Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 2161 - 2170 of 10063 questions.

Can I Get Child Benefits For My Ten Year Old Daughter?

I just received approval for SSDI and wondering if I can get my 10 year old daughter child benefits. I am not married to her mother and we have separate homes but have shared custody of her and get along well. The child benefits would come in handy after my stroke as my income has taken a dramatic fall.

Thanks for your help
Steve

Hi Steve. Child benefits can potentially be paid when a parent is receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, if the child is either a) under age 18, or b) age 18 to 19 and in high school, or c) disabled due . . . Read More

Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Jul 31 2021 - 9:47am

Can My Wife Switch To SSI And Draw Spousal Retirement?

My wife is on SSDI and draws a small monthy amount ($900). She is approaching age 65. Can she switch to SSI and draw spousal retirement? 50% of my SSI will be a much larger monthly amount.
I am younger, approaching 62 and don't plan to draw SSI until age 67.5. Does my SSI impact her spousal SSI? Thanks

Hi. By 'SSI', I assume you're referring to Social Security retirement benefits. Your wife wouldn't need to switch to regular Social Security retirement benefits to potentially be able to qualify for spousal benefits, but she could only qualify for . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jul 31 2021 - 9:32am

Can I Draw Social Security Off Of A Deceased Spouse If I Had Already Remarried?

Can I draw social security off a deceased spouse if I had already remarried

Hi. You can potentially qualify for surviving spousal benefits on the record of a former spouse even if you subsequently remarry, but only if your subsequent marriage has ended in death or divorce, or if your subsequent marriage occurred after you reached age 60. The full requirements for widow's benefits are outlined in the following section of Social Security's handbook: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jul 31 2021 - 9:26am

Do You Have Any Suggestions?

Hello... My husband's monthly benefit has not been received for 2 months. When he called SSA, he was told that it was because he had an overpayment, due to also working. He never received a letter notifying of this. This was verified by SSA (national and local). There is no letter on file. He wants to pay back the overpayment but cannot do so without a REMITTANCE ID, which was to be shown on the letter that he NEVER received, and SSA confirmed, one was never sent, yet they stopped his payments, without ANY notice. Our local SSA said he needed to contact the national SSA. Once . . . Read More

Category: Social Security Overpayments
Posted: Jul 31 2021 - 8:56am

Which Week Will I Be Paid When I Switch From Survivor Benefits To My Own Account?

I'm going to switch from survivors benefits to my own at full retirement age. His birthdate was the 1st of the month ( I receive check on 2nd Wednesday ) and mine is the 28th. Which week will I receive my check?

Hi. Based on your birth date, your Social Security retirement benefits will be paid on the 4th Wednesday of the month.

By the way, you might want to at least consider not switching to your own benefits until age 70. Your Social Security retirement benefit rate would continue to grow until you reach age 70 if you wait until then to switch to . . . Read More

Category: Payment Dates
Posted: Jul 30 2021 - 3:47pm

Will My SSDI Benefits Be Reduced Due To My Husband's Pension?

Hi Larry,
I am currently receiving Social Security disability . I worked for the Federal Government. My husband will be retiring soon from the USPS he is a CSRS employee. Will my Social Security benefit be reduced due to his pension? Also, will my Social Security benefit be reduced if I were to collect an Annuity? Wondering if he should pay the monthly cost for me to be an annuitant if my Social Security is going to be reduced ? Thank you

Hi. No, your Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits won't be reduced because your husband draws a CSRS pension . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 30 2021 - 3:37pm

Why Must I Wait For My Ex-Spouse To Retire To Qualify For Funds From Him?

I have recently retired on SSD at age 63. Why must I wait for my ex-spouse (he is 65) to retire to teceive/qualify for funds from him? We were married over 30 years.

Hi. You don't have to wait until your ex-spouse starts drawing benefits to potentially be eligible for divorced spousal benefits, provided that your ex is at least age 62 and your divorce has been final for at least 2 years (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0311.html). However, you'll . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 30 2021 - 12:29pm

How Can I Get My Son's Case Assigned To A Different Employee?

Hi. My son receives SSI for an intellectual disability. He is currently going through a review an we were contacted in May by an office 2 hours away in another state! We were asked to submit docs and told we'd receive a letter on where and how to send it. We never did. So a Google search indicated the fax number and the docs were sent in June. Yesterday I received a letter stating they were never sent- I have a fax receipt confusion that they were. The lady handling this was short with me, rude, and downright condescending when I asked questions about some things I did not . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jul 30 2021 - 12:28pm

Will My Permanent Benefit Rate Go Down When I Stop Working?

I applied for retirement benefit at age 68 and no decision yet from SSA. What SSA decide now will be the final amount for the rest of my life. Will it be? I plan to stop the payments, and go back to work until 70 to earn delayed retirement credit. At that point the amount will be higher due to the credit. My question is: will the second, higher amount for the rest of my life? Or when I stop working at age 70 with no other income it will go back to the amount what I was entitled at age 68?

Thank you for your time.

Hi. Social Security retirement . . . Read More

Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Jul 30 2021 - 11:55am

What Is The Income Limit Before I Lose Any Benefits?

I am 62 receiving widows benefit as well as VA widows pention. I am planning on returning to work. What is the income limit before I lose any benefits from Social Security?

Hi. I don't know about VA benefits, but the amount that you could earn in 2021 without losing any of your Social Security benefits is $18,960. Social Security would need to withhold $1 of your benefits for every $2 that you earn in excess of that amount this year. The earnings test exempt amount is adjusted each year, and the exempt amount for 2022 won't be announced until later this . . . Read More

Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Jul 30 2021 - 11:49am
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