How Do You Calculate What You Get A Month?
I have all my work quarters in they say I became disabled in2019 i don't know how they came up with that but I was diagnosed with a lung disease well this yr I started getting ask or ssdi and they are only giving me 613.00 a month I made 3000 to 4000 a month working for the Colorado utilities now my question is if you have all your quarters in how do the calculate what you get a month I know I should be getting more then that
Hi. Social Security insured status is based on quarters of coverage (QC), but monthly benefit rates are based on a person's average . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jul 18 2021 - 8:24am
Is My Plan Legal And Acceptable?
Hi Larry, I am 64 yrs old, employeed and live in San Diego, California. My husband passed way in 2018 and was not collecting any Social Security Benefits. My full retirement age is 66 yrs old. Due to my health issues I would like to apply and claim my own Social Security Benefis next year at the age of 65. Then when I reach my full retirement age of 66 yrs old switch over to apply and claim my widows survivorship Social Security Benefits. Is this acceptable and a legal option. I would stop working full time at 65 yrs of age. Would I end up with a survivorship Social Security . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jul 17 2021 - 9:40am
Would It Be Better To Stay Married To My Current Husband?
I am 59 and disabled due to a stroke. I can't draw SS because I have not worked for 3 of the last 5 years. I am thinking about divorcing my current spouse so I can draw benefits from my late husband. Would it be better to stay married to my husband of 7 years and eventually draw off of him?
Hi. Just to clarify, to be insured for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits you must have 20 quarters (QC) of Social Security coverage within the 40 quarter period ending with when you became disabled. In other words, the equivalent of 5 years of credits within . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 17 2021 - 9:22am
How Can We Determine How Much My Husband's PIA Is?
My husband is 72 years old, and draws over $1300/month Social Security disability. He also receives a navy pension and VA disability. He began drawing SS at FRA. The SS disability payment listed is a net amount that is deposited monthly to his bank. How do we determine what his actual PI (is that the correct term?). I am 58 (dob 3/24/1963). My estimated SS at 67 is over $1700 and over $2000 at 70. He is in poor health, and should he predecede me, I don’t know what financial course to take in spite of reading your excellent advise to others. I understand that I won’t qualify for . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jul 17 2021 - 8:18am
Are My Calculations Correct?
Hello. Married for 15 years. Divorced in 2004. Ex-husband died in 2009 at age 54 without ever claiming benefits. Ex would have reached FRA in February 2022 (66, 2 months). I am retired. I'm thinking of applying for survivors benefits in February/March 2022. I will be 61, 5 months in February 2022 and 61, 6 months in March 2022. My understanding: My survivor benefit will be based on ex-husband's full PIA plus any COLAs with a reduction (21.8% if collect in February 2022 and 21.4% in March 2022). In other words, I will receive 78.2% of ex's full PIA plus COLAs in February 2022 . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Jul 17 2021 - 7:58am
Am I Correct That My Mother Isn't Getting Her Correct Amount?
I read that in 1983 President Reagan changed the method of computing survivir benefits, but my mother, born in 1928 would be grandfathered. My late father received just over $400 and my mom gets about $700. She gets only $7 from my fathers account, so I do not think they grandfathered her. Everyone at SS doesn't know anything about what Reagan did. Am I correct that she is not getting her correct amount?
Hi. Just to clarify, Congress is the the only governmental body that can make changes to Social Security laws. Presidents can veto Social Security . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 16 2021 - 2:35pm
What Can I Do To Get My Medicare Premium Rate Corrected?
I am retiring in August 2021 (next month). I applied for Medicare and was told I would be subject to IRMAA. On June 15 I filed a form SSA-44 with a copy of my 2020 tax return which would not be subject to IRMAA. I keep getting letters that they are going to charge me this. I called SSA and got the name and extension of the person handling my SSA-44. However I cannot get in touch with her. I leave voicemail with my number but she doesn't call back. I spoke to someone else there and they said they could send her an email requesting that she call me. What can I do to get this . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Jul 16 2021 - 2:25pm
Will I Receive My Current Benefit Amount For The Rest Of My Life?
When I was 62 I applied for social security and told them I wanted to continue to work also. So now at the age of 70. I asked social security I would like to retire and get full benefits.They told me no that when I applied for social security at age 62 it was locked in.So the rest of my life till I die I will receive a monthly check for around $476.00 .Is this right?
Hi. Yes, except for cost of living (COLA) increases, you're probably stuck with your current benefit rate unless you can qualify for higher benefits on someone else's account (e.g. spousal or . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Jul 16 2021 - 11:32am
How Much Can I Make Without Any Penalties If I Receive Social Security Disability Benefits?
Larry hi. I'm on Social security disability. How much can I make while I'm on disability without any penalties. And can I work while I'm on disability. Is it a monthly amount or a specific dollar amount over and above your disability. Thank you in advance for answering.
Hi. The full answer to your question is complex and depends on whether or not you've previously worked while receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits. People receiving SSDI are first eligible for a 9-month trial work period (TWP) during which they can earn any amount without . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jul 16 2021 - 8:06am
Will My Widower Benefits Increase With COLAs?
I started receiving widower benefits for my husband this year will it increase with Cola
Hi. Yes. Social Security cost of living (COLA) increases apply to all types of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments.
Best, Jerry
Category: Cost Of Living Increases
Posted: Jul 16 2021 - 8:02am
