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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    3

    Default Getting Social Security After Many Years of Not Declaring Income

    I'll bare all here, looking for answers regarding Social Security benefits I may, OR may not be entitled to because of my work history.

    For past 30 years of so I've pretty much lived off my family OR worked a number of freelance jobs which I did not declare [not BIG numbers}. Prior to that I held pretty normal type young person jobs, some low paying, some pretty good pay, all "above board". For the most part doing things "by the book" so there is some documented track record for those times which would qualify for benefits.

    In a couple years I'll be eligible for SS benefits. Given this very brief declaration of my work history, what will likely happen when I face the grim reaper of scrutiny by the SSA? And or, regardless of my history, what entitlement if any I may have?

    If someone out there who understands and can identify with my situation either thru direct or professional experience can shed some light it would be appreciated. If not sure yourself and only have ideas, then a referral to someone who understands current due process well would be greatly appreciated!

  2. #2

    Default Re: Here's Interesting One Likely Not Too Unusual Questions About Ss Benefits

    If you have enough work credits to qualify, you can get an actual report showing the years you're being credited, the amounts in question, and an estimate of what to expect based on those numbers.

    See: http://www.ssa.gov/estimator/

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Here's Interesting One Likely Not Too Unusual Questions About Ss Benefits

    Thank you!

    I know I would qualify for something, that's not my primary intent here.

    My question more distinctly on point would be, if I file for benefits, will I open a can of legal worms which I don't need?

  4. #4

    Default Re: Here's Interesting One Likely Not Too Unusual Questions About Ss Benefits

    Not unless you challenge the numbers they're using.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Here's Interesting One Likely Not Too Unusual Questions About Ss Benefits

    Ok..., I see....

    So only what is obvious via the paper trail they have is under scrutiny...?

  6. #6

    Default Re: Here's Interesting One Likely Not Too Unusual Questions About Ss Benefits

    Right, they passively collect the information sent to them by employers over the years. Generally it only comes under scrutiny if, for example, an employer took taxes out of your check, but never reported your earnings or paid those taxes and you want to pursue the matter (which is why they send out reports every few years, so that employees can make sure their employers are properly reporting on their behalf), or, you want to challenge your benefit amount because the amounts in your records of earnings don't match what social security has on file for you (good way to find data entry errors, which can happen), or, less commonly, in cases of identity theft, where you go to apply for benefits only to find out that someone with your name and SSN living on the other side of the country has already been collecting benefits as you.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Here's Interesting One Likely Not Too Unusual Questions About Ss Benefits

    Quote Quoting drw
    View Post
    In a couple years I'll be eligible for SS benefits. Given this very brief declaration of my work history, what will likely happen when I face the grim reaper of scrutiny by the SSA? And or, regardless of my history, what entitlement if any I may have?
    !
    as another said; they send out reports every couple of years. On that, it will tell you what your expected SS income would be if you retired at any of several ages.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Here's Interesting One Likely Not Too Unusual Questions About Ss Benefits

    For now they have stopped sending out those reports, as a (small in relative terms) budget cut.

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