have u tried turning it off and on again? 🤣 jk jk... but seriously, sometimes just closing the browser completely and reopening works wonders

I've run into this exact same issue before! Another thing to try is checking if you're using any browser extensions that might be interfering with the page display. Ad blockers or privacy extensions sometimes hide buttons by mistake. You could also try using incognito/private browsing mode to see if the logout button shows up there.

also just wanna say the whole $2000 limit is ridiculous in 2025!!! how is anyone supposed to save anything with that stupid rule??? cant even have emergency savings without losing benefits smh

I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I had a similar situation last year. I received a $1,800 class action settlement and was terrified about losing my SSI benefits. After doing some research and talking to a benefits counselor, I found out there are actually several options beyond just the basic "spend down" rule that others have mentioned: 1. **Irrevocable burial/funeral trusts** (as many have mentioned) - completely exempt from resource limits 2. **ABLE accounts** - if you became disabled before age 26, you can put up to $18,000/year into these special savings accounts that don't count toward SSI limits 3. **Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)** - even for smaller amounts, you might be able to use this to set aside money for work-related goals The burial trust option sounds perfect for your situation since the money originally came from a pre-need plan anyway. Just make sure it's set up as an irrevocable trust specifically for burial/funeral expenses. Also, definitely report it within the 10-day window - that's mandatory regardless of which option you choose. The SSA takes unreported resources very seriously and will eventually find out through data matching with banks and other agencies. Good luck! The system is complicated but there are legitimate ways to handle this without losing your benefits.

Thank you all for the advice! I think I'll try the online application since my situation seems simple enough, but I'll make sure to double-check everything carefully, especially my earnings record. If I run into any issues, I might try that Claimyr service to get through to someone by phone. I appreciate all your help!

As someone who recently went through this process, I'd recommend starting with the online application since your situation does sound straightforward. However, I'd suggest doing a thorough review of your my Social Security account first - check your earnings history going back to your early working years, not just recent ones. Sometimes there are small discrepancies that can add up over time. One thing that might be worth considering: since you stopped working 6 years ago, make sure those zero-earning years aren't negatively impacting your benefit calculation more than necessary. The SSA uses your highest 35 years of earnings, so if you have more than 35 years of work history, those recent zeros might not matter. But if you're close to 35 years, it could be worth double-checking. Also, keep in mind that you can always start online and call if you hit any snags. The online system will save your progress, so you're not locked into finishing it in one session. Good luck with your application!

I'm new to this community and found this discussion really helpful as I'm facing similar decisions. Just wanted to add that for anyone in a similar situation, it might also be worth considering the tax implications of claiming early vs. waiting. If you're both receiving benefits simultaneously, you could end up in a higher tax bracket on your combined Social Security income plus any other retirement income. But if the survivor benefit strategy works out as described here (getting the higher amount), the tax situation might actually improve for the surviving spouse since they'd be filing as single with potentially lower overall income. Just another angle to consider when making these timing decisions!

As someone who recently went through the Social Security claiming decision process myself, I wanted to share a few additional considerations that might be helpful. First, while everyone has correctly explained that you'd receive the higher benefit amount ($2,850 in your case), don't forget about Medicare premiums - they're automatically deducted from your Social Security benefit, so your actual take-home amount will be slightly less. Second, if you have any pension income or are still working part-time, there could be earnings test implications if you claim before your FRA that are worth discussing with SSA. Finally, I'd suggest running the numbers on your total household income for the next few years - sometimes claiming early makes sense from a cash flow perspective even if it's not optimal from a pure benefit maximization standpoint. The peace of mind of having that income stream can be worth something too. Best of luck with your decision!

Just realized something - check your Medicare Summary Notices from the past few months! My uncle had a similar situation and they actually had a tiny note at the bottom of page 3 on his Medicare Summary Notice that mentioned the premium adjustment. Most people never read those things all the way through! Might be worth digging through your mail or logging into your Medicare.gov account to check your recent MSNs.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! Got about $8,500 deposited last month with zero explanation, also related to Medicare Part B premiums. Like you, I called multiple times and everyone says it's mine but won't put anything in writing. What I ended up doing was creating my own paper trail - I've been keeping detailed notes of every phone call (date, time, representative name or ID number, exactly what they told me). I also screenshot my MySocialSecurity account daily to show the deposit is still there and hasn't been flagged as an error. I'm planning to wait about 60 days before spending most of it, but I did use a small portion ($500) for urgent medical expenses to test the waters. No clawback so far. The anxiety is real though - I completely understand your fear about touching the money. You're definitely not alone in this frustrating situation!