Can't reach Social Security Administration? Claimyr connects you to a live SSA agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the SSA
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the SSA drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
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!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
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!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
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.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
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!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
I'd like to add some important details that others haven't mentioned: 1. While your future survivor benefit won't be affected by when you take your own benefit, there are still potential advantages to delaying your own benefit if you can afford to. 2. If your husband lives a long time, your own benefit (if you delay to 70) could grow to be more valuable over time with COLA adjustments. 3. If you're still working, taking benefits before FRA could subject you to the earnings test, which temporarily reduces benefits. 4. Tax implications: Having both your own benefit and eventually a survivor benefit could push you into a higher tax bracket. The optimal strategy depends on your complete financial picture, health situations, and other income sources. You might want to consult with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies.
These are excellent points I hadn't considered. I'm still working part-time, so the earnings test could be relevant. And you're right about the long-term COLA adjustments - I hadn't factored that in. Maybe I should talk to a financial advisor before making my final decision. Thank you!
wait i'm confused...if she takes her SS now at 65 isn't that still reduced since her FRA is probably 66 and something? my head is spinning trying to keep all these rules straight lol
Yes, you're correct. If she takes her own retirement benefit at 65 and her FRA is 66+something (likely 66 and 6 months if she's 65 now), her benefit would be permanently reduced by approximately 8-9%. However, that reduction only applies to her own retirement benefit. When her husband passes away, her survivor benefit would still be 100% of what he was receiving (assuming she claims survivor benefits at or after her FRA). It's confusing because there are essentially two separate benefit calculations happening at different times.
Join the conversation
my mom got dads SS when he passed but she said she had to wait til she was 60 to claim it, so theres definintely some age rules involved to
You're right about the age rules. Surviving spouses can claim as early as age 60 (or 50 if disabled), but the benefit amount is reduced if claimed before full retirement age. At age 60, it's about 71.5% of the full survivor benefit. Only by waiting until their own full retirement age (66-67 depending on birth year) would they receive 100% of the deceased spouse's benefit.
Thanks everyone for the helpful information! Based on what I'm understanding: 1. Yes, I would get 100% of my wife's benefit if she passes away after starting her benefits (assuming I'm at my FRA) 2. It might be worth having her delay until 70 to maximize those potential survivor benefits 3. I'll need to file paperwork with SSA and provide documentation when the time comes 4. Different rules apply if she passes before starting benefits This has been really educational and gives us some things to consider in our retirement planning. I appreciate all the responses!
Join the conversation
Just wondering but r u still working? Cuz that could affect survivor benefits before FRA but I think once your at FRA there's no earnings limit anymore? Someone correct me if I'm wrong about that!!
You're correct. The earnings test no longer applies once you reach your Full Retirement Age. Before FRA, earned income above certain thresholds can reduce benefits, but after FRA you can earn unlimited amounts without any reduction to any type of Social Security benefit, including survivor benefits.
Join the conversation
I've been dealing with Social Security for my mom who just lost my dad. Her situation is different (she never worked) but we found out survivor benefits are only retroactive for 6 months. So definitely apply as soon as possible when the time comes. Hope your husband lives a good long life though! 💜
That retroactive limit is so STUPID! My friend missed out on like 8 months of payments because she didn't know she needed to apply!! They should make this stuff clearer!!!
One final clarification that might help: If you're receiving your own reduced retirement benefit now and later become eligible for survivor benefits, you have options: 1. You can continue receiving your reduced retirement benefit and wait until your FRA to apply for unreduced survivor benefits ($2,150) 2. You can apply for reduced survivor benefits now (you'd get less than $2,150) and switch from your own benefit The optimal strategy depends on the difference between your current benefit and the survivor benefit you'd receive now vs. at FRA. SSA should be able to tell you the exact amounts to help you decide which option is best when the time comes.
This is exactly what I needed to know. I really appreciate everyone's help explaining this complicated situation. I'll probably wait until FRA to maximize the survivor benefit if that unfortunate day comes.
Mason Lopez
One aspect you should consider is that your decision doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Some financial planners suggest a middle-ground approach: file for benefits at FRA but suspend payments until a later date (up to age 70). This gives you flexibility - you can request retroactive benefits (up to 6 months) if your circumstances change, while still earning delayed retirement credits on future payments. Just something to consider if you're on the fence.
0 coins
Demi Lagos
•That's a really interesting option I hadn't considered. Having that flexibility would be valuable in case my work situation changes or I have unexpected expenses. I'll definitely look into the voluntary suspension option. Thank you!
0 coins
Jake Sinclair
Has anyone calculated exactly how long you need to live to break even if you wait from 67 to 70? I keep getting confused trying to do the math.
0 coins
Brielle Johnson
•The basic break-even calculation is straightforward: For a $2,850 FRA benefit, waiting until 70 means forgoing about $102,600 (36 months × $2,850) but gaining about $684 extra per month thereafter (24% of $2,850). Dividing $102,600 by $684 gives you approximately 150 months, or 12.5 years. So you'd break even around age 82.5. Every month beyond that, you're coming out ahead by delaying. This calculation doesn't account for inflation, cost-of-living adjustments, or potential investment returns, which could adjust the break-even age slightly.
0 coins