How to get SS benefit matrix printout and survivor estimates during phone appointment?
I need to get both a social security benefit matrix printout and survivor benefit estimates for my retirement planning. I'm turning 62 next month but trying to decide between claiming at 62, my FRA of 67, or waiting until 70. I've heard you can request these documents through a phone interview with SSA, but when I called the main number, the representative seemed confused. I'm wondering if I need to specifically request a technical expert who knows about "windexing" (which is what my financial advisor called it)? Has anyone successfully gotten these detailed benefit projections by phone? What exactly should I ask for when I call?
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Omar Zaki
Yep you need to specifically ask for a technicial expert who knows how to run the WINDOWS program (that's what windexing actually refers to). Regular phone reps don't have access or training for that. I had same issue last year when planning.
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GalacticGladiator
•Thanks! Did they schedule you for a callback with the technical expert? How long did you have to wait?
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Chloe Taylor
What you're looking for is called a "WINDOWS computation" (WINDOWS = WINdfall Offset WorkSheet). This provides detailed month-by-month benefit projections at different claiming ages, including survivor benefit estimates. You're absolutely right that not all SSA representatives can do this. When you call, specifically request to speak with a "Title II Technical Expert" who can run WINDOWS computations. Make sure to have your recent earnings history handy as they'll need this information to provide accurate projections. The printout they can send you is incredibly helpful for retirement planning as it shows exactly how much your monthly benefit would be at each possible claiming age, plus what your spouse would receive as a survivor.
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Diego Flores
•My uncle got one of these last year and said it was SUPER confusing with all those numbers. But his financial guy loved it lol
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Anastasia Ivanova
I requested this exact thing 3 months ago and here's what worked for me: Call the main SSA number (1-800-772-1213) early in the morning when they first open. Ask specifically for a "benefit computation appointment with a Title II Technical Expert who can generate a matrix calculation showing filing age options and survivor benefits." Don't use the term "windexing" as that's financial advisor lingo and can confuse them. They scheduled me for a call about 2 weeks later. The technical expert called as scheduled, asked about my earnings history and retirement plans, then ran the calculations while I was on the phone. They mailed me the printouts which arrived about 5 days later. Having these detailed projections was incredibly helpful for my retirement planning - showed me exactly how much more I'd get by waiting until 70 (about $1,450/month more than claiming at 62 in my case).
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GalacticGladiator
•This is EXACTLY what I needed to know! Thank you so much for the detailed explanation. I'll call first thing tomorrow morning and use that exact language.
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Sean Murphy
Dont waste ur time with the phone. I tried for THREE WEEKS to get someone who knew what i was talking about! Keep getting transferred and hung up on. Local office told me to call the 800 number, 800 number told me to go to the local office. MADDENING!!!! Finally found a solution tho - i used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) after someone here recommended it. They got me through to an actual SSA agent in under 10 minutes! I explained what I needed and they scheduled me with a technical expert. Worth every penny to avoid the phone tree hell. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU
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StarStrider
•does that service actually work?? im skeptical of anything that claims to get through to SSA quickly lol
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Sean Murphy
•Yep it really works. I was skeptical too but was desperate after spending hours on hold. They basically navigate the phone system for you and when they get a live agent, they connect you. Took about 7 mins when I used it.
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Zara Malik
I've been working on retirement planning with SS for 25+ yrs and there's some confusion here that needs clearing up. What you're asking for is actually TWO different things: 1. A WINDOWS computation (which some incorrectly call "windexing") - this is for calculating offset when you've received both SS disability and workers comp 2. What you ACTUALLY want is called a "month-by-month benefit calculation" or "month-by-month benefit matrix" showing retirement benefit amounts at different claiming ages plus survivor benefit projections When you call, ask for a Title II Claims Specialist or Technical Expert who can provide a "detailed month-by-month benefit projection showing claiming options at different ages, including survivor benefits." Avoid using unofficial terms like "windexing" or "WINDOWS" (unless discussing workers comp offset) as this confuses representatives.
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GalacticGladiator
•Thank you for the clarification! That explains why I got confused looks when mentioning "windexing" - my financial advisor must have used the wrong term. I'll definitely ask for the month-by-month benefit calculation instead.
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Zara Malik
•Happy to help! Your financial advisor likely mixed up the terminology. It happens often because these calculations used to be done on paper matrices. When you speak with the specialist, also ask them to include your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) and FRA (Full Retirement Age) amount on the printout - these baseline numbers are important for your planning.
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StarStrider
my mom tried to get this last yr and they told her to just look at her my social security account online!! but the online thing doesnt show survivor benefits at all!! so frustrating
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Omar Zaki
•Same thing happened to me! The online calculator is super basic compared to what the technical experts can generate. Keep pushing for the detailed version.
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Diego Flores
wait i'm confused... isn't windexing for cleaning windows? lol what does that have to do with social security??
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Chloe Taylor
•Haha, no - though that's an understandable mix-up! In Social Security context, people sometimes incorrectly use "windexing" to refer to detailed benefit calculations done through a program called WINDOWS (WINdfall Offset WorkSheet). But as another commenter correctly pointed out, WINDOWS is actually for worker's compensation offset calculations, not retirement benefit matrices. What OP needs is a month-by-month benefit calculation showing various claiming age options, which is a different service.
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Anastasia Ivanova
One more tip: When the technical expert does your calculation, make sure to ask about the impact of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) if you've ever worked for a government entity where you didn't pay into Social Security. These provisions can significantly reduce your benefits and aren't accounted for in standard calculations. Also, if you're planning on continuing to work while collecting benefits before your FRA, make sure they explain how the earnings limit would affect your payments. The benefit calculation matrix is much more useful when it includes these adjustments.
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GalacticGladiator
•That's good to know. I did work for a state university for about 5 years where I didn't pay into Social Security, so I'll definitely ask about WEP. I hadn't thought about that.
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