Will I Be Able To Collect A Percentage Of My Deceased Husband's Social Security If I Earn $40,000 Next Year?
I am a widow earning $40,000 a year at my job. I will turn 60 in January. Will I be able to collect a percentage of my husband's Social Security and stay at the same income? Thank you!
Hi. You can potentially qualify for widow's benefits as early as the month you reach age 60, but whether or not you could collect benefits depends on the amount of your benefit. If you file for widow's benefits at age 60 you're benefit rate is calculated at 71.5% of your deceased spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA).
The Social Security earnings test exempt amount . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Aug 13 2021 - 12:24pm
Who Do We Write To To Get A Medicare Premium Refund?
My husband paid 3 months Medicare Part B premium in January 2021 (for February, March, and April) and then went on Medicare which has been automatically deducting the premiums monthly (including for those three months). It is now August 2021, and no sign of a refund of the 3 month premium which has been, in effect, paid twice. Supposedly if we just sit on our thumbs it will come to us but I am now considerably doubtful. Who do we write to?
Hi. That's disappointing to hear. In my experience, Social Security has been good about refunding duplicate Medicare . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Aug 13 2021 - 9:16am
Is There Any Way To Claim Benefits More Than Six Months Back?
I forget to apply my social security benefits when I turned 70 years old ,I finally got it done after 11 months delay. social security gave me 6 months retroactive benefits . but I was 5 months short of benefits if I apply it on time. is there anyway to go back more than 6 months?
thank you
Caleb
Hi Caleb. No. Six months is the maximum amount of retroactivity allowed for Social Security retirement benefits under Social Security law (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200204030).
Best, . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Aug 12 2021 - 4:52pm
What Month Should I Say That I Want To Start Benefits If I Want To Get My First Payment In January?
I am 64, turning 65 in March 2022. My FRA is 66.5. I am retiring Dec 31, 2021, (age 64.75) and want to receive my first SS payment in Jan 2022. I have two questions: 1. when I apply for SS, what month should I indicate that I want to start receiving my payments? (Dec 2021 so I get a check in January? Or Jan 2022, and they will understand that is the month I want to receive my first payment.) 2. If I get my first payment in Jan 2022, and because SS is paid 1 month in arrears, when I file my income taxes for 2021, will the Jan 2022 month's payment be considered as earned in . . . Read More
Category: Payment Dates
Posted: Aug 12 2021 - 2:42pm
What Can I Do To Get My Son's Benefits Reinstated As Soon As Possible?
We lost our home of 26 years and I was getting disability for my 35 year old son Jason, somehow we missed the appointment and I need to reinstate him now that we have moved and have a new address? What do I need to do to reinstate him as quick as possible? Thank You in advance
Hi. What you'll ultimately need to do to get your son's benefits restarted depends on what type of disability benefits he was getting and what type of review you missed. You may just need to fill out forms or report your change of address, but you might need to file a whole new . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Aug 12 2021 - 1:17pm
Can The State Of Florida Fine Me For Working?
If you went on Florida Disability Retirement at age 50 because of constant joint pain and unable to work then and at age 80 you have found a new medication that makes it possible for you to work part-time will the State be able to fine you for working? My husband died 10 years ago and they did whatever they do and I collect that SS now. About 10 years ago I was working at a part-time job and they said I would have to pay back all the disability I had collected and other stuff so I quit. I really need more income and need to work part-time. Is there any way I can?
. . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Aug 11 2021 - 6:22pm
Can Widow Survivor Benefits Be Retroactive?
Hi Larry
Can widow survivors benefits be retro active? I received survivor benefits just before I turned 62. I was made aware that I qualified while at the SS office checking on my own SS benefits.
So I signed up for the survivor benefits.. And have since started getting my own benefits at 64.
I missed out on nearly 18 months of survivor benefits…
Hi. Yes, but it doesn't sound likely that retroactivity would have been possible in your case. The only way that widow's benefits can be paid for months prior to the month in which the . . . Read More
Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Aug 11 2021 - 4:50pm
Is It Correct That My First Check Will Arrive In November Instead Of October?
Hi... I will be 62 on Sept. 15 of 2021. I applied for my benefits in late June of this year. I requested that my benefits to start in Sept. SSI stated my first check will start in Nov. instead of Oct... is that correct?
Hi. Yes, assuming that you're claiming Social Security retirement benefits based on your own work history. The earliest that a person can qualify for retirement benefits is the first month that they are age 62 for a whole month, which in your case is October. You must be at least age 62 for a full month in order to qualify for Social . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Aug 11 2021 - 11:54am
Should I Start My Benefits This Year Because Of A Possible Drop In The 2020 Average Wage Index?
Hi Larry,
I have planned to start my Social Security retirement benefits in January 2022 when I will turn 70. But I am concerned about the possible drop in the average wage index from 2020 and it’s impact on my monthly benefits. Would it be better to start my benefits in December 2021 or wait one more month?
Thanks
Hi. The 2020 average wage index (AWI) would have no impact on the amount of your benefits. The only people whose benefits may be affected by a drop in the 2020 AWI are people who turn age 62 in 2022. Since you were born in 1952, . . . Read More
Category: Calculating Retirement Benefits
Posted: Aug 11 2021 - 11:41am
Can You Translate What Social Security Is Telling Me?
I had worked 40 years for the Los Angeles Healthcare system which had opted out of Social Security. My total quarters credited for Social Security are 14 and counting as I retired out of LA County and work now as a self-employed consultant. My county retirement package includes great medical coverage. After I signed up for Medicare Parts A and B my bill for Part B was around $500 per month so I asked SS if I could drop Part B and they told me I could. Now I have gotten a letter telling me I can’t drop Part B because I don’t have “free Medicare Part A” and they consider me “ . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Aug 11 2021 - 8:37am
