BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!

Subject: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 09:56 AM

I have applied for Social Security early and while working. A letter came explaining that a penalty would be deducted because I earn more than $14600/year. The formula is Annual earnings less $14600 divided by 2 to determine your penalty. Based on my annual PROJECTED earnings for 2012, I will cover my penalty Jan thru June. July payment comes in August.
So far so good.
Then it states:
We will need to know how much you will actually earn in 2012 before we can decide if Jan 2012 is the earliest possible month.
For this reason, we will contact you AFTER you report your earnings for the year. We will let you know if your first month entitlement to benefits will be changed.

I called asking if this means I have to wait until December 2012 when I know my annual income before they will decide when I am entitled to my first check. She quoted the statement above.
I asked "Am I getting a check in August for July. "I can't answer that."
How do i report my 2012 income so benefits can start post - penalty in July. "I already explained the policy."

I guess I am too stupid to understand - can anyone tell me when I am getting my first check? Presumably from experience.
Thanks,
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 10:07 AM

Does the phrase "When Hell freezes over" mean anything to you? Have you consulted a ouija board or a fortune teller?

Call back, ask for the person's supervisor if they can't answer your questions. Or call 1-800-772-1213 and see if the SSA there can help. Tell them you don't have Internet access and your local office didn't help you any.

Someone has an answer; you just have to find the one who does.

Stupid, stupid, stupid....

Subject: RE: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 11:18 AM

Had a conversation with a local Maine rep who was willing to look up my account and answer my questions. This morning's "helpful phone person" was in the Jamaica, NY office.
First payment is due August the latest. Amount is higher than in the letter due to a .036% raise and last year's income.
Payments are made on a fair income estimate. Adjustments will be made in January if I am under (or overpaid).
Adjustments will continue to be made if I continue to work and raise my average wages.
Breathing again.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 11:37 AM

Here's what I'd do, Sins... Just quit workin', get you a couple cases of Iron City Beer, a big bag of pop corn and couple hundred "I Love Lucy" reruns and kick the heck back!!!

That's the best I can do fir ya'... When I was a social worker there were all these complicated eligibility requirements that I couldn't figure out but I knew the folks who were the better readers & understanders and kept them folks buttered up so when I needed help with getting a client this or that they'll all but fill out the paperwork for me...

Stick with that rep you have been talking with, be your sweet self and the rep will get it ironed out fir ya'...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 01:42 PM

I took a hit by applying early but since I can't work and frankly will never be around long enough to collect, we were in a position that made going early make sense.   SS is a morass of regulations but I found that calls worked very well. At one point you will probably hit upon someone who says, "I feel your pain and I can fix it!" Write down there name and direct all the mail at them. You won't have to do much becasue they will take care of it and they can slice through the legal rhetoric and red tape. The answers aren't always easy nor do they all make sense but a good person in a SS office is a blessing. Some of them seem so officious I'm surprised they don't explode from self-importance.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: Amos
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 02:27 PM

OR marry a rich dude and apply for spuusal benefits on his record. You get fifty percent of his take AND your own benefitr rate continues to increasr4 at about 8%/yr while it is on hold.

Make a list of candidates! Start toDAY!!!

:D

I have always found the only way to get straight dope on throny SS issues is to go down to the local office at sunrise and talk head to head with soneone there.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 06:00 PM

LOL I can't even find a banjo player with teeth and a job and you want me to add rich to the list.
Only if he has one foot in the grave. I like living alone with my cats.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 11:37 PM

We got a letter from them last year telling us we wouldn't get anything for December and I think January. I hit a major panic button. We went to the local office, waited in line as soon as they opened, maybe an hour at the most. Then we met with a really neat woman who told us not to worry, did some magic things on the computer and had a check within a few days. She said when and if we receive a similar letter, about paying back the overpayment due to Roger's wages, just to come in and she'd set us up with a reasonable, affordable deduction. The local office has always done right by us.

Subject: RE: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: Will Fly
Date: 27 Apr 12 - 05:09 AM

...looking for a banjo player with teeth and a job...

OMG - how terrible. You poor thing - this is desperation indeed! Well, I have a tenor banjo in its case upstairs, I have all my teeth (nearly) - no job (too old) - and someone in the kitchen, currently clashing the pans, has a prior claim.

But I'll ask around...

Subject: RE: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Apr 12 - 08:20 AM

LOL
Thanks Will;

Kat,
I have been to our local office and spoken wih them on the phone many times. They have always been helpful and ready to explain or just go the extra mile to be sure I was OK.

The main office in NY was the problem. The woman obviously hasted her job. I called there because the local office lines were all busy.

Never again. It is worth the wait to be treated civilly. The answer to my question was simple - we use your estimated wages and adjust in January. Instead I got we can't tell you if you are going to get anything this year.
Nasty unpleasant woman.

Subject: RE: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Apr 12 - 11:40 AM

That's the type I expect to oneday explode.   Lemmee know when yours goes up.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Social Security Double Talk - HELP!
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Apr 12 - 02:24 PM

You mean "Goes Postal"? or in this case "goes social"?