Social Security

FROM THE ARTICLE:What is the Windfall Elimination Provision? By Andy Markowitz and Phil Pruitt, AARP. *** There are 119 Comments on the AARP website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published October 10, 2018.➡️ Updated February 27, 2025. ⬅️ The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) was a formula that could reduce the size of your Social Security retirement or disability benefit if you also received a pension from a job in which you did not pay Social Security taxes. Congress voted in December 2024 to repeal the WEP, ending benefit cuts for those receiving such “non-covered” pensions.The repeal law, the Social Security Fairness Act, is retroactive to benefits paid for 2024, which means people previously subject to the WEP will receive a lump-sum repayment of the benefits withheld during that year. The Social Security Administration (SSA) says it expects to deliver the retroactive payments to most affected beneficiaries by the end of March 2025, with higher monthly benefits

Please contact your congressman for your district.  They will refer you to their website, or They will sent you an E-Mail with a letter which has an electronic form which you complete and send it back electronically via your E-mail. You may want to state: If you have not made any changes to your information in the past year.  If you have made changes state the changes.  State if you were born in the United States.  Those living in Riverside in Hemet or San Jacinto are in the 25th district, your congressman is Raul Ruiz.  His Hemet office's Number is 951-492-3575. I sincerely wish everyone the best. 

You (AARP) contribute to the negative attitude towards Social Security. Your reports like the one here - "The Future of Social Security" by Waggoner and Markowitz. They state “Any reform that’s politically feasible requires things that both parties hate,” says Reid Ribble, a former Republican congressman.Democrats don't hate the solutions. By writing that, without saying something, you perpetuate the falsehood that it's true.The parties are not the same. By you not defending the Democrats you perpetuate the myth that it's a real problem. It's not! Some of the potential solutions involve taxing the rich or expanding payments to the rich. John and Andy, quit defending the fake news from the right and be more honest in your reporting!

The bigger issue with SSA phone services is that it takes forever to pick up the line, so preserving a bad service isn’t the best goal for members. Depending on your location, the experience may vary. I had to visit the SSA office, then take a ticket, and wait for a live customer service consult.  Booking an appointment on-line doesn’t work where I live, and the phone method barely works.  So, preserving this poor service is not helping members.   If we want to help AARP members, survey them about SSA’s customer service, all over the country (since individual offices may vary in how they deliver service). 

Social Security says that you can apply for retirement benefit up to (4) months in advance of the the date you want benefits to start.   One CAUTION here:  If you are wanting to file for Retirement benefit and you want to start at age 62 - which is the earliest date you can file for Social Security Retirement benefits - you CANNOT apply before that (4) month period BECAUSE the system will look at you as not being able to file for Retirement benefits and will keep pulling up a form for a Disability claim.   So if you are filing for early (age 62) Retirement benefits - and you will be age 62 on July 15 - then you can only file for Retirement  benefits after March 15 - (4) months before you turn 62 and not before, 

  Security Administration Press Release 03/26/2025 - Social Security Updates Recently Announced Identity Proofing Requirements  from the link but please read it too ~Under the updated policy beginning April 14, 2025, individuals applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who cannot use a personal mySocial Security account can complete their claim entirely over the telephone without the need to come into an office. Individuals who cannot use their personal my Social Security account to apply for benefits will only need to prove their identity at a Social Security office if applying for Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary (Spouse or Child) benefits. SSA will enforce online digital identity proofing or in-person identity proofing for these cases. The agency will not enforce these requirements in extreme dire-need situations, such as terminal cases or prisoner pre-release scenarios. SSA is currently dev

   DIRECTLY FROM THE SOURCE.  SSA.gov Press Release 03/27/2025 - Correcting the Record about Social Security Office Closings   Read it and STOP spreading false information.

Notifications and ads are being sent announcing new issues of Social Security checks to senior citizens with subtitles "Must Apply To Recieve" This is a false claim to get private information. SSA has not sent any such news.

