Finally Made A Decision For A Path Forward

[SiouzQ.]

I have come to the conclusion after doing the research is that the best thing for me to do is to file for my Social Security, even though it is pretty low. I have to come terms that I am pretty much unemployable these days (as I type this using only my right hand - my left arm and hand is pretty useless these days).

So here is how we have figured it out - I went to my local SS office yesterday to confirm what I have read online at the SS website. I can file for my own benefits now, and switch to Spousal Benefits when my husband retires in December 2025. I am also going to to file for Disability at the same time, as recommended by the lady at the window because it can take up to 6 to 8 months.

I spent most of the day pulling together the documents and information needed. Jeezus, I have all the years of my wrist surgeries, x-rays, MRI's EMG's, joint injections, etc, etc. The point is, I have to accept that my metalsmithing career is probably over, I can no longer type using both hands, nor sit for 8 hours a day...My body is worn out at this point. If I get approved for disability, I would get something like $1482/month. My husband has a very good job right now, and with 35+ years of working in IT, his SS payments will be quite a bit higher. When he retires I'll get bumped up to half of his payment as the Spousal Benefits, so when we combine the two it's pretty reasonable.

He's about to sign up for Medicare, and when he does I'll be bumped off the BCBS plan we have. I will be able to go and get back on an ObamaCare plan, possibly Medicaid because I have no income at this point.

Next week I have a bunch research to continue with, calls to make and appointments to set to make sure this all gets set up to plan. I feel relieved that there seems to be a path forward. I have PT to go to (again), another EMG scheduled, an appointment with my hand surgeon for a check-in, plus waiting for a referral to see another doctor to rule out Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, and I'm also waiting to hear back from the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix to find out if they'll accept me as a patient. There is still no consensus on the reason I have lost function in my arm with chronic ulna/median nerve inflammation. It *may* be due to the arthritis in my neck but I am waiting to get any neck surgery until they are satisfied that it is not something else.

As Roseann Roseannadanna said, "It's always something!"

[Tradd]

I’m sorry about all the mess, but glad to hear you’ve made a decision!

Two small suggestions: try voice to text and see if that’s easier than typing with one hand. Also, if you’re trying to type on a smartphone or tablet on screen keyboard, try the small K380 Bluetooth keyboard made by Logitech. Much easier to type on and can even be used with your smartphone. I’ve recommend the keyboard to a few friends with arm/hand issues and it’s made a big difference for them.

[Tybee]

I am not sure how old you are, but does regular disability stop at full retirement age? Do you then just convert to SS? Somehow I thought this was the case.
If you are only 62, then do you get a reduced percentage of half of his social security payments?
Just confused about the interface between SS, disability, and spousal benefits?

I took ss at 63, so I get how complicated these decisions are--I still don't know if I did the right thing for me at the time.

[iris lilies]

I took SS benefits at age 64. My thought was I won’t live a long time, so take the money the government is giving out!

[happystuff]

So sorry you are still dealing with so much, but glad to hear that you are moving forward! Good luck with navigating it all!

[SiouzQ.]

From what I've asked (and I still have lots more questions), is if I take my regular benefits now (I'm 62 and 4 months) I will get $1055/month before taxes. When my husband retires in December 2025, I will then switch to Spousal Benefits and get $1658 (half of his benefits). How getting disability before then is where I still have LOTS of questions. If I actually get approved for Disability, my payments would be $1482 (which is what my benefits would be if I retired at my full retirement age of 67). What I am not sure of is if I can switch from getting Disability payments to Spousal Benefits in Dec. 2025 when my husband retires - I am finding different bits of information, so as of today, I'm still not sure. That is a question for when I go in for an appointment or if I want to call them tomorrow and be on hold for two hours.

Maybe I just limp along with my lower payments for the next 23 months. Apparently it takes 6 to 8 months for a Disability claim to go through, and it usually gets denied at least once. So timing-wise there isn't that much time until I qualify for the $1658 I'd get from the Spousal Benefits.

But having less than $1000 coming in per month going forward the next 23 months is a little scary. I need to find some kind of work I can do to bring in another $600 or so per month to cover my personal expenses. I still have a bit of jewelry to sell down, but that income can be unstable from month to month. I would go back to the gallery job one or two days a week, but ONLY if she got a better chair. I'd like to find some under-the-table casual work but with only one useful arm, I'll have to be creative about that.

I do have quite a bit of savings from all my frugal years, but mentally it is going to be hard to see it dwindle down! I'd rather be able to make just enough money to pay for my living expenses without dipping into it.

