PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I’m in need of your help, I need to know what to do to stop this travesty! In Detroit Michigan, the Social Security Administration CALLS PEOPLE AT THEIR HOMES prior to them reaching 62, and informs them that they need to come in and apply for SS Benefits. That in itself is cruel but when they come in SS signs them up to receive their spouses benefits which reduces their benefit amount more than if they had taken theirs at their reduced rate. How do I know this, I went down with my cousin to a social security office to ask why? 1. WHY are you are calling people at home, and 2. Why are you telling seniors when they should apply, when you choose to apply is a personal issue. No one was able to give a reasonable answer as to WHY! The office said they are mandated by the state of Michigan to contact you and inform you to come 3 months prior than your 62nd birthday. Mr. Kotlikoff could please help, I need to know what can people do to stop this. Because of this mistake my cousin receives approximately $350.00 fixed for life and she cannot stop working. I’ve spoken with client at the SS office and many told me the same thing, they were called at home and asked to come in. My cousin’s sister told me that they called her as well, but lucky for her she was inform of this tactic and was totally prepared with her response when SS called. THIS MUST TO STOP, I need the skills in which to stop this. Could you please help me find a way to stop this practice because the Social Security Administration in Michigan are destroying people’s lives and the quality of people’s lives. Thank you.
Hi,
Social Security can't require a person to file for benefits, however, if a person is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then they are required to file for any other benefits to which they may be entitled as soon as they qualify for the other benefit. If they refuse to file for the other benefits, their SSI benefits would then be terminated.
The only way that Social Security would normally contact someone and tell them to file for their Social Security benefits at age 62 is if the person receives SSI. The other circumstance that would require Social Security to contact a person in regard to filing for benefits is if the person is named on another person's application, and it appears that the person named is eligible for benefits. That's considered a lead, and Social Security is required to notify the named person that they appear to qualify for benefits (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200202020). However, such a person is not required to file for benefits if they don't want to do so.
If you believe that the Social Security office you've mentioned is acting in a nefarious manner, I would suggest contacting the office(s) of either the congressperson who represents the area in which the office is located, or a U.S. Senator from that state.
Best, Jerry
