Numerous people throughout Oklahoma need Social Security benefits. There is currently a massive backlog in the state, and over 13,000 people still need to hear a decision.
Sadly, the process only gets worse if you end up making a mistake on your paperwork. Many Americans rely on regular Social Security payments to live. Since most people are unfamiliar with the process, it is easy to mess up on the forms, and you may not get as much money as you deserve.
Failing to apply during early retirement
Many people in Oklahoma retire early because they have certain health concerns about their line of work. In some professions, you can claim early retirement benefits, but you should instead try to get Social Security Disability. This guarantees your income will not decrease, which happens when you claim benefits early. By claiming your SSDI benefits early, you also guarantee you maintain a higher income when you retire at the regular age. You may also be able to qualify for a disability freeze.
Depending on the SSA to help you understand everything
Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration has given poor advice to those trying to learn more about their benefits. The organization does not have strict rules and controls about how employees should warn people if they should take benefits now or delay them. They do not receive the same type of training as actual financial advisors. The employees will not completely understand your financial situation to give you relevant advice.
Getting benefits you do not know how to work
Before getting all your benefits, you need to understand the litany of factors that affect Social Security income. This means you could make a bad decision when trying to claim benefits. You need to know how your work history, age and marital status affect all your benefits. For instance, if you retire before your full retirement age, then you could limit your monthly income. Additionally, you can lose benefits if you worked for fewer than 35 years in your life.