Signed up for SS and already approved!

[Midpack]

OK thanks. So you did get approved and the check details confirmed before your start month, not during your start month. Good to know.

Did you have to deal with any kind of phone appointment? I’m hoping to avoid that.

I did everything online, except I went to the SS office to drop off my W-4V. The online application does not ask about voluntary withholding, supposedly the in person interview does FWIW - but I wasn't at all interested in applying in person. I was able to do the online application in my fuzzy slippers, and in the event I was missing a document I could just go find it, versus having a hitch in person due to a missing doc.

 

[audreyh1]

Right, it's just my way of paying the Medicare premiums.

I would like to hear about your (DH) experience as the next few months go by, if you don't mind.

Yes, I’ll report back when things happen.

 

[audreyh1]

I did everything online, except I went to the SS office to drop off my W-4V. The online application does not ask about voluntary withholding, supposedly the in person interview does FWIW - but I wasn't at all interested in applying in person. I was able to do the online application in my fuzzy slippers, and in the event I was missing a document I could just go find it, versus having a hitch in person due to a missing doc.

Thanks. We don’t plan to do withholding from SS.

 

[djsander]

DW recieved letter from SS today informing her that she needs to contact them to set up an appointment for spousal benefits review, determination and approval. I guess they’ll want to verify we really are married.

 

[Out of Steam]

Oh, OK. Thanks for the info!

He has Medicare, if I remember correctly. If so, you may be interested in this recent Reddit post. The SSA system can't handle future dates when it's already doing Part B premium billing. It will remain pending until May.

That is also my situation, I've been paying for Medicare Part B directly for several months. Thank you!

If I had known of the annoyance factor in delaying Social Security for just a few months after turning 65, I would have split the difference and filed for both at the same time.

 

[TN Jim]

DW recieved letter from SS today informing her that she needs to contact them to set up an appointment for spousal benefits review, determination and approval. I guess they’ll want to verify we really are married.

I applied for SS to start Dec 2024 (age70 y/o). My wife (spouse) was notified by snail mail she needed to call SS. She called mid Dec, was scheduled for phone interview today (Jan 17, 2025). Received call, was asked birth date, marriage date, additional marriages, address, verify direct deposit info, etc. Also ask to compete and snail mail form SSA 3. SSA 3 is for "wage earner" (me) to confirm I am married to wife (spouse).

 

[djsander]

I applied for SS to start Dec 2024 (age70 y/o). My wife (spouse) was notified by snail mail she needed to call SS. She called mid Dec, was scheduled for phone interview today (Jan 17, 2025). Received call, was asked birth date, marriage date, additional marriages, address, verify direct deposit info, etc. Also ask to compete and snail mail form SSA 3. SSA 3 is for "wage earner" (me) to confirm I am married to wife (spouse).

Interesting. I believe she gave them most if not all of that except for SSA3 when she signed up for SS. She’s been receiving benefits for almost 6 years. Another instance of why can’t they just do this all on line. Same as why not do the income tax with holding on line. SS is still doing things that could have been changed the last century. It definitely needs modernization. I ramble. Thanks for that info.

 

[TN Jim]

Interesting. I believe she gave them most if not all of that except for SSA3 when she signed up for SS. She’s been receiving benefits for almost 6 years. Another instance of why can’t they just do this all on line. Same as why not do the income tax with holding on line. SS is still doing things that could have been changed the last century. It definitely needs modernization. I ramble. Thanks for that info.

Wife as been getting SS based on her income for several years. SS already had all the information. When I applied on-line at 70y/o, I provide spousal information.

 

[jazz4cash]

Well DH still hasn’t converted over even though he has both sets of login credentials already. For some reason they’ve been allowing him to log in with his original credentials all this time.

I converted to login.gov last year because I already had thise credentials from GOES and also had to add for EFTPS.

Thanks! Super helpful. There is an option to login without transitioning. I logged right in. Last login was 9 months ago. I was holding out for my benefit to hit a target and it has zoomed well past it. Now I have no reason to procrastinate but I am still reluctant for no good reason. I guess we’re doing ok without it.

 

[audreyh1]

Well DH will turn 70 and this January SSA even sent DH a reminder to sign up and that he wouldn’t see increases past 70.

 

[Koolau]

Well DH will turn 70 and this January SSA even sent DH a reminder to sign up and that he wouldn’t see increases past 70.

That was decent of them! Who knew?

 

[rickier55]

I signed up for SS on January 3rd to start April 1st. After reading everything i figured it would stay at second step until March. Even the email and information said I would get notification of approval 30 days before hand. So on Monday the 13th I received an email saying my submission status was updated. Signed in and it was approved with the correct dollar amount and when I would get my first check. I guess somebody needed something to do and it was a slow day. My wife said it isn’t done until that first check hits the bank account.

I applied online on DEC 17 for spousal benefits. Still haven't heard anything. Online status says still stage 2 (review).

I'm 74, but GPO would have totally eliminated any SS so I hadn't bothered to apply. But with the SS Fairness Act, I was actually expecting there to be a delay though.

 

[Ferd]

I applied in September 2024 to start Jan 1 2025. It was accepted right away and moved to 2nd stage until January when they sent me the benefit verification Jan 5. First payment end of Feb. Then my boss asked me to keep working through Feb so I was OK with the timing. Now he asked me to work longer so I just sent in Withdrawal of Application form ssa-521. Hopefully they can process that before they make the first payment. I'll have to reapply later. You can only change your mind once so the next time is for real. I'm past full retirement age but less than 70 so the SS payments are still going up.

 

[Robininsky22]

Wow, that is amazing. I'm so old that I did it all in person. Not a bad experience other than needing to find a parking place and get across Nimitz Hwy without getting run over.

I suppose your DW is correct. Until the money is in your bank account, nothing is totally confirmed. Good luck and enjoy your new source of income.

I love your sense of humor and am glad you made it across that highway!

 

[Koolau]

I love your sense of humor and am glad you made it across that highway!

Heh, heh, my sense of humor is an acquired taste. Some folks here may not have acquired the taste yet but YMMV.