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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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my uncle waited til 70 to collect his SS even though he got medicare at 65. got an extra 30% on his monthly check cuz he waited! smart move if you can afford to wait
That's my ideal scenario! I was just misinformed that I had to take both at the same time. If I can get Medicare now and wait on SS until 67 or even 70, that would be wonderful.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you decide to apply for Medicare only at 65, you'll need to pay the Medicare Part B premiums directly (they won't be deducted from your Social Security payment since you won't be receiving one yet). In 2025, the standard Part B premium is projected to be around $185-$190 per month, though it could be higher depending on your income. You'll receive quarterly bills from Medicare or can set up automatic payments from your bank account. Just something to budget for!
That's a really helpful point I hadn't considered. I'll make sure to budget for paying those premiums directly. Is the process for setting up automatic payments straightforward?
Yes, it's fairly simple. Medicare offers a program called Medicare Easy Pay, which allows automatic deductions from your checking or savings account. When you receive your first Medicare premium bill, it will include instructions for enrolling in Easy Pay. You'll need your Medicare number, bank information, and to complete a short form (SF-5510). You can also pay by credit card, check, or through your bank's online bill pay service.
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I went to a retirement seminar last week and the financial advisor said most of these online calculators are pretty accurate. He recommended that site specifically! He also said to add 5-7 years to whatever you think your life expectancy is because most people underestimate. Apparently women especially tend to live longer than they plan for financially.
did the advisor try to sell you anything? my cousin went to one of those "free" seminars and got pressured into buying some annuity thing that she didnt need at all. be careful!
I think what matters more than the life expectancy they use is your OWN family history and health. My parents both passed in their early 70s from heart issues that run in the family, so I'm planning to claim at 62. No calculator knows YOUR situation!
That's absolutely correct. While statistical averages are useful for general guidance, your personal health, family history, and financial situation should ultimately drive your decision. For someone with health concerns or family history of shorter lifespans, claiming earlier can be the rational choice. The "optimal" claiming strategy is always personal.
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Wait a minute - has anyone mentioned the impact on taxes here? When my wife started collecting her retirement on top of my SSDI, it pushed our combined income into a higher tax bracket and suddenly 85% of my SSDI became taxable! The extra benefit amount wasn't worth the tax hit. Make sure to consider the tax implications before you get excited about any potential increase!
Based on the numbers you shared, let's do a quick calculation: If your husband's benefit at his full retirement age (before any delayed retirement credits) is around $2,800, then 50% of that would be $1,400. Since your current SSDI is $1,650, which is higher than the $1,400 spousal benefit you might be eligible for, you likely won't receive any additional amount through dual entitlement. However, these are just estimates. Your husband's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) might be different from his actual benefit if he's delaying past full retirement age. I'd still recommend applying for the spousal benefit once he files, just to make sure you don't miss out on any potential increase.
Thank you for working through those numbers! That's really helpful to see the actual calculation. You're right that we won't know the exact amounts until he actually files, but at least now I have a better understanding of how it works and what to expect.
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Has your SIL checked if she'd be subject to WEP or GPO??? My friend's wife thought she'd get spousal benefits too but got hit with the windfall elimination provision because she had a government pension!!! If your SIL worked for state govt or federal job without paying into SS, that could change EVERYTHING!!!!
Good point about WEP/GPO, though the original post mentioned both were high wage earners, which suggests they both paid into Social Security throughout their careers. But you're right that if either had non-covered employment (government jobs without SS taxes), that would significantly change the calculations.
Just wanted to share that I was in this exact situation - high earner husband, also good income myself. I got ZERO spousal benefits. My own benefit at FRA was about $2,800 and half of his PIA was only $1,900 so no excess for me. Probably same for your sister-in-law if she has a good earnings record.
Thanks for sharing your real numbers - that helps put things in perspective. I'm guessing she'll be in a similar situation based on her career, but at least now she knows what to expect!
Mohamed Anderson
My sister worked for SSA for 35 years and told me they NEVER automatically give you the best deal! You HAVE to ask specifically or they'll just keep quiet and you lose money forever! They shoulda told you all this when you first applied but they dont care about us seniors!
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Daniel White
•This isn't entirely accurate. While it's always good to be informed about your benefits, the SSA systems are designed to automatically calculate dual entitlement (when someone is eligible for their own retirement plus spousal benefits). However, it is true that they don't automatically *advise* you on claiming strategies that might maximize your benefits. They'll process what you apply for, but they don't typically suggest when you should file or how to coordinate between spouses. That's why it's good to do research or talk to a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies.
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Abigail Patel
Thank you all for the helpful information! I've learned so much from this discussion. We're going to reconsider when my husband should file based on all your advice about spousal and survivor benefits. I think we need to look at this as a family strategy rather than just individual benefits like someone suggested. I'm also going to make an appointment with our local SSA office to make sure we understand all our options before making a decision. The difference between filing at 65 versus waiting until 70 could mean tens of thousands of dollars over our lifetime. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain things so clearly!
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