did u try calling ur congressperson? my aunt had a problem with SS and she called her congressmans office and they fixed it in like 2 days

I'm really sorry you're going through this - it's such a stressful situation to be in. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you have several good options to pursue simultaneously: 1. File the formal appeals (SSA-561 and SSA-632 forms) as soon as possible - these seem to be the most direct path to getting your benefits restored while you're dealing with the overpayment issue. 2. Try that Claimyr service that Ethan mentioned to actually get through to a Claims Specialist who has the authority to adjust your withholding rate. The regular phone reps clearly don't have the same level of knowledge about these policies. 3. Request the detailed breakdown of how they calculated your overpayment amount - if there are any errors, that could significantly reduce what you owe. 4. Consider reaching out to your congressional representative's office for help - it's free and they have direct contacts at SSA who can often resolve these issues quickly. The key thing seems to be that you absolutely DO have the right to a reduced payment plan, but you need to get to the right person who knows the proper procedures. Don't let them tell you otherwise - the policy is clearly written that you can request reduced withholding for financial hardship. Stay strong and keep advocating for yourself. This sounds like a bureaucratic mistake that can be fixed once you get to someone who knows what they're doing.

Since it hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand that Social Security benefits might be partially taxable depending on your combined income. If your provisional income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + 1/2 of Social Security benefits) exceeds certain thresholds, up to 85% of your benefits could be subject to federal income tax.With your unemployment benefits, any part-time work, and your husband's income, you might hit these thresholds, so it's worth factoring that into your calculations.

Just want to add a perspective as someone who's been through this recently - I filed for SS at 64 after being laid off, similar to your situation. The key thing that helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet comparing my monthly cash flow under different scenarios (unemployment only vs unemployment + reduced SS vs waiting for FRA). Given that your husband is still working and has multiple pensions coming, you have more flexibility than someone who's completely on their own. The 12% reduction sounds scary, but if you need the income now and your husband will likely have good benefits later, it might be worth the peace of mind. Plus, unemployment benefits are temporary - only 26 weeks in most states. One thing I wish I'd known: even though you can withdraw your SS application within 12 months, it's not as simple as just changing your mind. You have to repay EVERYTHING including any Medicare premiums that were deducted, and the paperwork takes time. So really think through your decision before filing. Good luck with whatever you decide! Being laid off at our age is stressful enough without having to navigate all these government systems.

Just a warning - even when you get this fixed, be prepared for a mess. When they finally fixed my brother's case, they issued back payments for the months they had incorrectly reduced his benefits, but then sent ANOTHER letter a month later claiming those back payments were issued in error!!! It took another 3 months to sort that out. Save EVERY letter they send you.

I'm dealing with a similar situation with my disabled nephew's SSI. The coordination between wage reporting and living arrangement changes is absolutely terrible at SSA. Here's what finally worked for us: 1. File Form SSA-561 (Request for Reconsideration) immediately - this stops collection while they review 2. Submit everything via certified mail with return receipt - faxes get lost constantly 3. In your reconsideration letter, explicitly state that the fair share arrangement should have been processed BEFORE applying wage deductions 4. Request a "chronological review" of all your submissions since October The key phrase to use is "failure to process living arrangement change resulted in incorrect overpayment calculation." Make them prove they processed your fair share documentation correctly before demanding repayment. Also, if you have any family members who are veterans, try contacting the VA - they sometimes have backdoor contacts at SSA that can expedite complex cases like this. It's worth a shot when you're dealing with this level of bureaucratic nightmare. Document everything and don't give up. The system is broken but your case is definitely fixable with persistence.

Just to add some specific numbers that might help you visualize this situation: Let's say your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) - the amount you'd get at your Full Retirement Age - is $3,000. At age 70, with delayed retirement credits, you'd receive approximately $3,720. If your wife's PIA is $2,400, at age 68 she would receive about $2,688 on her own record. The spousal benefit would be 50% of your PIA, so $1,500. In this scenario, when your wife files at age 68, she would automatically receive her own benefit of $2,688 since it's higher than the spousal benefit of $1,500. If she waited until 70, her own benefit would grow to about $2,976. Everyone's numbers are different, but this illustrates why many couples with similar earnings histories often find that spousal benefits aren't relevant - both spouses' own benefits are higher.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the impact of Medicare premiums on your decision. If your wife has higher income from waiting until 70, she might face higher Medicare Part B and Part D premiums due to IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) thresholds. Also, don't forget about the "earnings test" if either of you plan to work at all before Full Retirement Age. Since your wife is already 68, this probably doesn't apply, but it's worth checking if she has any earned income. You might want to use the SSA's online calculators or consider getting a personalized benefit statement to run the exact numbers for your situation. Every couple's circumstances are unique, and small differences in birth dates, earnings history, and life expectancy can significantly impact the optimal claiming strategy.

I just wanted to update and thank everyone for the helpful responses. I've created an account on ssa.gov to verify my earnings history (thankfully it's accurate). We've decided my husband will hold off claiming his own benefits for now. If I pass away before he reaches his FRA, he'll apply for survivor benefits even though they'll be reduced, then switch to his own benefits at 70 when they'll be maximized. The percentage chart was especially helpful in understanding how this works. I'm also going to suggest we meet with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning to make sure we're making the best choices for our specific situation.

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but it's encouraging that you're responding well to treatment. Your forward-thinking approach to planning is admirable during such a difficult time. Just to add another perspective to the excellent advice already given - there's also something called the "widow's limit" that can come into play. If your husband claims his own retirement benefits early (before FRA), it could potentially limit his survivor benefits later to a percentage of what you were receiving. This is why many experts recommend the strategy you've outlined - waiting on his own benefits and potentially taking reduced survivor benefits first if needed. Another thing to consider: survivor benefits can start as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), so your husband would have options even if something happened sooner than expected. The reduction is steeper at younger ages, but it's still available. The meeting with a Social Security specialist sounds like a great idea. They can help you model different scenarios and make sure you're not missing any nuances in the rules. Take care of yourself, and I hope your treatment continues to go well.