About
About Me
I am a former Social Security Claims Specialist with 20 years agency experience, now retired and working as a Social Security benefit advisor.
I started my career with the Social Security Administration in 2003 working as a customer service representative. I then advanced to a technical support advisor, and then a Claims Specialist where I processed over 45,000 retirement and Medicare applications. I retired from the agency in December 2023 after 20 years of service. I now work as a private benefit advisor, walking clients through the filing process and helping them avoid the countless mistakes I observed while processing applications.
Why Should I Use a Benefit Advisor?
Some might ask, why not just file myself, or schedule an interview with the Social Security office?
This can work well for people who are very internet savvy with basic, straight forward applications. But hiring budget limitations and high employee turnover have resulted in fewer, less experienced Claims Specialists, fewer available appointments and longer lead times. As a result, the agency is increasingly pushing applicants to file online and unassisted. Fewer Claim Specialists also means less time for follow up interviews. It is more important than ever to minimize errors before submitting an application.
Experience Matters
Use caution when selecting a consultant or benefit advisor. Actual agency experience matters.
Most consultants and benefit advisors do not have actual Social Security employment experience. They are unaware of countless internal agency procedures not generally known to the public. This can be a critical missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to filing your application and preparing you for what to expect once it's submitted. Consultants and advisors who assist with multiple types of government benefits can provide outdated or inaccurate benefit information. As a Claims Specialist I helped correct many of these mistakes, but many others will go by unaddressed once you hit "submit".
Social Security Benefit Advisor vs. Financial Planner
Many people wonder what the difference is. Can't I use my Financial Planner for assistance?
I have had many discussions with financial planners about this very issue. They frequently admit they are not the best resource for Social Security filing assistance. While well versed in finance, they can struggle to provide accurate Social Security filing assistance. I recently visited a local financial planner's website and quickly found incorrect Social Security benefit information featured prominently on his home page. As a Social Security benefit advisor, I focus only on Social Security and Medicare benefits.
You should consider using both.
Use your financial planner to manage your investments, pensions and retirement strategy. But use an experienced Social Security benefit advisor when it comes to filing for benefits.
How can I help?
After a short pre-interview, we will schedule an appointment to walk you through the entire application page by page, helping you avoid the common and sometimes uncommon mistakes.
Although filing online can appear to be a simple process, I have found that one third or more of all online applications contain errors. Some mistakes are simply time consuming, extending application processing times, or even requiring application withdrawals. Other mistakes can affect your benefit amount or result in months or years of lost benefits or Medicare eligibility. Many applications summitted online never receive call backs, even if they contain errors.
I am also expanding my assistance with disability applications.
I am not always able to help with every disability case, but please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss your disability claim.
I am not a financial advisor. I do not offer financial advice, retirement strategies, or guaranteed benefit estimates. Social Security statement benefit estimates are not always accurate due to missing or incomplete information. I will help you understand what to watch out for.
Filing for Retirement and Medicare Benefits While Working
Many people choose to continue to work while receiving Social Security benefits or Medicare.
The income restrictions associated with retirement benefits are frequently misunderstood, resulting in benefit suspensions or overpaid benefits. Others pay unnecessary Medicare premiums while they still carry insurance through employment, or file late resulting in permanent premium penalties. I will help you avoid these sometimes costly mistakes.
Medicare
Medicare coverage can be a critical part of many people's retirement as their work insurance comes to an end or they approach the age 65.
Medicare enrollment can be easy and straightforward, or fraught with complications, particularly if you file after age 65 or have not paid into Medicare. Navigating Medicare enrollment periods can be very confusing. I will walk you through each stage of enrollment and can assist with any required enrollment forms. Mistakes on Medicare enrollment forms are common. They can delay your application processing time and result premium penalties or lost coverage.
Retirement Communities
I offer free, in person question and answer sessions for retirement communities and senior centers located in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii where I spend part of the year. Additionally, I can offer sessions to communities outside these regions through zoom calls or video meetings.
I can also negotiate group discounts for qualifying retirement community residents. Consulting fees can be paid either by the resident or by your community as a membership incentive. Simply contact me or have your community administrator contact me for more information.
Licensed Notary Public and Electronic Notary Public (effective June 2024)
I am also a Notary Public licensed by the state of Washington with in-person and remote services available. For more information, please select the below Services button.
YouTube Channel
I have a YouTube channel where I post informational videos, answer viewer questions, offer advice and discuss other related topics. Please give it a look and follow me for regular of updates.
Legal Disclaimer
My Social Security Guy, LLC. is a privately owned company and has no affiliation with the Social Security Administration or any other government agency. Consulting services offered here are not endorsed by the Social Security Administration. The Social Security information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute financial advice; All information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Consult with your financial advisor for information that fits your personal situation.