3 years ago I did sign up for SS but immanently after doing so I called and cancelled.I spoke with an Asian person on the phone who didn’t speak very good English.I was very clear in English as to my intent. She confirmed that it was cancelled.For the last year I have been receiving checks that I returned.I just received a letter asking if I wish to appeal there decision.  I don’t feel this is a matter that needs to be appealed, this is a clerical mistake they made.I assume they record these conversations, how do i get a copy?  I even get W2’s from them for 0.00 like they are trying to make a point.There must be some person or agency that can help me.  

I will be retiring  sept 2024.   I’m looking at this  Form and don’t know what year to enter as my tax year .  Do I enter 2024 ? even though it won’t be reduced by that much since I’m retiring the end of Sept  and I will be slammed with IRMMA .   However ,  2025 will be greatly affected by my retirement . It’s confusing to know what year to enter .  When you do submit this form do you send a copy of your tax return too ?? 

FROM THE ARTICLE: 10 Social Security Myths That Refuse to Die.The program is going broke, the retirement age is 65, and other common misconceptions. By Andy Markowitz, AARP. Published August 25, 2020.➡️ Updated January 10, 2025. ⬅️ Security is enormous and complex, paying out more than $120 billion each month to 68.4 million retirees, people with disabilities and their family members. It's wildly popular: According to a May 2024 AARP study, 90 percent of U.S. adults ages 50 and older view Social Security as critical to retirement security. And it is key to older Americans’ financial health, providing a majority of family income for 2 in 5 people ages 65 and older.Given Social Security's importance, concerns about its current and future state are understandable and widespread. Some of those worries, and the many changes to the program in its eight-plus decades, have given rise to misconceptions about how it is funded and how it works. Here are the facts behind 10 of

At login to my SSA.gov account recently I was asked to agree to the Terms of Service. I have logged in before, probably in 2024, but do not recall this requirement.  I am concerned about terms that seem to free SSA from responsibility should my data be mis-used, so I have not yet agreed and therefore cannot access the site.  Is everyone being asked this at login? Most of the terms are reasonable but the last seems to be a carte blanche:" I agree that the Social Security Administration is not responsible for the improper disclosure of any information that the SSA has provided to me or any information that is on or from my computer or other device, whether due to my negligence or the wrongful acts of others." What is the general opinion or AARP advice about this matter? Thanks.   

I am just starting the road to retirement. I'm 65. I have a pension that will be 451 dollars every month when I start getting it after I officially retire in July 1. But applying for social security is extremely perplexing to me, and further confused by a dependent and a wife who just died a few months ago. So the main parameters are thus:I have a daughter who is 38 years old, she has been disabled since she was 19 years old. She's been collecting SSD since then. My wife died November, so the main issues is knowing how to ensure my daughter can get the extended payments from social security until i die and after, because they said since she's been on disability before the age of 22 she can use my social security too. They say I must select either Single Life Annuity or Level Income Annuity. But they say things like you cannot select level Annuity if you start your pension before your social security or something strange like that. They also give options for the level income a

Does anyone know how long the SS re-entry number is valid once you have saved and exited a started application for benefits, but have not finished it? Are you able to use the re-entry number for many months, or is there a time limit to go back in and complete the application?

  AP News 03/18/2025 - A list of the Social Security offices across the US expected to close this year   

Just released today, this informative letter from the new Acting Commissioner of the SSA. See https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/#2025-02-19 It addresses his own commitment to Social Security's programs, security, and accuracy. It's worthwhile reading his entire brief letter. He addresses DOGE and other current hot topics (eg: those Civil War veterans who are still receiving SS retirement benefits). "Statement from Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner, about Commitment to Agency Transparency and Protecting Benefits and Information"

