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THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST US!!! They purposely make these rules complicated so people don't get what they deserve! My husband and I missed out on this strategy by FIVE MONTHS because he was born in May 1954. FIVE MONTHS cost us thousands of dollars!!! And now they're practically impossible to reach by phone when you need help. The whole system needs to be torn down and rebuilt!!
I feel ur pain!! my brother missed it by 3 weeks!! born jan 21 1954... so frustrating!!
Just wanted to update everyone - I successfully filed my restricted application yesterday! I used some of the advice here (especially bringing a printout of the POMS section) and was very explicit about wanting ONLY spousal benefits while my own continue to grow until 70. The representative initially seemed confused but after I showed the documentation, they understood. I double-checked the application before signing to make sure it only showed spousal benefits. It'll mean about $1,250/month for the next four years while my own benefit grows to about $3,400/month at age 70. Thanks everyone for your help! Hopefully this thread helps others in my generation who still qualify for this strategy.
Fantastic news! You just secured yourself potentially tens of thousands in additional lifetime benefits by handling this correctly. Congratulations on navigating the system successfully!
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my frend had same problem she went 2 congressman office and they fixed everything in 2 weeks!! try that maybe?
Thank you everyone for the suggestions! I'm going to try using the specific terminology that was recommended when I call next time - "Medicare Beneficiary Statement" and "Special Notice Flag" seem like the magic words I need. If I can't get through on the phone, I'll try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. As a last resort, I like the idea of contacting my congressman's office - I hadn't thought of that. It's somewhat comforting to know I'm not the only one dealing with this WEP/GPO communication black hole. I'll update here if I make progress!
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i think they sometimes do this on purpose to save money. my neighbor had something similar and they kept "losing" his paperwork for like 6 months!! he had to get really mad and threaten to call his congressman before they finally fixed it. the whole system is rigged to make it hard for us seniors!!
EXACTLY!!! SS is trying to save money by making things so complicated that people give up! My moms friend waited 9 MONTHS for them to fix a payment issue. Its not an accident that there system is so broken!!!
Having worked at SSA for many years, I can assure you this isn't an intentional delay tactic. The reality is that SSA's computer systems were built in the 1980s and have been patched together with updates over decades. Different parts of the system don't communicate well with each other. Withdrawal cases are particularly complicated because they touch multiple systems - benefits, earnings records, treasury payments, and tax reporting. It's a genuine technical limitation, not a conspiracy to deny benefits. The agency is actually working on a massive systems overhaul, but it will take years to complete.
Update: I just got back from another office visit after using all the specific terminology suggested here. What a difference! I asked for a Technical Expert specifically and mentioned "Critical Payment Correction" and "Administrative Action Review." The TE actually found that my payment HAD been recorded but in a different part of their system than what shows on my online account. They're initiating a correction process that she said should take about 2 weeks to sync up their records. In the meantime, they're starting my survivor benefits provisionally! Thank you all SO MUCH for your help with this - I would never have known what to ask for without your suggestions.
That's fantastic news! I'm so glad you were able to get this resolved. This is exactly why it's important to use the correct terminology - it helps cut through layers of confusion. The provisional benefits are especially good news since that means you won't have to wait for the full administrative correction to be completed before receiving income. Be sure to keep documentation of everything, including the name of the Technical Expert who helped you, just in case there are any future questions about this situation.
Wow thats great!! So happy for you!! Its crazy how using the right words makes all the difference. Goes to show how broken their system is that regular people cant get help without knowing the secret language!! But glad it worked out for you!!
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i filed at 62 while working part time and regret it so much!!! they take back so much of my check some months i barely get anything. plus when i do fully retire my benefit is permanently lower. wish i had just waited.
If it's been less than 12 months since you first filed, you might be able to withdraw your application! It's called a Form SSA-521. You have to pay back all the benefits you've received, but then it's like you never applied at all and your benefit can grow again. Worth looking into if you're really regretting your decision! But if it's been over 12 months, unfortunately you're locked in.
Based on what you've shared, waiting until your consulting work ends makes the most financial sense. One additional factor to consider: tax implications. When you're working and also receiving Social Security benefits, up to 85% of your SS benefits may become taxable depending on your combined income. This is separate from the earnings test and is another reason many working people delay benefits. If you both have solid earnings records, a common strategy for married couples in good health is for the higher earner to delay until 70 (maximizing the eventual survivor benefit) while the lower earner claims at FRA. This provides some income flow while still optimizing your household's lifetime benefits.
I hadn't even thought about the tax angle! That's a really good point. And yes, my husband's benefit will be about 30% higher than mine based on our earnings histories. I'll definitely look more into the strategy you suggested about me claiming at FRA and him waiting until 70. Thank you for this detailed insight!
Nathaniel Mikhaylov
To directly answer your question about whether it's worth working 10 more months: Calculate what your benefit would be with the delayed retirement credits (about 6.67% more for 10 months beyond FRA). Then multiply that monthly increase by how many months you expect to collect benefits (life expectancy). If that total exceeds what you'd earn by working those 10 months (after taxes), then retiring might make more financial sense. But also factor in non-financial considerations like job satisfaction, health, and retirement plans.
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Brandon Parker
•Thank you, this is really helpful! I'll do that math and see where things stand. I'm in good health and my parents both lived into their 90s, so I could be collecting for 25+ years potentially.
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Kristian Bishop
I recommend calling SSA directly about this. The online estimates can sometimes have issues, especially with recent earnings. A $5 increase sounds suspiciously low and may indicate a calculation error or a data entry problem. The representative can walk through your entire earnings record and benefit calculation with you to explain exactly why the increase is so small.
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Brandon Parker
•I think that's what I need to do. I want to understand exactly how they're calculating this before I make any decisions about working longer. Thanks for the suggestion!
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