I'm dealing with something similar right now! Just started getting SSDI ($280/month) in November while I've been on SSI for about 2 years. December was my first month getting both full amounts and I immediately knew something was wrong. I called SSA three times and got three different stories - one rep said it was normal for the first month, another said they'd "put in a request to fix it" (whatever that means), and the third one basically had no idea what I was talking about. Reading through everyone's responses here, I think I need to follow the advice about going to the local office in person and getting that receipt showing I reported it. The last thing I want is to get hit with a huge overpayment bill later. Has anyone had luck getting the adjustment made faster by going to the office instead of calling? The phone wait times are absolutely ridiculous and half the time they just hang up on me after an hour on hold.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just became dual eligible in November with SSDI of $290/month while continuing to receive full SSI. Like everyone else here, I knew immediately something was wrong when I got both full payments in December. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially the advice about going to the office in person and getting documentation that you reported the issue. I've been putting the extra money in a separate savings account because I'm terrified of getting hit with a massive overpayment bill later. The phone system is completely broken. I've called four times and either get disconnected after waiting forever or get reps who give me completely different information each time. One told me it would "auto-adjust next month" (it didn't), another said I needed to file some kind of report, and the third one acted like concurrent benefits don't even exist. I have an appointment at my local office next Friday and I'm bringing all my documentation plus a list of every call I've made with dates and what each rep told me. Going to specifically ask for that receipt form that proves I reported the overpayment issue. It's so frustrating that we're all trying to do the right thing by reporting these errors but the system makes it nearly impossible to get help!

Glad you got the information you needed! This is exactly why I always recommend speaking directly with SSA about your specific situation. The rules around these benefits can be quite complex with different programs interacting in ways that aren't always obvious. One additional suggestion - make sure to keep documentation of your reporting (date, time, name of representative if possible). If there's ever a question in the future about whether you reported the change, having that documentation can be invaluable. SSA's internal notes systems aren't always perfect.

Great advice from everyone here! Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - if you do decide to cash out the pension, consider consulting with a tax professional beforehand. Lump sum pension distributions can have significant tax implications, especially if it pushes you into a higher tax bracket for that year. You might end up owing more in taxes than expected, which could eat into the funds you need for the medical equipment. Some people find it beneficial to roll part of the pension into an IRA to spread out the tax burden. Just another consideration for your financial planning!

Does anyone know if the Social Security office tells u all this stuff when u go in for an appointment? I want to retire next year but so confused about all these rules!!

I went through this exact same situation last year! Born in June 1958 as well, so I can share what actually happened. Your FRA is definitely 66 years and 8 months, which means February 18, 2025 for you. I applied in November 2023 (about 3 months early) and my first payment came in March 2024 on the third Wednesday as expected - no delays because I applied early enough. One thing that really helped me was setting up my online Social Security account beforehand to track the application status. Also, make sure you have all your documents ready - W-2s, tax returns, birth certificate, etc. The application process was actually smoother than I expected when I was prepared. The key is definitely applying early. I saw friends who waited until their birthday month and then had to deal with processing delays and gaps in income. You're smart to plan ahead!

One more thing to consider - if you're planning to continue working in some capacity, you might want to wait until your Full Retirement Age to claim survivor benefits. That way you avoid the earnings test completely. The benefit would be 100% of her PIA instead of the reduced 71.5%, AND you wouldn't have any benefit withheld due to earnings. It's always a personal calculation based on your health, financial needs, and employment situation. But many people don't realize how significant the earnings test reduction can be if they're still working substantially.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zane. Losing a spouse so young is devastating, and dealing with Social Security on top of grief is overwhelming. I wanted to add something that might be helpful - there's also a one-time death benefit of $255 that you're entitled to as the surviving spouse. It's not much, but it's something you should claim if you haven't already. Also, regarding your question about the benefit calculation - since your wife was receiving SSDI, that $2,450 is very likely her PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), which is what survivor benefits are based on. The key thing everyone's mentioned about the earnings test is crucial - at $50K income, you'd lose a significant portion of the survivor benefit due to the earnings limit. One strategy I've seen work well is to focus on building up your own retirement benefit by continuing to work until your FRA, then claiming your own higher benefit. Since you mentioned 35+ years of work history, your own benefit at FRA might actually exceed what you'd get from survivor benefits, even at 100%. Definitely get that appointment with SSA to run all the scenarios. They can show you exactly what each option would look like financially.

As someone who works at a local SSA office, I can confirm most of the advice here is spot-on! Just want to add a few practical tips for your appointment next week: 1) Bring your divorce decree and marriage certificate if you have them - it speeds up the process significantly 2) Be very specific about wanting to file a "restricted application for auxiliary benefits only" - use those exact words 3) Ask them to put a note in your file about switching to your own benefit at age 70, so there's no confusion later Also, don't be surprised if the first representative you speak with isn't familiar with restricted applications - it's becoming less common as fewer people are eligible. If they seem confused, politely ask to speak with a supervisor or someone more experienced with these types of claims. The strategy you're using is perfectly legitimate and one of the smartest moves you can make given your situation. You'll essentially get 3 years of "free" money while your own benefit continues to grow with delayed retirement credits!

I'm in a very similar situation - turned 67 last year, divorced after 14 years of marriage, never remarried, and still working. I successfully filed for ex-spouse benefits about 6 months ago and it's been great! Just wanted to share a few things from my experience: The appointment itself was pretty straightforward once I got to someone who knew about restricted applications. It took about an hour total and they processed everything that same day. My first payment came about 6 weeks later. One thing nobody mentioned - you might want to ask about having taxes withheld from your Social Security payments if you're still working full-time. Since you'll have both work income and Social Security income, you could end up owing taxes at the end of the year if you don't plan for it. I had them withhold 10% federal taxes from my monthly payments and it's worked out perfectly. Also, the SSA sends annual statements showing your projected benefit at age 70, so you can keep track of how much your own benefit is growing each year. It's really satisfying to see those delayed retirement credits adding up! You're making a smart financial move - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. This is exactly what these benefits are designed for.