SSA has reduced my husband's SS benefit because he is also receiving a Canadian pension. The problem is that the WEP reduction was based on his pension in Canadian dollars, which resulted in a reduction of more than 50% of his Canadian pension, if converted to US dollars. He appealed this decision and after waiting 5 months for SSA's reply they didn't even address the concern of not converting Canadian dollars to US dollars. The "form" letter indicated that he would have to go through an ALJ hearing as the next step.

I am about to file an appeal due to the windfall clause. I worked in Switzerland over a 10 year period and receive a small AVS amount from them. When I filed for retirement (66) in February my benefit was lowered by $411 dollars. Here’s the deal. I asked for an explanation and was sent only a faded form letter. I am filing the appeal to see the actual calculations used based on all of the information I provided. I want to make sure the places I worked for in CH paid properly and that my ex’s income was included. Does that sound like reasonable grounds for an appeal?

Dear Larry:
I was born in 1951, currently working full time, plan to not collect my own benefit until age 70. I was married 13 years, divorced in 2012. I was employed by a PERS for 12 years from 1973 till 1985 where I did not pay social security, took a disbursement of member contributions of $14, 141.93 in 1986 which cancelled all service credit. The PERS document states that refunds consisted of only member's contributions. I am not eligible for a monthly benefit.

A few months ago, I lost my Social Security Benefits for Disability that I was getting for years. After I got a letter stating my last check, my beneficiary filed for an appeal. I'm still currently waiting for a letter stating I will be getting my SSI back. Now I've received letters that I will no longer be getting food stamps and medicaid due to the loss of my social security income. I'm an New Mexico resident. What can I do to appeal all of this? I'm struggling to make ends meet as is, I cannot find work and still struggle with my disabilities.

Hi,

Unfortunately, my husband waited to file SSA Retirement at age 74. Over the past 10 years we have been unable to complete and file our taxes due to many unforeseen circumstances (which we have since detailed to the IRS and Mass D0R). We both also thought that he would not be able to file for SSA Retirement until the taxes had been filed and that the longer he waited to file for SSA, the more he would receive in benefits - we have just found that not to be true. He filed for SSA in January, 2019 and received his payment mid February which included payments going back 6 months.

On September 24, 2018 I applied in person for my Social Security retirement benefit. The estimate I was given did not include the 2019 COLA, since it wasn't announced until October, 2018.

Subject: SSA Spousal Benefit Denial Hearing
I'm contacting you because I read your article published by Forbes online on 7/3/2016. Can you provide any advice about submitting a request for hearing as a result of my being denied SSA spousal benefits I was entitled

Hello Larry - I recently filed for Social Security Benefits and got approved however the amount they say I am entitled to is less than the amount I figure I should get ( I based my figure on their documented formula - using both the 2018 formula and also the 1952 formula as I was born in 52). I have filed paperwork to appeal the amount and was wondering if you could answer two questions. 1. Any idea of how long it may take for a decision? 2. Do I need to also file an appeal for my wife since her SPOUSAL benefit will be affected if I win my appeal?

Jerry,

I wrote to you in January regarding my mother's situation.

"My mother is entitled to 6 months of retroactive payment from Social Security due to the RIB-LIM rule. My father had taken Social Security 3 years early, so my mother should have taken her payment immediately after he died in December 2016. However, she thought she had to wait until her FRA, and I didn't know about RIB-LIM until I came across your website."

my mom passed away in Dec. My dad applied for SS benefits was denied. Even though he is seventy-two and can only work 100 days out fo the year as a substitute teacher, they said he made too much money. But he won't be able to keep doing this forever. He has tried to call to appeal but he can never get through and the internet process is confusing him. He is exhausted and is ready to give up, but he needs that money every month and time for the appeal is running out. Is there any way you can point us in a direction so he can secure these benefits.

Hi,