Signed up for Social Security

[joeea]

And furthermore I've spent 4 decades waiting for later. I think it has arrived. The trivial matters like this just don't matter all that much.

Yup, waiting sucks. YOLO!

 

[joeea]

I have lost about 20 people plus I have known, and most very well, that have passed away in the last year and half. The range of age are from 65 to 53 year old. I'm not going to gamble on this game, I'm taking early and not going to leave anything on the table, betting on my longevity.

Very sad. Probably best to retire before 50 so you can at least enjoy a few years.

And if you get lucky and beat the odds and live to 62, you can take your social security benefits then.

No game with that.

 

[jimandthom]

I'm a SS Early vs Late junkie on this forum. I read them all, even if the discussion says the same thing over and over. IMHO, this is the best argument for taking early. Just as we cannot predict the market, we cannot predict our health in a day, month or year. Enjoy while you can!

Me too! Read every thread(probably in the last 5 years) and yeah, the comments are generally the same time after time.

Amazingly, the same old comments being re-read has helped narrow my SS plan to anywhere from 1/2020- 1/2021 age 65/8 to 66/8. Spouse can't get a survivor on my SS due to a govt pension, that changes the calculation a bit.

 

[audreyh1]

Did you mean $7,000 HSA contribution?

It's $9000 in 2019 for two adults 55+ and not yet on Medicare. Each has to have an HSA account so they can each do the extra $1000 contribution.

 

[audreyh1]

Ah yes, you can contribute an additional $1,000 for 55 and older. That brings it to $8,000 total. But I don't believe that's per person. The worksheet my husband's employer provides says $7,000 Family PLUS $1,000 if you're over 55. (Minus what they contribute to arrive at the figure my husband can contribute via payroll deduction.) It doesn't say PLUS $1,000 for employee, PLUS $1,000 for employee's spouse, for a total of $9,000. I can find nothing in a Google search that refutes my understanding. Can you provide a link to information that would prove me wrong?

Yes, it is $1000 per person over 55 as long as each has an HSA account. Some of us contribute to HSA accounts annually even though we have no employer.

 

[audreyh1]

"If the individual's spouse is also turning 55, the spouse cannot contribute their catch-up contribution to that individual's HSA; however, if the spouse meets the eligibility requirements, they can open their own HSA and contribute catch-up contributions to that account."

As a stay-at-home spouse covered under my husband's HDHP, I don't think I'm eligible to open an HSA. Am I?

You might be.

 

[gwraigty]

Yes, it is $1000 per person over 55 as long as each has an HSA account. Some of us contribute to HSA accounts annually even though we have no employer.

You might be.

It looks like I may be joining your ranks!

Always learning something new and wonderful from all of the kind folks here.

 

[audreyh1]

DH and I are each covered by individual insurance plans, and have each contributed to our own HSA accounts. In our case the annual contribution limit is 2x the individual limit.

But I don’t see what would keep an individual from opening an HSA account and contributing as long as they are covered by a qualifying HDHP and stay within the combined family limits.

Once one spouse reaches Medicare eligibility, they can no longer contribute to their HSA account. But if the other spouse is younger, they can continue to contribute to their own HSA as long as they are covered by a qualifying HDHP account. So at some point you are going to need two HSA accounts anyway. You might as well take advantage of both $1000 catch up contributions while you can.

I expect there are folks on this forum who have a family insurance plan but have two HSA accounts and get both catch-up contributions.

 

[gwraigty]

But I don’t see what would keep an individual from opening an HSA account and contributing as long as they are covered by a qualifying HDHP and stay within the combined family limits.

Once one spouse reaches Medicare eligibility, they can no longer contribute to their HSA account. But if the other spouse is younger, they can continue to contribute to their own HSA as long as they are covered by a qualifying HDHP account. So at some point you are going to need two HSA accounts anyway. You might as well take advantage of both $1000 catch up contributions while you can.

I expect there are folks on this forum who have a family insurance plan but have two HSA accounts and get both catch-up contributions.

Last year was the first we were eligible for the catch-up contributions. Or I should say that I thought only my husband was eligible, because the insurance is through his employer. I'm so happy to be proven wrong.

I'm 4 months older than my husband, so I'd have to stop contributing sooner. Geez, I'd better get started then!

 

[Accidental Retiree]

Last year was the first we were eligible for the catch-up contributions. Or I should say that I thought only my husband was eligible, because the insurance is through his employer. I'm so happy to be proven wrong.

I'm 4 months older than my husband, so I'd have to stop contributing sooner. Geez, I'd better get started then!

You have until April 15 to make your $1000 contribution for 2018.

 

[gwraigty]

You have until April 15 to make your $1000 contribution for 2018.

I know. Maybe short-sighted, but I'm opting not to. I already filed our taxes and don't feel like filing corrected federal/state. I did open a Fidelity HSA today though and made a pro-rata contribution covering the first 3 months this year.

 

[Squirrel]

I’m not sure what we will do with the extra, but we will think of something. I’ll have to check back to the “blow that dough” thread.

