Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 2031 - 2040 of 10063 questions.

If My Wife Claims Her Own Benefits At 62 Will She Still Get 50% Of My Benefit When I Start Collecting?

If my Wife claims her Social Security early at 62 and then claims spousal benefits when I claim at 70 (and she will be 68), will she get 50% of my benefit or a reduced spousal benefit amount because she claimed her social security at 62?

Hi. No, if your wife starts drawing her own benefits prior to her full retirement age (FRA) she'll be stuck with the resulting reduction in her benefit rate for at least as long as both of you are living. Any excess spousal benefit for which she qualifies would not be reduced, though, as long as she's at least FRA when you . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Aug 30 2021 - 10:22am

What Is The Best Strategy For Me?

Larry,
I was married for over 17 years. My ex was 80 when he died and he had been taking his social security. There was 22 years difference in our ages. I am currently 61 1/2 born in 1960. He was born in 1938.
If I have read everything there is to "find" for deceased ex-spouse and social security, Since I am over age 60 and have not re-married at age 60 (and preferably 1 month) if I marry in this year, I am eligible for either spousal benefits or my own anytime after age 62 (and preferably 1 month). I can continue with spousal benefits and let my own social security . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Aug 30 2021 - 10:09am

Do I Have To Take Railroad Benefits Instead Of Social Security?

I want to collect social security my husband gets RR Annuity SS says I have to go through RR it's much less do I have to take it from the RR ?

Hi. No, if you're eligible for Social Security benefits you can apply for those benefits either online at ssa.gov, or by calling Social Security to make an appointment to apply by phone. However, if you're either receiving or eligible for Railroad Retirement (RR) benefits then Social Security will need to certify for benefit payments to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). The RRB then makes any necessary . . . Read More

Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Aug 30 2021 - 9:58am

Why Doesn't Social Security Give You An Increase Each Year Until You Reach Your Full Benefit Age?

How come social security does not give you an increase each year until you reach your full benefit age it makes sense to do that

Hi. I'm not sure what you mean. Social Security benefit rates do go up with each month that a person delays collecting their benefits from age 62 to age 70.

For example, let's say Bob turns 62 on September 2nd 2021. Bob's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is equal to the amount he'd receive if he waits until full retirement age (FRA), is $2000. If Bob starts drawing effective with September 2021 his benefit rate . . . Read More

Category: Benefit Amount
Posted: Aug 29 2021 - 12:09pm

Can I Get Social Security At Age 63 If I'm On Disability?

I’m on disability and I want to know if I can get social security I’m 63 years old

Hi. If what you're currently receiving is Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, then you couldn't collect both SSDI and regular Social Security retirement benefits at the same time. You could choose to start collecting Social Security retirement benefits now instead of SSDI, but then your benefit rate would be reduced for age. SSDI benefits are calculated at 100% of a person's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is equal to the amount of their Social Security . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Aug 29 2021 - 11:50am

Am I Entitled To Spousal Retirement?

I'm 65 yes old my ex husband is 74 and just fully retired. For years he's been collecting a disability check but he also worked. After 15 yes we divorced in 2012 I was a homemaker and now stay with my daughter. Am I entitled to spousal retirement

Hi. It sounds like you can probably qualify for divorced spousal benefits. The full requirements for divorced spousal benefits are outlined in the following section of Social Security's handbook: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/ . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Aug 28 2021 - 9:17am

How Do I Find Out What Our Monthly Benefits Will Be?

I work full time, making approx $37,000. My husband worked full time with an annual salary of $86,000 + per diem

we have a 13 yr old daughter. My husband passed away Jully 30th and i am trying to determine what the monthly benefit will be in order to determine what things I can afford to keep

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. You'll probably need to contact Social Security to find out how much your and your child's survivor benefits might amount to. And, you'll need to contact them anyway in order to initiate the process of applying for benefits. . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Aug 27 2021 - 4:14pm

Will I Be Awarded Back Pay?

I was awarded a reinstatement of my mother's survivor benefit because my 16 yr old is disabled. Will I be awarded back pay from the month it stopped?

Hi. Yes, assuming that you had your child in your care for the entire time that your benefits were suspended, and provided that your child was determined to have been disabled all of that time.

Best, Jerry

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Aug 27 2021 - 4:11pm

Do I Need To Set Up A New Online Account To Apply For My Own Benefits?

I have been receiving spousal benefits and just turned 70. I want my own benefit and understand that I need to file a new application for benefits - I cannot just make a change in my account and I cannot find anything in my current account online to make a new application. Do I have to set up an entirely new account online to do this? I really don't want to do it by phone or in person.

Hi. If you're referring to establishing a new 'my Social Security' account on Social Security's website, I don't think you can have a second account. The only way you can . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Aug 27 2021 - 1:02pm

Isn't Social Security Robbing Us Of Our First Month Of Benefits?

I don't understand that SS holds your first monthly payment. But then when you die family only gets 255 towards burial or cremation. I thought if they holding first monthly check back, it'd be good to pay my mom's bills for death month. I paid her bills on time, due big of example: Sept 1st she was in no state to talk. She left them for me to get them paid. Cause we've always thought that would be last pymt month. Ss paying us back for withholding my first month, I never got? Makes sense like that. But to my surprise before we got her check from life insurance (she died . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Aug 27 2021 - 9:54am
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