One last piece of advice - after you submit your application, create a my Social Security account on ssa.gov if you haven't already. You can track your application status there, and once you're receiving benefits, you can get benefit verification letters, change your address, set up or change direct deposit, and get your 1099 at tax time. It's super convenient and saves you from having to call or visit the office for routine things.

Just went through this process myself 6 months ago! You're smart to be proactive about it. One thing I wish someone had told me - when you fill out the online application, it will ask if you want to apply for Medicare Part B if you're not already enrolled. Since you mentioned you're already on Medicare, you can skip that section, but read it carefully because the wording can be confusing. Also, don't stress too much about the work history section - they already have most of your earnings records from your tax filings over the years. The system will pre-populate a lot of information and you just need to verify it's correct. Good luck with your retirement!

I've been following this thread with great interest as I work with Social Security issues regularly. A few additional points that might help: First, if you're still struggling to get through by phone, try using the automated system to schedule a "callback" - you can request SSA to call you back rather than waiting on hold. This often works better than trying to stay on the line. Second, regarding the protective filing for children's benefits that Jamal mentioned - this is absolutely correct and crucial. Even if you can't complete the full application, establishing that protective filing date in writing will preserve their retroactive benefits. Third, I wanted to clarify the conflicting information about retroactive benefits - the POMS (Program Operations Manual System) is very clear that auxiliary beneficiaries (including children) can receive benefits retroactive to the primary beneficiary's entitlement date, provided the auxiliary application is filed within the appropriate timeframes. Any office that tells you otherwise is either misinformed or applying incorrect procedures. Don't hesitate to ask for a supervisor and reference POMS sections if needed. Finally, if all else fails, definitely contact your Congressional representative as Mei suggested - their constituent services offices are specifically designed to help with federal agency issues like this.

I'm a newcomer here but have been reading through all these responses with great interest as I'm facing a somewhat similar situation. I wanted to add something that might help - have you tried contacting your state's Department of Aging or Area Agency on Aging? Many people don't realize that these agencies often have advocates who specifically help with Social Security issues and can sometimes intervene on your behalf with SSA. They're familiar with the system and may be able to help expedite your children's applications or at least ensure you're getting accurate information. Also, regarding the Claimyr service that Liam mentioned - I actually used them successfully about 6 months ago for a different SSA issue. While results may vary as others noted, they did get me connected to an agent much faster than I could on my own. The key is to have all your documentation ready before you use their service so you can make the most of the connection once it's established. Good luck with getting this resolved - it sounds like you're doing everything right and just dealing with typical SSA bureaucracy delays!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm dealing with the exact same issue - filed my W-4V twice by mail with zero results. Reading about everyone's experiences has convinced me that going in person is definitely the way to go. One question for those who've successfully done this - do you recommend bringing any additional documentation besides the W-4V form itself? I have my Social Security card and driver's license, but wondering if I should bring anything else like a copy of my award letter or recent benefit statement? Also, has anyone noticed if certain days of the week or times of day are better for shorter wait times at the local offices? I'm retired so I have flexibility in when I can go, and would love to avoid the longest lines if possible! Thanks again to Emma for sharing her successful experience and to everyone else for all the helpful tips. This community is amazing!

Thanks for sharing this detailed experience, Emma! I'm in a very similar situation - started receiving benefits in February and have been trying to get withholding set up ever since. I've mailed the W-4V twice with no luck, and like you, I can never get through on the phone. Your success story gives me hope! I'm planning to visit my local office next week. A couple of quick questions for you or anyone else who's done this: 1. Did you need to fill out any additional paperwork at the office, or was just bringing the completed W-4V sufficient? 2. How long did you actually wait in line once they opened? 3. Did they give you any estimate on when you might see the withholding start showing up? I'm also going to look into those quarterly estimated payments that others mentioned as a backup plan. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - it's so much more helpful than the vague information you get from the official SSA website!

I'm a newcomer to this community and dealing with almost the identical situation! I just had my SSA appointment last week and the agent told me the same thing about Michigan taxing Social Security - I walked out of there so confused because everything I'd read online said otherwise. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. It's clear that the SSA agent was mixing up federal and state tax rules, which seems to be a widespread training issue based on everyone's experiences here. I'm 65 and will have similar retirement income to yours - about $48,000 combined between SS and my pension. Based on what everyone has shared, I think I'll go with 11% federal withholding to start and can always adjust it later with Form W-4V if needed. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and clarify the Michigan tax situation. This is exactly the kind of practical, real-world advice that's so hard to find elsewhere!

I'm new to this community and just wanted to add my voice to everyone else's experiences. I'm a recent retiree in Michigan and ran into the exact same confusion about state tax withholding on Social Security benefits. Like many others here, my SSA agent incorrectly told me that Michigan taxes Social Security benefits and recommended withholding for state taxes. After reading all these responses, I called the Michigan Department of Treasury myself to get a definitive answer - they confirmed that Michigan does NOT tax Social Security benefits, period. It's really concerning how widespread this misinformation seems to be among SSA agents. Based on what I'm seeing in this thread, this appears to be a training issue that's affecting retirees across the state. I ended up choosing 10% federal withholding for my situation, but the key takeaway for anyone reading this is: always verify state tax information with your state's tax department directly rather than relying on federal SSA agents. They're knowledgeable about federal rules but clearly need better training on state-specific tax policies. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - it's incredibly valuable to have this kind of real-world confirmation when making important financial decisions!

To summarize the accurate information in this thread: 1. When you claim spousal benefits at your Full Retirement Age, you'll receive 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the benefit he would receive at his FRA regardless of when he actually claimed. 2. Your husband's decision to claim early at 62 reduces HIS benefit by approximately 30%, but it does NOT affect the calculation of YOUR spousal benefit (as long as you wait until your FRA). 3. If YOU claim spousal benefits before YOUR FRA, then YOUR spousal benefit would be permanently reduced. 4. You'll receive either your own retirement benefit or your spousal benefit, whichever is higher - not both. 5. Your own retirement benefit can increase with delayed retirement credits if you wait past FRA, but spousal benefits do not increase after FRA. This is a perfect example of why personalized planning is so important with Social Security - the rules can be complex but understanding them can significantly impact your lifetime benefits.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help others in similar situations. My parents went through this exact scenario about 5 years ago. Dad claimed at 62 due to health issues, and Mom was worried she'd get a reduced spousal benefit when she reached her FRA. The key thing that helped them was getting everything in writing from SSA. When Mom applied for spousal benefits at her FRA, she brought documentation showing Dad's estimated benefit at HIS full retirement age (his PIA), not what he was actually receiving. This made the process much smoother and ensured she got the correct amount - 50% of his PIA as everyone here has explained. One tip: keep copies of your husband's Social Security statements that show his estimated full retirement age benefit. It can be helpful documentation when you apply for spousal benefits later. The SSA should have this information, but having your own records can speed things up. Also wanted to echo what others said about the application process - definitely follow up to make sure you're getting the right amount. The system is complex and mistakes do happen.