 

[Squirrel]

Your higher S.S. taken at age 70 is indeed 'inheritable' by your surviving spouse. She/He will thank you for this.

hmmmm ... hadn't thought of that as 'inheritance.' but you're right.

 

[Sue J]

I posted earlier that I applied to start my SS benefit on 3/1/19. Online it says that it's still being processed with no other info. Today I got a letter in the mail from the Social Security Administration.

"An online transaction was recently attempted with your name and personal info. We need additional info... please call us at....within 10 days."

So I called the number, had to leave a message and quickly got a call back. He tells me that my application was flagged for possible fraud, no info why, but that I need to come into the local office with a photo ID. He wanted to set up an appointment and the closest one is May 7th! Don't worry, we will back pay for any delay in your benefit.

There is an office downtown in the nearest city, but there is no parking nearby, you have to use the meters on the street parking. I hope you can pay for a few hours because I expect there will be a wait, even with an appointment.

Or I can do a walk-in, sign in at the kiosk and wait. Might do that next week. We have another office that is farther but it's in a suburb and has adjacent parking. I called to see if this can be done at any office and haven't gotten a response, but I'm hopeful that any office can verify my ID.

This is annoying and seems unnecessary and then I remember a poster here who had fraud on her SS (I think this was Helen) and I'm willing to take care of this properly.

 

[audreyh1]

Gosh - it seems like someone knew you had recently applied?!?! Or had your first check coming this month?

 

[Sue J]

Gosh - it seems like someone knew you had recently applied?!?! Or had your first check coming this month?

I'm wondering if this was triggered by me getting a replacement card in 2006. I know my original card (and my birth certificate) is in a box in the attic. The box is labeled IMPORTANT STUFF - KEEP. In 2006 when I needed my card I couldn't find that box and with all of DH's crap left on the floor and in unwieldy piles in the attic I figured it was easier and safer to just get a replacement card. I had to go into an office to get the replacement card.

The online transaction mentioned in the letter is probably me, when I applied to start the benefit.

I can't imagine someone else trying to get my benefit. If you're going to do that kind of thing you'd go after an account that's worth more than $700 a month!

 

[wmc1000]

I posted earlier that I applied to start my SS benefit on 3/1/19. Online it says that it's still being processed with no other info. Today I got a letter in the mail from the Social Security Administration.

"An online transaction was recently attempted with your name and personal info. We need additional info... please call us at....within 10 days."

So I called the number, had to leave a message and quickly got a call back. He tells me that my application was flagged for possible fraud, no info why, but that I need to come into the local office with a photo ID. He wanted to set up an appointment and the closest one is May 7th! Don't worry, we will back pay for any delay in your benefit.

There is an office downtown in the nearest city, but there is no parking nearby, you have to use the meters on the street parking. I hope you can pay for a few hours because I expect there will be a wait, even with an appointment.

Or I can do a walk-in, sign in at the kiosk and wait. Might do that next week. We have another office that is farther but it's in a suburb and has adjacent parking. I called to see if this can be done at any office and haven't gotten a response, but I'm hopeful that any office can verify my ID.

This is annoying and seems unnecessary and then I remember a poster here who had fraud on her SS (I think this was Helen) and I'm willing to take care of this properly.

DW who signed up last July for her FRA SS got that letter too. When we went to SS office we were told that a lot of online signups are flagged for fraud so when it was my time to file we should come to their office.

So, I called to schedule an office visit last month and was told they "prefer" to do it over the phone , I tell them OK and they schedule a phone call to me for March 27th @ 11:30. Then I get a letter confirming my phone appointment but also says I can go online to start or complete my filing and I might not need an appointment. I fill everything out and complete the filing but luckily I do not cancel my appointment during the completion even though it says it is not needed unless I have other questions.

Guess what? I received the letter stating I need to contact the Regional SSA office about my filing by March 21st. I call and leave a message on March 14th. To date no call back. I will see how the phone appt. goes on the 27th...

Also need to have the spousal adjustment done for DW at that time.

 

[ivinsfan]

I posted earlier that I applied to start my SS benefit on 3/1/19. Online it says that it's still being processed with no other info. Today I got a letter in the mail from the Social Security Administration.

"An online transaction was recently attempted with your name and personal info. We need additional info... please call us at....within 10 days."

So I called the number, had to leave a message and quickly got a call back. He tells me that my application was flagged for possible fraud, no info why, but that I need to come into the local office with a photo ID. He wanted to set up an appointment and the closest one is May 7th! Don't worry, we will back pay for any delay in your benefit.

There is an office downtown in the nearest city, but there is no parking nearby, you have to use the meters on the street parking. I hope you can pay for a few hours because I expect there will be a wait, even with an appointment.

Or I can do a walk-in, sign in at the kiosk and wait. Might do that next week. We have another office that is farther but it's in a suburb and has adjacent parking. I called to see if this can be done at any office and haven't gotten a response, but I'm hopeful that any office can verify my ID.

