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Has anyone here gone back to work after being on disability for a long time? I'm worried about my skills being outdated. My doc says I can try part time work but I'm scared...
This is off-topic from the original question, but Ticket to Work program might help you. They have resources for retraining and gradual return to work while protecting your benefits during the transition. Check ssa.gov/work for more info.
To summarize for the original poster: 1. The conversion from SSDI to retirement benefits will happen automatically in November - no action needed 2. The benefit amount will remain the same 3. Medicare coverage continues unchanged 4. Payment dates might shift slightly (retirement benefits have a different schedule than SSDI) 5. Working now (before FRA) involves navigating Trial Work Period rules and SGA limits 6. Working after reaching FRA in November has no earnings restrictions whatsoever Given these facts, and considering it's only a few months away, waiting until November to begin working is likely the simplest approach. This avoids any potential complications with TWP months, SGA limits, or triggering reviews.
Thank you for this clear summary. We've decided to wait until November to avoid any potential issues. I'll also prepare her for the possibility of payment date changes so we don't panic if that happens. I appreciate everyone's help!
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has anyone mentioned the kids can get benefits from BOTH US and canada? my friends kids got both after their dad died who worked in both countries, but i dont know much about how it worked
yea my nephew gets both!!! its not much from canada for him tho only like $125/month canadian dollars but hey every bit helps right?? the paperwork was a NIGHTMARE tho omg
Since you're dealing with both US and Canadian benefits, here's what I recommend for your planning: 1. Request your SSA earnings record and your CPP contribution statement to confirm your work history in both countries is accurate. 2. For your wife's planning, she should compare these scenarios: - Taking survivor benefits at her FRA, then switching to her own SS at 70 - Taking her own reduced benefit early, then switching to survivor benefits at her FRA 3. Calculate the family maximum benefit now so you have realistic expectations for what your children will receive. 4. Contact both SSA and Service Canada to confirm children's eligibility for survivor benefits under both systems. 5. Consider consulting with a financial planner who specializes in cross-border retirement planning, particularly someone with expertise in the US-Canada Social Security Agreement. The fact that survivor benefits aren't reduced by WEP is extremely important to your planning and could significantly impact your strategy.
Thank you for these concrete steps! I've requested my earnings record from SSA already, but I hadn't thought to get my CPP contribution statement. I'll do that right away. I'm going to start checking for financial planners with US-Canada expertise. Does anyone know if there's a directory or professional association that might help me find someone qualified in this niche area?
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One more important point to consider - applying at age 62 means you'll receive permanently reduced benefits (about 30% less than if you waited until your Full Retirement Age). This reduction also affects what your granddaughter can receive, since her benefit is based on yours. Have you considered the long-term financial implications? Sometimes waiting even a year or two can make a substantial difference in lifetime benefits.
That's a really good point. I've thought about it, but with raising her, our expenses are higher now than they'll be later. I've calculated that taking reduced benefits now will help more with immediate costs like after-school programs and activities. Once she's older, my expenses should decrease, offsetting the reduced benefit amount.
That makes perfect sense. Every situation is unique, and immediate needs often outweigh theoretical maximum benefits. Just wanted to make sure you'd considered it! Sounds like you've done your homework.
u should also ask if ur granddaughter can get SSI too, sometimes kids can get both depending on the situation
This isn't quite accurate. SSI is for people with limited income and resources. If the child will be receiving benefits from the grandparent's record AND the household income/resources are above the SSI limits, the child wouldn't qualify for SSI. The two programs have different eligibility requirements. But it never hurts to ask!
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I STILL think this is a TERRIBLE policy!!! Both spouses pay into SS their entire working lives but then one doesn't get squat when the other dies if they already have their own benefit?? How is that fair??? We should all be writing to our congress people about this!!! And don't even get me started on the WEP/GPO penalties that some of us face. The whole system needs to be overhauled!!!
my parents dealt with that GPO thing too. my mom was a teacher with state pension and lost most of her SS when dad died. total ripoff
One thing to clarify that might help others reading this thread: for retirement benefits, you can choose between your own benefit OR a spousal benefit (up to 50% of your spouse's FRA amount while they're alive). For survivor benefits after a spouse passes away, you can receive up to 100% of what your deceased spouse was receiving if you're at full retirement age (less if you take survivor benefits early). In both cases, you get the higher of either your own benefit OR the spousal/survivor benefit - never both combined. The OP's situation is unfortunately common - when both spouses have worked and earned their own benefits, sometimes the survivor rules don't provide additional amounts. The $255 death benefit hasn't been increased since the 1950s, which is why it seems so small compared to monthly benefit amounts.
Thank you for explaining it so clearly. It makes more sense now even though I'm still disappointed. I had no idea the $255 death benefit hasn't changed since the 1950s! That's ridiculous considering inflation.
Fatima Al-Suwaidi
Thank you everyone for the insights! After reading all your responses, I'm going to have a serious talk with my husband about delaying his benefits until 70. The idea of using term life insurance to cover the "what if" scenario during the delay period is especially helpful. I'm still not sure what I should do about my own benefits, though. Should I: 1) Take my own reduced benefit at 62 2) Wait until my FRA at 67 3) Take spousal benefits based on his record when he files If I take my own reduced benefit early, will that affect what I get as a survivor later on? These decisions are so complicated!
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Dmitry Popov
•Good questions. Your own reduced retirement benefit won't affect your survivor benefit. As a survivor, you'll receive the higher of your own benefit OR what your husband was receiving, regardless of when you claimed your own. If your husband delays until 70, you can't receive spousal benefits based on his record until he actually files. So if you need income sooner, claiming your own benefit at 62 could make sense, especially if you'll eventually switch to the higher survivor benefit anyway. One important note: if you claim your own benefit early at 62, and then your husband files for his benefit while you're both alive, your spousal benefit (the additional amount you'd get to bring you up to 50% of his FRA amount) would be reduced because you claimed early. However, this reduction doesn't apply to survivor benefits after he passes.
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Sofia Morales
just remember social security office is IMPOSSIBLE to deal with. my friend wants to apply for her widows benefits and shes been trying for a month to get an appointment!!
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Miguel Silva
•That's unfortunately very common right now. The SSA is severely understaffed and their phone systems are overwhelmed. If your friend is still having trouble, have her check out claimyr.com - they'll connect her directly to an agent without the wait. It saved me weeks of frustration when I was trying to sort out my Medicare enrollment issues.
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