We're getting a raise

The SSA sends a “This is how much you will receive if you start collecting your benefit at this age” letter annually…at least they did for me.

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You must be a very important person :wink: I have yet to receive a letter. I’m 57, maybe in a few years I’ll hit their radar.

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I’m not sure how long ago it was when I got my first “statement”. I’m almost positive that it was 10 years or more ago. You can go on the SSD website and sign up. It will have all your info there.

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Maybe you haven’t earned and “contributed” enough yet?

I received my first notice when I was in my 40’s. I’m now 61-1/2. Been crunching the numbers, but need to take the expenses of Medicare into consideration, as that will be a big hit to finances versus my current policy. May not be worth it in a Net Profit kind of way.

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And my supplemental (part B) health insurance will fluctuate with my income as it varies from year to year…if you decide on part B, consider that fluctuation in the calculation.

Medicare has what… like 5 or 6 different parts to it… each of which are handled differently, and must be applied for seperately?
What a cluster****!!

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Aside from the actual Medicare, we only deal with part B (Supplemental) and Part D (Drugs…LOL) but we enjoyed an expert on the subject:

Jennifer@MediareInsuranceGuru.com

MedicareInsuranceGuru.com

And use her yearly…as things change… :+1:

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I just crunched the numbers in like 5 minutes…SS is not something you want to survive on, lol. Throw in Medicare and it gets worse!

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Can I decline Medicare altogether?

Medicare isn’t exactly mandatory, but it can be complicated to decline. Late enrollment comes with penalties, and some parts of the program are optional to add, like Medicare parts C and D. Medicare parts A and B are the foundation of Medicare, though, and to decline these comes with consequences.

What is Medicare Part C?

A Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) is another Medicare health plan choice you may have as part of Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies approved by Medicare.

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan will provide all of your Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans may offer extra coverage, such as vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs. Most include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).

Medicare pays a fixed amount for your care every month to the companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans. These companies must follow rules set by Medicare. However, each Medicare Advantage Plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs and have different rules for how you get services (like whether you need a referral to see a specialist or if you have to go to only doctors, facilities, or suppliers that belong to the plan for non‑emergency or non-urgent care). These rules can change each year.


The Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) are NO BUENO in that you and your coverage can be singled out for rate increases as an individual as opposed to as a group like other Part B plans as well as other criteria, as I found out before enrolling.

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I think it comes down to what state you live in… Here in Florida the Medicare Advantage Plans provide the Medicare Part B Giveback Benefit. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with this benefit, the plan carrier will pay some or all of your Part B monthly premium. mine is about $110 month. On top of that all of my level one prescriptions are included and this year they added a $2500 dental and a $750 discretionary card plus $50/month in over the counter stuff. The Medicare Advantage plans in Florida must compete on who can provide the maximum benefit I really don’t know how they make money as all of my primary care physicians are free and outside network is a $10 co-pay. I’m with Humana and my maximum out of pocket in any year is like $3K.

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The final amount of your benifets is established by the Social Security Office based on what you paid in over the past 35 years.
Social Security benefits are typically computed using “average indexed monthly earnings .” This average summarizes up to 35 years of a worker’s indexed earnings. We apply a formula to this average to compute the primary insurance amount (PIA). The PIA is the basis for the benefits that are paid to an individual.
Social Security Benefit Amounts.

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Go here and create an account - my Social Security | SSA

You’ll be able to see things like how much you’ve made every year and how much SS you’re entilted to at any given age from 62 to I think 80.

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Thanks Kevin. I did that, now I am depressed. :frowning: haha.

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There is no monetary benefit in waiting past 70 as the added 8% interest can only accrue from your official retirement year till your 70th birthday.

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