One more thing - double check your February payment to make sure everything is correct going forward. Make sure they're deducting the right amount for Medicare Part B and that your withholding percentage is being calculated AFTER the Medicare deduction, not before. The first couple months of benefits often have little glitches that need to be fixed.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm starting SS benefits next month and was wondering about the Medicare Part B situation. Based on what everyone's explained here, it sounds like the key is to only expect reimbursement for months where you'd actually be paying twice - not for every month you paid in advance. And the tax withholding thing is just something we have to deal with unfortunately. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to break this down so clearly!

my mom had almost same situation!!! she was on disability many years then tried to get on my dads record when he retired. the difference was only like $75 more per month but that still helps with groceries these days! everything is so expensive now.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if the benefit increase seems small, it could still be worth pursuing. As someone mentioned, even an extra $75/month adds up to $900 per year, which can really help with rising costs. Also, there's another angle to consider - if you do qualify for a higher spousal or ex-spousal benefit, you might want to think about the timing strategically. Since you're 62 now, you could potentially file a restricted application for just the auxiliary benefits while letting your own retirement benefit continue to grow with delayed retirement credits until age 70 (though this gets complex with SSDI conversions). The key is getting the actual benefit calculations from SSA. They can run scenarios for you showing exactly what you'd receive under each option and at different ages. Don't give up on reaching them - your financial security is worth the effort to get through!

Update: I called my local office this morning (actually got through somehow!) and spoke with a claims representative. She said they do recognize this issue and suggested I send in a letter explaining my work schedule and which months will have 3 paychecks. She also recommended I keep a work diary with my hours and pay info. She said if I'm flagged, I should immediately request a reconsideration with this documentation. Feeling a bit more prepared now!

Great to hear you got through to someone helpful! That's exactly the right approach - being proactive rather than reactive. One additional tip: when you write that letter, be very specific about which months will have the 3 paychecks (you can calculate this based on your pay schedule) and include your regular weekly hours and hourly rate. Also mention that your total annual earnings will still be well within limits when calculated properly. Having everything documented upfront like this can save you a lot of headaches later if their system does flag those months. The fact that the claims rep specifically mentioned keeping a work diary shows they understand this is a real issue that affects people regularly.

Im getting disability too but I also worked a part time job allowed under the earnings limit. Does that make any difference when I turn 62? They told me I could earn up to $1,550/month without affecting SSDI but don't know if that changes at 62?

I went through this exact same situation three years ago when I turned 62! I was so stressed about potentially losing part of my SSDI payment, but everyone here is absolutely right - nothing changes at 62. Your $1,650 will continue exactly as it is. What really helped me was calling my local Social Security office (I finally got through after several attempts) and they confirmed that SSDI recipients don't face any benefit reductions at age 62. That's only for people who choose to take early retirement benefits. The transition from SSDI to retirement benefits happens automatically at your Full Retirement Age (sounds like 67 for you), and the amount stays identical. You might even get small increases each year with the Cost of Living Adjustments - mine went up about $100 over the past few years. Don't stress about it - your budget will be fine!

Update on this topic: SSA just implemented a new national policy for W-4V forms specifically. As of May 2025, all field offices are required to accept tax withholding forms via: 1. Secure drop boxes (no appointment needed) 2. Mail 3. Fax 4. Online submission through my Social Security accounts (new feature) The online option is the fastest with processing in about 10 days. Drop box and mail take 3-4 weeks. If you haven't set up your my Social Security account, I highly recommend it for this and future needs.

I had a similar situation last week! I went to my local SSA office in Phoenix without an appointment specifically to drop off my W-4V form. The security guard told me they do have a drop box for certain forms including W-4V, and I didn't need an appointment. I filled out a simple cover sheet with my name and SSN, dropped it in the box, and got a date-stamped receipt. The whole process took about 5 minutes. I'd suggest calling your local office first (not the 1-800 number) to confirm they have a drop box option, as it seems like policies vary by location. Good luck!