Social Security Administration
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Social Security and Medicare Part B confusion - do we need it with employer coverage?
Just found out my husband (turning 67 next week) was automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B when he filed for Social Security retirement. Now they're deducting $238/month for Part B even though we have good health insurance through my employer where I'll be working for at least 3 more years! I thought we could delay Part B enrollment without penalties as long as we had employer coverage? The Social Security office made it sound mandatory when he applied. That $238 monthly deduction is making a huge difference in our budget - we're trying to help our daughter with college expenses and every dollar counts. Has anyone successfully declined Part B while keeping their SS retirement benefits? How do we fix this and get that money back? I've called the 800 number three times and can't get through to anyone who can help.
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Social Security disability benefits for my teen daughter just diagnosed - backpay possible?
My daughter (15) is about to be diagnosed with a condition that's on the SSA disability list. We've been through 2+ years of doctors dismissing her symptoms until this specialist finally recognized what was happening. If the diagnosis is confirmed, I'm completely lost on what happens next with Social Security. Does she qualify for SSI benefits as a minor? Can we get any retroactive payments for the 2 years she's been suffering while doctors missed it? How long can she receive benefits - is it until 18 or beyond if she can't work? The medical bills have been crushing us, and I'm worried about her future ability to support herself if this condition is permanent. Any advice on the application process, what documentation we'll need, or personal experiences would be so helpful. I don't even know where to start.
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don't let the negative comments scare you! yes its hard but many kids get approved. my son got approved first time with no lawyer. just have ALL paperwork ready and the specialist diagnosis. make copies of EVERYTHING cuz they lose stuff. and keep calling if u don't hear anything after a few weeks!!
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to start gathering everything and make an appointment this week.
I work as a disability advocate and wanted to add a few practical tips that might help with your daughter's case: 1. **Document functional limitations**: Keep a daily diary of how her condition affects specific activities - getting dressed, attending school, concentrating on homework, participating in social activities. SSA needs to see concrete examples of how the disability impacts her daily functioning. 2. **Get supportive statements**: Ask teachers, counselors, therapists, and even family friends to write statements describing the limitations they've observed. These third-party observations carry weight. 3. **Request consultative exam strategically**: If SSA schedules a consultative exam (which they often do), prepare your daughter for what to expect. These exams are brief and the doctors may not be familiar with her specific condition. Bring a summary of her symptoms and limitations. 4. **Income/asset planning**: Since you mentioned medical bills have been crushing, be aware that SSA will count your household income and assets. If you're close to the income limits, consider timing the application strategically or consulting with a benefits planner about asset protection. The 2-year delay in diagnosis actually works in your favor for establishing onset date, even though SSI doesn't provide retroactive benefits. It shows a clear timeline of when symptoms began affecting her functioning. Good luck with the process!
Social Security spousal benefits - will wife's early filing reduction affect her spousal amount when I file at 70?
Hey everyone - I'm struggling to understand how my wife's early retirement benefits will impact her spousal benefits down the road. Here's our situation: My wife turns 62 in March 2026 and plans to take her SS retirement benefits early. Her PIA at full retirement age would be around $1,425, but filing at 62 would reduce it to about $995 per month. I'm 7 months younger than her and planning to wait until 70 to maximize my benefit. My FRA amount should be approximately $4,350. What I can't figure out is how her early filing affects the spousal benefit she'll get when I eventually file. Will the reduction only apply to her own benefit? From what I've calculated, when I file at 70, she should get her reduced benefit of $995 plus additional spousal benefits to bring her to roughly half of my PIA (around $2,175 total). But does her early filing somehow reduce the spousal portion too? And what about potential survivor benefits if I die first - would those be affected by her early filing? I want to make sure we're making the best decision for our situation. Thanks for any help!
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Just wondering, have u guys looked into file and suspend strategies? I heard that changed a few years ago but not sure if theres still ways to maximize?
Great question, but unfortunately the file and suspend strategy was eliminated by Congress in 2015 with the Bipartisan Budget Act. The rules changed for anyone who turned 62 after January 1, 2016. Under the current rules, a person must actually be receiving their retirement benefits for their spouse to receive spousal benefits based on their record. There are still some maximization strategies available though, particularly around survivor benefits and the timing of when each spouse files.
This is such a complex situation! I'm actually dealing with something similar with my parents right now. One thing that might help is using the SSA's online calculators or getting a personalized statement to run different scenarios. What really struck me from everyone's responses is how much that early filing penalty adds up over time - we're talking about potentially losing hundreds of dollars per month for the rest of her life. Have you considered what would happen if she worked part-time or found other income sources to bridge the gap until her FRA? Sometimes the math works out better to wait even if it means tightening the budget for a few years. Also, since you're planning to wait until 70 anyway, you might want to factor in cost of living adjustments (COLAs) that could increase both your benefits over time. The reduction percentages stay the same, but the base amounts they're applied to will likely grow. Good luck with your decision - this stuff is way more complicated than it should be!
Social Security withdrawal request after 3 months - repayment questions before FRA in 2026
I started collecting Social Security 3 months early (big mistake!) and just learned about the one-time 'do-over' option where I can withdraw my application. I understand I'll need to pay back the 3 benefit checks I've received so far, but are there any other downsides or gotchas I should know about? My plan is to withdraw now, then restart benefits when I reach my Full Retirement Age in February 2026 to get the higher monthly amount. Does interest get charged on the repayment? Will this affect my Medicare enrollment? Is there paperwork beyond the SSA-521 form? Any insights appreciated!!
