Widows social security question

Quilting brings calm

Mom was switched from her social security benefits to my step-dads upon his death. Although they initially got it messed up, it got straightened out. However I’m trying to figure out one discrepancy. I thought she would receive exactly what he was getting. The gross figure she was told she’d get ( in writing) is about $54 less a month than what he was getting. Any idea why that would be? I think they both retired a little younger than full retirement age. He was 17 months younger than her, and they retired at the same time.

Smilescountry

It is the way that it was set up at retirement and depends on a lot of things. The SSA has explanations on its website.

terei

There are medicare premiums and/or part D premiums that could be different for your mother. There could be other differences. You can see the breakdown on line if she signs up on line with Social Security or she can contact SS by phone + they will give her the info

Quilting brings calm

This was the gross amount before the Medicare premium was deducted. Mom is 85, so there should be no reduction for age, plus the benefit is 97.3% of his. Which doesn’t match any of the reductions on the chart at ssa.gov

I really do not want to call social security back. I’ve been on the phone twice with them this month and I had to have mom next to me both times to identify herself and give them permission to talk to me. This last time she couldn't remember her social security number. I had to say it.

I changed the back account info over the phone too to the joint account I have with her, so hopefully I will have no further need to talk to them while she is alive. I’m trying to avoid the payee representative hassle.

Quilting brings calm

@Victoriaredux

I have POA, and I can apply for the Social security payee representative if/when I need to. I just don’t need to at this time. Nor did any of the Social security people suggest that I do so.
I have all the bank statements showing where the money is being spent along with receipts for anything I buy for her using that account. The account is used only for her expenses, not mine.