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I made the mistake of going to an urban Social Security office. There was nobody anywhere near 65 in the room. It was stuffed full of people trying to scam SSDI. I had to wait several hours.
Wiser after that encounter, I've only ever used small town Social Security offices. Rutland, VT had one person in front of me. Concord, NH, I had to wait maybe 10 minutes.
I made an appointment at a major urban office (Lowell, MA). There were different people to see you if you had an appointment. Mine was five minutes late and apologized. The check-in computer was in English, Spanish and Khmer. I was impressed.
People of all ages. And not all disabilities are so visible.
Example: I once missed a check. On the 5th day, I reported it (whatever the length of time rule was at the time). I was told to go to my local SS office and they would have me fill out paperwork for them to write me a new check.
So I did.
By the time all was said and done, they nearly had to call security to toss me out. They actually told me, to my face, that they never, ever write checks and can't be responsible for what someone else who works at SS told
Check? SS doesn’t do checks. What year is this again???
To in-person service, phone assist and now online, everything has been crisp, efficient, competent. I expected bureaucratic slogs, and have had nothing but quick and smooth sailing. Very impressed (and relieved).
Now, if the Benefits people at my former job could take some lessons...
Same here. Still on "interim" pension until Office of Personnel management adjudicates it. Maybe September....$200 for 32 years of federal service. Unbelievable. Thank goodness for my SS and Military pensions.
To in-person service, phone assist and now online, everything has been crisp, efficient, competent. I expected bureaucratic slogs, and have had nothing but quick and smooth sailing. Very impressed (and relieved)..
Check? SS doesn’t do checks. What year is this again???
Sometimes they do.
I got one in 2014 when SS made a mistake when I switched from Survivor's benefits to my own Retirement benefits at age 70. I had to file an appeal, and a few weeks later got a paper check to make up the shortage.
I signed up on line, do everything on line, direct deposit, haven't had any problems at all with them.
I was still just shy of 65 and still on disability, but had learned you DO direct deposit. The money went in on the days it was supposed to. I discovered how ordering all but perishables food wise online works very well too, and wasn't surprised when the driver with the retirement center said since pretty much all of his usual was just ordering it that way. My bills pay that way too. No worrying about forgetting to pay something. And I check off the paid from my list, subtract the still to be paid by the balance and always know how much I really have. No more last week of the month oopsies.
I also just check that 'available' before spending more than a small amount no matter how sure I am its covered, and use a 'cushion' of do not spend unless really needed along with it. And when its some neat thing I want but its not sufficent play money, I wait until there is.
One of the best benifits of this has been that I feel secure about the finances, and as I have a way of knowing at any time if I can afford something I want, I *can* reward myself now and then. Or I find another distraction and just wait. Waiting on something you really like CAN be cool too.
This is possible because I can access my account any time I need, and with a little math see what the choice is, and that happens because of technology. Yes, you could do it yourself assuming nothing odd happened, you didn't hit the wrong key and so on. But a virtual visit to the bank will make sure.
I just wish that in some parts of my life (before the disastors) I'd have learned. And just because you have a balance which is a shouldn't ever be a problem, doesn't hurt to be sure. Even if its just assuring youself nobody has swiped the number on your credit card, even if you have plenty of income but don't keep much in terms of records, its still good to learn a very useful life skill. And should at some point things change and that need to know is important, you know the drill all ready.
And I find that I also feel much more 'in charge' of things that I have taken the choice for my finances and as other things change, that doesn't.
Here you can renew your license online. Just have to go get a new picture every ten years.
Here, in AZ, when you are issued a license it's good until you turn 65 no matter the age you get it. After that you have to renew every five years and I have to go to DMV because of new picture. The only time I had to get a new one in less than five years was when I moved and I did that online. People are advised to get a new one when they turn 21 because the license is 'different' but that's all.
I also filed on line and have had no issues to date. My pension went as smoothy as well and I love Direct Deposit of both! Makes retirement even more enjoyable getting up in the am, grabbing a cup of coffee and logging into check the bank account and see the deposits
To in-person service, phone assist and now online, everything has been crisp, efficient, competent. I expected bureaucratic slogs, and have had nothing but quick and smooth sailing. Very impressed (and relieved).
Now, if the Benefits people at my former job could take some lessons...
It's wonderful to hear a compliment about SSA. I worked for the agency 38 years. I'm happy to hear that your experience was so good. Thank you for that.
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