The Routine and the Social Security Administration

Well, this retiring thing is going well. I wake up each morning to what I believe is a weekend. I frequently ask my husband what day it is, but he doesn't know either. So, we go about our routine in blissful ignorance - and I use the term "routine" loosely. We haven't yet established one.

Our days have been mostly dictated by the practical. For instance, dealing with questions about Social Security and Medicare and attempting to get them answered. Stepping into that foray is not for the faint of heart. I needed to make an adjustment to the Medicare withholding, since retirement is considered a "Life Changing Event" by SSA. How do I go about doing this, I asked. During a call to the national number, I was directed to make a visit to the local office. There, a very nice young man provided me with a "Life Changing Event" form to complete at home. However, attempting to fill out this form led to a visit to our accountant who sent the form back to me with more questions than answers.(You see where this is going.) I was determined to get answers and ready for another call to the national number - a cup of coffee, my documents at hand, my laptop at the ready. The recorded message alerted me to a wait of 24 minutes or a call-back. I chose the call-back. And surprisingly they did! But not so fast. The recorded voice on the other end told me to indicate if I were ready to take the call by saying "Ready" or Pressing "1". I said "Ready". The voice kept repeating the instructions; so, I pressed "1". Nothing. "Ready"..."1"...eventually, I found myself yelling "Ready" and pressing "1" over and over - to no avail. I hung up and tried calling again. This time, I chose the wait of 28 minutes - phone on speaker. Eventually, the Social Security lady answered, listened to my request and told me to call the local office to make an appointment for assistance. OK. The call to the local office was answered by a recording saying that, at this time, (wait...) all calls were being routed to the national number. I am now entering the twilight zone. Undaunted - another call to the national number, another 25 minute wait and, guess what...I'm told any other information that I had already received was wrong; and despite what the form clearly states, I cannot do what I am attempting to do. Now, I am on a mission. After the long Labor Day weekend, I will march myself back to that local office and, in person, request an appointment. If there is a report of a newly-retired, almost 70 year-old woman  in the Social Security Office in Middletown, CT calling out "Ready, ready, ready!"  - that would be me.