Social Security Program Experts Can Answer Your Important Questions
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: August 19, 2021
There are many online resources about Social Security, so it is important that you come to us as the first place for answers. You can find many of the answers about our programs and services on our Frequently Asked Questions page. We feature our most-asked questions at the top of the page to help you find answers to the most common questions quickly, like:
- Are Social Security services affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- What should I do if I receive a call from someone claiming to be a Social Security employee?
- How do I change or correct my name on my Social Security number card?
- How do I apply for a new or replacement Social Security number card?
- How can I get a Social Security Statement that shows a record of my earnings and an estimate of my future benefits?
You can also browse by topics like:
- Disability.
- Social Security Payments.
- Retirement.
- Medicare.
You can visit our publications library for detailed information on nearly all of our topics. We make each publication available in text, audio, and downloadable formats.
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About the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
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William G.
I am 61 I have recently been turned down for disability can I still draw my early retirement at 61 due to health conditions and not able to work
Vonda
Hi William, thanks for your question. You can appeal your Social Security disability application and file for Social Security retirement benefits. You may start receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. Monthly benefits are reduced if you start them any time before your “full retirement age”. Your full retirement age depends on your date of birth. It may be between age 66 and 67. This could affect the amount of your benefits and when you want the benefits to start.
Check out the Retirement Benefits web page for more detailed information.
Carl W.
My wife died in October SS has advised that I have been over paid. I can’t find the code section which covers this issues. Since she died on the 23 day of October you would think benefits would be prorated. In addition SS has been advised of her death but I have not received any information on death benefits.
RandyKB
Hello,
I am 69 and stopped working in 2017 with 50 years work history. I am receiving spousal benefits since October 2019. I applied for full retirement September 9, 2020. Social Security sent me a letter verifying my work record was correct and that my starting date of January 1, 2020 was correct. The letter asked me to call the Social Security number on the letter and talk to the representative listed in the letter. I called several times and left a message that all was correct along with my contact information. No one ever called back. The letter also said this information was not required to process the application and that the application will be processed October 5th anyway. I called Social Security in mid-November and a representative told me the application was in process, but could tell me more since another representative was processing it (the one listed in the letter).
As of December 12, 2020 I have still not heard from Social Security verifying my retirement amount and start date. Is this process time normal due to the Pandemic?
Vonda
For your security, Randy, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Stanley S.
I want to change my address
Vonda
Hi Stanley, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to change your address. We hope this is helpful!
Fahmi N.
I am a social security recepient who lives outside the US. I do own a house in Florida, but I don’t live there more than a couple of weeks a year. I need to have a social security account so I may access online services. There is a requirement that I must have a US address. Can I use the address of my house in the US? I have asked this question several times before but I failed to get an answer. I do think that the US address requirement is unfair since it denies Americans like me online access when they need it more. Please respond. Thank you.
Vonda
Hi Fahmi, thank you for your question. At this time you must have a U. S. mailing address to create or access your online account. The “my Social Security” authentication system requires address verification as one of the essential criteria for issuing an account. People with APO/FPO/DPO addresses can create an account overseas, but our system does not support registration and account creation for users with a foreign address yet.
We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact the nearest Federal Benefit Unit in the area for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad.
Fahmi N.
Thank you for the reply. Is there any chance someone will revisit and perhaps re-evaluate the need for this restriction?
GRACIELA A.
Tengo 80 años, cobro el minimo, y no he recibido la ayuda suplementaria, puden ayudarme_{
Corey M.
I get ssi Ive been getting it for about two years. I have kept my mailing address as my mom’s but have lived in about 3 other homes paying rent. I did not know that every time I moved I must report it to ssi thought only if I changed my mailing address that I had to report change if address will I be penalized for this? As I just found out today when 8 called to report my address change that I was suppose to have reported it every time.
Vonda
For your security, Corey, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Beth B.
Do spouses of legally working/living workers get the remaining social security benefits if they are living in another country and are not American residents/citizens?
Vonda
Hi Beth, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on Social Security benefits for noncitizens living outside the United States. I hope this is helpful!
Sue N.
I found out that I need to notify SS that i worked beyond $18,240 this year. I believe I will not receive SS checks until I pay 50% of the amt over by not receiving SS checks. If that is correct can you help me correctly notify that I did work over the stated amt and can I find out how many checks will I miss next year?
Vonda
Hi Sue, thanks for using our blog. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
You may want to use our Retirement Earnings Test Calculatorto see the effect of the Retirement Earnings Test on retirement benefits.
Rob G.
Hi. I’m 61 years old and have been collecting SSI for 1 year.
Through my adult life I have qualified for social security retirement benefits. They are $887 a month for early retirement, and $1,260 at full retirement. I’ve been told that I will have to file for early retirement at 62. Does this mean that if I thought I might live until full retirement and wanted to get the extra amount that comes with waiting until full retirement age that I would need to give up my SSI for the period between my 62nd birthday and the date I qualify for full the higher, full benefit?
I have a total of nearly 30 years work history (but not enough in latest period to qualify for SSDI), and it seems harsh that needing a relatively short period of SSI assistance SSI disqualifies me for the higher retirement benefit. Are there any exceptions or rules I’m unaware of that could allow me to receive SSI assistance between age 62 and full retirement that does not mandate filing for the reduced, early benefit?
Thanks for any help you can provide!
Vonda
Thank you for contacting us, Rob. Please keep in mind that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled individuals based on financial need. We conduct “redeterminations” periodically to identify SSI recipients who –at any time- are potentially eligible for any or other Social Security benefits on their own record and the records of others (e.g., spouse’s, divorced spouse’s or widow’s benefits).
You can contact your local Social Security office with specific questions. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.