Could You Please Explain Survivor Benefits When The Surviving Spouse Is Disabled?
Hi Larry. Could you please explain widow survival benefits when the surviving spouse is disabled before age 60 and has not ever received any sort of disability/nor ever applied on their own record (not eligible) or SSI? I don’t understand what it means that you are eligible at age 50 if the disability occurred within 7 years of spouses death. How is the date of disability decided? My husband and I have been married almost 30 years, and I’m only 50 while he is 65 and retiring next year. I became disabled a year ago. His concern, (and mine now) is how would this affect me if . . . Read More
Category: Disabled Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Jul 28 2021 - 11:33am
What Is The Earliest That My Wife Can Switch To A Survivor Benefit And Get The Full Amount That I Was Getting?
I claimed my Social Security benefit when I turned 70 in March 2020. My wife will claim her own benefit when she turns 65 in May 2022. Her benefit will be smaller than mine. If I die first, what is the earliest date that she can switch to survivor benefit and get the same amount that I was getting when I died? Thank you in advance.
Hi. Your wife would be due 100% of your benefit rate if she starts drawing survivor benefits effective with the month she reaches full retirement age (FRA) or later. She wouldn't get both her own benefit amount and your full . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jul 28 2021 - 11:23am
What Impact Would Filing For Her Own Benefits At Age 62 Have On My Wife's Survivor Rate?
I am 52 and my wife is 51. The best strategy to maximize our social security income seems for my wife to claim on her own service at 62 and I claiming spousal benefits until I am 70 and switch over to claim under mine given that I am the one earning higher salary over time. However, my question is what impact has to social security income that my wife is getting if I were to deceased before I turn 70. Can she still wait until I would have turned 70 to claim under my entitlement, thus receive higher social security income?
Look forward to your reply.
Kalpesh
. . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jul 28 2021 - 11:07am
How Do I Change The Account Where My Checks Are Deposited?
How do I go about having my social security check sent to my checking account instead of our joint checking account. I have had 3 strokes and I need to be in control of my own money. Please don’t call the phone number I have listed. My husband is always around. Thank you so much.
Hi. You may be able to change your direct deposit information online at: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/direct-deposit.html. Otherwise, your best option would be to call Social Security at 800-772-1213.
Best, . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 28 2021 - 11:03am
Can I File For Benefits On My Ex-Husband's Retirement Now At Age 58?
Hi Larry iam 58 can I file for my ex husband retirement he's remarriage now
Hi. No. The earliest that you can potentially qualify for divorced spousal benefits on the account of a living ex-spouse is at age 62, and if you start drawing divorced spousal benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA) your benefit rate will be reduced for age. The requirements for divorced spousal benefits are outlined in the following section of Social Security's handbook: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 27 2021 - 1:08pm
Can My Wife Collect A Larger Benefit When I Start Collecting My Benefits?
My wife currently collects a small disability benefit from Social Security. Once I start collecting at FRA, can she file to collect a larger benefit based on my larger earnings record? She is 7 years younger than me, so what age should she wait until?
Hi. Your wife would need to be at least age 62 or have an eligible child in her care to potentially be able to qualify for spousal benefits when you start drawing your benefits. And, assuming that your wife doesn't have an eligible child in her care and if she claims spousal benefits prior to her full . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 27 2021 - 12:59pm
Is It True That You Can Draw Half Of Your Spouse's Social Security Before You Reach Full Retirement Age?
Larry hello. My question is this. I have heard that you can draw half of your spouses Social security before you reach full retirement age. Is that true.
And if I am on disability right now and I just turned 62. Can I do that. I was also made to understand that it's only until you reach Full retirement age then you have to choose and most people choose the higher of the two benefit amounts.
Thank you. I cannot tell you how much I admire and appreciate what your doing. Trying to get some straight answers from Social Security
is so difficult. My hats off to you . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 27 2021 - 12:47pm
Will Not Working Again Affect My Monthly Benefit Rate?
Currently 56 1/2 and have worked every year since I was 18 years old. My benefits according to SS are estimated to be over $1,000 if I enroll at age 62. With Covid wiping out my career I may not ever work again, will this affect my monthly draw? With 5 1/2 years left?
Hi. Your Social Security retirement benefit amount will be based on an average of your highest 35 years of Social Security covered wage-indexed earnings. Not working again wouldn't lower your benefit rate. You just wouldn't be able to increase your rate by replacing past lower earnings years . . . Read More
Category: Calculating Retirement Benefits
Posted: Jul 27 2021 - 12:25pm
Do You Know Why I Was Paid On A Different Day Recently?
I have been receiving SSI benefits since 2016 always receiving my payment on the 4th Wednesday of the month. I have had two payments recently, be paid earlier in the month and on a different day. Would you know the reason? I have never received a letter from SSI stating there would be a change. Thank you
Hi. Assuming you haven't recently applied for a different type of Social Security benefit, then no I don't know why you were paid early. Sometimes people get adjustment payments caused by benefit recalculations, and those non-scheduled payments can come at . . . Read More
Category: Payment Dates
Posted: Jul 27 2021 - 12:16pm
Will My Son Draw Benefits From His Father When His Father Turns 62?
Hi Larry my question is my son disabled since birth when his father turns 62 will my son draw benifits from him he draws a small check now bc his father's disabled.
Hi. The only way that your son could draw Social Security benefits based on his father's account is if his father is drawing either Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits or Social Security retirement benefits. If your son is collecting Social Security benefits because his father is disabled, then his father is apparently drawing SSDI benefits. If so, the benefit that your son is drawing . . . Read More
Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Jul 26 2021 - 7:39pm
