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

Displaying 2331 - 2340 of 10063 questions.

Do I Have To Wait Until Age 62 To Get SS From My Ex-Spouse Even If I'm Disabled?

I've been on disability since 2009. My question is do I have to wait until 62 to get the ex spouse SS benefits since I'm disabled? I'm 60 now. If I live in another country, do I have to be in the US to file for it? If I understand, I can get the ex-spouse benifit OR mine,but not both? I thought a certain percentage would be added to my disability.
Thank you for your time,
Charla

Hi Charla. Assuming that your ex-spouse is still living, then the answer is yes. You can't qualify for divorced spousal benefits on the record of a living ex-spouse any . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 29 2021 - 4:08pm

Is There A Chance That My Children Could Draw Social Security Even Though They're Illegitimate Children?

My children’s father passed away last month. He was a veteran. He died in the US. We are currently residing in the Philippines now. A VA representative told me that my children might be eligible for Social security benefits if they are under their father’s dependent. but their father has multiple minor children. My children are both minors by the way. Is there a chance that they could draw social security benefits regardless if they are illegitimate children? Thank you

Hi. Yes, children can potentially qualify for survivor benefits on the record of a . . . Read More

Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Jun 29 2021 - 9:15am

Could My Ex-Husband Still Get Survivor Benefits From My Record If We Divorced After Living Together For Seven Years?

Dear Larry. I recently divorced my husband and we've only been living together for 7 yrs. My question is since we're divorced can he still get some of my social security income if my ssi is more than his. I worked more years than he has. He always got fired from his job and even though we're divorced, if something happens to me can he claim widows pension off of me. Thank you.

Hi. No. Neither you or your ex-husband could qualify for benefits on each other's accounts if you weren't married for at least 10 years before divorcing.

Best, Jerry

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 28 2021 - 9:17pm

Will The Amount Of My Widow's Benefit Be Adjusted To Account For The COLAs Occurring Until I Reach Retirement Age?

My husband died at age 47. We received child survivor benefits until our daughter graduated high school. Each year she got the COLA increase. I have my husband's SS Estimate of benefits for the year before he died that has the amount of benefits for the spouse who reaches full retirement age. Is that likely very close to the amount I will be eligible to receive at retirement age or is that amount adjusted to account for the COLA each year until I reach retirement age thus likely making it considerably higher?

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. All Social . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jun 28 2021 - 9:08pm

Can I Collect Survivor Benefits At Age 60 And Continue To Work Full Time?

I turn 60 in two months, can I collect survivor benefits on my late wifes SS/benefit and continue to work my fulltime job up until I turn 66 ? I am guessing that there is a penalty (reduced amount) for filling at the early age of 60 and also for being a fulltime wage earner while collecting benefits. Is there a realistic approach to my situation? Thanks for your time

Hi. You can apply for widower benefits as early as age 60, but Social Security would need to withhold $1 of your benefits for each $2 that you earn in excess of $18,960 this year. The same . . . Read More

Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Jun 28 2021 - 4:52pm

Is It Correct That I Make Too Much To Get Benefits From My Deceased Husband's Record?

I retired at 52 (nine years ago) from the State of Ohio. My husband passed away before he retired so I can not get his full pension, but SS said I can’t get his SS either (after he paid in for 40+ years) because I make “too much” . Is that correct?

Hi. I can't be sure without more information, but based on the limited information in your question it sounds like your problem likely involves the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf). Due to GPO, if a person . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jun 28 2021 - 2:15pm

Can I Collect On My Husband's Record If We're Separated?

Not legally divorced..still married but haven't lived together for 20years can I collect on his ss?

Hi. Possibly, but only if you're at least age 62, and if your husband is drawing Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Furthermore, if you were born after January 1 1954 then you could only qualify for spousal benefits during your husband's lifetime if his primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as your PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 28 2021 - 11:44am

Does My Strategy Seem Reasonable?

I am currently 64 years old. My question concerns the merits of waiting until Delayed Retirement at age 70 versus drawing SS at Full Retirement Age. In my case, FRA is 66 yrs 4 mos, at which point I would be eligible for $31,600 in yearly benefits. If I continue to work at my job -drawing a salary, and saving $25K per annum in my 401(k)- for another 44 months until my 70th birthday, then my yearly benefits will be $41,000 per year. I am currently in excellent health. If I live to be 90 years old, I think I would rather have a 20-yr retirement at $41K per year (with modest Cost . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jun 28 2021 - 11:31am

Can My Wife Suspend Her Account And Take Spousal Benefits Instead?

Can wife suspend her account and take spousal benefits? Wife born 5/26/1953. Husband born 7/30/1955. Wife started collecting soc. sec. at 62 years old (5/26/2015). Husband will file at FRA and suspend until later date. Can wife suspend her acct and file for spousal benefits when husband files on 7/30/2021? If so, will her benefit equal 50% of his benefit at his FRA?

Hi. No. Starting with April 30 2016, if a person suspends their own Social Security retirement benefits they can't be paid any other type of Social Security benefits for which they qualify . . . Read More

Category: Suspending Retirement Benefits
Posted: Jun 27 2021 - 7:25pm

What Benefits Can I Receive?

What benefits can i receive

Hi. I'm sorry, but I have no idea. There are numerous types of Social Security benefits, such as retirement, disability, auxiliary (e.g. spousal, divorced spousal, child), and survivor benefits. Your eligibility for benefits would depend on a number of factors such as your age, work history, marital history, etc. Since I don't have any of that information I can't give you an answer.

You may want to consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 27 2021 - 7:17pm

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