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- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
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Quick update on my experience - after my waiver was approved for that 1981 overpayment, I asked the SSA rep what caused these ancient claims to suddenly appear. She explained that SSA has been digitizing old paper records, and sometimes these conversions flag previously undetected issues in their automated systems. So it's not that they've been sitting on this for 47 years - their system likely just identified it during some database modernization. Still frustrating, but at least explains the bizarre timing.
OF COURSE this is happening because of computers! They care more about their automated systems than actual HUMANS. So typical of government agencies these days. No common sense at all!!!
UPDATE: I filed both the waiver and reconsideration forms yesterday. The SSA office actually had a helpful person who explained they're seeing several of these old student benefit cases right now due to a system modernization project (just like @RetirementPlanner mentioned). She seemed to think the waiver had a good chance of approval given the time passage and that I was a dependent student. I'll update again when I hear the final decision. Thanks everyone for your advice - I feel much more confident about handling this now instead of just paying it out of frustration!
Glad to hear you're making progress! One more tip: make sure to keep copies of everything you submit and get a receipt or confirmation number for your waiver and reconsideration requests. These things have been known to get lost in their system, especially during transitions like the digitization project they're working on.
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One more thing I think is important to mention: If your ex has remarried but you haven't, you can still claim on their record. Their current marriage has no impact on your eligibility. Also, you can claim even if your ex hasn't filed for their own benefits yet, but they must be eligible for benefits (at least 62) and you must have been divorced for at least two years. Lastly, taking ex-spouse benefits doesn't create any notification or paperwork for your ex, and they'll never see any reduction in their own benefits. The SSA handles everything independently.
Thank you! He has remarried so I'm glad that doesn't affect anything. He's 64 now so that requirement is met too. I really appreciate all this information - it makes the decision much less intimidating.
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Here's another tip: When you submit your application online, you'll get a confirmation number. Write this down immediately! I didn't, and when I needed to follow up on my application status, they kept asking for it. Also, create a my Social Security account online if you haven't already - you can track your application status there and it's much easier than calling.
I do have a my Social Security account, but that's a great reminder about the confirmation number. I'll definitely make sure to save it somewhere safe. Thanks!
Just to clarify something important: Even though you'll continue working, you should still apply for Medicare at 65 (if you haven't already), regardless of when you plan to start your Social Security benefits. Many people don't realize these are separate decisions. Missing your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period can result in permanent premium penalties, even if you have employer coverage.
Thanks for bringing this up! I did enroll in Medicare when I turned 65 last year, but I'm keeping my employer's health insurance as my primary coverage since I'm still working full-time at a large company. Good reminder for others reading this thread though!
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Try logging out completely and clearing your browser cookies, then log back in. Sometimes the system gets stuck in a weird state. That fixed a similar issue for me where I couldn't access certain forum features a few months ago.
I actually tried that yesterday - cleared cookies, tried different browsers, even used my phone instead of my computer. Same result everywhere - only anonymous posting available. But now I understand it's an intentional system change based on what others have explained. Mystery solved!
hey quick question thats off topic but since ur applying for SSDI - did they make u wait the full 5 months before your first payment? my doctor said sometimes they waive that for certain conditions
Yes, unfortunately they made me wait the full 5 months. From what I understand, the waiting period is pretty much mandatory for everyone on SSDI. I think your doctor might be confusing it with the 24-month Medicare waiting period, which can sometimes be waived for certain conditions like ALS. But the 5-month SSDI waiting period applies to almost everyone.
Olivia Garcia
Wait i'm confused...I thought the spousal benefit reduction was only based on when YOU file...but I thought the survivor benefit reduction was based on when the DECEASED person filed??? Is that not right?? Can someone clarify??
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Elijah Jackson
•There are two separate reductions that can apply to survivor benefits: 1. If the deceased spouse took reduced retirement benefits, the survivor benefit maximum is limited (with some exceptions). 2. If the surviving spouse claims survivor benefits before their own FRA, the survivor benefit is reduced based on the survivor's age. In the original poster's case, since her husband already took reduced benefits at 62, her eventual survivor benefit maximum is already affected by that decision. If she also takes her spousal benefit early, and later converts to survivor benefits, that early filing reduction would not carry over to the survivor benefit - that's a common misconception.
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Noah Lee
After reading through this discussion, I think there's an important distinction that needs clarification: The reduction from claiming spousal benefits early does NOT carry over to survivor benefits. These are completely separate calculations. For survivor benefits: 1. If you claim survivor benefits before your FRA, they are reduced based on YOUR age at the time you claim THOSE benefits. 2. Survivor benefits can be affected by whether your deceased spouse claimed early, but NOT by whether YOU claimed spousal benefits early. This is a common area of confusion. You can claim reduced spousal benefits early, and later still receive unreduced survivor benefits if you wait until your FRA to claim them (assuming your spouse didn't take reduced benefits, which in this case he did at 62).
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Liam Brown
•Thank you for this important clarification! So my husband's decision to take benefits at 62 already impacted any future survivor benefits I might receive, but my decision about when to take spousal benefits won't further reduce those survivor benefits? That's very helpful information.
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