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YOU AREN'T STUPID AT ALL!!! The system is DESIGNED to be confusing! I worked for 40 years and when I went to apply the SS rep told me things I'd NEVER heard before. It's like they want us to make mistakes so they can pay out less in benefits.
i know right?? and have you noticed how the rules keep changing every few years? just when you think you understand something they change it all around
One approach that might help is to focus only on terms relevant to your specific situation. It sounds like you're nearing retirement age, so terminology about disability determination or childhood benefits probably isn't essential for you right now. Focus first on understanding: 1. The difference between retirement age options (62, FRA, 70) 2. How spousal benefits work (if applicable) 3. How earnings might affect your benefits if you continue working Don't try to become an expert on every aspect of the system. Even Social Security employees specialize in different areas because no one can master it all. Learn what you need for your specific situation, then expand your knowledge gradually.
That's excellent advice. I've been overwhelming myself trying to understand EVERYTHING, when I should be focusing on what applies to my situation. I'll start with those three areas you mentioned. Thank you!
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I've been running a small Etsy shop since I was 68 (I'm 74 now), and while my Social Security hasn't been affected, the tax situation is something you really need to understand. At tax time, my first year was super confusing with the Schedule C, self-employment tax, and estimating quarterly payments. Would it be an actual job with a W-2 or are you doing independent contractor work with a 1099? That makes a big difference for tax purposes.
It would be contractor work with a 1099. I'm thinking I should probably talk to a tax professional before starting, just to make sure I understand all the implications. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Based on all the information shared here, let me summarize for you: 1. Your Social Security benefits will NOT be reduced no matter how much you earn (since you're over FRA) 2. Your Medicare premiums probably won't increase unless your household income is already close to $206,000 3. You may need to pay taxes on more of your Social Security benefits if your combined income exceeds the thresholds mentioned 4. As a 1099 contractor, you'll need to pay self-employment tax and possibly quarterly estimated taxes A consultation with a tax professional would definitely be worthwhile before you start. They can help you plan for quarterly payments and maximize any home office or business deductions you might be eligible for.
This is super helpful! I'll definitely speak with a tax professional. I hadn't thought about the home office deduction - that could help offset some of the self-employment tax. Thank you all for your advice!
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I herd that Oregon PERS is different from some other states because Oregon never opted out of Social Security completley. Is that right? Some of my Oregon freinds pay into both systems I think??
That's partially correct. Oregon has multiple tiers in their PERS system, and some Oregon public employees are covered by Social Security while others aren't. It depends on when they were hired and what government entity they work for. Some local governments in Oregon have opted to participate in Social Security, while others haven't. If someone paid into both systems throughout their career, the WEP impact would be different than for someone who switched between covered and non-covered employment.
I thought Biden already signed something about this! Now I'm confused. My brother who retired from teaching in Illinois got a letter about his SS benefits going up but maybe that was just the regular COLA?
Your brother likely received notification about the 2023 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which was 8.7% - one of the largest in decades due to inflation. This increase applies to all Social Security recipients. It wasn't specific to government employees and wasn't related to any changes in the WEP or GPO provisions. The 2024 COLA will be 3.2%, and those notices usually go out in December.
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Off topic but does anyone know if widow benefits increase every year with cost of living like regular retirement does? My aunt is thinking about applying soon.
Yes, widow/survivor benefits do receive the annual COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) increases, just like retirement benefits. The 2026 COLA hasn't been announced yet, but all Social Security benefits including widow benefits will increase by that percentage when it takes effect in January.
I went through something similar last year when I needed to replace my furnace. I was so scared of messing up my benefits that I initially put it on credit cards instead of getting a proper loan! Big mistake - the interest was killing me. After talking with an SSA rep (finally got through after multiple attempts), I learned that loans don't count as income. I got a proper home improvement loan with much better terms and have had absolutely no issues with my widow benefits. One thing to watch out for though - if you withdraw money from retirement accounts for your bathroom, THAT could potentially affect benefits if you're under FRA. But a standard loan is completely fine.
Levi Parker
Has anyone else noticed that the SSA website hasn't been updated with ANY information about the WEP repeal yet? I've been checking every few days but there's nothing official about how they're planning to implement it.
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Grant Vikers
•Because they're COMPLETELY UNPREPARED for this change!!! They'll probably take MONTHS to figure out how to implement it properly!! That's why waiting might be smart!
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Hunter Hampton
After reading through all the comments, I want to emphasize a strategic approach. File now, but be prepared for some administrative challenges. The SSA will almost certainly implement the WEP repeal retroactively once it's signed into law, meaning anyone affected will eventually receive the correct amount regardless of when they file. The key is documentation and follow-up. Keep copies of everything, use the Remarks section of your application to note your WEP situation, and be prepared to follow up regularly. While the SSA systems may take time to adjust, establishing your benefit entitlement at your FRA is valuable from a planning perspective. Regarding your spousal benefit top-off, that calculation will automatically adjust based on your new primary insurance amount after the WEP repeal is implemented.
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Tristan Carpenter
•I really appreciate the thoughtful advice from everyone. I think I'll go ahead and file now rather than delay my benefits, but I'll make sure to document everything carefully and specifically mention the WEP situation in my application. It seems like the consensus is that SSA will eventually sort it out, even if it takes some time for the adjustment to happen.
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