topic Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA in Community Chat

Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

rms1954 — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 02:50:19 GMT

I received my forms for Medicare and didn't want Part A because I'm still covered under my husband's insurance. Declined Part B. Signed and sent forms. They signed me up for Part B anyway and according to my records they will be deducting $135 come August. I've called them half dozen times and waited for 45 minutes each time, and there's nothing they can do. I sent the forms again and mailed them Cert Mail/RRR. Once I received the card verifying it was received, I called again but they won't update anything and I can't update anything online. Useless. Waste of time. So my August payment will have the $135 deducted.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

SharkE — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 02:57:51 GMT

We waited 45 yrs to get on Medicare and not pay huge premiums monthly.

We went out and celebrated the end of paying 1,000 and more a month on insurance.

We jumped for joy to have Part B (part A is free) deducted.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

homedecor1 — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 03:25:37 GMT

edited:

I took at 62 - I've been retired since I was 49. Spouse took at 62 - he retired from law enforcement at age 44. We both received our pensions at full benefits because you can retire after 25 years. I believe they took Part B out of our checks when we took our SS benefits.

@rms1954

Not sure but I believe everyone pays Part B and there is no opting out.

I received upon retirement full medical coverage 100% from my employer but I pay a medicare premium of $135/month deducted from my SS monthly payment. My employer reimburses me every year (December) for the Medicare benefits.

Whenever I've had to call SS they have always given me correct info and haven't waited too long.

Another option:

If you have a SS office near you they can answer your questions. Ours is great -- very efficient and quick service. Of course, every office is different but easier than waiting for SS reply.

I hope you get your issues resolved.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

SharkE — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 03:09:23 GMT

No, you don't have to take it, but, if you don't take it when your 65 I think they penalize you later. Her husband won't be able to work forever , so, I'd be getting on it and saying 'thank you'. 135 a month for somebody picking up 80% of your bills is good deal. Better then 1,000 a more a month and going up every Oct. when your on your own paying your own insurance.

Even with a employer paying percentage in group plans gonna be more then Medicare and it goes up every yr during open enrollment periods.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

Venezia — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 03:16:43 GMT

You don't have to take Medicare when you're 65 (or 66, whatever the applicable retirement age is), as long as you are covered by an employer's insurance (spouses included). But once that ends, you have a limited amount of time to sign up before invoking a permanent penalty.

Everyone needs to look into his or her own situation and decide what's best, but delaying could cost in the long run.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

SharkE — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 03:21:46 GMT

Gov. knows when you turn 65 and you don't have to do a thing they sent out the forms. If you want on it you do nothing, if you don't want it you do what she's doing tell them U don't want Part B.

Now, applying for SS is a big pain in the ***. You can't just waltz in and apply

We had to call 3 times the national # and beg them to get us an appt with the local SS office to set him up on SS. Some people can do it themselves online, but, we had to many questions we needed answers. No local number to call and you have to have a name of one of the workers or extension # which of course you don't have. That was a nightmare !

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

SharkE — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 03:32:47 GMT

@homedecor1 wrote:
edited:

I took at 62 - I've been retired since I was 49. Spouse took at 62 - he retired from law enforcement at age 44. We both received our pensions at full benefits because you can retire after 25 years. I believe they took Part B out of our checks when we took our SS benefits.

@rms1954

Not sure but I believe everyone pays Part B and there is no opting out.

I received upon retirement full medical coverage 100% from my employer but I pay a medicare premium of $135/month deducted from my SS monthly payment. My employer reimburses me every year (December) for the Medicare benefits.

Whenever I've had to call SS they have always given me correct info and haven't waited too long.

Another option:

If you have a SS office near you they can answer your questions. Ours is great -- very efficient and quick service. Of course, every office is different but easier than waiting for SS reply.

I hope you get your issues resolved.

Think your talking about SS benefits in your first paragraph.

Nobody can get Medicare till they're 65. SS , you can draw at 62.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

Kachina624 — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 03:44:20 GMT

Sounds like you need to talk to somebody at SS and determine whats6going on and what coverage you've got. I had employer coverage and when I turned 65, I automatically got Medicare and my employer insurance became a secondary supplement. The employer insurance required I enroll in Medicare. Saves them a lot of money.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

AuntMame — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 03:44:27 GMT

They'll credit back to you the Part B deductions. Go down to your local Social Security office and talk to a rep. They'll get it straightened out for you. I've found them to be very helpful.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

libbyannE — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 04:12:35 GMT

It’s best to go to your nearest social security office in person. No problem.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

Katcat1 — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 04:19:33 GMT

@rms1954 The best thing you can do for yourself is call your local office and inquire if you need an appt. to come in or is it first come, first served. It sounds like you only need to collect your SS check and no medical insurance and you need to explain to SS that you are under your husband's medical insurance. This is the only way you will resolve this and hopefully get your $135 back.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

Junker2327 — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 04:30:09 GMT

I am currently going through this very same thing. I have sent in paperwork twice and sent my first card back. SS told me everyone takes Part A. You can opt out of Part B if you are on your husbands insurance and he is still working. I finally got through to them yesterday and they say they are working on mine and that they will refund me the $135.00. I was told to start using this now even though my birthday is not for three more weeks. So tomorrow I go in for a yearly physical and I guess I am going to see what they say about it as far as me using it.

