If you have a straight forward claim, same employer or very few, no working years that do not count, apply, start recieving, never work again to add to your annuity, you probably will see a Gumint worker once through the process and never again. Your spouse will go through this one more time when you die. Simple process, computer does all the work(if information got into it properly) and all are happy there after.
It is the claims that are complex; have mistakes either in translation from IRS records or with the original inputter of the info, where there is broken service (like being in another pension program), continuing to work after original filing (creates an annual re-computation of annuity), and new income replacing lower earning years in the averaging of annual incomes. My first credible year by the tables referred to in an earlier post was when I was 12 years old. I learned early in my military career to keep meticulous records as back up to my service and pay records. This payed off real dividends when the disputes cropped up.
I disputed my first calculation which threw the local SS office into a tizzey, that I had the audacity to dispute their work, their claim was the computer is never wrong. That is a true statement, it is the information in the computer that is wrong. LSS; I had to appeal to the regional office, send them reams of paper, make a zillion phone calls (they never called me, I had to call them) I finally received an audit report that matched my records. The Regional person changed 3 times through the process and they had to start over. This all consumed over 6 months but I finally got my measly $636/month. Yea what a waste, but there was method to my madness as I planned to continue working and I wanted the base years to be accurate. That started a whole new saga.
It seems like I am a magnet for the problems with the system. Over 12 years of a re-computations I had to appeal again to the regional office as the local office threw up their hands. The first responders would never let me talk to a supervisor so I went over their heads. At the 8 year mark I smelled a rat so asked for the complete accounting I finally received back at the beginning. The local office did not know what I was talking about, their claim, "we never do that". I had to get my Congressman in the act on that one. The letter he wrote to them was not pretty, and he sent a copy to the Head of SS. All was peaches and cream, a lot of yes sirs, they called me for the first time, and fast action (for them).
I know it is a long story, but hopefully it will help some other soul avoid or have insight to the process. With all government programs during a dispute you have to have good irrefutable records, persistence, and the patience of Job. I have won against IRS through the same process.
I certainly do not wish to imply Fish Head Bob is one of the type SS agents I encountered. He would have handled my case at the local office level with his vast knowledge of the system and his strong work ethic; to bring the SS bureaucracy down to a face to face level.
Bob if I have stated something wrong here or in previous posts please bring it to my attention as I don't want to unknowing or through ignorance mislead someone. Sometimes memories of us old farts get us in trouble we do not intend.
Ron
