Thanks everyone for the helpful information! So to summarize: my estimate is in today's dollars, doesn't include future COLAs, and might actually be on the conservative side if I continue working and replace some lower-earning years. I'll plan my budget based on the current estimate but can reasonably expect it might be a bit higher when I actually claim. This community is amazing!

As someone who just started receiving benefits this year, I can confirm what others have said - the estimates definitely don't include future COLAs. But here's something else to consider: if you're planning to file in 18 months, you might want to create a MySocialSecurity account if you haven't already and check your earnings record for accuracy. I found a couple of missing quarters from jobs I had in the 1990s, and correcting those actually increased my benefit estimate by about $40/month. It took a few months to get the corrections processed, so doing it now gives you time to fix any issues before you file. The SSA has a process for reporting missing earnings - you just need to provide W-2s or other documentation.

@casualcommenter You can file a FOIA request by submitting a written request to your local SSA office or through their online portal. But honestly, it's much faster to just call and request your file - they're required to provide it to you. Again, getting through to someone is the hard part. That's why I used Claimyr to get past the phone maze. And @OriginalPoster - yes, I did have to go through about 3 different people before finding someone who actually understood the rules. Ask specifically for a "Technical Expert" or someone who handles Appeals Council cases. They have much more knowledge about these complex situations than the frontline representatives.

This is absolutely infuriating and unfortunately not uncommon. I work as a paralegal at a disability law firm and see these cases regularly. The good news is that your sister's case is NOT subject to Administrative Finality - that 4-year rule doesn't apply here since everything happened so recently. The ALJ made an error in their interpretation. When they found that SSA was wrong and your sister properly reported, they absolutely have the authority to order a full refund of improperly collected funds. I suspect the judge may have confused different types of overpayment cases or applied the wrong regulation. Here's what your sister needs to do immediately: 1. File that Appeals Council review (sounds like she already did - good!) 2. In the appeal, specifically cite 20 CFR 404.502(c) which allows for reopening and revision of determinations 3. Request a complete administrative record review 4. Consider filing a 1696 form to get representation - many attorneys will take these cases on contingency The key argument is that this is a "clerical error" case, not an Administrative Finality case. SSA received her reports but failed to process them correctly. That's their mistake and they cannot keep money collected due to their own processing error. Don't give up - this is absolutely winnable with the right legal approach.

my mom got switched from SSI to disabled widoes benefits and got EXTRA money but also got medicare too. maybe check if u got medicare now cuz that worth something too even if money went down a little

I'm a benefits advocate and this situation is unfortunately more common than it should be. What you're describing sounds like an automatic conversion to disabled widow's benefits that should have included proper notification. Here are some important points to bring up when you call SSA: 1. Request a written explanation of why the conversion happened and why no advance notice was provided 2. Ask for a benefit verification letter showing your new benefit type and amount 3. Inquire about "protective filing" - they should backdate any corrections to when the error first occurred 4. Most importantly, ask about SSI supplementation if your total benefits decreased The Medicare eligibility others mentioned is actually significant - Medicare Part A is free and could save you hundreds monthly if you were paying for health insurance. Make sure to understand all the changes, not just the cash benefit amount. Also, document everything during your call and ask for a case number. If the first representative can't fully explain what happened, ask to speak with a supervisor or technical expert. You have rights here and shouldn't accept a reduction without proper explanation and appeal options.

KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING!!!! I learned this the hard way. SSA lost my application TWICE and then tried to charge me penalties because they said I didn't apply on time even though I DID!!! Take pictures of all documents with your phone before you submit them and get names of everyone you talk to. The system is a MESS right now!!!!

I'm dealing with something similar right now! My husband and I applied for Medicare at the same time last month, and I got my approval letter but he's still waiting. What I learned from calling SSA multiple times is that even when you apply on the same day, your applications can go to different processing centers or even different workers within the same office. The key thing is figuring out if there will be any gap in coverage when you retire. Since you're retiring in January and he's on your employer insurance, you need to know EXACTLY when his Medicare will start. If there's even a day without coverage, the medical bills could be devastating. Here's what helped me: I called SSA and asked them to check if his application needed any additional documentation or verification. Sometimes they're waiting for something specific but don't always tell you upfront. Also, since you're both over 65 and currently have employer coverage, you should be eligible for Special Enrollment Period rules, which are different from the regular enrollment periods others mentioned. Don't wait for February - call back this week and be persistent about getting specific dates and any missing requirements!

Anyone else feel like were playing a game of financial Jenga with these benefits? One wrong move and the whole thing comes crashing down 😅

Dylan, I went through this exact same situation last year! The good news is that IRA rollovers don't count as earned income for SSDI purposes, so your benefits won't be reduced. However, you will owe taxes on the amount you convert from traditional to Roth, which could be substantial depending on your account balance. A few things to consider: • The tax hit from the conversion might push you into a higher tax bracket for that year • If you're on Medicare, a large conversion could trigger higher premiums due to IRMAA (as someone mentioned above) • You might want to consider doing partial rollovers over multiple years to spread out the tax impact I'd definitely recommend talking to a tax professional or financial advisor who understands disability benefits before making the move. They can help you plan the timing and amount to minimize any unintended consequences. Good luck! 🤞