Do I Need To Appeal?
I filed in the month following my 68th birthday and was told by a rep my benefit would be $2036. My letter stated a lower amount of $1965 and when I called SS a rep said I would not get $2036 until January 2022 when my DRCs from 2021 would be added. The rep said I would also get a lump sum of the difference between $2036 and $1965 retroactive to cover the remaining months of 2021. I am still working and will earn more than my lowest annual pay so will increase my 35-year average. I am not clear on when the recalculation takes place to include this and whether this will be . . . Read More
Category: Delayed Retirement Credits
Posted: Dec 13 2021 - 5:41pm
What Are People To Do If Their Rent Is Due On The 2nd Day Of Each Month?
It's so security not coming on the 3rd of each month and it's changing starting in January.2022 What are people to do if their rent is due on the 2nd of each month
Hi. Yours is one of many questions we've received on this topic recently. As I've repeatedly explained, the Social Security law regarding payment dates has not changed since 1997, nor is it changing in 2022. Some people will continue to be paid on the 3rd day of the month indefinitely, but only if they meet one of the following conditions:
- They first filed for benefits before May 1997; . . . Read More
Category: Payment Dates
Posted: Dec 13 2021 - 9:28am
How Can I Get Benefits Started For My Wife?
I am 55 and I am on SSI and my wife was hit by a car at 35 how can I get bennitfits for her I just started my SSI in October
Hi. SSI is the abbreviation that Social Security uses for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is needs based, and benefits can be paid to people who are either blind, disabled, or at least age 65 and who have little or no means of self-support. Your wife can apply for SSI online (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/adults.html) or by calling Social Security to make an . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Dec 13 2021 - 9:15am
Can You Tell Me What My Raise Will Be For 2022?
My name is Bessie I receive $949 benefits each month for social security can you tell me what my raise will be for 2022 next year
Hi Bessie. The Social Security cost of living (COLA) increase for 2022 is 5.9%, so that should raise your monthly benefit rate by roughly $56 (i.e. $949 x 1.059). However, the increase in your actual payment amount could differ depending on what if anything you have deducted from your benefit payments, such as Medicare premiums. Social Security should send you a notice in the near future that will tell you your new benefit rate . . . Read More
Category: Benefit Amount
Posted: Dec 12 2021 - 5:33pm
When I Start Drawing My Benefits Will My Wife's Benefit Rate Automatically Increase To Half Of My PIA?
Referencing Chapter 16 gotcha #2 on pg 261 and gotchas #4 & 6 on pg 262 in your Revised Get What's Yours Social Security book.
FACTS: My wife was born in August 1955 so reached her FRA Nov. 1, 2021. She was home raising children until they went off to college. She has her own social security retirement amount of about $900 per month (i.e. she has satisfied the 40 quarters). My PIA is about $3,000 so the spousal benefit is about $1,500. I was born in March 1954 and still working part time with the hope of not drawing my social security until I'm 70 - at your advice (my . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Dec 12 2021 - 3:32pm
Do Wages That Are Exempt From Social Security Taxes Count For Social Security's Earnings Test?
I worked much of my life putting into social security. I went back to school late in life and graduated and began teaching at the age of 39. I retired at the age of 60. I receive a pension from Illinois TRS. It is not a lot since I only accumulated about 22 years. I decided to take SS. It was reduced due to the GWP to about 300 dollars...after federal taxes it is $275. I now work a lot as a substitute teacher. However, there is no SS taken from the check....just federal and state taxes. ( I also had another part time job at the school in the after-school program that did have . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Dec 12 2021 - 1:22pm
Are Spousal Benefits Calculated Using Their Spouse's Current PIA Or Their Original PIA?
Is spousal benefits figured on spouses current PIA today or on the amount of first payment received 5 years ago?
Hi. The initial spousal benefit rate is calculated based on the worker's primary insurance amount (PIA) at the time the spousal benefits are claimed. From then on, both the worker's PIA and the spouse's benefit amount are adjusted for cost of living (COLA) increases. So, in effect, the current spousal benefit rate is always based on the worker's current PIA.
Best, Jerry
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Dec 12 2021 - 1:10pm
If I'm Collecting Widow's Benefits At Age 64 Will I Ever Get The Full Amount?
I'm collecting my widows ss I'm 64 will I ever get the full amount
Hi. There's not enough information in your question for me to be able to give you a proper answer. Here's what I can tell you. If you start drawing widow's benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA) then your benefit rate is subject to a reduction for age. That reduction for age is permanent, unless you were also drawing Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits based on your own earnings history when you started drawing widow's benefits.
However, if your deceased spouse . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Dec 12 2021 - 12:54pm
Which Month Should I Claim My Benefits To Get Maximum Delayed Benefits?
Hi Larry,
read your article on delayed benefits but Im still uncertain.
From reading I understand I can fill for my maximum delayed benefits in Jan 2022 as I will turn 70 on Feb 3, 2022.
But, if the Jan SS benefit is not paid until Feb would I jeopardize receiving the full 70 yo benefit as I will only be 69 &11 months in Jan
I am currently collecting survivor widow benefits. Appreciate your help.
Hi. I think you must have misunderstood something. If you'll turn age 70 on February 3 2022, then in order to earn the maximum amount . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Dec 11 2021 - 5:39pm
How Can I Trust SSA To Calculate My Benefit Rate Correctly If My Online Estimates Appear To Be Wrong?
I am 67 yrs 9 months old with a Full Retirement Age of 66. I haven't started taking my SSA benefits yet and am confused by SSA.gov's benefit estimates and calculator. Prior to reaching FRA, they showed the benefit increasing monthly if filing is delayed. After reaching FRA, they show the benefit increasing only once annually. This is true for the social security pdf statements, the online estimator, and the anypia calculator. I've verified with friends who found the same result. I may want or need to start my benefits sometime next year. According to the ssa estimate, my . . . Read More
Category: Calculating Retirement Benefits
Posted: Dec 11 2021 - 5:12pm
