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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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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
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Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm going to try contacting SSA to get an exact calculation of what I might receive after the GPO reduction. Even if it's only a few hundred dollars, that's still meaningful over time. I'll gather all my documents (marriage certificate, death certificate, pension statements, etc.) and try to schedule an appointment. If I can't get through on the phone, I'll check out that Claimyr service someone mentioned. One last question: If I do qualify for some small survivor benefit, can I receive that AND still potentially claim my own Social Security later (from those 12 years I worked in the private sector)? Or do I have to choose one or the other?
Ryder Greene
•Yes, you can claim survivor benefits now and switch to your own retirement benefit later if it would be higher (or vice versa). This is one of the few remaining claiming strategies after the 2015 law changes. Just be aware that your own benefit would likely be reduced by WEP due to your teacher pension. Ask the SSA representative to calculate both scenarios for you.
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StarStrider
OK I'm a little confused here. Isn't SSI different from retirement benefits? I thought the earnings limits only applied to disability? Also doesn't SS check with IRS anyways so they know what you make?
Chloe Taylor
•You're mixing up several different programs. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is needs-based and has very strict income and resource limits. Retirement benefits and SSDI (disability) both have the earnings test that applies before FRA, but the rules are different for each. And yes, SSA does eventually get information from the IRS, but that's after tax returns are filed and processed - which could be more than a year later. That's why they ask for estimates and why they sometimes have to send overpayment notices later if your actual earnings were higher than estimated.
Thank you all for the helpful information. I think I understand better now. I'll probably apply in April but request benefits to start in January (a few months after I turned 62). And I'll make sure to be totally clear about my earnings for 2025 so I don't get surprised with an overpayment notice. I'm going to call SSA next week to confirm all this. If I can't get through, I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. I really want to make sure I'm doing this correctly.
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my cousin in florida just used some website to figure it all out... i think its called maximize my social security or something
Ryan Young
•You're probably referring to Maximize My Social Security. It's one of several good software tools (along with Social Security Solutions and others). These can be helpful, but often work best when combined with professional guidance, especially for complex situations like the OP described with pension offsets.
Noah Torres
I forgot to mention - make sure whoever you work with understands the implications of the teaching pension. Georgia is one of those states where some teachers didn't pay into Social Security, which triggers the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and possibly the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These can significantly reduce your benefits, and many advisors don't have experience with these provisions.
Natalie Wang
•This is really important - thank you! I did pay into Social Security for my teaching years (I was in a different state back then), but I definitely want someone who understands all these special provisions.
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Wait I'm confused... You said your son gets benefits but then said daughter... which one is it?
Leo McDonald
•Sorry for the confusion. I have a daughter who receives the survivor benefits. I was typing quickly and mixed up the details. Thanks for catching that.
One other thing to keep in mind - if you start receiving survivor benefits now and then find a new job, you'll need to be careful about the earnings test if you're working before your FRA. But since you mentioned you're 67 already, the earnings test no longer applies to you! You can earn any amount without reduction of benefits. That's another reason why taking survivor benefits now while continuing your job search could be advantageous.
Leo McDonald
•That's a huge relief! I was worried about the earnings test because I've heard about benefit reductions if you work. I didn't realize that once you hit FRA, that no longer applies. So if I find a new job after starting survivor benefits, I can keep everything? That's really good to know.
Yara Khalil
Oh goodness, I think you misunderstood! We've been together 11 years and are completely committed to each other. We just never felt the need for the legal paperwork. We were simply wondering if there might be financial benefits to formalizing our relationship at this point in our lives. Rest assured, our relationship is based on love not money! 💕
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Paolo Esposito
not everyone needs a piece of paper to prove their love!! my partner and I waited 22 years to get married and only did because of healthcare issues. some people never marry and are more committed than folks who rush to the altar after 6 months!!
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