Managing SS benefits with FRA timing and manufacturer drug assistance programs - can we get retroactive payments in 2025?

Yes, your husband can request up to 6 months of retroactive benefits from his FRA, but there's an important distinction about when those payments are taxable. Retroactive SS benefits are considered income in the year you RECEIVE them, not when they were for. So if he applies in January 2025 and requests retroactive benefits going back to his FRA in July 2024, all those payments would count as 2025 income for tax purposes. If maintaining your 2024 income below that threshold is crucial for the medication assistance program, then waiting to apply until January 2025 is the right move. He can then request the retroactive benefits going back to his FRA without affecting your 2024 income situation.

I dealt with this EXACT situation last year with my wife's MS medications. The pharmaceutical assistance programs are lifesavers but those income limits are brutal! What worked for us was applying for her SS in January after reaching FRA in August the previous year. She got 5 months of retroactive benefits and it all counted for the year we received it. But here's a tip - call SSA directly to confirm this for your specific situation. It took me forever to get through to them. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed everything about the retroactive payment timing and taxation, and it was worth talking to someone to get that peace of mind when dealing with something as important as cancer meds.

we ran into this with my husbands parkinsons meds. the income limits are so strict!! but the retroactive benefits DO count for the year you get them not the months they cover. Also remember that only a portion of SS is taxable depending on your total income, not the whole amount.

The SSA website is TERRIBLE on explaining this stuff!! My dad was in a similar situation and thought the retroactive benefits would count for the year they were supposed to be paid, but nope! They count when you ACTUALLY receive them. So if your husband applies in January 2025, all that money counts for 2025 taxes even if some is technically for 2024 months.

I'm wondering if you guys have looked into other options for the medication? I had to navigate this with my Rheumatoid Arthritis meds when I retired. Sometimes manufacturers have different programs with different income requirements. Or maybe there are alternatives that might work? Just thinking you might not have to jump through so many hoops with the Social Security timing if there were other medication options.

Let me explain the retroactive benefits process in detail, as there seems to be some confusion: 1. Your husband can request up to 6 months of retroactive benefits, but only for months after he reached FRA (so back to July 2024) 2. For tax purposes, Social Security benefits are counted in the year they are received, not the months they cover 3. The application process: He should apply in January 2025 and specifically request retroactive benefits back to his FRA. You can do this online or by phone. 4. Important timing note: I would recommend applying in early January rather than waiting until later in the month. SSA typically takes about 3-4 weeks to process applications, and you want to make sure they don't inadvertently pay out in December 2024. 5. For pharmaceutical assistance programs, request detailed information about how they calculate income and what documentation they require. Some use tax returns, others use monthly income verification.

Anybody else think its messed up that people have to jump through all these hoops just to afford medication?? My sister is going through the same mess with her MS meds. This is why I'm terrified of retiring even though my back is killing me from 40 years of construction work...

I wanted to add one more important point: When your husband applies in January 2025, make absolutely sure that on the application he specifies January 2025 as his "benefit start date" even though he's requesting retroactive benefits. This prevents any confusion in the processing center. Also, keep documentation of everything - when you applied, what you requested, etc. If the pharmaceutical program requires income verification during the year, you may need to explain your strategy to them as well.