FROM THE ARTICLE: Social Security to End Applying for Benefits by Phone.AARP opposes move that will require online or in-person ID proof to process claims, saying it will harm older Americans. By Andy Markowitz, AARP. Published March 19, 2025. The Social Security Administration (SSA) says it will no longer allow beneficiaries and those applying for Social Security to confirm their identity over the phone and will instead require that they do so online or in person at a local office to complete the application process.The change, announced March 18, is scheduled to take effect March 31. It could affect millions of people applying for retirement, disability, or other Social Security benefits or contacting the SSA to change their bank direct deposit information to receive payments. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/social-security/phone-id-verification-to-end/

 Identity protection is 1st and center at the SSA - to protect your identity and pay the right person, the correct amount.   SSA News Release  SSA.gov Press Release 03/18/2025 - Social Security Strengthens Identity Proofing Requirements and Expedites Direct Deposit Changes to One Day  from the link  The Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking proactive steps to enhance the security of its services by implementing stronger identity verification procedures.The updated measures will further safeguard Social Security records and benefits against fraudulent activity Over the next two weeks, SSA will carefully transition to stronger identity proofing procedures for both benefit claims and direct deposit changes. Individuals seeking these services who cannot use their personal “my Social Security” account, which requires online identity proofing, will then need to visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person.&n

I've called my representatives but isn't there some legal action that can be taken by AARP on behalf of it's members?! 

Okay here is my question I recently filled out my online social security application. In the block that asked me if I wanted to accept a permanent age reduction, I selected to retire at the earliest date possible without an age-related reduction. In the drop-down below it it offered me the month of February March  or April to start my social security. I believe my full retirement date would have been March 2025 because I was born July 31st 1958, but I selected February because of what I selected in the upper menu. I received my approval today but the amount was reduced about $17. Just not really a big deal but the question is why does the form allow you to pick a date before your full retirement age when just above it you have said I don't want to do that. Just to add that I am still working so did that make the $17 difference or was it the fact that I requested my Social Security to start technically at 66 and 7 months.

We weren't married long enough for me to expect any money from his earnings (3 years at most).  It's going to hold up me applying for my OWN benefits!   How can I  get his Social Security number?  All I have is our divorce decree.   Will I get denied if I don't include this marriage?   They can see it in my earnings when I carried his last name.

FROM THE ARTICLE: Acting Social Security Chief Says Agency Moves Will ‘Prioritize Customer Service’.Dudek addresses spending cuts, office closures, data privacy fears in response to AARP members’ concerns. By Andy Markowitz, AARP. Published March 06, 2025. The acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) told AARP this week that the agency is committed to improving customer service as it moves quickly to cut costs and reduce its workforce.“We are identifying efficiencies and reducing costs, with a renewed focus on mission-critical work,” Leland Dudek wrote March 4, answering questions posed by AARP in a letter to the SSA last month. “These steps prioritize customer service by streamlining redundant layers of management, reducing non-mission critical work and potential reassignment of employees to customer service positions." USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/social-security/ssa-prioritizes-customer-service/

AARP has a calculator to determine When to claim Social Security to help you determine the right timing for you! You can also earn AARP Rewards points, not signed up for AARP Rewards yet? Click here!     Share what you learned from this calculator that you didn't know before! Did it help you make a decision?

I started an application - never completed or submitted it and never received benefits (though I have a number for it) and it needs to go in by early May to be processed.  I am thinking about withdrawing it and waiting a little longer before applying. I know you CAN withdraw an application (https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-521.pdf) but I worry if I do that I may be opening a HUGE can or worms that could cause me to be stuck in SSA hell when I try again.  Anyone else gone through this? Do you recommend I just go ahead with the application I already started?

FROM THE ARTICLE: Social Security to Withhold Benefits to Recoup Overpayments.SSA restores policy of cutting off payments to correct past errors. By Andy Markowitz, AARP. Published March 12, 2025. The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t make payment errors often — less than 1 percent of the time, according to agency data. But when it does pay a beneficiary more than they’re entitled to receive, the SSA is legally required to get the money back.For some beneficiaries, that could soon mean temporarily losing their entire Social Security income. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/social-security/withhold-benefits-recoup-overpayments.html