I'm sorry you're going through this difficult situation on top of losing your wife. Based on what you've described, it sounds like there may be an error in how they're calculating the withholding amount. The fact that you only owe $712 according to your Medicare account but they're withholding thousands in benefits suggests this is likely a system error during your benefit transition. When switching from survivor to retirement benefits, the Medicare premium collection sometimes gets confused and triggers incorrect withholding amounts. Here are a few things that might help: - When you call, ask specifically for a "Medicare Premium Recovery Review" - Request they explain the exact calculation they're using for the withholding - Ask about setting up a payment plan for the $712 rather than withholding full benefits - If they can't resolve it immediately, ask for a supervisor who handles "premium collection disputes" Document everything - dates, times, names, and what each person tells you. This will be crucial if you need to file an appeal. The good news is that once this gets straightened out, you should receive all the back benefits they've been withholding. Hang in there - this type of issue is unfortunately common but is fixable once you get the right person who understands the system.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare while grieving must be incredibly overwhelming. What you're experiencing is unfortunately common when there's a transition between different types of Social Security benefits. The key issue here seems to be that SSA's system flagged unpaid Medicare premiums during your benefit type transition (survivor to retirement), but their automated withholding calculation appears to be completely wrong. You should NOT have thousands withheld for a $712 premium debt. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. **Get the right person on the phone**: When you call SSA, specifically ask to speak with someone in "Medicare Premium Collections" - don't just accept being transferred to general customer service. 2. **Use these exact phrases**: Say you need a "Medicare Premium Withholding Review" and ask for form SSA-561 for reconsideration. Also mention you want to understand the "limitation on recovery" rules that should prevent excessive withholding. 3. **Gather your documentation**: Print out your Medicare.gov account showing the $712 balance, and have your recent premium payment records ready. 4. **Request immediate relief**: Ask about "benefit continuation pending reconsideration" so you can receive benefits while they review the case. This is absolutely worth fighting - the math doesn't add up, and you deserve those benefits. Keep pushing until you get someone who understands Medicare premium collection rules. You've got this!

I'm going through a similar situation with my father right now, so I really feel for your brother-in-law. One thing that helped us was creating a detailed timeline of his work history and medical treatments to submit as additional evidence. Also, has he considered reaching out to a disability attorney? Many work on contingency (they only get paid if he wins), and they often know exactly what documentation SSA needs to see. Sometimes having professional representation can make a difference in how quickly cases are processed. In the meantime, you might want to help him look into local food banks, utility assistance programs, or other community resources to help stretch his savings while he waits. The waiting period is genuinely one of the hardest parts of this whole process.

I went through this exact situation with my uncle a few years ago when he was 63. The financial stress while waiting for SSDI approval is absolutely brutal, but I'm so glad we convinced him to stick it out rather than switch to early retirement. A few things that helped us during the wait: 1. **Contact his state representative's office** - Many people don't know that congressional offices can do "case work" to check on federal benefit applications. They can't change the outcome, but they can sometimes get clearer timelines and ensure nothing is stuck in bureaucratic limbo. 2. **Document everything** - Keep records of every phone call, every piece of mail, every medical appointment. If there are any delays or issues, having a paper trail helps. 3. **Consider temporary assistance** - While waiting, he might qualify for SNAP benefits, Medicaid, or local emergency assistance programs. These can help bridge the gap without affecting his SSDI application. The backpay from SSDI really is substantial - my uncle received about $18,000 when his approval finally came through after 7 months. That would have been completely lost if he'd switched to early retirement. Hang in there - I know it's easier said than done, but the financial difference between SSDI and early retirement benefits over his lifetime will likely be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Yes, with a birthday on the 17th, you'd get paid on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Another consideration - if you do decide to keep working at this new job, but it's physically easier and you still want to start benefits, there's a strategy called

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation last year! I was torn between filing for benefits and potentially taking a consulting gig. Here's what I learned: even if you file for January 1st benefits, you can still work as long as you stay under that earnings limit Kirsuktow mentioned ($22,750 for 2025 if you're under FRA). The key is being honest about your work plans when you apply - don't try to hide employment from SSA. Also, if you do end up earning too much, they'll just withhold benefits temporarily, not penalize you permanently. My advice? File by mid-September for January benefits, then see what happens with the job. You can always adjust your work schedule or income to stay under the limit if the opportunity works out. Better to have the safety net of benefits starting than to risk missing the deadline entirely!

