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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!
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quick question - are u still a US citizen? i thought i read somewhere that if u became an australian citizen u had to give up us citizenship? or maybe thats outdated info
I'm a dual citizen. The US allows dual citizenship, though when I became an Australian citizen, I had to declare that I wasn't intentionally relinquishing my US citizenship. Australia also recognizes dual citizenship now, though that wasn't always the case many decades ago. So I've maintained both citizenships legally all these years - which is why I still have to deal with US tax filings!
One thing I didn't see mentioned yet is the potential issue with bank transfers. Some US expats have problems with their Social Security payments because of FATCA requirements. Some foreign banks don't want to deal with the reporting requirements for US citizens. Do you have a US bank account you've maintained? If so, you might want to have your benefits deposited there and then transfer to Australia yourself. That's what I ended up doing because my local bank in New Zealand started giving me problems once they saw US government payments coming in regularly. Also, the SSA's online account system (my Social Security) can be problematic to access from overseas. They use US-based identity verification systems that sometimes can't verify foreign addresses or phone numbers. I'd recommend setting up your online access before you apply if possible.
That's a good point about FATCA. Yes, I've maintained a US bank account specifically because of these issues. My Australian bank is aware of my US citizenship status (had to report it for FATCA), but having direct deposit to a US account and then transferring it myself might be simpler. I hadn't thought about the online access issues! I'll try to set up the my Social Security account right away before starting the application process. Thanks for these practical tips from your experience.
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UPDATE: I finally got through to SSA after trying for three days straight! The agent confirmed that because my own benefit is higher, I wouldn't receive any additional money as a survivor benefit if my husband passes away. She explained that the system is designed to provide the higher of the two benefits, not both. She also mentioned that there would be a one-time death benefit of $255 (which seems so small compared to what we've paid in). Thank you all for your helpful responses - they helped me ask the right questions when I finally got through!
Glad you got through! That $255 death benefit hasn't increased since the 1950s if you can believe it. Doesn't even cover a fraction of funeral costs these days.
Something nobody mentioned - if your husband passes, MAKE SURE you contact SSA immediately. My mother didn't report my father's death quickly, kept receiving his benefits, and had to pay everything back plus penalties. They don't automatically know about the death, and they will demand every penny back if they keep paying his benefits!
That's really good advice - thank you! I'll definitely keep that in mind. Last thing anyone needs during grief is financial complications.
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One warning from my experience - watch out for the timing of everything! If they deny your reconsideration and then you request a hearing with the ALJ, there can be a gap where they start taking money. I had that happen and it was a NIGHTMARE getting those funds back even after I won my case. Make sure any attorney you hire knows to file for continued benefits during appeal if that's an option in your case.
this hapened to my uncle too they took money for 7 months even tho he was fighting it and won!!
Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I've decided to: 1) File the SSA-632 waiver form TODAY, 2) Contact legal aid in my county tomorrow morning, 3) Submit a FOIA request for my file, and 4) Try to make an in-person appointment at my local office. If legal aid can't help, I'll look for an attorney who specializes in Social Security and works on contingency. I feel so much better having a plan now. Will update once I have news!
That sounds like an excellent plan. One final suggestion - keep a detailed log of every contact you have with SSA. Note the date, time, who you spoke with (get names if possible), and what was discussed. This documentation can be extremely valuable if your case goes to a hearing.
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To clarify a few technical points: 1. When you were receiving disability benefits on your husband's record, you were actually receiving what's called "Disabled Widow(er)'s Benefits" (DWB), a specific type of survivor benefit, not traditional SSDI on your own record. 2. Now that you've reached your FRA and switched to your own retirement benefit, you've undergone what's called a "technical termination" of your disability status. Your benefit is now calculated and treated exactly like any retirement benefit. 3. The earnings test (which limits how much you can earn) only applies to people receiving benefits before their FRA. Since you're at your FRA, you can earn unlimited amounts without affecting your monthly benefit amount. 4. The question about future work is standard during benefit conversion interviews. It helps the representative determine if they need to explain earnings limitations (not applicable in your case) or provide information about how work might affect taxes on your benefits (which is still relevant). 5. You don't need to report your intention to work to SSA, but your earnings will be reported through normal tax channels, which is all that's required.
Thank you for such a detailed explanation! That makes so much sense now - I didn't realize I was technically on Disabled Widow's Benefits rather than regular SSDI. The "technical termination" of disability status explains why they were asking those questions. This has been really helpful!
Just wanted to add that working part-time from home was such a positive thing for me after years on disability. Beyond the extra income, it gave me purpose and routine that actually helped my health in some ways. Hope it works out well for you too!
thats so true! i volunteer 2 days a week and it keeps me going even though its not paid work. gives me something to look forward to.
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i think everyones got it wrong here. my cousin works for SSA and she said the earnings limit is actually ANNUAL not monthly for most people. the monthly thing only applies to people who are actually retiring during the year. if youre just reducing hours but not retiring completely, they look at the whole year's earnings.
That's not entirely accurate. In the first year you receive benefits (which is what the original poster is asking about), SSA generally uses the monthly earnings test until you've been entitled to benefits for a full year. After that first year, yes, they typically switch to the annual test. But for the specific situation asked about - the first month of eligibility - the monthly test would almost certainly apply.
Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! To summarize what I've learned: 1. I CAN work during my first month of eligibility (month after turning 62) 2. I need to stay under the monthly earnings limit of $2,340 for 2025 3. SSA counts gross wages when EARNED, not when paid 4. After my first year on benefits, they'll switch to an annual test I'll be careful to reduce my hours enough to stay safely under the limit. My birthday is mid-month so my first eligible month will be the following month. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!
You've got it exactly right! One more tip: keep very good records of your earnings during that first year. Sometimes employers report wages in a way that doesn't match when you actually earned them, which can cause confusion with SSA. Having your own documentation can help resolve any issues that might come up later.
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my sister took SS at 62 and her neighbor waited till 70. the neighbor gets like $1000 more a month but my sister already collected for 8 years before neighbor got anything. sister says shell be dead before neighbor catches up lol
Your sister isn't wrong that there's a breakeven point! But that point is typically around age 80-82 for most people comparing age 62 vs 70 filing. For someone with above-average life expectancy, the total lifetime benefits can be substantially higher when delaying. Each situation is different though - some people genuinely need the money earlier or have health concerns that make early filing reasonable.
Thanks everyone for the thoughtful responses! After reading all your comments, I've decided to wait until 70 to claim my Social Security. I'll look into the special home renovation loans that were suggested and plan to have the work done after I fully retire. The math of getting an extra $744/month for potentially 20+ years is just too compelling to ignore.
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What about taxes? Does suspending change how your benefits are taxed when you start them up again?
Great question. Suspending benefits doesn't change the taxation rules when you restart them. Social Security benefits are taxed based on your combined income in each tax year. When you restart benefits (at a higher amount due to delayed retirement credits), the taxation will be determined by your income at that time. However, if suspending benefits allows you to reduce your overall income during the suspension years, you might see some tax benefits during those years if you have other taxable income that would have pushed your Social Security benefits into the taxable range.
Thanks for all the helpful responses! I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. Sounds like calling is my best option, but I'll try that service if I can't get through. I'll make sure to verify the suspension took effect by checking my online account afterward. And I'll definitely set up separate Medicare premium payments right away so there's no gap in coverage. Thanks again!
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The WHOLE SYSTEM is rigged against seniors!!!! Every year they announce a "generous" COLA and then jack up Medicare premiums to take it all back!!! My increase last year was $47 but after the Medicare premium hike I only saw $37 more each month. Meanwhile groceries are up WAY more than that! We need to DEMAND better treatment from our government after paying into the system our ENTIRE LIVES!!!
While I understand your frustration, it's important to note that by law, COLA increases are tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), not arbitrarily set. Medicare premiums are determined separately by projected healthcare costs. Neither is deliberately manipulated to offset the other, though the timing often feels that way to beneficiaries. The real issue is that the CPI-W doesn't accurately reflect the spending patterns of seniors, who spend more on healthcare than younger workers.
My mom just got on Medicare last year and she was shocked by how the system works. She thought SS benefits would just keep up with inflation automatically but now she's learning that's not really how it works in practice. Has anyone found good ways to budget with such uncertainty around these annual changes?
I've started keeping a separate emergency fund specifically for healthcare cost increases. I put aside a little bit whenever I can, assuming my out-of-pocket costs will go up by at least 5% each year (even with Medicare). It's not perfect, but it helps me not panic with each annual announcement.
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just remember whatever u do dont lie to the goverment my uncle tried to do something with his business when he got ss and ended up owing like $18,000 back!
Definitely not planning to lie! I want to do this 100% properly and legally. That's exactly why I'm trying to figure out who to talk to before making any changes.
After reading through this thread, I think your best approach is: 1. First, consult with a business attorney who understands SS issues OR a CPA with business restructuring experience 2. Document legitimate business reasons for the change (succession planning, health issues you mentioned) 3. Create clear differences in your new contractor role versus your current owner role 4. Implement changes at least 6 months before filing for benefits to establish a pattern 5. Then use the Claimyr service others mentioned to reach SSA efficiently to confirm your specific situation Keep in mind the earnings test isn't just about W-2 income - net earnings from self-employment count too. Given the complexity here, professional guidance is absolutely worth the investment.
This is such a clear roadmap - thank you! I think I'll start with a CPA who has experience with business restructuring and then follow these steps. The 6-month buffer before applying for benefits makes a lot of sense to establish that this isn't just a paper change. I really appreciate everyone's advice!
Luca Romano
i tried that claimyr thing someone mentioned when i had a survivors benefits question last month and it actually worked. got through to ssa in like 20 mins instead of being on hold for hours. just saying it might save u a lot of time
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CosmicCruiser
•how much does it cost tho?
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Sean Doyle
Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I'm going to try calling using that Claimyr service tomorrow morning, and if that doesn't work I'll write everything on paper and send it certified mail. I'll make sure to include all my info - SSN, contact details, my expected earnings, and a clear explanation. I'll update if I run into any more issues. Really appreciate all the help!
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Mateo Hernandez
•That sounds like a solid plan. Remember to keep a copy of whatever you send for your records. Good luck!
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