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have u thought about contacting the ssa's inspector general? they investigate when ssa isn't following there own rules. might be nuclear option but sounds like your at that point
This is actually a reasonable suggestion for cases where there appears to be a systematic failure. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) generally focuses on fraud and abuse cases, but they can also look into situations where the agency is not properly administering benefits according to established rules and regulations. It's not typically a first step, but after exhausting normal channels, it's an option to consider.
The Inspector General is a really interesting suggestion - I hadn't even considered that route. You're right that I'm getting close to the nuclear option stage. I'll keep this in mind if my next attempts with the formal written request and Congressional follow-up don't work out. Thank you!
Based on everything you've shared, here's a step-by-step plan that combines the best advice from this thread: 1. Call SSA using Claimyr (to avoid the wait) and request BOTH the formal written denial explanation AND the specific calculation worksheets mentioned (PEBES/SSNBF and spousal benefit worksheet) 2. Return to your Senator's office with copies of all your documentation AND the information you receive from step 1, requesting a senior caseworker who specializes in federal benefits 3. Simultaneously contact your House Representative to open a second Congressional inquiry with the specific questions you want answered 4. Contact your local AARP chapter for additional advocacy support 5. If all else fails within 30 days, consider contacting the SSA Inspector General's office The key is to pursue multiple avenues simultaneously while gathering the specific documentation needed for a formal appeal. Remember that the squeaky wheel gets the grease in these situations!
Thank you so much for this comprehensive plan! I really appreciate you taking the time to put together these steps. This gives me a clear roadmap to follow instead of feeling like I'm just flailing around. I'll start with step 1 tomorrow morning and work my way through the list. Will update this thread if I make any progress!
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Has anyone else noticed that they keep changing how the SSA website works??? I finally figured out how to check my statement last year and now they've completely rearranged everything AGAIN and I can't find anything!!! Why do they keep making it harder for seniors to use their website???
The SSA has been updating their online systems to improve security and add features, which unfortunately can make navigation challenging if you're used to the previous layout. To access your statement: 1. Log into my.ssa.gov with your account 2. From the home page, look for "Message Center" 3. Select "Benefits & Payments" 4. Choose "Social Security Statement" Alternatively, you can request a paper statement be mailed to you by calling SSA or selecting that option on the website.
Thank you all for your insights! I feel much better understanding that this is just a projection and not set in stone. I'm going to focus on trying to increase my income in these final working years and possibly consider working until 68 instead of 67 to help offset this down year. I'll also look into getting a proper analysis done of my claiming strategy to see if waiting until 70 makes sense in my situation. Really appreciate all the detailed explanations about how the calculations work - the SSA should explain this more clearly on their statements!
That sounds like a solid plan. One additional suggestion: Consider creating an account on the SSA website if you haven't already. You can access your earnings record there and verify that all your past earnings have been correctly reported. Sometimes errors in the earnings record can affect benefit calculations, and it's much easier to correct these sooner rather than later.
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I had a TERRIBLE experience with my last redetermination! The SSA worker was rude and kept implying I was misusing my daughter's funds because I couldn't find a receipt from 8 months ago for a medical expense. They threatened to report me for misuse of funds over a $43 doctor's office copay! RIDICULOUS! Make sure you document EVERYTHING and keep EVERY receipt because they treat us like criminals! The whole system is designed to catch disabled people in gotcha moments so they can cut benefits. Sorry, but I'm still angry about how we were treated.
I'm sorry you had that experience, but I don't think that's typical. I've been through 4 redeterminations and while they're thorough, I've never been treated disrespectfully. Most SSA workers understand they're dealing with vulnerable populations. It's important to be prepared, but I don't think the OP should expect to be treated like a criminal.
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One more thing to consider - if you've already started receiving benefits, the recomputation formula includes a reduction. The increase is calculated by subtracting your original PIA from your recalculated PIA, then reducing that difference based on the number of months you've been receiving benefits before the recalculation. So if your AIME increase would have resulted in a modest benefit increase (say $30/month), after the reduction it might be a very small amount - potentially just a few dollars that you might not have noticed in your monthly deposit.
I didn't know about that reduction! I've been receiving benefits for 26 months now. But I still would have expected to see some increase given how much higher my 2024 earnings were compared to my lowest years.
If you're still concerned, I'd recommend printing out your complete earnings record from your my Social Security account and doing a manual calculation (or at least identifying your lowest 2-3 years that would be replaced). The SSA has calculators online that can help you estimate how much difference the new earnings would make. That way when you do speak with someone, you'll have specific information to discuss rather than just a general concern.
That's a great idea. I'll download my earnings history and identify the specific years that should be replaced. Having that information ready will probably help move things along when I follow up on my reconsideration.
