Today is October 1, 2014. It is the first day of my 65th birth month, and to the Social Security Administration, it's an important day because it's the day Medicare becomes my primary insurance provider. I'm not sure how I feel about it just yet, but at least I got to this day; neither my mother nor my father saw their 65th birthday (even though my actual birthday isn't until the 11th.)
My visit to the SSA office in Grand Rapids last month went without much surprise. I learned that starting January 1, 2015, I can earn $44,000 a year until October 1, 2015, when there is no income limit. For me, that's a very good thing because my financial health, unlike my physical health, has crumbled and is on life-support. Right now, I am restricted to earning $15,000 a year, which isn't hard to exceed. When I do, my monthly benefit is reduced. I don't "lose" it, though; it is tacked onto the end, so when October 2015 rolls around, my benefit will increase, which will be nice. Until then, however, I have to go back to work as soon as I can and hopefully ease some of this bad juju that's afflicting me.
I have applied to several places, but I guess most businesses are pulling back their staffing in anticipation of reduced sales this Winter. I had an interview with a local snow plowing company as a shoveler; I have not heard back from them and hope they call. They pay $18 an hour for mostly-third shift work shoveling sidewalks at their client businesses after big snowfalls. It's strange but if I get the job, I hope for a very strong winter...getting paid $18 an hour to shovel is pretty sweet.
Thanks for reading. So far, nobody has, but that's not why I'm doing it. For me, it's therapy.
