Is There A Downside To My Husband Applying For Spousal Benefits?
Larry, thank you for taking my question. My husband is currently 69 years old and collecting full social security benefits. I am 63 years old and will continue to work until full retirement age 66.8 years. Is there a downside to my husband applying for social security spousal benefits? Will this in any way affect my applying for social security benefits when I reach full retirement age? Thank you, Tina
Hi Tina. First of all, your husband could only qualify for spousal benefits if 50% of your primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than his PIA. A person's . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 12 2021 - 9:02am
Can I Get Benefits From My Ex-Wife's Record?
I was married from November 1979 till April 1988. Divorced now for 33 years! Can I use my ex-wife’s SSN? I am currently on SSDI. We are both turning 65 in 2021 and She has been very successful!
Hi. It doesn't sound like it. You can only qualify for divorced spousal benefits if you were married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years. If your marriage lasted less than 10 years, you can't collect benefits from your ex-wife's account.
Best, Jerry
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 11 2021 - 3:48pm
How Will My Wife's Benefits Be Adjusted If She Files For Reduced Benefits And Some Of Her Benefits Are WIthheld?
If my spouse elects to collect Social Security at 62 on her own work record but continues to work creating a holdback from SS payments over $19k earnings, and then when I retire at 67, she collects 50% of my SS payments (she will be 68 at that time). I understand that normally her early retirement penalty will be adjusted by the amount of months held back by SS, how will her monthly payment be adjusted to recover the held back payments if her monthly payments and my spousal top off payment cant exceed 50% of my SS monthly payment? Will her payment increase and my top off remain . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 11 2021 - 3:21pm
What Is The Best Way To Keep More Of My Income From Being Taxed?
Hi Larry I have funds in and IRA that were put in pre taxed. When I take them out they are considered taxable income. I have to claim my social security and this puts me owing taxes on the money I took out and some of my social security. I was born in 1952 and will soon have to take a required distribution amount. What is the best way to keep more of my income from being taxed?
Hi. I'm sorry, but this forum is intended only for questions about Social Security benefits. We aren't able to give advice on tax strategies here. You may want to consider using . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: May 11 2021 - 3:11pm
If I Die, Can My Wife Continue To Draw Spousal Benefits And Wait Until Her FRA To File For Survivor Benefits?
Hi Larry,
If my wife is collecting a Spousal Benefit on my record, & I die, can she continue receiving her Spousal Benefit & wait to apply for her Survivor Benefit until she reaches her Survivor FRA, to maximize her benefit?
Thank you
Hi. No. Spousal benefits can only be paid on the record of a living spouse. If your wife is drawing spousal benefits only and if you die, her benefits would convert to widow's benefits effective with the month of your death. However, if your wife is drawing a combination of her own benefits and spousal . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 11 2021 - 3:01pm
Is There A Special Procedure That I Need To Follow To Apply For My Own Benefits?
I'm currently receiving spousal benefits and plan to switch to my own record at age 70. Is there a special form or procedure that I need to follow when applying for benefits on my own record?
Hi. Not really. What you'll need to do is file an application for Social Security retirement benefits. When you file a restricted application for spousal benefits only, you specifically exclude your own retirement benefits from the scope of your application. Therefore, if you're collecting just spousal benefits then you haven't yet applied for your own benefits. . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Retirement Benefits
Posted: May 11 2021 - 10:28am
If I'm Receiving Divorcee Railroad Benefits Can I Still Apply For My Early Retirement?
I am recieving divorcee RRR can I still apply for my early retirement
Hi. By 'early retirement', I assume you're referring to reduced Social Security retirement benefits. You can potentially be paid Social Security (SS) benefits even If you're drawing Railroad Retirement (RR) benefits, but the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) would then offset your Tier 1 RR benefit dollar for dollar by the amount of your SS benefit. Therefore, if you're already drawing RR benefits it's generally only advantageous to apply for SS benefits if your SS benefit rate is higher . . . Read More
Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: May 11 2021 - 10:18am
Will I Be Able To Keep My SSDI And Also Get Benefits From My Husband's Record?
I've been on SSDI since 1995 I only receive 277 a month now, my Husband just passed away at age 79, I'm 60 now, he started his Ssa at age 62, will I be able to keep my SSDI and how much of his 1,029 SSA will I receive and how will it be before I start receiving it?
Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Yes, you can potentially keep drawing your Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits and also qualify for widow's benefits. The exact amount of widow's benefits that you could now receive depends on your exact age and the amounts of your and your husband's primary . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: May 11 2021 - 10:00am
Can I Receive Social Security On My Ex-Husband's Record?
Yes i have been on ssa since 2008. Work a few years while i was married. My ex husband made more money i was a stay at home mom. I am caring for are 25 year old disabled son. Can i receive social security on his record. I have not remarried. He has thank you
Hi. The answer to your question depends on your age and whether or not your ex-husband is still living. If your ex is deceased, then you could potentially qualify for surviving divorced mother's benefits at any age if the child you're caring for is eligible for disabled adult child's (DAC) benefits on . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 11 2021 - 9:50am
Can I Collect My Deceased Husband's Social Security?
Hi Larry I want to know could I collect my dead husband social security I'm only 58 I'm getting a small pension of his now. We don't have any children together.
Thank u
Hi. You can't collect another person's actual Social Security benefits on contributions, but you may be able to qualify for widow's benefits at some point. Unless you're disabled, the earliest that you could potentially qualify for Social Security widow's benefits is at age 60. But, if you start drawing widow's benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA) your benefit will be . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: May 11 2021 - 9:37am