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what happens if u dont have all the money to pay back? my cusin started ss early and its been 4 months but he spent most of it already
Unfortunately, SSA requires repayment of the full amount before they'll process the withdrawal. There's no installment option for this specific situation. If your cousin can't repay the full amount, they won't be able to withdraw the application. However, if they're still under FRA, they could consider suspending benefits when they reach FRA until age 70 to earn delayed retirement credits on the portion of benefits not affected by early claiming.
Just a heads up - after you submit the SSA-521 form, you might still receive another payment or two while they're processing your request. Don't spend this money! You'll need to return these payments as well. When I did my withdrawal, I got an extra payment deposited even after submitting my form, and it created confusion with the total amount I needed to repay.
That's really good to know. I'll make sure to set aside any additional payments that come through during the processing time. Would it be better to just return a check immediately if one arrives after I submit the form?
Yes, definitely return any checks immediately if they arrive after you submit the withdrawal form. Don't deposit them - just write "VOID" on the back and return them to your local SSA office with a note explaining you've requested withdrawal. This will help avoid confusion about the total repayment amount and speed up the processing. Keep copies of everything for your records!
When to file for Social Security at FRA in January 2025 - confused about payment timing and working limits
I'm pretty confused about when I need to apply for my Social Security retirement benefits. My Full Retirement Age is 66 years and 8 months, which I'll reach on January 7, 2025. I've read so many different things about when to actually file the application to start getting payments. Some people say 3 months before, others say 2 months before? I don't want to mess this up! Also, once I start receiving benefits at my FRA, I plan to keep working. I've been told that there's no earnings limit after reaching FRA, so my benefits won't be reduced no matter how much I make. Is that correct? Lastly, I'm trying to budget for 2025 and am wondering about the timing of payments. If I file to start benefits in January 2025 when I reach FRA, would my first payment arrive in February 2025 for January, or would it arrive in March 2025 for February? The SSA website is so confusing on this point! Thanks for any help. This whole process is stressing me out.
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One last thing to consider: Even though you're reaching FRA in January 2025, your payment date will be determined by your birth date. If you were born on the 7th, your payment will typically arrive on the second Wednesday of each month. So your January 2025 benefit would be paid on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Just something to keep in mind for your budgeting.
Thank you! This is exactly the kind of specific information I needed for planning. I appreciate everyone's help so much!
One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned - if you're currently receiving benefits from a former spouse's record or survivor benefits, those will automatically stop when you start receiving your own retirement benefits. The SSA should handle this transition automatically, but it's worth double-checking that your benefit estimate reflects your own work record and not any auxiliary benefits you might currently be receiving. Also, if you're married, your spouse may be eligible for spousal benefits on your record once you start receiving your own benefits, even if they haven't filed yet. Just another consideration for your overall retirement planning!
@Victoria Stark is absolutely right about checking this! You should definitely review your Social Security statement before applying. You can create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov to view your current earnings record and get an estimate of your retirement benefit. This will show you the benefit amount based on your own work history. When you apply, the SSA will automatically calculate whether you re'eligible for a higher benefit as a spouse or survivor, but since you mentioned you re'single, your own work record should be what determines your benefit. It s'always good to double-check those numbers match what you re'expecting before you file!
You can definitely verify this beforehand! I'd strongly recommend logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov and reviewing your Social Security Statement before applying. It will show your estimated monthly benefit at FRA based on your own earnings record. When you apply, the application will show you the benefit amount you're eligible for, and you can compare it to what you saw in your statement. If there's any discrepancy or if you have questions about whether you're getting credit for all your work history, that's when you'd want to contact SSA for clarification. It's much easier to sort out any issues before you start receiving benefits rather than after!
Natasha Orlova
be careful cancling part B!! my sister did that and when she tried to get it back later they made her wait till special enrollment period and charged her more money forever!! make sure u really don't need it
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Amina Diallo
This is actually an important point, but there's a key distinction. What happened to your sister was likely because she didn't have qualifying employer coverage when she canceled Part B. When you have qualifying employer coverage (from an employer with 20+ employees), you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period when that coverage ends, avoiding the late enrollment penalty. It's only people who cancel Part B without having other qualifying coverage who face penalties later.
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CosmicCowboy
Update: I finally got through to someone at Medicare this morning! They confirmed what many of you said - my husband CAN disenroll from Part B without penalty since I have employer coverage. We need to submit those two forms mentioned earlier and should get a refund for premiums already paid. They said processing could take 6-8 weeks but at least we're on the right track now. Thank you all for your help!
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Oliver Schulz
Great news! Make sure to keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit and get a confirmation number or receipt if possible. It doesn't hurt to follow up if you don't see the refund after 8 weeks. Glad you're getting it sorted out!
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Ethan Taylor
That's wonderful news! So glad you were able to get through and get this resolved. Just wanted to add - once you get your refund, double-check your husband's Social Security deposit amounts going forward to make sure the Part B deductions have actually stopped. Sometimes there can be a delay between when the paperwork is processed and when the deductions actually end. Wishing you both the best with this process!
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