This is annoying and seems unnecessary and then I remember a poster here who had fraud on her SS (I think this was Helen) and I'm willing to take care of this properly.

We did a walk-in and planned ahead. we went during the last week of the month on a Tuesday or Wednesday..don't remember which. check the hours of your local office, ours closes one day a week at noon to clean up paperwork without distractions. Don't go that day. get there around 30 minutes before the office opens, join the line and go to the check-in machine for your number, after I got my number I ended up waiting around 45-50 minutes which I though was reasonable.

 

[jazz4cash]

I posted earlier that I applied to start my SS benefit on 3/1/19. Online it says that it's still being processed with no other info. Today I got a letter in the mail from the Social Security Administration.

"An online transaction was recently attempted with your name and personal info. We need additional info... please call us at....within 10 days."

So I called the number, had to leave a message and quickly got a call back. He tells me that my application was flagged for possible fraud, no info why, but that I need to come into the local office with a photo ID. He wanted to set up an appointment and the closest one is May 7th! Don't worry, we will back pay for any delay in your benefit.

There is an office downtown in the nearest city, but there is no parking nearby, you have to use the meters on the street parking. I hope you can pay for a few hours because I expect there will be a wait, even with an appointment.

Or I can do a walk-in, sign in at the kiosk and wait. Might do that next week. We have another office that is farther but it's in a suburb and has adjacent parking. I called to see if this can be done at any office and haven't gotten a response, but I'm hopeful that any office can verify my ID.

This is annoying and seems unnecessary and then I remember a poster here who had fraud on her SS (I think this was Helen) and I'm willing to take care of this properly.

Did you “claim” your SS Account by registering via mySS. Com ( or whatever it’s called) before you requested to start your benefit? It’s supposed to prevent fraud and I assume streamline the process to start benefits. I’m just wondering how beneficial it is. I use it to check my projected benefit.

 

[Sue J]

Did you “claim” your SS Account by registering via mySS. Com ( or whatever it’s called) before you requested to start your benefit? It’s supposed to prevent fraud and I assume streamline the process to start benefits. I’m just wondering how beneficial it is. I use it to check my projected benefit.

Yes, I started my claim at my SSA.gov account. I’ve had the account for many years. My income years are all accurate. I’ve been watching my benefit increase every month since I turned 62 in 2017.

 

[SteveNU]

I submitted my app online through my account which I've had for years. They called me and I had to verify some security questions before my app was approved. The guy said it was because I had submitted it through an existing account and hadn't created the account as part of the application process.

 

[audreyh1]

I'm wondering if this was triggered by me getting a replacement card in 2006. I know my original card (and my birth certificate) is in a box in the attic. The box is labeled IMPORTANT STUFF - KEEP. In 2006 when I needed my card I couldn't find that box and with all of DH's crap left on the floor and in unwieldy piles in the attic I figured it was easier and safer to just get a replacement card. I had to go into an office to get the replacement card.

The online transaction mentioned in the letter is probably me, when I applied to start the benefit.

I can't imagine someone else trying to get my benefit. If you're going to do that kind of thing you'd go after an account that's worth more than $700 a month!

Right - it makes sense that the online transaction is you. Whew!

 

[ivinsfan]

I'm wondering if this was triggered by me getting a replacement card in 2006. I know my original card (and my birth certificate) is in a box in the attic. The box is labeled IMPORTANT STUFF - KEEP. In 2006 when I needed my card I couldn't find that box and with all of DH's crap left on the floor and in unwieldy piles in the attic I figured it was easier and safer to just get a replacement card. I had to go into an office to get the replacement card.

The online transaction mentioned in the letter is probably me, when I applied to start the benefit.

I can't imagine someone else trying to get my benefit. If you're going to do that kind of thing you'd go after an account that's worth more than $700 a month!

It doesn't have to make sense, it's the government. I'm 66 as I said born to American military in UK. In fact I'm mentioned by name in 66 year old Army paperwork. Came to the states when I was 2 and a half. The paper trail I have in this country is decades long and I've lived at the same address for 40 years. Filed taxes with this SS number since I was 18.



I had to "prove" my citizenship I took my US passport which I've had for 64 years and at the last minute threw i all the paperwork associated with my birth into my purse..the passport wasn't good enough, or not what they wanted, I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't had the original of the old paperwork (thanks Mom). If a passport doesn't prove you are a US citizen I don't know what does.

 

[dm]

I got my conformation letter today from the SS office. Looks like I’m good to go. Thankfully all I had to do was the online form.

 

[Accidental Retiree]

Yes, I started my claim at my SSA.gov account. I’ve had the account for many years. My income years are all accurate. I’ve been watching my benefit increase every month since I turned 62 in 2017.

SueJ, I filed just a few days after you and also saw the “Processing” notice. I’m in similar circumstances.

Two days ago, I got 2 phone calls in quick succession from an unknown caller.

Then today I got an EMAIL from a woman at FirstName.LastName@ssa.gov.

I didn’t think they emailed.

We’re now playing phone tag.

It’s going to be interesting to see how *she* proves her identity to *me*.