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i think u can stil collect widows benefits from a dead ex spouse even if u remarry after 60 too its not just for divorsed spouse benefits
That's correct! The rules are similar but slightly different: - Divorced spouse benefits: Can claim if you remarry at 60+ - Surviving divorced spouse benefits (if ex is deceased): Can claim if you remarry at 60+ - Disabled surviving divorced spouse: Can claim if you remarry at 50+ It's important to distinguish between these different benefits because the amounts and requirements vary.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I think I understand better now. My plan is to: 1. Try to contact SSA to get exact benefit estimates (using that Claimyr service someone mentioned) 2. Talk to my boyfriend about our long-term plans and his benefit status 3. Consider waiting until after my 60th birthday to get married if it makes financial sense It's frustrating that something like when I get married could have such a big impact on my financial future, but I'd rather make an informed decision than regret it later.
That sounds like a very sensible approach. One more thing to consider: even if you wait until after 60 to remarry, when you actually apply for benefits (at 62+), they'll look at all possible benefit sources - your own record, your ex-spouse's record, and your new spouse's record - and give you the highest one you're eligible for. So sometimes the remarriage timing doesn't end up mattering if one of the other benefit sources is higher anyway.
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Have you tried calling at all? The wait times are CRAZY these days!!! I was on hold for almost 2 hours last time I called SSA
If you need to reach Social Security by phone without the crazy wait times, try using Claimyr.com - it's a service that waits on hold with SSA for you then calls you when an agent is ready. Saved me hours last month when I needed to fix an issue with my benefits calculation. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU
One more thing to consider - some offices are better staffed than others for specific issues. For example, if you have a complicated work history involving foreign employment or military service, you might want to visit a larger office that handles these cases more frequently. But for standard retirement applications, any office can help you equally well.
My situation is pretty standard - just regular employment all in the same state, so it sounds like any office would work fine for me. Thanks for the helpful information!
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so does this mean the limits only apply if ur under FRA? im 63 and getting SS but also working part time at walmart. i thot limit was like $1700 a month or something??
Yes, you're correct that there are earnings limits if you're collecting benefits before your FRA. For 2025, if you're under FRA for the entire year, you can earn up to $22,260 ($1,855 per month) before your benefits are reduced. The reduction is $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above the limit. In the year you reach FRA, the limit increases to $59,360 ($4,947 per month) for the months before your birthday month, with a reduction of $1 in benefits for every $3 earned above the limit. Once you reach your FRA month, there's no limit at all. If you're 63 and working at Walmart, you should carefully track your earnings to avoid going over the $22,260 annual limit, or you'll face benefit reductions.
I think there's something about having to pay more taxes if your income is too high with social security? My neighbor said something about 85% of his benefits being taxed when he kept working.
Your neighbor is referring to the taxation of Social Security benefits, which is different from the earnings limit. Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can become taxable depending on your combined income, but this doesn't reduce the amount of benefits you receive from Social Security - it just means you might owe income tax on a portion of those benefits. The actual percentage of benefits subject to tax depends on your total income from all sources.
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One more important detail: When your sister applies, she should specifically request a restricted application for "surviving divorced spouse benefits." Some SSA representatives may not be familiar with all the rules for disabled surviving divorced spouses since it's a less common situation. If she encounters any resistance, she should reference the Social Security POMS section DI 10115.001 that covers disabled widow(er)'s benefits. This specifically includes divorced spouses who meet the duration requirements. I also recommend she keeps detailed notes of all conversations with SSA, including representative names and direct quotes about her eligibility. This documentation can be crucial if there's any dispute about retroactive benefits or eligibility determinations.
Did anyone mention that theres income limits if shes under full retirement age? My friend got widows benefits and she had to stay under some earnings limit or they took back money. Does that apply to disability too?
That's a good point about earnings limits, but it works differently when someone is on SSDI. Since she's already on disability, she's subject to the SSDI earnings limits (SGA amounts - $1550/month in 2025), not the separate retirement earnings test. As long as she remains disabled and doesn't earn above the SGA amount, she won't have issues with the widow's benefits earnings test.
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my friend told me SS only pays the underpayment if you file within 30 days of the person dying. after 5 years they won't pay anything!
That information is incorrect. There is no 30-day filing deadline for underpayments to deceased beneficiaries. The Social Security Act specifically provides that a surviving spouse can file for underpayments at any time. Your friend might be confusing this with the lump-sum death payment of $255, which must be applied for within 2 years, or perhaps with some state-specific probate rules that don't apply to federal Social Security benefits.
One more tip based on my experience - when they process the payment, they'll send a detailed notice explaining how they calculated the underpayment amount. In my mom's case, they initially miscalculated and underpaid by about $1,200. We had to call and request a reconsideration, which was approved and they sent a supplemental payment. So double-check their math when you get the explanation!
That's good to know! We'll definitely review their calculations carefully. My father-in-law was getting both Social Security retirement and a small VA benefit, so I want to make sure they account for everything correctly.
Raúl Mora
I didn't realize they recalculate at FRA! That makes me feel better about the whole situation. Thanks for explaining this.
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Diego Fisher
This is SUPER important info that most people don't know!!! The money isn't
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