I am only receiving $600 a month in social security, need benefits reevaluated?

Q) I am 85 years old and retired from army after 22 years and retired from the post office after 20 years. I am only receiving $600 a month in social security and my wife who also draws on my ss receives $200. My daughter has told me I need to check this out to make sure this is correct. She thinks we should be receiving a lot more than that. Who do I contact to have my benefits reevaluated?

A) As a retired military and postal service employee, your Social Security benefits may be affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions can reduce the amount of your Social Security benefits if you also receive a pension from a government job that did not withhold Social Security taxes.

To find out if the WEP or GPO is affecting your benefits, you can contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) and request a benefit calculation statement. This statement will show how your benefits are calculated and whether the WEP or GPO applies to you. You can also create a my Social Security account on the SSA website to view your benefit calculation statement.

If you have reviewed your benefit calculation statement and believe that your benefits are still too low, you can contact the SSA to request a benefit reevaluation. The SSA will review your case and determine whether your benefits can be increased.

It’s important to note that the process for requesting a benefit reevaluation can be complex, and it may be helpful to speak with a Social Security representative or a financial advisor for guidance.

If you are receiving Social Security benefits and believe that the amount you are receiving is too low, you may want to consider requesting a benefit reevaluation. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Check your benefit calculation: The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a complex formula to calculate Social Security benefits. You can review your benefit calculation by creating a my Social Security account on the SSA website. If you believe that there is an error in your benefit calculation, you can contact the SSA to request a correction.
2. Check your earnings record: Your Social Security benefits are based on your earnings history. If there is an error in your earnings record, your benefits may be lower than they should be. You can review your earnings record by creating a my Social Security account on the SSA website. If you believe that there is an error in your earnings record, you can contact the SSA to request a correction.
3. Check for additional benefits: In addition to Social Security retirement benefits, there may be other benefits that you are eligible for, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which provides additional income to low-income individuals. You can contact the SSA to inquire about other benefits you may be eligible for.
4. Request a benefit reevaluation: If you have reviewed your benefit calculation and earnings record and believe that your benefits are still too low, you can contact the SSA to request a benefit reevaluation. The SSA will review your case and determine whether your benefits can be increased.

It’s important to note that the process for requesting a benefit reevaluation can be complex, and it may be helpful to speak with a Social Security representative or a financial advisor for guidance.

Please contact your local Social Security office and speak with a benefit counselor regarding your benefits. Request to have a Social Security benefit review for yourself and your wife.