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

Displaying 2321 - 2330 of 10063 questions.

Do We Have To Adopt Our Grandchildren For Them To Be Eligible To Receive Benefits On My Record?

I'm on disability insurance at age 55yrs old. I have been on it for past 4yrs now. My conditions will not improve. My wife is 57 and is a stay at home wife. We have permanent custody of our 2 grandsons ages 6 and 8. Do we have to adopt the boys for them to be eligible to recieve benefits on my record? Also wouldn't my wife be entitled as well since she is caring for them ? I can't seem to get any answers through soc sec. They just tell me it dosent work that way, but it says it does in the pamphlet. However it is vague thanks for any help

Hi. I assume you . . . Read More

Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Jul 1 2021 - 4:39pm

What Are Your Recommendations?

I am a 62 year old female with health issues, and have always been in secretarial jobs that always paid low wage, should I file for social security retirement now. In consideration of the following my social security retirement amount would be $1100 per month it will be very difficult financially with $1100 per month. No savings, no 401k so it looks like I might have to continue working. I have been taking care of my Mom full time for the last 7 years she died of cancer in 2020. Now I am looking for work. What are your recommendations?

Hi. You don't mention . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jul 1 2021 - 12:49pm

Why Can't I Collect My Social Security And My Late Ex-Husband's Railroad Pension At The Same Time?

Why can't I collect my Social Security & my ex late ex husband Railroad Pension at the same time??
I am 66 yrs & 2months old & will work till I am 70 yrs old.
He has a lot on money in his pension.
Also Why am I not getting his full benefits from his Railroad Pension since I am 66yrs & 2 months & just getting 50% from his Pension?

Hi. My expertise is limited to Social Security (SS) benefits, not Railroad Retirement benefits. Drawing RR benefits doesn't affect your eligibility for SS benefits, nor your benefit amount. . . . Read More

Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Jul 1 2021 - 9:35am

Can I Collect My Husband's Social Security?

Can I collect my husband Social Security
He have been deceased for 30 years and he made more than i?

Hi. You can't collect your husband's actual benefits, but it sounds like you might be able to qualify for survivor benefits.
To be able to collect widow's benefits, though, you'd need to be a) at least age 60, or at least age 50 and disabled, and b) be unmarried or married and your current marriage began when you were age 60 or older, and c) you aren't already drawing benefits based on your own work record that would be higher than your widow's . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jun 30 2021 - 11:56am

Will I Be Able To Get Any SS As A Spouse?

Hello Larry,
My wife and I both turn 62 next year, I retired from public service at 57 and she also stopped working. We currently live on my pension and 457 plan. I am currently short of my 40 quarters, I have 38 since I did not pay into SS during my public service .
Will I be able to get any SS as a spouse since my wife will get SS?, if yes will it be reduced because of the pension clause?
Should I go work to get my 40 quarters and then take the reduction because of my pension?

Any info is greatly appreciated, it’s hard to find information on people . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jun 30 2021 - 11:40am

Will My Wife Be Subject To WEP/GPO?

Hi Larry, my wife worked in the school system and had been contributing to a pension. She retired before her pension vested, so she took a distribution of her contributions, plus interest, and rolled it over into an IRA. The school system did not match or make any contributions

Would she be subject to WEP/GPO?

Thank you

Hi. It doesn't sound like she would. Withdrawals of an employee's own contributions and interest made before the employee is eligible to receive a pension are not pensions for Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jun 30 2021 - 10:25am

Are Both Spouse's Earnings Records Used When Calculating Benefits For An Ex-Spouse?

In calculating benefits for an ex spouse; are both earnings records of the two spouses used in calculating the monthly payments , or is only one used? For example if 50% of the ex spouses benefit amount is more than the PIA on the primary claimants earnings record, is the final payment calculated based on both earnings records,( ie. .$ 400 monthly on the primary claimants record and $75 from the ex spouses earnings record, for a total of $475.)?

Hi. If a person is drawing just divorced spousal benefits and not a combination of their own Social Security . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 30 2021 - 10:07am

Can You Give Us A Breakdown By Percentages Of What Dollar Amount SS Recipients Are Getting?

Can you give us a breakdown by percentages of what dollar amounts SS recipients are actually getting? For example how many retirees are actually getting the smallest benefit and how much is that. Also what is the maximum dollar amount currently being received and what percentage receive that? This would seem to be a pretty important set of statistics but I cannot find them anywhere. Thank you.

Hi. No, I really can't. The reason in part is that there is no set minimum or maximum benefit rate. A person could earn the minimum 40 quarters of coverage (QC) . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 30 2021 - 9:35am

Is It True That Social Security Can't Tell Me Whether Or Not My Ex-Spouse Is Claiming Benefits Under My Record?

Is the SSA required to tell me if anyone, including an ex spouse, is claiming benefits under my earnings record? I called them today and asked them that question. Their answer was its confidential and they cannot disclose that information. Is this the correct answer? If not, what do I need to do to get this information? I would like to find out if an ex spouse is claiming benefits under my earnings records.

Hi. No. You are entitled to know whether or not anyone is collecting auxiliary benefits (i.e. spouse, divorced spouse, child) based on your Social . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 29 2021 - 9:29pm

Do I Need To Worry About My Benefits Changing When I Turn 66?

I have been on SSDI and SSI for years recently due to my age of 66 it says it has been converted to retirement benefits I'm worried will I lose any part of my income I have two cards one for SSI and the other for SSDI do I need to worry ty

Hi. No. Conversion of your Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits to regular Social Security retirement benefits when you reach full retirement age (FRA) won't change your benefit rate, nor will it cause any change to your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.

Best, Jerry

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jun 29 2021 - 9:24pm

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