Giving up most of my mystery shopping
I thought once you started drawing SSI the amount was just computed on earnings up to that point so the only adjustments were the occasional cost of living increase. Are you saying if you continue to work and pay into the system the amount can later be adjusted?
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
@LisaSTL wrote:
I thought once you started drawing SSI the amount was just computed on earnings up to that point so the only adjustments were the occasional cost of living increase. Are you saying if you continue to work and pay into the system the amount can later be adjusted?
If you have less then 35 years of employment. Social Security looks at 35 years of your employment. It will be adjust once you turn 66 (if you have less than 35 years of employment)
[www.ssa.gov]
They use the highest 35 years of indexed earnings in a benefit computation.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/30/2018 09:37PM by johnb974.
They use the highest 35 years of indexed earnings in a benefit computation.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/30/2018 09:37PM by johnb974.
Sorry, but you didn't answer my question and neither did your link. However, the link below explained it clearly. Since the only change would be dependent on you making more than any of the other 35 years you worked, it doesn't seem likely mystery shopping would bump your payments much unless you always worked really low paying jobs.
I am surprised at 64 you only worked 35 years. I started working at 15 and hit the 35 year milestone at 50.
[www.aarp.org]
I am surprised at 64 you only worked 35 years. I started working at 15 and hit the 35 year milestone at 50.
[www.aarp.org]
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I had to stop working when I was 53. I became my mother's full time caregiver. I made more in 1974, than I did for any year I've done mystery shopping, 2016 and 2017.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/30/2018 10:27PM by johnb974.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/30/2018 10:27PM by johnb974.
Lisa, for many people the 35 year ago jobs although they may have paid well 35 years ago are just a fraction of today's pay so if your lowest paying year of the top 35 when you were 30 paid 7,000 back then or if you worked part time some years due to young children your oldest of the 35 year jobs might be far less then even a part time job now. Of course that depends on how much you can make now. So take a look at your lowest year in the 35 top paying years and see if continuing to work can beat that. You also have to figure in how much you can earn with the penalty if you collect soc sec before you reach 66. After 66 for most of us getting close now there is no work penalty and you can earn however much without affecting your social security amt.
As far as I can see the figures are not adjusted for inflation. It is based on the actual money you earned at the time.
As far as I can see the figures are not adjusted for inflation. It is based on the actual money you earned at the time.
Do what is best for you, physically, emotionally, psychologically, etc. Getting out to do something that requires using ones mind may be beneficial, regardless of the impact on your retirement income. The impact is minimal, isn't it, one way or another? Keep track of your mileage and add some decent fee based jobs when you can. I can only deduct mileage, I will net a little over $1k for 2017; with about $2,500 in reimbursements and only $1,400 gross fees.
My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
sandyf, I get all that. I was questioning whether SS income could be adjusted after someone has started collecting. I had never heard of that before and it is good information. While MS income for some of us has more than surpassed our early working years, the OP has frequently posted about not making that much money. He stated it was less than he made in 1974. OTOH, some mystery shoppers regularly make $35K to $50K which could rival what they were making from full time jobs as recently as five to ten years ago.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I'm sure if you lived in places like New York, Los Angles or Chicago, you could earn $35,000 a year. In my area there's not that many shops. It all depends on where you live.
I don't live in any of those cities and $35,000 would not be enough to live on in any one of them. Most of my income has not even been within the city limits of St. Louis. Very few shoppers make the equivalent of a full time living within 10 or 20 miles of home.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
You can actually pay back your soc security if you find that your working after starting to receive it is earning you more than you expected. Not sure at what age this starts but I believe if you start collecting at say 62 because you lost your job or could not afford life without soc security and then at 64 you landed a good paying job I have read you can actually repay the social security you got and move up your starting year in order to collect the approx 8% more a year you get for waiting. I think if you work after starting soc sec it adds to your soc security too but if you work only a small amt you would probably not have that year figured into your 35 best counted years. Check out the rules because I am only sure of things I myself have done.
@johnb974 wrote:
I'm sure if you lived in places like New York, Los Angles or Chicago, you could earn $35,000 a year. In my area there's not that many shops. It all depends on where you live.
The big money is in the types of shops, not necessarily quantity. I live near DC and Baltimore, including N. VA. I do not do video shops, nor do I route shop. I sell cars so can not perform car shops. These are some of the core areas one must learn and become proficient at to earn a living income doing this exclusively.
My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
Each year we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase their monthly benefit amounts. If an increase is due, we figure a new benefit amount and pay the increase retroactive to January following the year of earnings. For example, if you have earnings in 2017 that will increase your monthly benefit amount, we will increase your benefit amount retroactive to January 2018 once we review your record.* From the SSA.gov website.
@LeslieKay111 wrote:
Each year we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase their monthly benefit amounts. If an increase is due, we figure a new benefit amount and pay the increase retroactive to January following the year of earnings. For example, if you have earnings in 2017 that will increase your monthly benefit amount, we will increase your benefit amount retroactive to January 2018 once we review your record.* From the SSA.gov website.
