I've just... Always known my number? I'm a US citizen with a driver's license and a passport, employed full time and had to provide my SS# but no card.
Do I need a physical social security card for anything? How do I get one if I do? I guess it's somewhere at my parents house but I doubt they even know where it is.
I got a notice in the mail that my mom is unable to receive social security benefits because she is in the country illegally. She was married to a man probably 20 years before I was born (she had me at 47 years old and im now 37 years old if you can do that math.. been here a long time)and got her citizenship that way I guess? My mother is in a very advanced stage of alzheimers and has no idea who I am or even who she is most of the time. The issue I'm having is I cant for the life of me figure out what the heck changed between last year and this year. She is in a skilled nursing facility where shes been for about 5 years, but her rent owed is stacking up significantly. I thought the reason may be that ive never renewed her green card but have read that that isnt usually an issue. im so lost, im so tired of being responsible for someone who never was responsible for me, im doing my best but im at a loss. I also just found out that we never had her power of attorney paperwork signed so its not even valid. any help or suggestions would be amazing!!!
Sincerely, a tired daughter who needs a break 😭
Hi everyone,
My mother is a U.S. citizen and just turned 65. She has no income and is not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. At the moment, she depends entirely on me for her living expenses.
From what I understand, applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) might be the best option for her. I’d really appreciate if anyone could share their personal experiences with the application process, approval timelines, or any challenges we should be aware of.
Also, she is not legally blind, but she does have low vision due to a degenerative corneal condition, which limits her ability to do certain activities, like driving.
Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I started taking SS benefits at age 63 and it has worked out well for me. I have now reached FRA and am considering suspending SS until 70.5. Partly because it should result in about an 8% increase in benefits per year. Partly because I can fill more of my 12% tax bucket with 401k withdrawals. Any fundamental misunderstandings on my part?
My dad has been trying to get social security benefits as long as I can remember. He was already older when he had me and finally got approved for benefits back in September. It took him going to court and the court ordered he should get benefits as well as back pay. The local social security office we deal with is now saying he’s not getting any back pay and reduced his monthly payments down to $2 a month. Where should we go from here? He’s got multiple severe health issues and without this back pay we can’t afford to get him seen.
I claimed SS at 62. My wife is a year younger. She is still working. We haven't been married 10 years yet. She will probably be qualified for max SS. I was military so I only get $1200. Once we are married 10 years am I eligible for half of hers if it's higher than mine? Do I need to apply then?
My husband is on track to make a lot of money this year. What impact does the last year's income have when figuring the monthly payment?
I just had my hearing in front of the ALJ last week, I am sooo eager to know his decision. Is there any way to find out his decision before I get it in the mail?
If person claims SS at 62 and is well over the earnings limit so that she receives no payments for every month up until her FRA. Would she effectively get the exact same benefit upon recalculation as if she just waited until FRA to claim? Or is it slightly different.
I’m confused and would appreciate a clear answer.
Divorced after a 17yr marriage. Former spouse started collecting at his FRA. I’m considering collecting at 62 and even with a 30% reduction, his benefit would be higher than my own.
Question. If I opt to collect at 62 and ex spouse predeceases me, would I still be eligible for his full retirement benefit at that time or will the amount I take at 62 (with the reduction) remain the same?
Thank you for any clarification.
Hey, I am an Expat who left a few years ago. I qualified for social security distributions when I'm 62 or whatever, since I worked for like 20 years in the US. If I remember corretly, the last 3 or 4 years of top pay is what they use to calculate SS distributions. I think I'll get like 2k/month from this, as was stated on the SSA website.
Thing is... can I just not work US jobs now and just expect 2K/month? Would the 2k/month increase with inflation? I'm like almost 40 and who knows how high inflation will go in next 20 years you know. 2k/month might be nothing by then.
Could I just work 3 or 4 years at a high paying job in my last few years to boost my SS distribution later on?
Any ideas anyone? sorry for dumb question.
I JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM MY LOCAL SSA OFFICE. THE LETTER STATES THEY WANT INFORMATION ABOUT
MILITARY, CSA, STATE,FEDERAL PENSUONS
W2 FORMS ,OR IF IM SELF EMPLOYED.
EVEN RETIRED RAILROAD WORKEE. LOL
HOW CAN I PROVE THIS. I CALL THE VA THEY WILL SAY I DONT EXIST. SAME FOR EVERYTHING ELSE. I HAVE NO TAX RETURN AT ALL FOR YEARS.