I'm in a similar boat at 62 - laid off from my engineering job last year and facing the same age discrimination you're describing. It's heartbreaking when you have decades of experience but companies won't even give you a chance. Regarding SSDI, I'd encourage you to at least get a consultation with a disability attorney who offers free case evaluations. They can quickly assess whether your medical conditions are likely to meet SSA's criteria. Many work on contingency, so you only pay if you win. One thing to consider: even if the application process takes a year, you'd still get 2+ years of benefits before FRA, and those benefits are paid retroactively to your application date if approved. Plus, having that steady income might reduce stress on your marriage during this difficult period. The age discrimination is real and infuriating. I've started removing graduation dates from my resume and using a more recent email address, but it only helps so much. Have you considered reaching out to your state's vocational rehabilitation services? Sometimes they have programs specifically for older workers facing employment barriers. Whatever you decide, don't let anyone make you feel like you're "giving up" by considering disability. If you have legitimate medical conditions that affect your ability to work, you've paid into this system for decades and deserve to use it.

I'm 63 and went through a very similar experience last year - laid off after 25 years with my company when they "restructured." The age discrimination is absolutely real and soul-crushing. I must have sent out 200 applications and got maybe 10 responses, most of them rejections within hours of applying. I ended up applying for SSDI and was approved after about 6 months. My advice: if you have documented medical conditions that genuinely limit your ability to work, go for it. The financial security has been a godsend, and knowing it converts to my full retirement benefit at FRA takes away a lot of anxiety about the future. The application process isn't fun - lots of paperwork and medical records to gather - but it's not impossibly difficult if you're organized about it. I did it without a lawyer since my conditions were well-documented. The key is being thorough and honest about how your conditions affect your daily activities and work capacity. One thing that helped me was keeping a daily journal for a few weeks before applying, documenting my symptoms, pain levels, and how they limited my activities. The disability examiner found this very helpful during my phone interview. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about considering this option. We've paid into the system our entire working lives, and if you legitimately can't work due to medical issues, this is exactly what SSDI is for. The peace of mind alone has been worth it for me.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I just went through this exact process 6 months ago when I turned 60, and I completely understand the confusion about conflicting information from SSA! You absolutely CAN apply by phone - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Here's what worked for me: 1. Call 1-800-772-1213 early morning (around 8 AM) for the best chance of getting through 2. Tell them you want to schedule a phone appointment to apply for survivor benefits 3. They'll schedule it for your 60th birthday or shortly after 4. About 2 weeks before your appointment, they'll mail you forms to complete 5. During the hour-long phone interview, they'll walk you through everything For documents, I mailed certified copies of my marriage certificate using certified mail with return receipt. They returned everything to me within 3 weeks, and I got my first payment about 6 weeks after the phone appointment. The rep who told you that you MUST come in person was definitely misinformed. I never set foot in an SSA office and everything went smoothly. Having your husband's SSN, death date, and marriage date ready will help the process go faster. Don't stress - the phone process is actually much easier than the office visit! You've got enough to worry about without dealing with long office waits on your birthday.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I completely understand your frustration with the conflicting information from SSA! I went through this exact same situation about 9 months ago, and I can confirm that you absolutely CAN apply by phone. Here's what I learned from my experience: - The local office reps sometimes give outdated or incorrect information about phone applications - Call the national number (1-800-772-1213) and specifically ask to schedule a "survivor benefits phone appointment" - Best calling times are right at 8:00 AM on weekdays - I got through on my second try this way - They'll mail you paperwork about 2 weeks before your scheduled phone appointment - The actual phone interview takes about 45-60 minutes and they're very thorough For the marriage certificate, I sent a certified copy via certified mail with tracking, and they returned it to me within 2-3 weeks. Since SSA already has your husband's death certificate on file, that part should be straightforward. One tip: when you call, don't mention that a local office rep told you it had to be in-person. Just ask to schedule the phone appointment as if that's normal (because it is!). The phone process was actually much less stressful than I expected, and I received my first payment about 5 weeks after the interview. You're doing the right thing by starting early - this gives you time to get everything sorted properly without rushing. Don't let one misinformed rep discourage you!