How Do I Find Out If I'm Due Back Pay From Social Security?
I keep getting conflicting opinions about my remaining ssdi backpay. Ive gad 5 ss reps tell me i was owed 12005 still.2 reps said im paid in full.how do i find out the truth?
Hi. I'm assuming that you've recently been awarded disability benefits. If you had an attorney handling your claim and/or appeal then the attorney should be able to find out and tell you if you have any back pay coming. Otherwise, it's chancy getting reliable information from Social Security representatives. Some are well trained, and others not so much.
If you've received an . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Sep 27 2021 - 4:02pm
Does The Trial Work Period Or Ticket To Work Program Ever Reset?
I did my trial work period 15+ years ago. And worked 33 months before my disability put me out of work. My question is , does the trial work period ever reset? Does the ticket to work program ever reset?
Hi. No. You only get one 9-month trial work period (TWP) within a period of disability benefit entitlement. Once you complete your TWP, you can't get another one unless your disability benefits are terminated and you subsequently establish a new period of disability entitlement.
I'm not familiar with the Ticket to Work program, so you'll need to . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Sep 27 2021 - 11:43am
Will My Wife Get Half Of My Benefit If She Takes Her Own Benefits At 62 And Later Switches To Spousal Benefits?
My wife's expected social security benefit is less than half of mine. If she claims her benefit at age 62, and then switches to a spousal benefit at age 67 when I claim my social security. will she get half of my benefit or will it be reduced from that level because she started at age 62.?
Hi. No. The reason is that your wife can't actually switch from drawing her own benefits to drawing just spousal benefits. Once a person files for their own Social Security retirement benefits those benefits continue for the rest of their life. If they later become . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Sep 27 2021 - 11:40am
Do I Need To Start Drawing My Benefits This Year To Get The Upcoming Social Security COLA?
Hello,
I have attempted to secure an answer on "compounding cola's past age 62" from both the social security department and my congressional representative; none have provided an answer. Kiplinger's ran an article on it in 2015 and logic would dictate that the estimated benefit sent to me every year would be adjusted upward for the COLA's past age 62 even if I did not receive them. Otherwise, with high inflation, the 25% cut one receives when collecting early would be wiped out if the early retiree received the COLA's but not the one who waits for full retirement age ( . . . Read More
Category: Calculating Retirement Benefits
Posted: Sep 27 2021 - 9:29am
If My Wife Files Her Benefits Early Will She Be Penalized When She Later Switches To Spousal Benefits?
I have your (revised) book and it is excellent. I have a question about spousal benefits - I am getting conflicting advice.
I was born in 1958 and she was born in 1959. My wife was a homemaker and has a much smaller expected PIA than me, so when I take retirement benefits her spousal benefit will be larger than her regular benefit. I am going to defer taking my retirement benefits until I am age 70 - to maximize my benefit and my surviving spousal (widow) benefit.
We had planned to have her take her retirement benefit early, at age 62 (just to have some income . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Sep 26 2021 - 5:06pm
If I Earned $1312 In A Month Is It Considered Over The $1310 SGA Limit?
My question is My first time going over the amount is 1310. For the I made 1312 is this consider over
Hi. My answer assumes that you receive Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits. In that case the answer's yes, but whether or not it will affect your benefits depends on a number of factors. Even if you've completed your 9-month trial work period (TWP), as long as you're period of disability was never previously ceased and resumed because your in an extended period of eligibility (EPE) then a single month of above substantial gainful activity (SGA) . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Sep 26 2021 - 4:47pm
Can My Husband Get Social Security Benefits?
Hi Larry, My former husband may have given up his naturalized USA citizenship. He has been disabled for a long time. Would he need to reply or would he just have to forget it? He has family here in the states. Not even sure he could survive an air flight. He's 61 and owes back child support. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank You
Hi. You don't have to be a U.S. citizen to potentially qualify for Social Security benefits as long as you have enough Social Security covered earnings to be insured for benefits. There isn't enough information in your . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Sep 25 2021 - 9:37pm
Can I Collect More Social Security Because I'm A Retired Disabled Veteran?
Can I collect some more Social Security being a retired disabled veteran with income from VA
Hi. Social Security benefits are based on a worker's Social Security covered earnings. The fact that you're collecting VA benefits wouldn't make any difference in your benefit rate, but if you're disabled and if your under full retirement age (FRA) then you may be able to qualify for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/).
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Sep 25 2021 - 9:28pm
Shouldn't My Age 70 Benefit Amount Increase With Each Year's COLA?
I am at full retirement age ...66 years and two months. I have not applied for social security. It seems when I go to the website at my social security my benefit at age 70 never increases. Should it not increase with the COLA each year? Also, the calculator only shows my benefit increasing on the half year. That is, the benefit at age 67, or age 67 and one month or age 67 and two months is the same amount. It increases at age 67 and six months. The calculator without signing in indicates the benefit should increase EACH month. So I am confused.
Hi. You'll be credited . . . Read More
Category: Cost Of Living Increases
Posted: Sep 25 2021 - 9:14am
Does My Primary Insurance Amount Get Adjusted By COLAs Even If I Haven't Yet Claimed My Benefits?
I have not yet claimed Social Security. Does my Primary Insurance Amount get adjusted by the annual Social Security COLA (if non-zero) even if I have not yet claimed?
Hi. Yes. A person's primary insurance amount (PIA) is increased by all Social Security cost of living (COLA) increases that occur after the person reaches age 62, regardless of whether or not they've started drawing benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Calculating Retirement Benefits
Posted: Sep 25 2021 - 8:19am
