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Re: Social Security in the current climate
Originally Posted by robin1234
(Post 13306905)
Thanks! I just searched and searched, and the only link I found was New York Times - which I know is behind a paywall. Recently, I’ve found Google results to be skewed, it’s as though they strongly favour Trump-friendly results and hide objective results. Maybe it’s just my poor search strategy though.
Paranoid as it seems, I had already downloaded and taken screenshots of my and OH's SS records online, in case some doge adolescent on Red Bull and vapes pressed the wrong button. I'm a citizen, so reasonably safe, but OH was only a (long term) PR. |
Re: Social Security in the current climate
Not sure if this has been mentioned already (I scan-read the thread and didn't see anything).
I applied for SS when I was 62 not only because it worked within my overall financial plan but because I was a bit paranoid about how things might change, especially for non-residents. I'm glad that I did. I had several issues with WEP and a few other problems that lasted from age 65 until just recently (I'm about to turn 68). Over the past year it's been nigh on impossible to talk to anyone at FBU, nor receive timely responses to emails. I think if I had applied at 66, it would have been a lot more complicated to deal with the problems not only because of reductions in staff but because of age-related decline in "cognitive tolerance," as I call it. Regarding login.gov and ID.me, I originally used login.gov, but came a cross a potential problem. I was provided a set of 10 one-time only confirmation codes - every time I logged in, I had to supply a code. At one point I was logging in very frequently to keep track of the aforementioned problems, and got to the point where I only had one left. Luckily, I thought I'd better check how to get another set of one-time codes, because in order to request another set of 10, I had to ... log in using a one-time code! If I had already used that last code, I'm not sure what I would have done. I looked at signing up for ID.me a while back but for reasons I can't remember, it just got complicated. I resolved to try again recently, and it wasn't too bad at all. I think it took me 1-2 hours from stat to finish, mostly time taken up finding the various forms of ID I needed. IIRC correctly, I was able/allowed to scan and submit two of them, and had to sign up for an online "interview" for the other (passport, I think). Over a brief online interview, a very pleasant interviewer asked me a few questions and then I had to hold my passport up to the camera. Job done. (I'm a non-US citizen, non-US resident living in the UK, by the way). |
Re: Social Security in the current climate
Originally Posted by Lion in Winter
(Post 13304922)
I don't think you can start verification until you want to start drawing benefits, can you?
I see this bill in the Senate about raising benefits, https://www.help.senate.gov/dem/news...ocial-security But I don't see one regarding citizenship. The bill is here https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-...bill/1547/text .. the pertinent text being "and to require that an individual be a citizen or national of the United States to receive benefits under the Social Security Act". I will be very surprised if this bill passes but you never know. Us UK citizens receiving SS retirement benefit should be concerned! |
Re: Social Security in the current climate
I got this email from AARP a couple of days ago:
The Social Security Administration assured AARP that they will still allow all claim types to be completed over the telephone. This is great news for Americans all across the country, especially those who would have to travel long distances just to complete some paper work. Advocates like YOU helped make it possible. Our community sent hundreds of thousands of letters to lawmakers demanding that Social Security not impose burdensome requirements on people trying to access their hard-earned Social Security — and it worked! |
Re: Social Security in the current climate
Originally Posted by vespucci
(Post 13307085)
I got this email from AARP a couple of days ago:
The Social Security Administration assured AARP that they will still allow all claim types to be completed over the telephone. This is great news for Americans all across the country, especially those who would have to travel long distances just to complete some paper work. Advocates like YOU helped make it possible. Our community sent hundreds of thousands of letters to lawmakers demanding that Social Security not impose burdensome requirements on people trying to access their hard-earned Social Security — and it worked! |
Re: Social Security in the current climate
For those wishing to discuss the SSA Reform Act 2025 a new thread has been opened:
https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-.../#post13307146 |
Re: Social Security in the current climate
Originally Posted by Lion in Winter
(Post 13306720)
On the ID.me help page it says this:
"After you submit a ticket
Have you tried that? And of course the usual:
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Re: Social Security in the current climate
Originally Posted by Steerpike
(Post 13306847)
My application has now moved on to 'Step 2'. I first logged in using 'Chrome' browser, and got an error (unexpected system error / bad request) - probably need to clear out cookies, etc (CONFIRMED - clearing cookies just for ssa.gov fixed the problem).
I then switched to Edge, and got in. This is the current status: https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...bcc0f90e10.png I've temporarily adjusted my phone so it will ring when an unknown number calls it (normally I just let them go silently to voicemail - awesome feature!) in case I get a call from them. |
Re: Social Security in the current climate
Originally Posted by Steerpike
(Post 13309363)
It's been more than 30 days now, but my application is still at 'step 2'. No change whatsoever on the website. I'm answering every unrecognized call on my phone in case it's the SS office :).
I applied on 5th March and quickly moved to 'step 2'. I was contacted, by phone, on 26th April with a single, simple question. I was told my application was now complete and same day received an email letter with all the details. |
Re: Social Security in the current climate
Originally Posted by celticgrid
(Post 13309369)
For timeline comparison...
I applied on 5th March and quickly moved to 'step 2'. I was contacted, by phone, on 26th April with a single, simple question. I was told my application was now complete and same day received an email letter with all the details. |
Re: Social Security in the current climate
Originally Posted by Steerpike
(Post 13309389)
I'll relax for 20 days now :)
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Re: Social Security in the current climate
Originally Posted by Steerpike
(Post 13309389)
I'll relax for 20 days now :)
Originally Posted by durham_lad
(Post 13309399)
Good luck with that.
:drinkingwine: |
Re: Social Security in the current climate
Originally Posted by Steerpike
(Post 13309389)
Thank you! That's very encouraging! So yours took about 50 days. I'll relax for 20 days now :)
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Re: Social Security in the current climate
My husband applied via London on January 31st for a retirement date of March. It went to stage 2 very quickly but not moved since then.
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Re: Social Security in the current climate
Originally Posted by Wisborough
(Post 13309631)
My husband applied via London on January 31st for a retirement date of March. It went to stage 2 very quickly but not moved since then.
https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-.../#post13301495
Originally Posted by durham_lad
(Post 13301495)
Since my application to begin receiving SS has been in limbo for many weeks (Nov 12) at step 2 waiting on an agent in Baltimore I girded my loins at 4pm my time (11am EST) and using my Skype account called the number for the Baltimore office which I expect is a general number. I was on hold for 3 hours and 16 minutes before a most helpful lady answered and after 10 minutes talking with her I believe she is going to get the application out of the bottom of the bucket it appears to be in. She said she could see no reason at all why it hadn’t been processed as they had all the information they need. She checked that all my details are correct, address in England, my UK mobile phone number etc. She said she is going to send a message to get this rolling and I should expect a benefit verification letter within 20 days or a request for more information.
Before hanging up, I made sure to tell her that I know she and her colleagues are working hard in difficult circumstances, that they are doing a great job and that I really appreciate all of their efforts. I reckon my 3+ hours on hold is nothing compared to what they are going through right now. |
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