I'm a case worker who's dealt with these SSI/DAC interaction issues many times. Based on your description, SSA definitely made an error by not including the allocation for your 12-year-old son. Here's what you should do immediately: 1. Call SSA and request an "informal conference" - this is faster than a formal reconsideration 2. Specifically state: "You failed to apply the ineligible child allocation for my 12-year-old son in the deeming calculation" 3. Have your son's birth certificate and proof he lives with you ready 4. Request continuation of benefits during the review (you have 10 days from the notice date) The math should be: Your DAC ($1640) - $20 general exclusion - $522 ineligible child allocation = $1098 subject to deeming, not the full amount they're currently using. This error could be costing you around $185/month in your daughter's SSI. Don't let them brush you off - this is a clear calculation error on their part.

This is such a common mistake by SSA! I went through the exact same thing when I started receiving DAC benefits and my younger sister was on SSI. They completely overlooked the allocation for my non-disabled brother who was living with us. Here's what worked for me: I called the 1-800 number first thing in the morning (around 8 AM seems to be the best time to get through) and immediately asked to speak with someone about a "deeming calculation error involving missing ineligible child allocation." Using those specific terms seemed to help get me transferred to someone who actually understood the issue instead of getting bounced around. The rep was able to see the error right away once I explained it, and they corrected it within about 2 weeks. I also got back pay for the months they had calculated it wrong. Make sure you emphasize that this is a calculation error, not a change in circumstances - that helped move things along faster in my case. Don't give up if the first person you talk to doesn't understand. I had to call back twice before I got someone who knew what they were talking about. Good luck!

I used Claimyr last month too when I needed to straighten out my spouse's survivor benefits. They called me back in about 45 minutes when they had an SSA agent on the line. Saved me literally hours of waiting. For your issue, it really sounds like either a garnishment (which should have been communicated to you) or a system error. Either way, you need to speak directly with SSA to get the tracking information your bank is requesting. There's no way to find that number on the website.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation! A $300 discrepancy is definitely significant and needs to be resolved quickly. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - have you checked if there might be a Medicare Part B Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) that kicked in? Sometimes these adjustments can be substantial and don't always show up clearly on the main benefit statement page. Also, I'd recommend taking screenshots of your MySocialSecurity account showing the payment amount they claim was sent, along with your bank statement showing what you actually received. Having this documentation ready will help when you do get through to SSA. For what it's worth, I've heard good things about that Claimyr service others mentioned - might be worth the small fee to avoid the hold times. And definitely try calling right at 7 AM when they open, as suggested. Keep us updated on what you find out! This kind of issue affects so many people and your experience could help others facing similar problems.

One more important thing to consider: while benefits are reduced if you earn over the limit before FRA, you actually get those reduced benefits back later. SSA recalculates your benefit amount when you reach FRA to account for months when benefits were withheld. So you're not permanently losing that money - it's more like a delay in receiving it. This is called the Adjustment to the Reduction Factor (ARF). The information in section 202(x) of the Social Security Handbook explains this recalculation. Your monthly benefit will increase starting at FRA to account for those months when you received reduced or no benefits due to excess earnings.

Just wanted to add from my own experience - make sure you understand the timing of when SSA actually processes these changes. When I retired mid-year, it took them several months to adjust my benefits for the monthly earnings test. I had to call multiple times to get it sorted out, and they had to do retroactive adjustments. The system isn't always quick to recognize when you've actually stopped working, so keep detailed records of your last day of work and be prepared to provide documentation if needed. Also, if you're planning to do any consulting or part-time work after you "retire," make sure you understand how that income gets counted too!

I researched this extensively when planning my own retirement. The confusion comes from mixing up two different reductions: 1. The reduction to YOUR own benefit from filing early 2. The reduction to YOUR SURVIVOR BENEFIT based on when you claim it They're calculated differently! If your husband waits until 70 and gets (let's say) $3,500/month, then dies, that full amount becomes the basis for your survivor benefit. But how much of that you get depends on YOUR age when you CLAIM SURVIVOR BENEFITS. If you're already past your survivor FRA when he dies, you get 100% of his $3,500. If you're 60 when he dies, you'd get about 71.5% of his $3,500. The fact that you claimed your own benefit early doesn't directly reduce your survivor benefit. What matters is YOUR AGE when you APPLY for survivor benefits.

As someone new to this community but dealing with similar retirement planning questions, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly helpful discussion! The distinction between early filing reductions on your own benefit versus survivor benefit reductions based on when you claim survivor benefits is something I had completely misunderstood. Carmen, your situation really resonates with me - my spouse and I are also close in age with similar earnings, and I've been getting conflicting advice about optimal claiming strategies. The clarification that your husband's delayed retirement credits DO carry over to survivor benefits, but the reduction to YOUR survivor benefit depends on YOUR age when you claim it (not when you claimed your own benefit) is a game-changer for my planning. One follow-up question for the group: For couples with very similar benefit amounts like Carmen's situation, has anyone done the math on whether it's better to have both spouses delay to 70, or stick with the traditional "higher earner delays, lower earner files early" approach? It seems like when the benefit amounts are nearly identical, the survivor benefit protection might be similar either way, so maybe cash flow needs should drive the decision more than survivor planning? Thanks again for all the detailed explanations - this is exactly the kind of real-world insight that's so hard to find elsewhere!

I work as a paralegal at a law firm that handles Social Security cases, and I want to emphasize a few key points that might help you: 1. You are absolutely eligible for survivor benefits since you were married to your husband when he passed away and had been for 4 years (well over the 9-month requirement). 2. When you apply, make sure to ask SSA to calculate what your benefit would be if you waited until your full retirement age vs. taking it at 60. The reduction is significant - about 28.5% less at age 60. 3. If you're still working, be aware of the earnings limit. For 2024, if you're under full retirement age, you can earn up to $22,320 without affecting your benefits. Every $2 you earn over that limit reduces your benefits by $1. 4. Consider consulting with a Social Security attorney for a free consultation if your situation feels complex. Many of us offer free initial consultations for survivor benefits cases. The good news is your case seems straightforward - you were married at the time of death for more than 9 months, which is all that matters for survivor benefits eligibility.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Sean. As someone who went through a similar process last year, I wanted to share what I learned. You're definitely eligible for survivor benefits! Since you were married to your husband when he passed away (regardless of the previous divorce), the only requirement is that you were married for at least 9 months at the time of his death - which you were for 4 years during your second marriage. One thing that really helped me was creating a timeline of all my important dates and gathering every document beforehand. For your situation, I'd recommend bringing: - Both marriage certificates (from your first and second marriages to him) - Your divorce decree from the 2-year separation period - His death certificate - Both of your Social Security cards - Your birth certificate Also, don't feel pressured to start benefits immediately at 60 if you don't need them right away. The reduction for taking them early is substantial, and if you're still working, the earnings test could affect your payments. Take time to understand all your options first. Wishing you the best during this difficult time.