[Tybee]

From what I've asked (and I still have lots more questions), is if I take my regular benefits now (I'm 62 and 4 months) I will get $1055/month before taxes. When my husband retires in December 2025, I will then switch to Spousal Benefits and get $1658 (half of his benefits). How getting disability before then is where I still have LOTS of questions. If I actually get approved for Disability, my payments would be $1482 (which is what my benefits would be if I retired at my full retirement age of 67).

According to this AARP article, your benefits are reduced due to your age, from 50% of his to 35%? That's what I was wondering?
sorry forgot to add article:
How Does Claiming Social Security Early Affect Spousal Benefits? (aarp.org) (https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/questions-answers/spousal-benefit-calculation-at-age-62.html)

[SiouzQ.]

I wouldn't be switching to the Spousal Benefits until he retires in Dec. 2025, in which I would get half of his. I can start taking my own benefits now, but since I've only always worked in retail my entire working career, they are pretty low, especially now at age 62. Right now my own benefits are $1055/month but at my full retirement at age 67, they will be $1482/month, which is the same amount I would get now if I am approved for Disability. My big question is if I do get Disability now, can I switch to Spousal Benefits when he retires in dec. 2025? So far it doesn't look like it.

[Tybee]

I wouldn't be switching to the Spousal Benefits until he retires in Dec. 2025, in which I would get half of his. I can start taking my own benefits now, but since I've only always worked in retail my entire working career, they are pretty low, especially now at age 62. Right now my own benefits are $1055/month but at my full retirement at age 67, they will be $1482/month, which is the same amount I would get now if I am approved for Disability. My big question is if I do get Disability now, can I switch to Spousal Benefits when he retires in dec. 2025? So far it doesn't look like it.

I think you only get half of his when you reach your own full retirement age. Otherwise, you get a prorated amount less, I think.

[SiouzQ.]

I keep reading different things about this, and the lady at my local SS Office told me otherwise. But now I am on their website and it reads just like you have been saying. I really wish they would use "Spouse A and Spouse B when describing these scenario's. I am definitely going to call SS today and just be prepared to be on hold for a long time.

[Tybee]

I keep reading different things about this, and the lady at my local SS Office told me otherwise. But now I am on their website and it reads just like you have been saying. I really wish they would use "Spouse A and Spouse B when describing these scenario's. I am definitely going to call SS today and just be prepared to be on hold for a long time.

Good luck and I hope the lady at the local office turns out to be right!

[catherine]

Isn't it a case of choosing his or yours? I get my own DHs, which is double his, so maybe he could have chosen my SS at 50% or his own, but that would have been pretty much the same. I know when someone dies, you choose theirs or your own.

[Tybee]

Isn't it a case of choosing his or yours? I get my own DHs, which is double his, so maybe he could have chosen my SS at 50% or his own, but that would have been pretty much the same. I know when someone dies, you choose theirs or your own.

I don't think it's that simple--the website says this:
"Spousal benefits can start as early as age 62, but are reduced for each month they are claimed before FRA (the reduction percentage differs slightly from that applied to retired-worker benefits).

A Comparison of Free Online Tools for Individuals Deciding When to Claim Social Security Benefits (ssa.gov) (https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/rsnotes/rsn2016-03.html)

[iris lilies]

I can hardly wait until the “just a piece of paper” unmarried crowd starts navigating these spousal benefit waters.

I have no problem with people living together without legal marriage because they are adults making adult decisions.

Their problem more often than not is: they are clueless about the legal benefits of marriage.There are so many legalities that get fked up when forming a union without the legal protections (and obligations) of marriage.

[SiouzQ.]

Tybee was right - I just got off the phone with SS (only on hold for 1 hour and 20 minutes, lol). If I chose to take Spousal Benefits when K. files at his full retirement age in Dec. 2025, I only get a percentage (like 33%). The only way I could get 50% is if I wait until my full retirement age.

So here is what is going to happen - I have a phone appointment on March 14th (the soonest I could get)! I will be applying for both my SS benefits and for SSDI. To get my paltry $1055 will take up to 60 days, and to get Disability could take up to 8 months. I don't know what else to do at this point other than suck it up that I will have nothing coming in for awhile except random jewelry sales as my stock dwindles down.

K. has a very good job so we will have no problem getting by. It's more of a mental thing with me. I have to focus on my health like I have been doing. I have a lot of tests and appointments coming up to try to fit all the puzzle pieces together. I just got my latest Cervical Spine X-Ray report back and for the first time it said I had severe disc degeneration in C-5 to C-6 AND that it was finally confirmed that I have a set of extra cervical ribs which no one took into consideration for over two years even though I'd tell every doctor repeatedly that that was what I was told 25 years ago.