Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 1671 - 1680 of 10063 questions.

Can I Claim Divorced Spousal Benefits For Six Months Prior To My Filing Date?

Good afternoon. I have your older edition of "Get what is yours". Great book. I have recently filed a restricted application against my ex-spouse's account. The app was approved and during that process, I was told that I could file a retroactive claim to 12/1/2020. When I spoke with SSA this past Monday, (they actually called me!) I think what I was told is that the claim could only go back to when she filed for benefits in July.
Is that correct? I cannot find a clear statement as to what impact on my application her filing status is. I did accept the offer and received . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 17 2021 - 5:03pm

Is There Any Problem With My Plan?

Hello Larry,
I am considering filing to receive social security in the spring after having recently reached age 62 in order to qualify and also get the best rate for a refinance on either or both our primary residence and our rental condominium. The plan would be to use the funds to improve both our debt to income ratios and our reserves, refinance one or both mortgages, then return the money before the end of the year so I can stop social security and file at a later time for a higher monthly amount. Any problems with this plan I should be aware of?

. . . Read More

Category: Withdrawing Retirement Benefits
Posted: Nov 17 2021 - 1:31pm

Can I Still Draw My Disability Money After SSA Put Me On Regular Social Security?

Was on 100%disablity and ssa put me on regular social security ,can I still draw any disablity money

Hi. No. You can't collect both Social Security retirement and Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits at the same time. Although there are different entitlement requirements for SSDI and retirement benefits, both benefits are calculated based on the same earnings. Qualifying for SSDI benefits simply allows a person to start drawing their unreduced Social Security retirement benefit rate earlier than their full retirement age (FRA). That's why SSDI . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Nov 17 2021 - 1:16pm

When I Retire Will Social Security Supplement My Wife And Son's Current Benefits Up To Half Of My Amount?

Larry
I am 68 as of June-21 and plan to retire this Jan 31-22. My income meets max payout, My wife retired at 62 and collects SSA. I have a 32 yr old disabled son (Autistic-cannot work) who gets SSA thru my wife and some SSI. My wife cares for him. When I retire I have a family max but won't my SSA be a Supplement to what they are getting now up to 50% of my mid point number? For example if my 50% mid point is $1,300, SSA then looks at what my wife and son are getting now and my SSA only "tops-off" their amounts to reach $1300....correct?

Hi. Not . . . Read More

Category: Family Benefit Maximum
Posted: Nov 17 2021 - 9:29am

What Kind Of Documentation Will I Need To Submit To Prove That I Meet A GPO Exception?

I began receiving an OPERS disability pension in 1985, however I first became eligible for this pension in 1980 as I met the required 5 years of service credits that OPERS requires. I was also married from 1967-1984 and remarried in 1993 and my spouse passed this year. I am being denied survivor benefits due to GPO. In reading the various POMS about GPO, it seems I may qualify for exemption under either pension eligibility before December 1982 and 1977 requirements met or pension eligibility before July 1983 and one-half support met. If I'm interpreting this correctly, can you . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Nov 17 2021 - 7:34am

Will My Payment Date Still Be The Same?

I started to draw my SS in 2007 and now get my check on 3rd of every month. Will My pmt date still be same? Thanks in advance for your information.

Hi. I don't know. All I can tell you is that the rules regarding when a person should be paid their monthly benefits haven't changed since 1997. Based on those rules, most people are now paid either on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, or the 3rd or 4th Wednesday depending on their day of birth (https://www.ssa.gov/kc/rp_paybenefits.htm). The only people . . . Read More

Category: Payment Dates
Posted: Nov 17 2021 - 7:24am

Can My Wife File A Restricted Application For The Difference Between Half Of My Benefit And Hers?

My wife was born in 1949, She began her SS on her work record at age 62. I began mine at max age. Here SS is less than one half of mine. Does she qualify for 'restricted application' to make the difference between her SS and one half of mine? E.g., she=$500; me=$2000. May she apply for additional $500 thereby equaling one half of my SS?

Hi. No. You can't file a restricted application for spousal benefits if you're already drawing your own benefits, nor can you stop collecting your own benefits and apply for spousal benefits instead.

If your wife . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Nov 17 2021 - 7:16am

Why Would I Lose My Benefits If I Don't Finish The Online Application I Started?

Greetings Larry, I have an un submitted unfinished application that I have no interest in submitting now .The SSA site says I will lose benefits if I don’t complete the application by January 2022. That doesn’t make any sense that I would lose my benefits. I tried calling but I cannot get through and I would really appreciate you getting back to me. Thank you, George

Hi George. It sounds like what you received is a 6 month closeout notice. If so, it doesn't mean you'll lose your benefits if you don't complete the application you left unfinished, it just . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 16 2021 - 4:27pm

What Does My Father Need To Do To Get A Benefit Increase?

Good morning. My brother and I received a message stating that our dad, qualify for an increase on his benefits. Basically, it states that his DD214 qualifies him for this increase if he was active duty between January 1959 - December 2001. He does. If this is correct information, what does he need to obtain his increast

Hi. It sounds like Social Security is referring to deemed military wages (DMW). DMWs are extra amounts added to a person's actual military wages for periods that they were on active military duty. Those extra, or deemed, wages can then be . . . Read More

Category: Deemed Military Wages
Posted: Nov 16 2021 - 3:53pm

What Do I Need To Do To Get My Disability Benefits Back?

I am on Social security disabilty n they reduce my payment because they receive a pension. I dont receive a pension at all. What should i do to get my disability back.

Hi. If Social Security just recently changed or suspended your payment, then you should be able to file an appeal. Appeal requests must normally be filed within 60 days of the action you are appealing. The first step of appeal is called reconsideration, and the form you use to request reconsideration is an SSA-561. Here is a link to the form: . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Nov 15 2021 - 5:58pm
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