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Regarding your most recent question: SSA should have all your earnings history in their system. When you apply, make sure to mention you have a government pension (or will have one) AND that you believe you have 30+ years of substantial covered earnings under Social Security. They should calculate everything correctly, but it doesn't hurt to specifically bring it up. Based on everything you've shared: 1. With 32 years of substantial earnings, you might escape WEP reductions entirely 2. Given your break-even calculation and life expectancy estimate of 82, claiming at 67 is reasonable 3. The zeros on your record from recent years won't negatively impact your benefit (they just don't help increase it) I recommend applying soon if you've done your calculations carefully. Each month you wait past FRA increases your benefit by about 0.67%, but if your break-even math shows claiming now makes sense, then follow your analysis.
Thank you so much for this thorough advice! I think I'm going to go ahead and file next month when I turn 67. I've been so confused about this decision for months, but I feel much more confident now. I'll definitely mention both the government pension and my 32 years of substantial earnings when I apply.
Don't forget about taxes! If your pension + SS puts you in a higher tax bracket, part of your SS benefits might be taxable. Up to 85% of SS can be taxed depending on your combined income. Did you factor that into your break-even analysis?
Has anyone here successfully gotten approved after being initially denied for MS specifically? I'm curious how long it took and what evidence made the difference. My sister's facing a similar situation with her SSDI application for MS.
While I can't speak to MS specifically, I've seen many clients with progressive neurological conditions succeed on subsequent applications. The key differences in successful cases typically include: 1. More detailed functional assessments (not just diagnosis but specific limitations) 2. RFC forms completed by specialists (Residual Functional Capacity) 3. Evidence of failed work attempts or work accommodations that weren't sufficient 4. Documentation of cognitive impacts, not just physical limitations 5. Testimony from caregivers about assistance needed with daily activities The SSA Blue Book listing for MS (11.09) requires evidence of significant and persistent disorganization of motor function, significant fatigue, or cognitive limitations - having documentation that specifically addresses these areas is crucial.
My friend just went thru this. Her benefit went up when hubby filed but not by as much as she thought. They take your wifes FRA benefit subtract it from half of your FRA benefit. If thats a positive number she gets an addition. If its negative she just keeps hers. Thats my understanding anyways.
That's partially correct. The calculation is more complex when someone has filed early. When your wife took benefits at 62, she accepted a permanent reduction. When calculating potential spousal benefits, SSA will compare her reduced benefit to her potential reduced spousal benefit (which is less than 50% of his PIA because she took benefits early). She'll receive whichever amount is higher, not an addition of the two.
I appreciate all the responses. This is much more complicated than I thought! So basically, since my wife took her benefit early at 62, she'll always have some kind of reduction applied, and the best we can hope for is that she might get some additional amount on top of her current benefit if half of my FRA amount (reduced for her early filing) is more than what she gets now. I think I'll need to talk directly with SSA to get exact numbers. Really wish they made this clearer on their website.
That's exactly right! And don't feel bad - almost NOBODY understands how this works until they're in the middle of it. Even some SSA reps get confused about the details. If you do talk to them, make sure to ask specifically for the spousal benefit calculation with the early retirement reduction factor applied. Good luck!
I forgot 2 mention that if your sister already submitted her Rrequiest for benefits & wants to change her mind, she only has 12 MONTHS to withdraw the application and it REQUIRES PAYING BACK any benefits she recieved!!! Important to know this before she does anything!!!
Good point about the 12-month withdrawal window. However, in this specific scenario with earnings limit withholding, she might not receive any benefits to pay back if her earnings are high enough to cause 100% withholding. But you're absolutely right that understanding the withdrawal rules is critical before making any filing decision.
Dylan Cooper
After reviewing everything more carefully, here's what will likely happen in your case: 1. January counts as a month where you exceeded the limit ($4,000 vs $1,950) 2. If you stay under $1,950 for all remaining months of 2025 AND work part-time, you'll only have January counted against you 3. SSA will likely withhold your February payment (the first one) to account for the January excess 4. Starting March, as long as you stay under the monthly limit, you should receive regular payments But as others have suggested, it's essential to confirm this with SSA directly regarding your specific case.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•Thank you for breaking it down so clearly. This makes a lot of sense. I'll definitely get confirmation from SSA, but this helps me understand what to expect.
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StarSeeker
EVERYBODY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT!! My friend and I both started survivors benefits within a month of each other and SSA treated our earnings completely differently. Don't assume what happened to someone else will happen to you.
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Miguel Ortiz
•This is so true! My sister and I both get SSDI and they calculated our benefits totally differently even though our situations seemed similar. The system feels completely random sometimes.
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