I still cannot find anything about that 35 years work history reference that was made. I've searched many forums and sites. ?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/31/2018 09:28AM by LeslieKay111.
When my coworker retired last year, she said they look at the last 10 years. Must have changed recently???
Kim
[www.ssa.gov]
Many people wonder how we figure their Social Security retirement benefit. ... Then Social Security calculates your average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which you earned the most. We apply a formula to these earnings and arrive at your basic benefit, or “primary insurance amount.”
Many people wonder how we figure their Social Security retirement benefit. ... Then Social Security calculates your average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which you earned the most. We apply a formula to these earnings and arrive at your basic benefit, or “primary insurance amount.”
@LeslieKay111 wrote:
Each year we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase their monthly benefit amounts. If an increase is due, we figure a new benefit amount and pay the increase retroactive to January following the year of earnings. For example, if you have earnings in 2017 that will increase your monthly benefit amount, we will increase your benefit amount retroactive to January 2018 once we review your record.* From the SSA.gov website.
I cannot find an explanation of how this works by googling right now but I believe you need to pay attention to the words "if" and "may". I believe that working will only increase your benefit if what you earned during the year you worked while receiving ss you earned more than the lowest of your 35 years that they figured in when you started. For example 1985 was the lowest of your 35 years that they used to calculate your payments when you started getting soc sec. In 1985 you earned $15,000. You continued to work while receiving soc sec in 2018 and in 2018 you earned $20,000. Your earnings in 2018 will replace your lowest year 1985 earnings and will increase your benefit. On the other hand if you earn $14,000 in 2018 then 2018 earnings will not change your benefit because it is less then your lowest year of 1985. In addition if you had only worked 34 years when you started getting benefits 2018 earnings will be counted because they use 35 years so that will become your 35th year and your benefit will go up.
John, at 65, hopefully you have enough financial support to do what makes you happy. Statistically, you have two good decades left. Enjoy them! If MSing makes you happy, keeps you active, and you enjoy it, great! If not, find something that does. We have a new shopper in the area, and it's been a slow month. I can't believe how much I got done around the house and how relaxed I feel. You can always come back to shopping if circumstances change.
"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams
Im sorry but i dont believe anyone is making $50k a year. Big cities mean more people to spread shops around at lower pay.
I absolutely believe that there are folks who make well more than $50K annually. These folks:
* Have outstanding writing skills and can write strong narratives quickly.
* Have established themselves as reliable shoppers with multiple MSC's and are called when companies are desperate.
* Video shop.
* Are paid to travel to various shops.
* Have outstanding writing skills and can write strong narratives quickly.
* Have established themselves as reliable shoppers with multiple MSC's and are called when companies are desperate.
* Video shop.
* Are paid to travel to various shops.
@Want985 wrote:
Im sorry but i dont believe anyone is making $50k a year. Big cities mean more people to spread shops around at lower pay.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Things have gotten much better. One of my sister's moved in with me. Both of us on Social Security, it cut expenses in half for both of us. We get along great. She also goes out with me for the mystery shop restaurant assignments. The mystery shops for fast food and restaurants really cut our food bills. She has complained going out to restaurants so often is making her fat. But she still goes. LOL
@Want985 wrote:
Im sorry but i dont believe anyone is making $50k a year. Big cities mean more people to spread shops around at lower pay.
I'm sorry but you are incorrect.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I believe it's possible. Depending on where you live and the type of shops you do. If I lived in Orange County (20 miles from me), I could be mystery shopping everyday, all day.
John, most of us don't limit ourselves to a ten mile radius. I have had single days where my round trip was over 400 miles and long trips that were thousands of miles.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Probably. People wondered the same thing in the 70s.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Before building everyone up as to the great pay this industry has,and making those that don't make 50 grand per year feel poorly, lets be sure and say, Video shopping pays a considerable better fee per job than straight MSing. Those (MFJ) included does Video and yes, you can make a decent to good living at that. Working full time at this, it would be smart to learn Video shopping, if it's money you need to make, that would be your ticket.
Live consciously....
Being honest about potential is not building anyone up. I specifically said "some" mystery shoppers. Everyone who has earned a living at this has been clear about the reality which means a lot of work and a lot travel. Not everyone wants to do the type of work it takes to make a living or, for that matter, wants to make a living at this at all. You are a perfect example of someone who tries to stick with jobs close to home that you also enjoy.
While video shopping is lucrative, there has been a lot of other work I've done over the last ten years that has rivaled and surpassed my video income. Many of us have had a variety of ongoing projects and routes unrelated to video shopping.
While video shopping is lucrative, there has been a lot of other work I've done over the last ten years that has rivaled and surpassed my video income. Many of us have had a variety of ongoing projects and routes unrelated to video shopping.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I am speaking of MSing, the way things (a couple people) wrote, it seemed as though 50 grand is easily attained by straight MSing. Shoppers like Steve and Mickey that have companies pay for all their travel and count reimbursement can make good money, but the newbie has a long hard road ahead, and it takes a lot of your money to make money, not saying it can't be done, but am saying, it is not easy and takes dedication, plus hard work and experience. Definitely not a breeze.......
Live consciously....
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