

Ask the community...
Am I the only one who thinks its ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to access OUR OWN MONEY that we've been paying into for decades? The system is broken, y'all. 😤
pro tip: if u can, try calling right when they open in the morning. usually less busy and u might get lucky and talk to someone who's still in a good mood lol
Oof, dealing with multiple agencies is THE WORST. Hang in there, OP! Maybe see if there's a local advocacy group that can help navigate the system? They often know all the ins and outs.
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) designates someone as "permanently disabled," it typically means they've determined your condition is not expected to improve, and you won't need to undergo frequent medical reviews. This is often called being placed on a "MINE" (Medical Improvement Not Expected) review schedule. Regarding your benefits amount: Being classified as permanently disabled doesn't automatically change your benefit amount SSA disability benefits are generally calculated based on your earnings history, not on the severity or permanence of your disability The "scaled down" amount you mention might have been related to other factors, such as workers' compensation offset, early retirement benefits, or other income sources If you were receiving a reduced amount because of your age or potential for medical improvement, it would be unusual under standard SSA rules. However, disability programs can vary (SSDI, SSI, private insurance, etc.), and each has different rules. For specific information about your case and whether your new status affects your benefit amount, I'd recommend: Contacting your local Social Security office directly using https://claimyr.com Requesting a Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) from Social Security Consulting with a disability attorney or benefits counselor who can review your specific situation Congratulations on receiving permanent status! That typically means fewer reviews and more stability in your benefits going forward.
my neighbor got a letter like this but it was acutaly a SCAM!!! check it very carefully, did they ask u to call a number or send money???
I'd like to know what happened after you called SSA. Did you get this resolved? Was it an error as most of us suspect? It would be helpful for others who might face similar issues.
QuantumLeap
To summarize for anyone else with similar questions: If you die before filing for your own benefits, your wife would receive 100% of your PIA if she claims at her FRA. If you file early and then die, she'd get the higher of what you were receiving or 82.5% of your PIA. If you delay until 70 and then pass away, she'd get your increased benefit with delayed retirement credits. Since you're planning to wait until 70 and she'll claim at her FRA, you're already following an optimal strategy for maximizing her potential survivor benefits.
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Malik Johnson
•Reading all this makes me wish I'd understood these rules better before my husband passed. It really matters WHEN you claim benefits, both for yourself and as a survivor. I tell everyone now to learn this stuff BEFORE they need it.
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Gregg Thompson
This string of info is very helpful. If my wife claims SS when she is 62, I wait to claim then pass away, can she still get 100% of my PIA when she is FRA 67?
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Emma Wilson
•Yes, your scenario is actually one of the more flexible aspects of Social Security that I've learned about in my research. If your wife claims her own benefits early at 62 (which would be reduced), and then you pass away after waiting to claim your own benefits, she can still switch to 100% of your PIA when she reaches her full retirement age of 67. The key thing to understand is that claiming her own benefits early only permanently reduces those specific benefits. It doesn't affect what she can receive as survivor benefits later. This is one of those situations where the surviving spouse has options - she can take reduced benefits on her own record early, then switch to the higher survivor benefit at her FRA. This flexibility is actually helpful for financial planning, as it allows her to receive some income earlier while still preserving the right to your maximum survivor benefit later. I've found that these nuances in the Social Security rules aren't always clearly explained online, which is why I've been asking similar questions. I'd still recommend confirming this with the SSA for your specific situation, but this is definitely one of the planning strategies that can work well for couples with age differences like ours.
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Emma Wilson
•Yes, from what I've learned in my research, your wife would be able to get 100% of your PIA when she reaches her full retirement age of 67, even if she claimed her own reduced benefits at 62. Here's how it works: If she takes her own retirement benefit early at 62 (receiving a reduced amount), and you pass away without having claimed your benefits yet, she would have options. When she reaches her FRA at 67, she could switch to survivor benefits and receive 100% of your PIA. The early claiming reduction on her own benefits doesn't carry over to her survivor benefits. These are treated as two separate benefits, and she can switch to the higher amount when eligible. I've been trying to understand all these rules too since they're so important for our spouses' financial security. It's definitely worth confirming this specific scenario with Social Security directly, but this is my understanding of how it would work in your situation.
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