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ANYBODY dealing with SS should know they ALWAYS mess up family maximum calculations!!!! I had to fight them for 6 months and finally got backpay for my kids of over $7000 because they calculated wrong from the beginning!!!! KEEP FIGHTING!!
same here they shorted my daughter almost $400 a month for almost a year before i got it fixed. the problem is gettin thru to talk to someone who knows what there doing
To summarize the key points for anyone else with a similar family maximum question: 1. When you receive benefits on your own work record plus a spousal top-up, only the spousal portion counts against the family maximum on your spouse's record 2. At FRA, you can file for your own retirement first, then apply for the spousal benefit if it would result in a higher total benefit 3. The SSA will not automatically recalculate other family members' benefits when your benefit source changes - you must request this recalculation 4. Consider the long-term impact of claiming strategies - maximizing benefits now might reduce lifetime benefits if delaying until 70 would be more advantageous 5. Document all conversations with SSA representatives and get explanations in writing when possible 6. If WEP potentially applies due to non-covered employment, that adds another layer of complexity requiring specialized assistance
Thank you for this clear summary! I'm going to print this out and bring it with me when I go to my local Social Security office for an in-person appointment. I've decided that's probably the best way to get consistent information and make sure everything is documented correctly.
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i heard we're supposed to get ALL the money back not just some of it??? my neighbor said her financial guy told her it could be like $40k for some people who've been retired a long time with WEP
That's not accurate according to the current version of the bill. The Social Security Fairness Act does not provide for full retroactive repayment of all WEP reductions. It includes a partial relief payment and eliminates WEP going forward. The exact amount would vary based on individual circumstances, but complete retroactive repayment of all WEP reductions is not in the current legislation.
Thank you all for the helpful information! I'm going to wait until the bill actually passes before making any decisions. In the meantime, I'll try to get through to SSA using that Claimyr service someone mentioned to get official guidance on my specific situation. I've been losing sleep over potentially making the wrong decision, but I feel much better now understanding that I should be eligible for both the retroactive payment AND potentially switching to spousal benefits afterward.
That's definitely the wisest approach. One more thing to keep in mind - when the bill does pass, there will likely be a significant backlog of claims and questions. Getting your information in order now (work history, pension details, etc.) will help you be prepared when the time comes.
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To clarify something important from the comments - after you reach Full Retirement Age (which you have at 68), there is NO earnings limit whatsoever. You can work and earn as much as you want without any reduction to your Social Security benefits. This is different from when someone collects early (before FRA) when there are strict earnings limits. Your neighbor may have been referring to the rules that apply before reaching FRA.
OH MY GOD I've been limiting my hours for NOTHING??? I'm 67 and thought I couldn't earn more than $19k!!! This system is IMPOSSIBLE to understand!
Regarding your specific situation, I'd recommend taking these three steps: 1. Request your Social Security Statement online through your my Social Security account or by calling SSA - this will show if your recent work has already increased your benefit 2. File an application for divorced spouse's benefits immediately - since your marriage was over 10 years and you're already receiving retirement benefits, there's no downside to applying 3. Keep documentation of your current earnings to verify that future benefit adjustments are correct While the automatic recalculation happens annually after tax information is processed, it's still good practice to monitor your benefit amount for changes. These recalculations typically happen in October of the year following your work.
Thanks for these specific steps! I'll definitely check my Social Security Statement first. I've been putting off making an account on their website but sounds like it would be helpful.
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does anyone know if this affects disability too? my husband gets SSDI and was going to switch to retirement at full retirement age, but now im worried he wont know what his retirement would be
for SSDI its actually different - the disability benefit automatically converts to retirement at exactly the same amount when you hit FRA. no need to "switch" or apply for anything
The RIDICULOUS thing is that they HAVE all this information in their systems!! There's absolutely NO TECHNICAL REASON they couldn't show you both benefit types. It's just bad programming and outdated systems. My neighbor works for SSA and even she admits their computer systems are from the STONE AGE. Our government at work folks!!!
That's so frustrating! Did your neighbor have any inside tips for dealing with this issue? I'm still trying to figure out the best way to get accurate estimates without waiting weeks for an appointment.
Ben Cooper
I had a similar situation 2 years ago. Bad health, income dropped, worried about SS calculation. What I found is that Social Security replaces more of your income if you're a lower earner (it's progressive). So the calculation isn't strictly proportional. Someone earning $30k doesn't get exactly half the benefit of someone earning $60k. The lower earner actually gets more than half.
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Dana Doyle
•That's interesting and makes me feel a bit better. I'd been thinking it was a straight percentage calculation, but it sounds like there's a bit of a safety net built in for lower-earning years. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Cynthia Love
After reading all this advice, what are you thinking you'll do? It's good to get different perspectives, but ultimately it's a personal decision based on your unique circumstances.
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Dana Doyle
•I think I'm leaning toward waiting until my actual FRA next year. The earnings test would definitely be an issue if I filed early, and it sounds like one lower-earning year won't drastically reduce my benefit. Plus, I'm back to good health now, so no reason to rush into claiming early. Thanks to everyone for the helpful advice!
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