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my brother got aprroved in january too and his benefit was like 600$ more than the estimate on the SS website from before he applied!!! something about delayed retirement credits they didnt calculate before or something
That's a great point. The online calculators sometimes don't capture Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs) accurately before filing. If someone waited past their Full Retirement Age to claim, they earn an 8% increase for each year delayed (up to age 70). These credits can significantly boost the final benefit amount compared to early estimates.
Thank you all for the helpful responses! I really appreciate this community. Based on your answers, it sounds like the amount I'm seeing ($4,217) does already include the 2025 COLA, but I should be prepared for possibly small adjustments before my first payment. I'll also remember to account for Medicare premiums and tax withholding. I think I'll try that Claimyr service mentioned above just to get final confirmation from SSA directly. After months of paperwork and waiting, I want to make sure everything is 100% correct before I start making financial plans based on this income. Will update once I get my award letter!
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MY AUNT GOT AN OVERPAYMENT NOTICE FOR $12,500 BECAUSE NOBODY TOLD SSA WHEN MY UNCLE DIED AND THEY KEPT DEPOSITING HIS CHECKS FOR ALMOST A YEAR!!! MAKE SURE YOU CALL THEM RIGHT AWAY!!
Oh no, that's terrible! I'll definitely make sure to call them immediately and follow up to confirm they've processed everything correctly. Thank you for the warning.
One more thing to be aware of - if your father was receiving Social Security and your mother is still living, she may be eligible for survivor benefits if her own benefit amount is less than his. She should contact SSA about this once everything has settled down a bit.
My mother actually passed away five years ago, but that's good information for others reading this thread. Thank you for all your help - this community has been incredibly supportive during a difficult time.
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Regarding your dependent children - the rules can be complicated, but here's what you need to know: 1. Each eligible child can receive up to 50% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) - that's your benefit amount at full retirement age before any reductions or increases. 2. There's a Family Maximum Benefit (FMB) that caps the total amount all family members can receive on your record (typically 150-180% of your PIA). 3. The earnings test affects the TOTAL family benefits - if your benefits are withheld, your children's benefits are proportionally reduced. 4. Children's benefits end when they turn 18 (or 19 if still in high school). Since your children are 14 and 16 now, they'll be 15 and 17 in 2026. That means they'll only be eligible for about 3 years and 1 year respectively. This timing factor might make filing earlier more advantageous despite the earnings test reductions.
So if I'm understanding this right, the family maximum means that if someone has like 4 or 5 kids, they don't all get the full 50% each? The total would be capped?
has anyone noticed that the rules for SS are IMPOSSIBLE to figure out?? i swear they make it complicated on purpose!!!
The complexity exists because Social Security has evolved over many decades to address various social needs and edge cases. While it can be frustrating, the program provides important protections for millions of Americans. For the original poster's situation, I'd recommend requesting a personalized benefit estimate from SSA (including potential child benefits) and perhaps consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies. The right decision depends on many factors including benefit amounts, tax situation, and how long the children will remain eligible.
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Don't get too excited about the Fairness Act. They've been trying to pass this for TWENTY YEARS with no success! Congress doesn't care about retired teachers or police officers. All talk, no action. I'll believe it when I see it.
While I understand your frustration, there is more momentum now than ever before. The current bill has 305 cosponsors in the House (more than 70% of representatives) and 43 in the Senate. That's unprecedented support. Yes, there are legitimate funding concerns, but dismissing it entirely isn't helpful. Many advocacy groups believe some form of relief will pass in the next 1-2 years, even if it's not the full repeal originally proposed.
Thank you all for the incredibly helpful responses! This gives me much better clarity on how to advise my client. To summarize what I've learned: 1. Yes, deemed filing actually works in her favor here - she's already technically applied for ex-spousal benefits 2. If GPO is repealed, SSA would recalculate and pay her the higher amount 3. She should be prepared to contact SSA when/if legislation passes to ensure her case is reviewed 4. Implementation could take months even after passage 5. There's a good chance we'll see some modification rather than full repeal This has been extremely valuable - much appreciated!
You've got it exactly right. One final tip: have your client verify that her ex-spouse is properly linked to her record at SSA. Sometimes these connections aren't properly established in the system, which could delay any potential benefit adjustment. She can confirm this by requesting a copy of her Social Security Statement or asking specifically about this when speaking with an SSA representative.
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Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm going to create that my.ssa.gov account today to look at my numbers. I think I might try the strategy of taking the reduced survivor benefit now (even with the earnings limit reduction) and then switching to my own benefit later if it would be higher. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!
That sounds like a good plan. Just be aware that when you apply, make sure to specify you're applying ONLY for survivor benefits. If you don't make this clear, SSA might automatically process it as applying for both survivor and your own retirement benefits, which would prevent you from getting the higher amount later.
