Check In with Social Security Early

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Zebra

Zebra

Member
I am 63 and planning to retire 31 Dec. 2010 (FERS); so after learning from the ssa.gov website, you can apply for your social security benefits 4 months in advance; I did so this past Monday! Wednesday I had a notice there was a snag......it appears my first social security card was cut using my nickname. I remember this but it was later replaced when I entered military service in 1966. Ok, well SS doesn't have a record of the second card and now I will have to go to the SS office and resubmit SS-5 requesting a name change.

Anyway, some of you may or may not have the same issue, espcially woman who took on their husband last name or vise versa and never updated the SS card, etc.!
 
About 6 years ago I perused my yearly statement and found some very unusual numbers. I contacted my local office and found someone had used my number as their own. It was easily straightened out as they were very friendly and supportive. That's a good point about my wife's name change.
 
Ok, UPDATE!

I went to the Social Security Office, with birth certificate and passport in hand, my name change issue was solved in about 10 minutes.

Additionally VETS, do take your DD Form 214 with you as you may qualify for additional points, which equates to additional bucks. Go and read: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, December 31st is nearing.
 
Zebra said:
Ok, UPDATE!

I went to the Social Security Office, with birth certificate and passport in hand, my name change issue was solved in about 10 minutes.

Additionally VETS, do take your DD Form 214 with you as you may qualify for additional points, which equates to additional bucks. Go and read: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, December 31st is nearing.
Click to expand...

I am glad that you were able resolve these issues!
 
Zebra, after reading that pub does that mean the benefit amount in the last statement I received from SS will go up because of the extra benefit per quarter of service? Or did I read it wrong? I read it as it will be figured in when you actually retire and start drawing SS.
 
As it ended up for me, the additional credits really did nothing for me, as I had good income for the last 35 years. It could help those have lower incomes or were unemployed. The magic dates is 1957 - 1967; I only had one year (dec 66 to dec 67) and it didn't change my benefits. BTW, I was impressed with SS as they actually called me and briefed me.
 
Zebra

I had my retirement counceling (sp) with the USPS Thursday morning and the lady was real good. She did tell me one thing I questioned her about but she assured me that I would get holiday pay for New Years even though like you I retire 12/31/2010. I still doubt it, but if they want to give it to me who am I to argue. She also said the annual I'm selling back will be in my Jan 7, 2011 paycheck. I like that. And then 6-8 months before the annuity pay will be straightened out. She said I'd get about 80% until then. As long as I get it that's the important thing. Will call SS tomorrow and tell them to get ready for me. lol
 
brooksmd

You know you can apply for your SS online, go to ssa.gov and then click on retirement.

BTW, that is what I did and I received yesterday my letter from SS telling me what I would be getting monthly and they even gave me the date it should be in my checking account (direct deposit).
 
Zebra....Yeah I guess it was a brain hiccup. Don't know why I said call. I did go online and take care of it. Now just waiting 5 days to see what's next. Hopefully they won't need anything else.

Time is going by fast. I figured it would be like when I was a kid waiting for Christmas. The only thing that slows it down is dealing with the management at work. But I keep a big smile on my face and go my happy way. :D
 
brooksmd

I hear you! It is like Christmas, looking forward to 31 Dec; "Take the job and shove it, I don't want to work here no more", eh?

House sold, closing on the 29th. I will stay in a extended stay for a couple of months while wife moves back to BAMA to find another house, prior to me retiring. Things are moving fast!
 
Zebra said:
I am 63 and planning to retire 31 Dec. 2010 (FERS); so after learning from the ssa.gov website, you can apply for your social security benefits 4 months in advance; I did so this past Monday! Wednesday I had a notice there was a snag......it appears my first social security card was cut using my nickname. I remember this but it was later replaced when I entered military service in 1966. Ok, well SS doesn't have a record of the second card and now I will have to go to the SS office and resubmit SS-5 requesting a name change.

Anyway, some of you may or may not have the same issue, espcially woman who took on their husband last name or vise versa and never updated the SS card, etc.!
Click to expand...

I have heard that is is better to retire after the pay increase in january is in effect.
 
Valkyrie

Unfortunately FERS employees don't that that option, 31 Dec is the last day they can retire, unless they want to loose their use or loose AL, IAW my HR rep
 
I'm sure the below is not new to u. However u can get your command to roll over your use or lose. There are legal reasons why they can do it for u. Such as your work/project load did not allow u to use the leave.
your hr rep should know this, although most hr rep's only know everything for themselves and what mgmt wants u to know.

Restoration of Forfeited Annual Leave

Agencies may restore annual leave that was forfeited because it was in excess of the maximum leave ceilings if the leave was forfeited because of an administrative error, exigency of the public business, or sickness of the employee, under Section 6304 (d) of Title 5, U.S.C. An agency must restore the annual leave in a separate leave account.
http://www.federaldaily.com/pay/paidleave.htm



http://www.myfederalretirement.com/public/563.cfm
For employees who are covered by FERS or who are "Trans"FERS*, no matter which day of the month an employee retires, retirement takes effect on the first day of the following month with the first annuity check dated on the first day of the following month. For example, a FERS employee retires on Jan 1, 2010. Retirement takes effect on Feb. 1, 2010 and the first annuity check will be dated Mar. 1, 2010. If, however, the employee retires Dec. 31, 2009, then retirement takes effect on Jan. 1, 2010 and the first annuity check will be dated Feb. 1, 2010. In other words, in this example retiring one day earlier at the end of December results in the first annuity check being issued one month earlier.

http://www.myfederalretirement.com/public/315.cfm
 
Valkyrie said:
I'm sure the below is not new to u. However u can get your command to roll over your use or lose. There are legal reasons why they can do it for u. Such as your work/project load did not allow u to use the leave.
your hr rep should know this, although most hr rep's only know everything for themselves and what mgmt wants u to know.
Click to expand...

Valkyrie...
But who wants to take a chance on that being approved when your talking thousands of dollars? At some point in time you have to quit looking at the next pay increase, next possible cola, now I might as well stay to get that year added on. Get while the gettin's good and you can still enjoy retirement. Like Z, I'm through taking chances and just want what is mine on Dec 31st.

Z
Congrats on selling the house. We just refinanced ours from a 30 yr/5.75% with 24 yrs left on it to a 15yr/3.875% with only a $100 increase in payment. And time is flying. I love it.
 
http://www.myfederalretirement.com/public/563.cfm
For employees who are covered by FERS or who are "Trans"FERS*, no matter which day of the month an employee retires, retirement takes effect on the first day of the following month with the first annuity check dated on the first day of the following month. For example, a FERS employee retires on Jan 1, 2010. Retirement takes effect on Feb. 1, 2010 and the first annuity check will be dated Mar. 1, 2010. If, however, the employee retires Dec. 31, 2009, then retirement takes effect on Jan. 1, 2010 and the first annuity check will be dated Feb. 1, 2010. In other words, in this example retiring one day earlier at the end of December results in the first annuity check being issued one month earlier.
Click to expand...


Excellent explanation! Thanks for taking the time to point this out, as I totally forgot this even though I knew for retirement (FERS) 31 Dec is the best time to go out! 65 days and a wake up!
 
Z....Got my password from SSA after doing the sign-up thing online. Logged-in and found out how much I'm getting and when the first deposit will be. Now just waiting on the USPS and Dec 31st. Guess for now I'll keep my BCBS so my 22 yr old son will have medical ins. TriCare rep I talked to said there is a bill in congress to adopt the 26 yr old deal for TriCare but for now it is still 22.

The closer I get to Dec 31st the more tolerable this place is. Always smiling now. :) lol
 
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