topic Re: Question About Social Security in Community Chat

Question About Social Security

NicksmomESQ — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:13:02 GMT

My DH will be turning 70 this year.He’s still working full time so he isn’t on Medicare yet. Our medical is covered by his employers insurance .

Here’s my question. How far in advance of his birthday does he need to apply to begin receiving his social security benefit. Does he have to go down to the SS office or can he do it online? Is the process complicated if he does it online?

Thank you.

Re: Question About Social Security

Somertime — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:17:06 GMT

@NicksmomESQ He can do it online, very easy. Six months before he turns 70. It's so easy to do it online!

Re: Question About Social Security

RinaRina — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:18:34 GMT

Yep. It's all E-Z!

Re: Question About Social Security

drizzellla — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:27:28 GMT

I applied on line just over a year ago. On line one of the questions it asked was when did you intend to retire. And I got two phone calls from the Social Security office. They just wanted to verify that I didn't change the date I planned on retiring etc.

It was very easy. And the Social Security office was very nice. They also wanted to make sure that if I had questions that they were there to answer them.

The process was quick and easy and no way complicated.

Re: Question About Social Security

NicksmomESQ — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:33:09 GMT

@drizzellla Why would they ask you about your retirement plans? DH has no plans to retire.He just wants to start collecting his SS because their is no longer a benefit in waiting.I’m a bit confused by why they would care!

Re: Question About Social Security

deepwaterdotter — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:35:29 GMT

If you have placed a freeze or fraud alert on your credit record at Equifax, you will either have to remove the freeze/alert or apply in person at a Social Security office.

Re: Question About Social Security

esmerelda — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 15:10:29 GMT

@NicksmomESQ If he plans to keep working and contributing, that may cause his benefit to change/increase over time.

Re: Question About Social Security

drizzellla — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:40:41 GMT

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
@drizzellla Why would they ask you about your retirement plans? DH has no plans to retire.He just wants to start collecting his SS because their is no longer a benefit in waiting.I’m a bit confused by why they would care!

I guess they were asking about my retirement plans because I was the one who said that I was planning to retire in June and that is when I wanted my Social Security to start.

Re: Question About Social Security

CelticCrafter — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:44:36 GMT

@deepwaterdotter wrote:
If you have placed a freeze or fraud alert on your credit record at Equifax, you will either have to remove the freeze/alert or apply in person at a Social Security office.

We have freezes on our credit record. When my husband applied he did it on line and did not have to remove the freeze.

Re: Question About Social Security

chrystaltree — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:45:36 GMT

He can do it online, it's incredibly easy and no, he does not have to do it 6 months before he turns 70. He can do it now and choose the date that he wants his monthly benefits to begin. It's all incredibly easy and user friendly.

Re: Question About Social Security

meem120 — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:46:18 GMT

I think a year is a little advanced to apply. I did it about 3 to 4 month ahead. I did it on line and it was very simple and easy.

Re: Question About Social Security

millieshops — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:51:03 GMT

@chrystaltreeYears ago you couldn't apply more than 6 months in advance of your elegibility and you had to apply at least 3 months ahead of that same date to begin getting payments when you want them.

I've been on SS for lots of years now - those paramenters could have changed.

Re: Question About Social Security

gidgetgh — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:58:25 GMT

I think if you’re drawing Social Security, isn’t there a limit to how much you can draw in salary if you’re still working? Something @$15,000 a year comes to my mind. If you make more than that, there’s a penalty or something????

Re: Question About Social Security

KentuckyWoman — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 15:13:38 GMT

I went online and filled out all my information there. I did mine three months before I retired. SS followed up with a phone call to confirm the information I had entered online was correct. That was it. I received my benefits exactly when they told me I would. So easy. I would suggest three to six months prior to his retirement.

ETA: If he isn't planning on retiring, I can't help you there. I mistakenly assumed he was retiring. Sorry.

Re: Question About Social Security

esmerelda — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 15:12:17 GMT

@gidgetgh wrote:
I think if you’re drawing Social Security, isn’t there a limit to how much you can draw in salary if you’re still working? Something @$15,000 a year comes to my mind. If you make more than that, there’s a penalty or something????

@gidgetgh After full retirement age I don’t believe there is a limit on earnings.

Re: Question About Social Security

2blonde — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 15:15:54 GMT

@NicksmomESQ

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
@drizzellla Why would they ask you about your retirement plans? DH has no plans to retire.He just wants to start collecting his SS because their is no longer a benefit in waiting.I’m a bit confused by why they would care!

You have to "retire" in order to begin collecting your SS benefit. He could still work after that, though.

Re: Question About Social Security

Tricolor — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 15:19:48 GMT

It's very easy to do online. However, if he feels more comfortable doing it in person, call to make an appointment. That's much better than begin a walk in. Both my husband and I did ours online with no hassle at all.

Re: Question About Social Security

gidgetgh — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 15:21:17 GMT

@esmerelda wrote:
@gidgetgh wrote:
I think if you’re drawing Social Security, isn’t there a limit to how much you can draw in salary if you’re still working? Something @$15,000 a year comes to my mind. If you make more than that, there’s a penalty or something????
@gidgetgh After full retirement age I don’t believe there is a limit on earnings.

@esmerelda - thanks!

Re: Question About Social Security

Sooner — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 16:08:10 GMT

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
My DH will be turning 70 this year.He’s still working full time so he isn’t on Medicare yet. Our medical is covered by his employers insurance .
Here’s my question. How far in advance of his birthday does he need to apply to begin receiving his social security benefit. Does he have to go down to the SS office or can he do it online? Is the process complicated if he does it online?
Thank you.

@NicksmomESQ Go on the site and read. People here are well intentioned but will give you lots of different answers, some from long ago. Things change.

Go read! LOL!!!

Re: Question About Social Security

lizzief — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 16:09:11 GMT

SS and Medicare are extremely confusing, please check directly with them! That said, DH needed to sign up for Medicare Part A, even if he is covered by employer insurance, or he pays a higher rate later when he does sign up. I have a wonderful agent who made navigating through all of the various plans very clear, I recommend that highly! Your DH can collect SS without a penalty, since he’s full retirement age. These things I know because I’m still working and started collecting one month after 66. I signed up online 1 month before my birthday, and the benefit started paying one month after. By the way, if he pays for part of the insurance through his employer, you may want to still check the Medicare plans. I found that I am paying less for Medicare with a supplemental than I did through my husbands employer insurance for the same coverage.