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DONT FORGET to ask about the lump sum death payment too!!! Its only $255 but its something extra!!!! A lot of people dont know about this and SSA wont tell u!!!!
Oh! I hadn't even thought about that. Thank you for mentioning it! I'll add it to my list of questions for tomorrow.
After your call tomorrow, if they don't agree to use your August date, you can request a formal determination in writing and then appeal if necessary. SSA has an established appeals process. But hopefully they'll handle it correctly tomorrow if you clearly explain the situation. Also, make sure you're prepared to provide all the necessary information for your application: your spouse's death certificate, marriage certificate, both your Social Security numbers, and your direct deposit information. Having this ready will help ensure the application gets completed this time.
I've gathered all those documents and made copies. If they don't agree to the August date, I'll definitely request the formal determination in writing. Thank you for explaining that there's an appeals process - that makes me feel better knowing I have options.
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when i applied they told me u get paid the month after. so december benefits come in january. january benefits come in february. remember to set up direct deposit makes it faster
Thanks for that reminder about direct deposit. I'll definitely set that up right away.
Based on what you've shared about your income ($65,000) and age (turning 60), here's my recommendation: 1. Since you're substantially over the earnings limit, most or all of your survivor benefits would be withheld until you reach FRA or reduce your work hours. 2. You might consider waiting to apply until either: - You're closer to retirement or reducing hours, OR - You reach FRA when the earnings test no longer applies 3. If you decide to apply anyway, January would be slightly better than December for tax purposes, but the earnings test impact would be far more significant than any tax difference. 4. Remember that the reduction for taking survivor benefits early is permanent, but if your own retirement benefit at 70 would be higher than your survivor benefit at FRA, there might still be a strategy in taking reduced survivor benefits for a period and then switching.
This has been eye-opening. I think I need to completely reconsider my strategy. I had no idea about the earnings test and how it would basically eliminate my benefits while I'm still working at this income level. I'll need to do some calculations to see if it makes more sense to wait until my FRA or when I cut back my hours. Thank you all for preventing me from making what could have been a big mistake!
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Does anyone know if the payments will be RETROACTIVE when they finally implement this? I've been getting reduced benefits for 12 years now because of WEP!
Based on the legislation, the adjustments will be retroactive to the effective date of the law (January 2025), but not for the entire period you've been affected by WEP. So you'll get retroactive payments from January 2025 until whenever they actually implement the changes in their system, but not for the 12 years prior to the law changing.
My cousin told me this doesn't apply if you're already receiving disability instead of retirement. Is that true? I get SSDI and had my benefit reduced by WEP too.
Your cousin is incorrect. The WEP changes apply to all Social Security benefits that were subject to WEP, including disability (SSDI). If your SSDI benefit was reduced because of WEP and you meet the criteria under the new formula, you should see an adjustment when SSA implements the changes.
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btw if u havent already u should apply for spousal benefits right now, u dont need to wait for survivor benefits. since ur over 50 u can get them while hes still alive
I thought about that, but I think I need to be at least 62 to collect spousal benefits? I'm only 58 now. Unless there's something I'm missing?
That's correct. For spousal benefits based on a living spouse, you generally need to be at least 62 years old to collect (unless you're caring for a child under 16 or a disabled child). The only exception to the age-62 rule for spousal benefits is if you're caring for the disabled worker's child who is under 16 or disabled. However, for survivor benefits, you can claim as early as age 60 (or 50 if you're disabled yourself).
One more IMPORTANT thing I forgot to mention!!! If you're taking care of your husband full-time and he requires constant attendance, check if you qualify for the "Aid and Attendance" benefit through VA (if he's a veteran) OR look into whether your state has a paid family caregiver program through Medicaid. I missed out on YEARS of potential benefits because nobody told me about these programs!!! The system is DESIGNED to keep us in the dark!!
Thank you for this tip! He's not a veteran, but I'll definitely look into the Medicaid caregiver program. I've been doing this for so long without any financial support - it would be life-changing if I qualified for something like that.
Dominique Adams
Wait I'm confused...I thought SSI and Social Security were the same thing? Which calculator should I use if I'm on disability but turning 65 next year?
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Sadie Benitez
•SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and Social Security retirement are different programs: - SSI is needs-based for people with limited income/resources who are disabled, blind, or 65+ - Social Security retirement is based on your work history and payroll tax contributions If you're receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it automatically converts to retirement benefits when you reach Full Retirement Age (66-67 depending on birth year). The amount stays the same. If you're on SSI (which maxes at about $943/month in 2025), you should contact SSA directly as your situation requires personalized guidance.
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Diez Ellis
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! I downloaded ANYPIA but it's pretty complicated. I'm going to try MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com since it seems more user-friendly and the price is reasonable. I'm also realizing that because I only have 31 years of earnings, even my reduced-income years will help fill in those missing years in my top 35. That's something I didn't fully understand before.
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Sadie Benitez
•You've got it! Even those lower-earning years will help if they're replacing zeros in your calculation. Good luck with your planning!
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