Here's the post regarding my recent communication with them, just to bring you up to speed. Or, to make you throw up, as the case may be.
Today's letter informs me (in 6 pages of confusing, conflicting text) that I will earn more than I am allowed (knew that already) That for every $2. I earn over the allowed amount they will confiscate $1., and that I must return all monies received from the administration. Which, of course, is $0.00. To date, nothing has been deposited in my account. Not. A. Dime.
They differ. In their eyes I owe them almost 2 thousand dollars. I am so tired of all this confusion and stoopid behavior, I can't begin to tell you.
Taking advice to file early from those who already had retirement income was the worst thing I've ever done. I ought to have waited another year - to reach full retirement age - to file. This has been an unhappy, unhealthy, and unnecessary mess.
That said, it is what it is and must be dealt with to the end.
And so it goes.
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I've been dealing with SS for about two years now. My situation was complicated because of severance pay, etc. I have found them to be very helpful and flexible. Probably the big difference is that I have a SS office nearby and can deal with a real person face to face. If you have such an office within a reasonable driving distance, I suggest you go there and deal with someone directly. I have absolutely no complaints about them.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain Cajun. I went to the local Georgetown SS office to file face to face thinking that would be the most secure way. After verbally filling out all paperwork with her & verifying every step I felt secure that the 3 1/2 hr wait was worth it. Was I ever wrong! The CSR even told me the date I would receive my first check and that I was smart to come in 3 months prior to my birthdate.
ReplyDeleteWell here it is 3 1/2 months past my birthday & after several calls to the SS office they finally found my paperwork lying in some office with no problems. It just "fell between the cracks." Finally I talked to someone who did what she told me whe was going to do & my check arrived at the bank yesterday. BUT.....it had the wrong checking acct # on it for direct deposit. Now I checked that number twice on my first trip & somewhere it got changed. The bank was smart enough to send me a letter right away & they did deposit it after verifying it was mine. I called SS this morning & they laughed because instead of my checking account number being on the paperwork for direct deposit it was their phone #. I really wasn't in the mood to laugh along with her.
Good luck to you my friend!
Fran
Wayne,
ReplyDeleteTake Brian's advice. The Social Security office is in Georgetown. I also had a similar situation with Social Security when I started to collect (early). SS confiscated my WHOLE first payment of $1,300 because they said I was working (which I was) thus INELIGABLE for Social Security payments! I was told by a former classmate that I should take that up with them personally or else it would be months if not years before I could get started on the rolls again. She had the same situation because she also worked. She advised me to claim (in person) financial crises (which I actually did have, I needed the money) and they would write me out a check at the office (which they did) while they straightened out the mess. Your problem isn't that someone or somebody advised you to take Social Security early (in the end it is your decision anyway and you take responsibility for making the final decision) but the problem is the way Social Security to begin that first payment. Once you get started and the payments come in automatically all you have to be concerned about is making more than $35,700 (which I am sure is more now), then you would lose a $1.00 for every $1.00 you earn. If you're making that kind of money now, bravo for you. However, if you're among the rest of us schlubs barely making over the minimum wage, then you should have no problem getting your monthly Social Security payments started. The most important thing now is for you to pay a personal visit to the Social Security office in Georgetown (make sure to take your Spanish/English directory with you and PUH-LEASE leave the attitude at home) and resolve this matter now. The longer you wait the longer it will take for your payments to start. Time is of the essence young man! I know you can do it! Remember, humble goes a long way with the ladies (that's all there is there) at the Social Security office in Georgetown. I was there with Big Bob when he had a problem and it was all straightened out in no time. Good luck!
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ReplyDelete@Brian: My local SS office is about 15 miles away, and I have been there 3 times. It may be different where you live, but here these guys act as if they're doing you a favor. Still, I did get information that was later proved untrue - at least by the powers that be.
ReplyDelete@Fran: Sorry for all the BS you were put through. Contrary to popular belief, misery does not love company. Hope it is finally straightened out now.
@Ron: That is one long-winded comment! As mentioned above, I've been to the office 3 times before. There were no "ladies" present assisting applicants. Two windows were open, both were men, and they were a sort of Yin & Yang duo.
You got it wrong. For every $2. I make over their allowed amount, they confiscate $1. They don't seem to understand the seasonal work concept, either. The guys in Georgetown seemed to, but...
Thanks for the comments folks. I guess we're all in a similar (if not same) boat. Best of luck to you all.