Beckyblu

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

KKWA — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 05:17:27 GMT

@libbyannE is right, you need to go to the office and talk with them. They are very nice to deal with in person

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

jellyBEAN — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 11:57:00 GMT

Seems anywhere you call these days - operators are always busy and you have to wait and wait and wait. Some places will call you back on an automated system so you don't have to hang onto the phone.

I have not yet applied for Medicare but will do so at the proper time. I did apply for early SS online and found it to be much easier than I xpected. Everything seem to go very smoothly.

Sorry you're having issues. Yes, it is always best to do things in person if you can and have an office not too far from your residence. Even if you have to drive an hour or two it might be worth it to get things straightened out.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

PinkyPetunia — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 12:07:36 GMT

I walked in to a local SS office without an appointment. Didn't know one was needed. I had to wait a while but I was seen.

I also didn't take part B as my husband's job provides insurance. I will worry about getting part B when I reach that fork in the road.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

Rockycoast — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 12:33:40 GMT

Husband and I retired at 62. We have had no problems with SSA. We registered online. Recieve direct deposit so no chance of stealing checks. The rep gave us a call when they recieved the application. She was very professional, knowledgable, answered any questions we had and was nice to boot. We expect the same treatment from the SSA when we reach 65. So far it has been a pleasure dealing with SSA. As has been stated before, go down to the office and talk to a rep face to face. Get all your questions answered.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

CelticCrafter — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 12:37:54 GMT

@Rockycoast wrote:
Husband and I retired at 62. We have had no problems with SSA. We registered online. Recieve direct deposit so no chance of stealing checks. The rep gave us a call when they recieved the application. She was very professional, knowledgable, answered any questions we had and was nice to boot. We expect the same treatment from the SSA when we reach 65. So far it has been a pleasure dealing with SSA. As has been stated before, go down to the office and talk to a rep face to face. Get all your questions answered.

You have no choice, receiving a check in the mail is not an option.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

nomless — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 12:43:54 GMT

@PinkyPetunia wrote:
I walked in to a local SS office without an appointment. Didn't know one was needed. I had to wait a while but I was seen.

I also didn't take part B as my husband's job provides insurance. I will worry about getting part B when I reach that fork in the road.

As you discovered, an appointment is NOT needed.

As usual with all SS / Medicare threads, there is incorrect info posted here. OP, don't rely om responses here. Talk to Medicare dirctectly.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

SharkE — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 12:48:52 GMT

Wish it was just that easy. Walk in , without appt, sign in, sit down and wait a few minutes. Not where I live.

Yeah, you can walk in, without appt, but, bring a box lunch and some water.

Line forms at 8 and there's about 50 people ahead of you.

There is no magic phone number to call. You have to call the national 1-800 number and they will try to persuade you to do everything online because the local offices don't want to fool with you and the national line's job is to navigate you away from a face to face meeting.

Poor DH had to get loud and forceful with them and finally the supervisor hollered "give him his appt". So we get there and still had to wait half hr. because the agent was on the phone. We were told what he could expect in way of benefits by putting off retirement till he was 70, but, since then we got a letter saying it would be less then what we were told face to face

This point in time we don't know what he'll get for sure. Not going thru it again whenever the first check arrives we'll know for sure I guess.

If you don't have any questions then yeah file for whatever online, but, if you want to know if your allowed to work after the age of 70 or if your other assets may interfere with overall income you have to ask these tough questions face to face. No computer can help you if you have complicated issues.

Re: Can't Stand Dealing with SSA

chrystaltree — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 13:15:43 GMT

Part A is free, there is no premium for that. Don't use it if you don't want it. I actually helped two friends with the retirement benefits and Medicare and I found the online site to be incredibly user friendly. There were no "forms" for their Part B. Everything was done online and I was surprised that they didn't need to present birth certificates. In your case, you should go into your local SSA office and talk with someone and just explain that you either don't want Part B or you want to delay Part B. You aren't getting anywhere with phone calls and mailings, you need someone to explain it all to you.