Ask Larry: Questions and Answers | BAM - Maximize My Social Security

Displaying 2051 - 2060 of 10063 questions.

Do You Agree With The Advice That I Gave My Friend?

Hi Larry,

I have read many of your articles and I am a firm believer of your social security advice. My friend, Dale, is 64 years old. He is not working and his wife passed away many years ago. I advised Dale that he could should apply NOW for reduced survivor benefits on her work record--even though it wouldn't be very much--then switch to his own retirement benefit at age 70 to receive maximum DRC's.

Dale then got an appointment at the SSA office and they told him he could NOT do this because the law has changed--he could only collect the higher of the two . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Aug 24 2021 - 12:46pm

Can You Work Below SGA Forever On SSDI?

Hi Larry I can never find a question on Google concerning working on SSDI under SGA -NOT THE TICKET TO WORK( I know about that 9 month over SGA and extended 36 month ) What I'm trying to locate is - .Can you work below the SGA forever on SSDI? Plus do you need to report below SGA every month to SS ?
Someone told me their working under 10 hours a week and making under SGA monthly.The person says they dont report it as long as its under SGA .Is this true ?
Thank you Dee

Hi Dee. Yes, there's no limit on the amount of time that you can work at below . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Aug 23 2021 - 6:42pm

Is It Correct That Social Security Considers You To Become Age 70 In The Month Of Your Birthday?

Dear Larry; I am waiting until I turn 70 to claim my maximum social security retirement benefit. I will turn 70 on 12/16/2021. As I understand your answer to another claimant, I should file my claim no earlier than December 2021 in order to make sure I get the full benefit rate for a 70 year old claimant. Do I have to wait until after my birthday on 12/16/2021? Or can I file on any day after December 1? As I understood your response to a previous claimant, Social Security considers you to become 70 in the month of your birthday, correct? Or, do I have to wait until after my . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Aug 23 2021 - 12:09pm

If I Apply For Widow's Benefits Early Will It Negatively Affect How Much I Will Receive When I File For My Own Benefits?

I am 57, my husband died in 2018 at 55. If I retire and apply for widow benefits early at 60 or 62, will it negatively affect how much I will receive when I apply for my own ss benefits, at age 67 or 70? My 18 yo disabled son already receives survivor benefits on my deceased husband’s social security.

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. No, if you start collecting widow's benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA) it won't have any adverse effect on the benefit rate that you could subsequently be paid on your own account.

It sounds like your best . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Aug 23 2021 - 11:59am

Can I Receive A Portion Of My Deceased Wife's SS?

My wife passed away in 2012 can I receive a portion of her SS?

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. You can potentially qualify for widower benefits as early as age 60, or age 50 if you're disabled. However, if you're already drawing your own benefits then you could only get additional benefits from your wife's account if your widower's benefit rate is higher than your own benefit rate (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html). The surviving member of a . . . Read More

Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Aug 23 2021 - 11:50am

When Can My Wife Get Spousal Social Security?

My wife is 55. I’m on Social Security. When can she get Spousal Social Security?

Hi. Unless your wife has a child in her care who is eligible for benefits on your account, the earliest that she could possibly qualify for spousal benefits is when she's age 62 (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0305.html).

Best, Jerry

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Aug 22 2021 - 6:43pm

Could The Combined Family Help In Our Case?

RE: COMBINED Family Maximum. My wife and I are about to start collecting Social Social Security. We are 62 ..... (we can wait if it is better to do that)......we have an adult child collecting SSD and SSI ........The adult disabled child gets SSD and SSI.....My wife's SS will be little above average (about 2,220 at full retirement age) ....mine other is very low......I have seen the family maximums on myssa.gov for both accounts We understand that "Family Maximum" limits us, however "Combined Family Maximum" may help us? ....We are happy to pay someone to guide us as to what to . . . Read More

Category: Family Benefit Maximum
Posted: Aug 22 2021 - 10:25am

Will I Need To Reapply When I'm Age 70?

Larry- I will be 70 in March of 2021. Will then be changing from spousal to my own. Expect to get about $3400.00 per month. My wife (born July 1954) started hers at 62. On her own acct. she gets $1221.00. When I'm 70 will I have to reapply for my own? The other question is on her. When I'm 70 and she is 67-68 would it be better for her to switch to spousal till she is 70 and can she? Reading where she may not be old enough to do it and if so would it be practical since she started at 62? Thanks for your help.

Hi. Yes, you'll need to file a new application . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Aug 21 2021 - 8:19am

Would Any Of Our Family Members Receive Survivor Benefits?

I was married for 23 years been divorced for three years. My ex-husband died. He was receiving disability Social Security benefits. Will either be allowed to still receive his Social Security survivor benefits? Right now I am only 48. I do have children with him that are currently in college. Would any of us receive benefits.?

Hi. It doesn't sound like either you or your children could qualify for survivor benefits, at least at the present time. The only way that a child can qualify for benefits on a deceased parent's account is if they're a) under age 18 . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Aug 20 2021 - 8:24pm

What Amount If Any Of My Sister-In-Law's Residential Fees Might Count As Impairment Related Expenses?

My 56 YO sister-in-law is developmentally disabled and is a resident of a community specifically for the Intellectually Disabled. She is currently receiving DAC benefits. She pays a monthly "residential" fee of approximately $3700 per month. Recently with the help of her counselors, a job coach and their providing her transportation to and from work, she got a job working off campus and is quite excited. It is my understanding that if she were to exceed the SGA earnings, that she could lose her DAC benefits. If so, she will be unable to reside there any longer. Assuming our SGA . . . Read More

Category: Disabled Adult Child Benefits
Posted: Aug 20 2021 - 7:55pm

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