Ask Larry: Questions and Answers | BAM - Maximize My Social Security

Displaying 1381 - 1390 of 10063 questions.

What's The Minimum Benefit Amount For Someone Who Is Fully Disabled?

recieving SSDI / since 2015 [mental]
health. i've No clue as to how i managed the apparently 40 credits needed. Clearly everyones credit value is unique to their work history.
My question (finally) is__at $540 per month / what's the Minimum dollar amnt permitted by law 4 full disabled?
thanx

Hi. There is no guaranteed minimum Social Security disability benefit rate, nor do you necessarily need 40 credits (QC) to qualify for SSDI. A person can potentially qualify for SSDI benefits with as few as 6 QCs if they become disabled at a young age . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jan 30 2022 - 11:40am

How Do I Apply For Widow's Benefits If Social Security Offices Are Closed?

My husband died 15 mo's ago. I applied for the VA Disability & am collecting this. I wasn't aware I could apply for his SS BENEFITS. I'm 69yo. He was 72yo when he died. We were married 12 yrs. How do I apply? Due to Covid, offices are closed. And how is the Amy. determined? I've heard various WRONG info. I would appreciate help. Thank you,

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. As long as Social Security offices are closed to the public, about the only way that you can apply for widow's benefits is by phone. You can call Social Security at 800-772-1213 to make . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Jan 30 2022 - 8:37am

What Will Happen If I Earn Above The SGA Level For One Month?

I have been on SSDI for about 10 years and always worked under SGA. Now I got a new job and with the training I will probably go over the SGA for one month. When I call I get all different answers, which drives me nuts, they dont care. But they say I will just have to pay back that one month's payment and I can request a payment arrangement, my disability of $1800 a month wont stop I am sorry worried about this and reading their stuff on line makes me so confused. Can you give me any information, a call would be great. If I am not home I will call you back. Please advise, . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jan 29 2022 - 3:50pm

Can I Get My Ex-Husband's Retirement?

Hello my question is my ex husband gave me a choice spousal or his retirement I chose spousal he than took me back to court and gave me the gavron and took my spousal away now that I am not working can I get his retirement? I am now retired and make only 1292. month. Please help me thank you Helen

Hi Helen. No. People can't bargain away their Social Security benefit rights in a divorce settlement, nor can a state or local court take away your right to Social Security benefits. Therefore, I'm having a hard time understanding your description of events. . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jan 29 2022 - 12:08pm

Why Did My Payment Include An Extra $90 This Month?

i recieved 90 extra dollars today i get ssdi where did it come from i get 1105 a mpnth and have a backpayment of 478 coming this month 2nd installment of backpay

Hi. Only Social Security can give you a definite answer since they are the only people who have access to your records. The 5.9% Social Security cost of living (COLA) increase did become effective with this month's payment (i.e. the payment for December 2021 issued in January 2022), so that may have something to do with the increase.

Best, Jerry

Category: Benefit Amount
Posted: Jan 29 2022 - 11:59am

Will My Benefit Increase If I Continue Working?

I took early retirement at age 62 I am still working I plan on retiring at age 81 will this increase my social security benefits

Hi. Retiring won't increase your Social Security benefit rate, but working and paying into Social Security could potentially increase your benefit rate. Whether or not your additional earnings would increase your benefit rate, though, depends on how much you earn in relation to what you earned in past years.

Social Security retirement benefits are based on an average of a person's highest 35 years of Social Security . . . Read More

Category: Benefit Amount
Posted: Jan 28 2022 - 3:18pm

Medicare Eligibility

This is not a question now, but is about a point that likely affects a substantial number of your audience. Note that I have no idea if you've used this before. I expect you'll want to edit out much of my exposition below to get to the main point.

My personal income was above average. However, my wife, who is eight years older, has not worked for the duration of our marriage, having had three kids by a prior relationship and poor health for most of the marriage.

She also didn't qualify for Medicare or social security based on her earnings history. For the same . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: Jan 28 2022 - 2:18pm

Will My Son's Eligibility For Benefits On My Record Affect His Massachusetts Health Status?

Hello, I am past my FRA of 66 .2 on 10/25/21 (born 8/25/1955). My son is 30 years old and has Down Syndrome and lives with my Ex-wife. He does not work or have any income other than his SS or SSI check, I am not sure what he receives. I am going to apply for SS retirement benefits. My son has Medicare part A and B, Humana and Mass health.(Massachusetts Health} Since he may be is eligible for benefits on my earning record will that affect his Mass Health status? Should I add my son to Section 17 of the SS application?. Will he have a choice to stay were he is or be eligible to . . . Read More

Category: Disabled Adult Child Benefits
Posted: Jan 28 2022 - 11:43am

When Will My SSDI Convert To Standard Social Security?

I'm currently 56 and I'm collecting SSDI of $36k/year and workman's comp of $9,360/year. My Social Security retirement benefit is estimated at $27,276/year at my FRA. When does my SSDI convert to the standard SS? at 65? 66? or 67? Can I delay to 70 so I can maximize my benefit?

Hi. Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits automatically convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits when a recipient reaches full retirement age (FRA), and if you're 56 now then your FRA would be age 67. And, yes, you could voluntarily suspend your retirement . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jan 28 2022 - 10:30am

If My Wife Files For Spousal Benefits Now Can She Claim Her Own Higher Benefit Later?

I was just was approved for my retirement benefits and am past my full retirement age. If my wife files for spousel benefits, she will be eligible for half of my benefit. She reaches her full retirement age next year and her benefit will be more than half of mine. Will she be able to get her higher benefit or is she locked in to the spousel benefits?

Hi. If your wife doesn't reach full retirement age (FRA) until next year, then what you're proposing isn't a valid option for her. Since your wife was apparently born after January 1 1954, she can't apply for . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jan 28 2022 - 10:05am

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