Is Waiting Until FRA or Age 70 The Only Strategy Available To Me?
Read the book. I’m not grandparented under 2015 SS law changes. So, married 20yrs and going strong, no disability, no dependent children or parents, no special qualifying circumstances for other benefits whatsoever and with the spousal benefit file suspend gambit unavailable to me, the only strategy available is to wait till FRA or, better, 70 and also keep working to up the value of my quarters worked formula?
Hi. It's not the only strategy, but it's probably your best strategy assuming that your health is roughly average or better. Waiting until age 70 . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Oct 11 2021 - 9:29am
Is My Ex-Spouse Still Eligible For My Benefits While She's In Prison?
I was married 10 yrs..but my ex is in prison for murder..is she still eligible for my ss benefits
Hi. There isn't enough information in your question for me to know if your ex-wife is eligible for divorced spousal benefits, but even if she's eligible she couldn't be paid any Social Security benefits while she's incarcerated due to a felony conviction. In order to even be technically eligible for divorced spousal benefits your ex would need to be unmarried and at least age 62, and you would either have to be at least age 62 or drawing Social Security . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Oct 11 2021 - 9:13am
Can My Daughter And I Draw Anything?
My husband recently pass of covid he doesnt have a social security number because he's from Mexico but he did pay taxes. He had a tin number. Can me and my daughter draw anything?
Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, I can't give you a definite answer to your question. A deceased worker must have paid into Social Security long enough to be insured in order for survivor benefits to be payable on their record, and I have no way of knowing whether or not your husband worked long enough to be insured. You and your daughter would also need to meet the . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Oct 10 2021 - 6:56pm
If I Go Back To Work Can I Take Early Retirement Benefits At Age 62 Instead Of My SSDI?
I have been receiving SSDI payments of 1484/month, But if I can go back to work and I'm 62, can I take early retirement? How much will my benefits be reduced? I want to go back to work and increase my monthly income above my current disability payment.
Hi. You could switch from drawing SSDI to drawing Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, but if you go back to work then there would still be a limit on how much you could earn and be able to collect benefits. In 2021, people receiving Social Security retirement benefits who are under FRA lose $1 of . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Oct 10 2021 - 11:52am
When I Retire From Teaching Will My Monthly SS Payments Be Reduced?
I have received widow's Social Security since my husband's death in 1979. He was disabled but had worked the minimum time that allowed him to receive SS. I will receive a pension when I retire from teaching at UMass next year. Will my monthly SS checks be reduced?
Hi. The answer is almost certainly less, assuming that your earnings on which your pension is based were exempt from Social Security taxes. Social Security's Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision causes a person's spousal or survivor benefits to be offset by 2/3rds of the amount of their . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Oct 10 2021 - 9:01am
Can I Become A Non-Working Ordained Minister If I Draw Social Security Disability?
If I draw social security disability can I become a non working ordained minister?
Hi. Yes. The act of becoming ordained as a minister wouldn't have any effect on your Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits if doing so doesn't produce any earned income. Only earned income (i.e. gross wages or net self-employment income) might affect your SSDI benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf).
Best, Jerry
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Oct 10 2021 - 8:53am
Will SSA Require Me To Submit Documentation For My Claim?
I have submitted online and SSA is currently reviewing my change from survivors benefits to my own. Will SSA require me to submit documentation (i.e. birth certificate, Drivers license, SS card, W2's etc.) for this process, or will my previous documentation used for the application for survivors benefit be sufficient?
Hi. Social Security definitely won't need proof of age to process your claim. Your date of birth was apparently already proven to their satisfaction when you started drawing survivor benefits. No other documentation would be required in most . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Oct 10 2021 - 8:47am
Why Was My Check Deposited Early This Month?
why did my social security check get deposited 10 days early this month?
Hi. I'm sorry, but I can't even give you an educated guess without much more information. Many different circumstances can result in either a one-time or permanent change in a person's payment date, so unless Social Security mails you an explanation you might want to call them.
Best, Jerry
Category: Payment Dates
Posted: Oct 9 2021 - 8:44pm
What's The Best Age To Take Social Security?
What’s the best age to take Social Security ?
Hi. The best age to start drawing benefits depends on many different factors, such as your health, marital and financial status, earnings history, and the type of benefits for which you may be eligible. There is no one size fits all strategy when it comes to Social Security claiming strategies. Our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) is specifically designed to analyze all of the various factors that could be involved in deciding . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Oct 9 2021 - 8:31pm
Will Drawing Her Own Benefit Early Reduce My Wife's Survivor Rate?
I was born in 1954 and I am planning to take my SS benefit when I turn 70. I have recently retired. My wife was born in 1957 and she wishes to take her own SS benefit. She has retired also. Does her drawing of her own SS benefit early reduce her survival benefit in any way? Thanks for your help.
Hi. No. As long as your wife doesn't start drawing her survivor benefits prior to her full retirement age (FRA), the fact that she started drawing her own benefits early wouldn't affect her survivor rate. If your wife becomes entitled to widow's benefits at FRA or . . . Read More
Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Oct 9 2021 - 7:05pm
