Need help collecting my social security retirement benefits?

Supposedly, they are notorious for turning down benefits the first or second time; but, eventually, they will pay. Make certain that you have actually filed for it because when you do get it you will get back pay from the time you filed. Since I'm not certain what your financial situation is, it is more difficult to advise you. My brother used a good Social Security attorney and it worked out very well. If you cannot afford an attorney, United Way offers wonderful financial counseling. You could also try Legal Aide or another agency that helps seniors.

Generally no, but there ARE exceptions. If you take early retirement and have earned income in excess of the base amount ($14,160 the last time that I checked) your benefits are reduced $1 for each $2 that your earned income exceeds the base. Benefits lost that way will be recalculated when you reach full retirement age. If you had enough earned income that you never received any benefits at all, you'd receive full benefits at fill retirement age. There may be other possibilities, such as suspending your benefit claim or canceling the claim and repaying all benefits received to date. Those are advanced concepts, so you should consult with your local SSA office before making any decisions, including the decision to take early retirement benefits.

You don't mention what kind of problems you are having now?

It shouldn't matter if you have been self employed or not. If you filed every year or quarterly, they have a record of it. Your social security and everyone's social security is figured with the same formula.

There is no where to go except your local social security office. They will make an appointment with you to discuss it and any other questions you have. You must have received a letter from them. On every letter it tells you the phone number and what to do to contact them.

There are lawyers that specialise in dealing with Social Security. You'll need to hire one of those. The people at the Social Security office are going to draw their government checks whether or not you ever get yours.

Depnding on where you live, you can go to the nearest office...or a phone call might do. Good luck. (Use your computer to search for the nearest office and pone numbers.)