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Friday, April 11, 2014

A Letter To The Editor: An interesting encounter

Yesterday I called Social Security Administration to check on a Medicare Application I had made, March 15. I did this on line and had not received a confirmation as of yesterday. In the meantime, I’m attempting to apply to receive Social Security benefits which I, and my employers, have paid into for over 45 years. I am told, by multiple representatives and their superiors, that….until my Medicare application is processed I cannot apply for my retirement fund through Social Security!

I expressed to this lady that, if private businesses worked that way, they would not last a year. She stated, and I quote, … “Mr. ____ this is not a private business you are talking go, we are the Social Security Administration!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

that place and its employees are the pits. I don't even know why that building is there, they really can't do anything they have to send it elsewhere to be approved.

good luck, I've been waiting for years for mine.

Anonymous said...

9:28, the writer states he called SS. When you call it's anyone's guess where you are calling but I don't think it's the local SS office. I personally had a great experience with the local Sby SS office from the moment I stepped in the door.

Anonymous said...

Years ago I had to call the office of personnel management out in Kansas for my elderly father in law, a retired federal employee. I called and of course got voicemail. No problem. Left a message briefly explaining problem and asked for a return call. No call by afternoon so called again, voice mail, left message. This went on for 2 days. Finally Friday morning I called again. Voice mail. Left message by afternoon no return call. Getting sick and tired so call the congressman's office in my father in law's district. Shortly after get a call from a "supervisor" within the office of PM. She was kinda of shocked that I was expecting someone to call me back. Her exact words were "it's Friday afternoon afterall!"

Anonymous said...

Did you sign up for Medicare when you were eligible? My spouse and I both signed up for Medicare 3 months BEFORE reaching age 65, as is suggested. I retired at 68 and my spouse at 69. I have to praise our local SS office on the i service provided us.

Anonymous said...

They had donuts and coffee when I went.

Anonymous said...

I love the man who does the security at the Sby SS office. He keeps the kids in line especially when it comes to yapping on their cell phones. He sternly tells them they are in a place of business and to take themselves outside if they need to talk. He should be a principal at one of the high schools.

Anonymous said...

I went to the local SS office in February. Very nice, very polite, extremely helpful. I actually learned much more than expected. Also, don't understand what you're saying that you have to sign up for Medicare before you can draw SS benefits. I'm not on Medicare(63) but opted to start drawing my SS retirement benefits early. No problem and I'm loving it. Maybe you were having a bad day????

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
9:28, the writer states he called SS. When you call it's anyone's guess where you are calling but I don't think it's the local SS office. I personally had a great experience with the local Sby SS office from the moment I stepped in the door.

April 11, 2014 at 9:45 AM

You got me there but that still doesn't negate what I said. I'm glad you and others had a good experience there, not knowing the details of any of your visits, it's hard to compare them.

I must say they are good at copying records and adding them to your file.

Anonymous said...

Often you get what you give, would love to hear the other side of this story.

Anonymous said...

Often it is exactly as it is told. Except for the negative shore.

Anonymous said...

I had a great experience at our local office. I could not have asked for anything better. They were helpful and kind.

Anonymous said...

Just to clarify, this was not the local SS office, 800 number.

@10:42 AM, you are absolutely correct, applying three months prior, 65th birthday is in June. Also supposed to apply for SS three months prior. The Medicare application is holding up my being able to apply for SS in a timely manner.