HAS ANYONE RECEIVED A REQUEST IF NOT, WHATS YOUR TAKE ON IT.
My 83-year-old mother had to change banks recently due to fraud. We have been trying to change her direct deposit through the SSA website to her new bank. I get an error message saying they require more information and directing me to make an appointment at a local office. When I try to make an appointment, it says changing direct deposit info doesn’t require an appointment and sends me back to change it online. It’s an endless loop of getting nowhere.
She has called ssa and gotten a callback but the banking info remains unchanged. I wasn’t there to hear the call so I’m not sure what was said. She is physically disabled to the point where going to a local office is close to impossible. Mentally she is okay but requires help to manage finances.
We have added me as a designee so hopefully I can speak to someone at ssa and help her change the direct deposit info. She’s getting desperate without her payment as it is her only source of income.
I’m currently waiting for a call back from ssa now.
Any help or tips anyone can provide is appreciated so much.
Hi,
My wife passed away in 2012. This month I’m turning 60 and never remarried. From what I’ve read on the SSA site I should be able to apply for benefits ? I retired from work in 2021 and receive a pension. I’m planning on taking my SS retirement at 62.
I'm permanently disabled since birth and rely on Medicaid HCBS to live (Medicare is my primary insurance but it doesn't cover the services I need). I also receive $2,366 monthly in Social Security Survivor benefits (disabled child of a deceased beneficiary) as my only income. The Florida Medicaid monthly income limit is $2,982. Can I work without all job income in excess of $616/month going into a Qualified Income Trust that can only be used to pay for Medicaid services or non-covered medical expenses? I'm under the impression Florida has no other options but I want to make sure. I know about Ticket to Work, but the resources I've read said I have to receive SSI or SSDI. I'd like to be able to try working and earning an income via freelance/self-employed work, but I don't know whether earnings above $616/month will just go to the state.
Thanks for any help!
My local office is so confusing when it comes to walk-ins. I've gone three times before today, and all three times I had an appointment, so it wasn’t a problem.
The first time I went, the security guard told me they weren’t accepting walk-ins. It didn’t apply to me.
The second time, the room was crowded, and security said everyone’s walk-ins were running behind. That didn’t apply to me, as I was seen on time.
The third time was similar to the first, but the lady at the desk told me to come back when I received something in the mail and that I didn’t need an appointment.
Today, I went to submit it at the office, and the security guard asked why I was there and then told me I needed an appointment.
What’s the deal? Is it a staffing issue?
I'm about to turn 66. My original plan was to wait a year till I'm at FRA and apply for mine with the spousal benefit to top mine off. I figure with that I'll get about $1850/mo. How much difference would it make retiring 1 year sooner than FRA? I'm still working but am self employed and work on commission only so my income is inconsistent. Which is the main reason I'm considering early retirement...business has been slower than usual this year and that money would relieve some financial stress. I'll most likely be fine if I wait but if it won't make much difference I'd rather start now than wait a year. Ex's (yes I was married at least 10 years and he is over 62 and I'm not remarried) PIA was $3000 2019. Can anyone help me with this?
Just notice today they changed the font and the way the page looks when you log in to your My social security account. Good change?
General details
Couple married for 20 years.
85 year old partner passes 2/2026. Was collecting about 5000/month social security.
Spouse is only 56 and not collecting any social security. His income over the years was much lower around 20,000/year earnings.
What methods should be used to maximize the spouces social security once he reaches 60 years old?
I was just granted a first name change through the court, so I went online to schedule an appt with the SSA office for a new social security card, but the next available appointment was over a month from now. I already have the certified copy of the name change. The office near me is appointment only, I tried walking in today and they wouldn’t let me in. I tried changing the location on online scheduling because I’d even drive to a different office in my state if there was one, but it kept bringing me back to the same office with a month wait no matter what. I tried to call but the agent was having microphone issues and hung up. The wait times for getting through to an agent are ridiculous and I’m waiting for another call back. I was told I need to change my SSA info and get my drivers license within 1 month of the name change so I’m kind of freaking out.
Is it an option to mail in my information, like a form and a certified copy? Would I also have to send in a form of identification, such as a passport, though? I really don’t want to have to do that, but I don’t feel I have many options.
TIA for any advice.