm beyond my first year of receiving survivor benefits, they'll primarily look at my annual earnings. But she strongly recommended I report any months where I earn significantly more than usual. She set up what they call a "work activity report" in my file noting my seasonal construction work and variable income pattern. This way it's documented in their system ahead of time. Apparently, they may temporarily adjust my benefits during high-earning months as a precaution, but I'll receive any withheld amounts back after they verify my annual income stays under the limit. I'm keeping careful records of all my earnings just to be safe. Thanks again for helping me understand this confusing system!
Join the conversation
Just to provide some additional reassurance - the Social Security Administration has been dealing with staffing shortages, so they're triaging cases more than ever. With your start date in August 2025: 1. Your application is not considered urgent yet 2. Since you're past FRA, there are fewer calculation complications 3. With a straightforward work history, your application is likely flagged as 'standard processing' The lack of a call is actually a good sign in your case. It means there are no obvious issues requiring immediate clarification. Continue monitoring your mySocialSecurity account, and you'll likely see a status update as your start date approaches.
Thank you so much for the detailed explanation. This makes complete sense. I'll stop worrying and just keep an eye on my online account.
Join the conversation
wait i'm confused do u get full benefits at 66 or 66 and 8 months? i thought everyone got full SS at 65?
The Full Retirement Age (FRA) is no longer 65 for everyone. It varies based on birth year: - If born 1943-1954: FRA is 66 - If born 1955: FRA is 66 and 2 months - If born 1956: FRA is 66 and 4 months - If born 1957: FRA is 66 and 6 months - If born 1958: FRA is 66 and 8 months - If born 1959: FRA is 66 and 10 months - If born 1960 or later: FRA is 67 So the original poster, born in July 1958, has an FRA of 66 and 8 months.
oh wow i had no idea! thx for explaining that
One more important thing to consider: Since you're planning to apply in early 2025, make sure you understand how any earnings from work in 2025 might affect your benefits if you're still working. There's no earnings limit after you reach your FRA, but if you earn income in the months before reaching your FRA in March 2025, there are earnings limits that could temporarily reduce your benefits. For 2024, the limit is $59,520/year (or $4,960/month) for the months before you reach your FRA, and they deduct $1 for every $3 you earn above that limit. The 2025 limits will likely be slightly higher due to COLA adjustments.
This is crucial information - thank you! I am still working part-time, but I was planning to scale back my hours right around my FRA. I'll make sure to watch those earnings carefully in the first quarter of 2025.
Join the conversation
Sorry to go off-topic a bit, but I just wanted to add that when you DO eventually apply, make sure you specify that you want to RESTRICT your application to survivor benefits only. Don't let them talk you into filing for your own retirement at the same time. I've heard horror stories of people accidentally filing for both when they only meant to file for one, and then being stuck with a permanently reduced retirement benefit. And when you approach 70, you'll need to proactively file to switch to your retirement benefit - it won't happen automatically!
This is such important advice! My sister-in-law got talked into filing for both by an SSA rep who didn't understand the rules properly, and she's permanently stuck with a lower amount now. They should really train their people better on these strategies.
wait i'm confused about something - if you're making 65k why do you even care about survivor benefits? thats way more than most of us get from ss and work combined. just curious
That's a fair question. I'm fortunate to have a good income now, but I'm planning to reduce my hours significantly in the next couple years. I'm trying to make the best long-term decision to maximize benefits throughout retirement, even if I don't need them immediately. Also, my husband worked for 40+ years and paid into the system, so these are benefits he earned that I want to make sure I utilize optimally when the time is right.
GalacticGuardian
Based on what you've shared, here's a summary that might help you plan: 1. Your SSDI benefits will NOT change after marriage 2. His SSDI benefits will NOT change after marriage 3. His SSI ($110/month) will likely be reduced or eliminated after marriage 4. Any income-based benefits like SNAP, housing assistance, Medicaid, Extra Help for Medicare, etc. will need to be reassessed based on your combined income If losing the $110 in SSI and potentially some adjustments to other benefits is manageable for your budget, you should be in an okay position financially after marriage. I would recommend scheduling an appointment with SSA to get a precise calculation of how your specific benefits would be affected.
0 coins
Zara Shah
•Thank you so much for breaking it down like this! This gives us a clear picture of what to expect. I think we can handle losing the small SSI payment, but I'll definitely follow up with SSA to verify everything before we make any decisions. This community has been so helpful!
0 coins
Nia Harris
One more tip - after you get married (if you decide to), make sure you both contact Social Security right away to report the change. For the SSDI recipient, it's mostly just updating your name if you change it. For the SSI recipient, they need to report the marriage immediately to avoid overpayments. Those overpayment notices are a nightmare to deal with!
0 coins
Mateo Gonzalez
•This is critical advice. SSI recipients must report any change in living arrangement, marital status, or household income within 10 days. SSDI recipients should report name changes, but their benefits aren't affected by marital status (except in certain cases involving disabled adult children benefits, which doesn't seem to apply here).
0 coins