When Will The Upcoming COLA Increase Get Posted On The SS Web Page's Benefit Estimator Tool?
When will any expected cola increase get posted on the "Benefit estimator" tool on the SS web page?
Hi. I'm sorry, but I don't know Social Security's schedule for making updates to their website.
Best Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jan 8 2022 - 11:57am
Can My Brother Claim Child In Care Survivor Benefits?
Larry, my sister-in-law, passed away last year at age 50. She and her surviving ex-husband, were the same age (he is now 51). They have three children, one of whom is under 16 (he's 11) and is currently collecting monthly survivor benefits on his mother's record (I believe it comes to 75% of her benefit amount; the other two children are over 18). My questions: Can the surviving ex-spouse also collect survivor benefits (which I believe would also be 75% of her benefit), given that he is now the sole caretaker of their young son who is under 16? If so, would the surviving ex- . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jan 8 2022 - 11:33am
Can My Social Security Be Taken Away If I Sell My House?
If i sell my house and receive money for it can my social security be taken away
Hi. No. Selling your home would have absolutely no effect on your benefits provided that you are receiving Social Security benefits. However, if you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), those benefits could stop if you sell your home. Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are needs based. Therefore, changes in a person's income and/or resources can affect their eligibility for SSI benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jan 7 2022 - 3:57pm
Can I Collect Benefits Based On My Ex-Spouse's Work Record While Allowing My Own Benefits To Grow?
I receive Social Security Disability Benefits based on my own earnings record. Prior to receiving SSDI, I retired due to a disability (Parkinson’s Disease, an SSDI “listed condition”), and used a private disability insurance policy to retire. My disability insurance policy required that I apply for SSDI after two years of receiving policy benefits. I applied for SSDI, as required by my disability policy, and was determined to be disabled by the SSA on August 1, 2015. My birth date is 7/30/1956.
I am also divorced and meet the SSA regulations for an ex-spouse to receive . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jan 7 2022 - 3:15pm
Can I Do Anything About Social Security Not Paying Me Any Benefits This Year?
Dear Larry\=. I turned 60 this year ans applied for my husband's benefits at an early age reduced portion. SSA began paying me in sept to dec. I received a letter 1-6-22 stating no further payments due to my work. I called, they said they over paid me. Now I will get nothing all year. This doesn't seem fair. Can I do anything? Thank You in advance.
Hi. I don't know if it helps, but I can try to explain. Social Security has an earnings test that applies to anyone collecting benefits prior to their full retirement age (FRA). If you earned more than $18,960 . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Jan 7 2022 - 7:53am
Do I Need To Report DIC Payments From The VA To Social Security?
Do I have to report DIC from the VA to Social Security???
Hi. Not if you receive Social Security benefits, but if you're receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) then you need to report any other income you receive. SSI is needs based, so any type of other income can potentially affect a person's SSI eligibility or payment amount.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jan 7 2022 - 7:46am
Is CPP The Reason Why My U.S. Benefit Amount Is Low?
I receive social security from the US.
US citizen and get CPP as permanent resident Only worked short time in Canada. Worked all my life in US.. I feel I am collected a low amount from US. Is this CPP the reason? Should I inquire to US SECURITY? Thank you
Hi. Possibly. It sounds like your U.S. Social Security benefit might be affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). WEP can cause a person's retirement benefit rate to be computed using a less generous calculation formula if they also receive a pension that's based on their earnings that . . . Read More
Category: Benefit Amount
Posted: Jan 6 2022 - 5:46pm
Do I Need To Do Something At Age 70 If I'm Receiving Spouse's Benefits?
I have been receiving SS benefits using 50% of my spouse’s benefits for 3 years, because 50% of his benefit was more than mine. I turned 70 in November 2021. Am I supposed to do something to receive benefits using my own account? Social security has not notified me, however, I had a note in a margin of a letter saying to contact them. Will I get more or less? (Also, they have been deducting 2/3 of the amount that I receive from my teaching pension, will that ever stop?
Hi. When you applied for spousal benefits I assume your restricted your own Social . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jan 6 2022 - 5:25pm
Can I Collect My U.S. SS While Working In Canada If I Earn Less Than $18,900?
Greetings. After having lived in Montreal for thirty plus years, I moved to the U S., and worked for a major airline. After early retirement, I started collecting SS at age 62. I have since moved back to Montreal to take care of my elderly mom. Am I able to work here, and stay below the allowable earning of 18900. and collect SS? Regards, Marco
Hi Marco. If you're at least full retirement age (FRA) you can be paid all of your benefits no matter how much you work and earn. But, if you're still under FRA, a foreign work test (FWT) would apply. The foreign . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Jan 6 2022 - 4:58pm
Can I Receive Widow's Benefits With COLAs And Delayed Retirement Credits?
My husband passed in 2011, at age 59. He was receiving SSDI. I am currently age 60, and wonder if I would receive widow benefits with colas and even delayed retirement credits? I am currently receiving SSDI, and thinking of just taking his if it might be higher, and can I stop mine before age 62 and allow for increases such as delayed ret. Credits? Ty!
Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Delayed retirement credits (DRC) wouldn't be applied to your widow's benefit rate, but you would get credit for any Social Security cost of living (COLA) increases that have been . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jan 6 2022 - 9:05am
