Community Chat

[vermint]

My DH is 66 and entitled to his full benefit, even though he plans to continue working for at least another year or so. Because he is still working, his case is being handled in Chicago (We live in SC, but none of the local offices will deal with those who are still working--seriously, that's what they said!). He ended up applying on-line.

He got a letter saying he needed to call his "person" in Chicago before February 25, to start getting his checks on time. Apparently they need more info. He called at least 3 times, left voice messages, and still this person hasn't returned his call. It's now March 5.

He had this same problem with this same person with getting Medicare going a year ago.

Does anybody know what else to do?

[candyagain]

Place a call to the Federal Social Security number/ InfoLine. I have had excellent service from anyone in Social Security that I've dealt with. You've been in touch with an office that may be too busy or understaffed to return calls.

I started out with the federal line and made an appointment with the local. But I could have done it ALL online or on the phone. Don't know of anyone collecting that had to make contact with a local office.

Good luck. Don't give up. It's his money!! He worked for it.

[seaBreeze]

(from the Internet):   

 https://secure.ssa.gov/emailus/

You need to get his situation "in writing" since he has a deadline to meet.   Any government agency is so overwhelmed with calls that your DH is probably number 300 in the return call queue.  Best of luck.

[catter70]

If he's still going to continue working, he should hold off collecting if he can as he will receive more money when he does collect after he retires. Also, if he makes too much money while collecting, they penalize you. You would have to check to see what the cap is without being penalized. After age 70, you can earn as much as you want without being penalized.

[vermint]

@seaBreeze  Thank you! I've Googled and checked the ssa site til I'm cross-eyed, but I missed that!

[vermint]

@catter70  He can earn as much as he wants at 66, which is his current age. We plan to bank his SS checks, maybe invest if/when we get enough put by. Owning our own business has not allowed us, financially, to prepare as well as we would have liked to for retirement.

[viva923]

my husband is 71 and still working full time. 

the little bit i remember from when he turned 65 is he got a letter in the mail saying SS would begin such n such date. 

he never had any problem with SS.

Me, I am under 2 SS offices one from where I was born and raised (1st job and such) one is Chicago and one is Philly.  That is probably why you are out of the Chicago office,, was your husband born and raised in the midwest???  I was born in the upper midwest and raised there. Now out of Philly because I live on east coast.

hope all gets straightened around.

[Somertime]

I would call the government hotline and explain the problem with the SC office.  There is an advantage for filing at 66 because you can bank your Social Security but by working you are still contributing to your Social Security which will increase the amount you receive each month.  Every October, they review your account and in December, you will receive a letter telling you what your new Social Security check will be. So two added bonuses! I received my Soc. Sec. at 66 and continued to work until I was 69.  My Federal Income tax did not increase and yours might not as well even though you might have two incomes.

[vermint]

@viva923  No, he is a South Carolina native and has never lived anywhere else. He's had to apply online for Medicare and SS...both times his file went to the Chicago office to the same person--who will NOT return calls. Someone said they're probably overloaded, and that's likely true--but the last time he called was 2 weeks ago, and that was the 3rd time he'd called! 

[Hooty]

@vermint , This is the craziest thing I have ever heard, being covered by two different Social Security agencies, and another won't handle because he is still working!  

Do you have a local SS office in your city?  If you can't visit personally, call the main office in Washington, DC and get to the bottom of this, this is ridiculous, and I know too many people who are drawing SS and are still working and have no problems!