I am one of 9+ million Americans deemed totally and permanently disabled by the Social Security Administration.

I am one of 9+ million Americans deemed totally and permanently disabled by the Social Security Administration. I was 40 years old at my date of disability. I am 54 years old.

Today, I receive a monthly allotment of $1500 after I paid for mandatory Medicare. I had/have full health insurance coverage through my spouse. But this was pre-marriage equality. She is seven years older than me. If I postponed enrolling at age 40 and waited until I was 60 when retired, I would face a penalty of nearly $20k.

It was cheaper to get a very modest Medicare policy. But infuriating, another example of the discrimination of the lack of marriage equality.

Let’s back up because it is very important to understand how privileged I was. My former employer offered both short term and long term disability insurance, paying me 60% of my salary for 24 months. So I could pay the bills. Plus my spouse worked.

The insurance company also assigned me a lawyer to advocate for my SSDI application. She knew my case and the system. I was approved immediately.

That never happens. Be thoughtful about st and lt insurance. You never know.

We were a two women household averaging $.80 on the dollar for what men earned. We lost 40% of my $40k income as a social worker. It was an adjustment.