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This is completely normal. When your payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, Social Security will issue your payment on the previous business day. The slight increase in amount ($5) is likely from the 2025 COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) which was just applied to benefits. This is your regular monthly payment that was scheduled for the 3rd, but since the 3rd of next month falls on a Sunday, you received it on the previous Friday. This is not an error or overpayment, and the money is yours to use as needed.
That makes so much sense! I totally forgot about the COLA increase too. Thank you for the clear explanation - I feel much better now and won't worry about spending my regular benefit.
One more thing to know - you can check your mySocialSecurity account online to see your payment schedule and any notices. Sometimes they post information there before sending letters in the mail. The website has been much more reliable for me than trying to call.
the website is constantly down for me. i try to login and it says error try again later. been like that for months!!
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My cousin said online is faster BUT the problem is if you make ANY mistake they don't tell you for like 2 months and then you have to start all over again!!! That happened to his wife and it was a nightmare. At least with the phone appointment a real person can catch mistakes right away.
This isn't accurate. If there are mistakes or missing information on an online application, SSA typically contacts you within 1-2 weeks to get clarification. You never have to "start all over." They simply request the specific information needed to continue processing your claim.
After reading through the responses, I think the best approach is to file online now and keep your phone appointment as a backup. This way, you can get your application in the system immediately, but still have the opportunity to speak with someone directly if you encounter any issues or have questions about your application status. When filing online, be sure to: 1. Have your birth certificate and SSN ready 2. Know your employment history for the past 2 years 3. Have your bank information for direct deposit 4. Set aside 30-45 minutes of uninterrupted time 5. Print or save the confirmation page when you finish Good luck with your application!
Thank you for this detailed advice! I'm going to file online tonight and keep my appointment as backup. Really appreciate everyone's help navigating this!
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just wondering does her ss checks still get deposited while shes traveling? my aunt went to philippines for 3 months and had problems with her bank
For a 3-week trip, there should be no impact on Social Security direct deposits. Those continue normally regardless of temporary travel. Problems typically only arise with extended stays (6+ months) in certain countries or if someone moves permanently overseas. Even then, US citizens generally continue receiving their benefits with few exceptions.
Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I've checked mom's Medigap Plan F policy and confirmed it does include the foreign travel emergency coverage ($250 deductible, 80% coverage up to $50,000 lifetime). Based on your advice, I'm also getting her a supplemental travel medical policy for peace of mind. Found one that specifically coordinates with Medicare/Medigap and includes medical evacuation coverage. Mom's really excited about her trip now that we have the insurance figured out. I appreciate all the personal experiences shared - it really helped us make an informed decision!
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One practical suggestion: Have your mother request an appointment with a Technical Expert at her local Social Security office, not just a regular claims representative. Technical Experts have more advanced training on these complex benefit calculation scenarios and can provide detailed explanations of how her specific benefit was calculated. Make sure she brings documentation of your father's disability approval, death certificate, and any correspondence about benefits. Ask specifically for a written explanation of how her survivor benefit was calculated and have them document any questions about alternative calculations in her file. If she believes there's been a mistake, she can request a reconsideration, but be aware these are rarely successful without clear evidence of a calculation error.
That's excellent advice - I didn't know about Technical Experts. I'll help her schedule that appointment. Would it be helpful to bring anything else to that meeting?
Yes, also bring any award letters your father received showing his approved disability amount, his Social Security statements (if available), and your mother's own Social Security statement. Also helpful: a list of specific questions written down, including asking about any potentially applicable exceptions or limitations like WIB-LIM. Being prepared with specific questions helps ensure you get complete answers.
Oliver Fischer
btw did they mention medical review or did they send u forms for that already??? sometimes they do that seperate
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Paolo Rizzo
•No, they didn't send any medical forms yet. The representative just said to bring whatever documentation I have to the interview, and they would tell me what additional forms may be needed. Should I call back and ask about this specifically?
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Natasha Ivanova
•No need to call back. The process typically works like this: 1. Initial interview (what you're having Friday) 2. They'll give you Form SSA-3368 (Adult Disability Report) to complete 3. They'll request medical records from the providers you list 4. They may schedule a consultative exam with their doctor 5. The Disability Determination Service reviews everything At the interview, they'll explain which forms you need to complete and will provide them. Just focus on gathering your current documentation for now.
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Javier Garcia
Does ur son get Medicaid? If so bring that paperwork too! Sometimes the medicaid disability determination can help with SS disability stuff. At least in my state they share some info between programs.
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Paolo Rizzo
•Yes, he does have Medicaid through our state's waiver program for developmental disabilities. I'll definitely bring that paperwork as well. Thank you for the suggestion!
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