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

Displaying 2371 - 2380 of 10063 questions.

How Can I Find Out The Effective Date That I Went On Disability?

I am on disability and would like the effective date when I went on it.
Thank you

Hi. Unless you have your initial award letter you'll need to call Social Security at 800-772-1213 to get that information.

Best, Jerry

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jun 17 2021 - 6:35pm

If My Wife Is On My Health Insurance Does She Still Have To Pay For Part B?

My wife is on my health insurance from work. Does she still have to pay for part "B"?

Hi. If your wife is enrolled in Part B of Medicare then yes she'd have to pay the premiums even if her primary coverage is from your employer plan. If your wife hasn't enrolled in Part B and if she's covered under your plan and if the plan covers at least 20 employees, then she could likely wait to sign up for Part B until you retire without being required to pay a penalty for late enrollment. For more detailed information, refer to the following Medicare website: . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: Jun 17 2021 - 6:26pm

Can I Get A Higher Amount Based On My Ex-Husband's Amount When He Retired?

I started collecting SS at age 64. I received mine and an added amount to equal 1/2 of my x husbands at the time. He has now retired. Am I able to go back and collect a higher amount based on his amount when he retired?

Hi. No. If you start collecting benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA) and if you collect all of your benefits prior to FRA, the reduction for age applied to your retirement and/or spousal or divorced spousal benefit rate is permanent. Your ex-husband's retirement wouldn't have any effect on your divorced spousal rate because your . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 17 2021 - 12:22pm

If I File Effective With The Month I Turn 69 Will I Get All Of My DRCs On My First Check?

Thank you for your help. I turn 69 in September of 2021. If I file for Social Security to be effective for September of 2021 will I get all of my DRC’s on my first check or should I wait and file for December of 2021 to get all my DRC’s for the entire year?

Hi. If you claim your benefits effective with either September or December, you won't get all of your delayed retirement credits (DRC) on your first payment. The only way that you'll get all of the DRCs you've earned on your first payment is if you claim benefits effective with January, or the month you . . . Read More

Category: Delayed Retirement Credits
Posted: Jun 17 2021 - 12:14pm

Can I Collect My Husband's SS After He Passes Away If We Haven't Been Married For 10 Years?

My husband and I are both on SSA, he is a veteran with 100% disability, we’re both 73 yrs of age, we got married in 2017, can I collect his SSA after he passes away, can I collect his SSA if we have not been married 10yrs.?

Hi. If you're currently married to your husband when he dies, you wouldn't need to have been married for 10 years to potentially qualify for widow's benefits. You only need to have been married for at least 9 months to meet the duration of marriage requirement for widow's benefits.

The surviving member of a couple can be paid a . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jun 17 2021 - 12:01pm

Can You Explain Why I Was Paid Early This Month?

I normally receive my Social Security check on the third Wednesday of every month. This month it came on 11 June. Can you explain why?

Hi. No, I have no idea why your check was paid early. Social Security will sometimes make payments before the scheduled date due to a holiday, but that wouldn't be involved in your case. If you're curious, I would suggest calling Social Security to see if they have an explanation.

Best, Jerry

Category: Payment Dates
Posted: Jun 16 2021 - 8:15pm

Is There Anything I Can Do About The Earnings That Are Missing From My Record?

I'm currently receiving disability and when it was figured it was only figured with my maiden name and not 20 years of my work history of my married name is there anything I can do about that when married my husband and I had a construction business so that was my main source of income for 20 years he is currently on disability and receive double the amount I receive. Also Larry when they figured it they figured the time. From the last doctor I had seen and started paying me from that time I had already had brain surgery and been in the hospital multiple times for two years . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jun 16 2021 - 7:58pm

What Is The Best Way For Us To Maximize Our Benefits?

Dear Larry,
I am age 67 and months and my wife just turned age 65. Both of us have worked our entire lives and have earned enough credits to qualify for Social Security benefits. I have already reached my FRA and my wife will reach her FRA at 66 and 4 months (i.e.in September, 2022). She is currently retired. I recently learned I am facing a “forced” retirement in December,2022. We are fortunate to have saved approximately $1.3 million in combined tax-advantaged retirement assets (both traditional and Roth IRAs). We own our home free and clear,and have approximately $100K . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jun 16 2021 - 4:48pm

Will My Wife Be Eligible For Spousal Benefits From My SSDI Instead Of Her Own Benefit At Her FRA?

I?m 54 years old and receive SSD, $2464. . My wife is 62 and wants to retire at age 63. If she starts drawing SSA at age 63, approximately $913, will she be eligible for spousal benefits for my SSDI instead of her PIA at her FRA as it will be more than her PIA? Or what is the best way to file for benefits?

Hi. Your wife could potentially qualify for spousal benefits if you're drawing Social Security disability (SSDI), but she can't file for her own benefits early and then switch to spousal benefits later. Since she was born after January 1 1954, whenever . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 16 2021 - 4:26pm

How Does Social Security Figure The Amount Of Survivor Benefits?

My husband, for 10 years, worked for CSX railroad, and then at a job he in which paid into Social Security for 27 years.
I did not pay enough into SS on my own, so collect as a spouse.
Railroad Retirement says if he dies, I will no longer get my benefits from RR, but through SS.
How does SS figure the amount? Equal, less?

Hi. There are too many variables involved for me to be able to give you a definitive answer. Social Security would calculate any survivor benefits payable from your husband's account the same as they would for any other . . . Read More

Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Jun 15 2021 - 1:23pm

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