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have u checked ur my social security acct online? sometimes it shows pending payments there before they even tell u. might give u a clue if somethings gonna hit in january
To summarize what should happen in your case: 1. Benefits should automatically resume in January 2025 2. No action needed from you if SSA has your correct 2025 earnings estimate 3. First payment should arrive based on your birth date schedule in January 4. You'll receive your full monthly benefit amount since your 2025 earnings are well below the limit If January comes and you don't receive payment, then you should contact SSA immediately to ensure they have the correct earnings information for 2025. For peace of mind, you could call once more in December to verify everything is set up correctly for January payment resumption.
Just wanted to wish you good luck with your kidney surgery. That's scary stuff on top of dealing with SSDI bureaucracy. Hope everything goes well!
To address your question about updating the Adult Function Report - it would be helpful to provide an update after your surgery. You can submit a letter from your doctor describing any additional limitations resulting from the kidney removal. Generally, SSA evaluates disability based on how your conditions limit your ability to work. While spine issues typically cause exertional limitations (lifting, standing, walking), the kidney cancer and surgery may cause non-exertional limitations (need for frequent breaks, absences for treatment, fatigue). The combination of these different types of limitations often presents a stronger case than either condition alone. When you speak with the examiner after surgery, ask if you should submit an updated Function Report or if a medical source statement from your doctor would be sufficient.
Exactly right. And to add some context - SSA uses what's called the "combined effects" doctrine when evaluating disability claims. They look at how ALL your medical conditions interact to impact your ability to work. Sometimes people get denied when looking at each condition individually, but approved when considering the combined impact. The examiner seems to be properly applying this approach.
To add a bit more technical detail: The 2025 COLA (3.2%) will be applied to everyone receiving Social Security benefits as of December 2024. The timing of when someone started receiving benefits doesn't affect COLA eligibility. For the earnings question, the rules depend on your husband's age. Since you mentioned he's 67 and at his Full Retirement Age (FRA), the earnings test doesn't apply to him anyway. SSA will reconcile his actual earnings when tax information is processed, but this won't affect his benefit amount. The letter you received is standard for new beneficiaries. You'll receive a separate COLA notice in December that will explain the inflation adjustment being applied to his benefits starting January 2025.
wait does anyone know if the 3.2% gets added to wats in the letter already or is it calculated some other way?? so confused
The 3.2% COLA will be applied to your current benefit amount (before any deductions like Medicare premiums). So if your current benefit is $2,000, the COLA would add $64 (2000 × 0.032 = 64), making your new gross benefit $2,064 starting in January. The COLA notice in December will show the exact calculation for your specific situation.
dont social security beneifts only get taxed if you make over a certain amount? i forget what it is but i think most people dont even pay tax on ss
You're right! Social Security benefits are only taxable if your combined income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + half of your Social Security benefits) exceeds $25,000 for individuals or $32,000 for married filing jointly. At most, 85% of benefits become taxable, never 100%. But as another commenter pointed out, if these are benefits for a child/dependent that the original poster is receiving as a representative payee, they aren't taxable to the representative payee at all.
Update: I found the form and checked box 5 like someone suggested. Turns out these payments aren't even my taxable income since I'm just the representative payee for my nephew! I feel silly now but glad I asked. Thanks everyone for your help!
Ellie Simpson
Based on the discussion so far, let me clarify the timing for your husband: - Born November 1958 - FRA = 66 years + 8 months = July 2025 - Apply online 3-4 months before benefits start - If starting at FRA in July 2025, apply in March/April 2025 Since his employer wants him to stay through 2025, he has excellent options: 1. He can reach FRA in July 2025, apply for benefits, AND continue working with no earnings limit penalties. 2. He could delay applying past FRA while working, earning delayed retirement credits of 8% per year (prorated monthly at 2/3% per month) until age 70. Option #2 could significantly increase his lifetime benefit if he has average or above-average life expectancy. Many financial advisors recommend this approach if you don't need the money immediately, especially for the higher-earning spouse.
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Ryder Greene
•This makes perfect sense now. I thought the earnings limit would still apply even after FRA but I see that's not the case. Since he plans to work through December 2025 anyway, we'll definitely run the numbers to see if delaying makes sense. One final question - does he still need to sign up for Medicare at 65 even if he delays his SS retirement benefit?
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Arjun Kurti
Yes, Medicare enrollment at 65 is separate from your Social Security retirement benefit decision. He should absolutely sign up for Medicare during his Initial Enrollment Period (3 months before his 65th birthday month, his birthday month, and 3 months after). Failing to enroll in Medicare Part B during this window can result in permanent late enrollment penalties, even if he's still working. However, if he has creditable employer health insurance from a company with 20+ employees, he can delay Medicare Part B enrollment without penalty until that coverage ends. He should still enroll in Medicare Part A at 65 though, as it's premium-free and can serve as secondary insurance to his employer coverage.
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Ryder Greene
•Thank you so much! That's incredibly helpful. His company has over 500 employees so it sounds like we can safely delay Part B until his employer coverage ends. We'll make sure to enroll in Part A when he turns 65 this year. I really appreciate everyone's help in sorting this out!
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