How Much Time In Advance Should I Contact Social Security To Switch To My Own Benefits?
Hi Larry,
I was born Sept 8,1952 and I am currently collecting spousal social security benefits. When I log into my account online I don't see anywhere that it confirms I am collecting spousal social security. I know I will want to switch over to my own social security when I turn 70 so I can get my maximum benefit. How much time in advance should I contact social security to make the change. Also how can I find out what my benefit will be at 70. I don't see any information about this online. Can you please direct me to where I can find this information. Thank you, Deb . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: May 7 2021 - 11:13am
Do You Have Any Additional Information To Share About My Railroad Retirement And Social Security Benefits?
I am spouse of Railroad employee who worked for 42 yrs on RR. He retired @ 60 with full retirement benefits. I have been collecting RR benefits since I turned 60. I am now applying for my social security (worked 32+yrs) as I am able to @ 66.2 mo. yrs old. My SS benefit is $803.00 more than what I am collecting from Tier I. from RRB. It was confusing with the SS rep (as never dealt with any one on RRB nor had her boss) when I applied because I am considered under the jurisdiction of RRB. They only need to certify the increase in benefits to RRB after I applied. So there won’t be . . . Read More
Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: May 6 2021 - 5:22pm
Will The Years That My Church Paid Social Security Taxes On My Behalf Count For My Social Security Benefits?
hi Larry, this might be a tough one. I paid into SS years 1972-1979 and then exempt (minister's exemption) from 1980-2013 and then retired in 2014 and began working a secular job and paying in again in order to get my 40 quarters for medicare, and I have succeeded. However, on my SS account, my earnings record showed my church, unbeknownst to me paid SS taxes in 1994, 95, 99. So my question is 2 fold, a. Will these years of paying that the church made on my behalf count and b. Will I receive any SS based on these years and other years of covered working? They are reviewing my . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Subject To Social Security Taxes
Posted: May 6 2021 - 4:53pm
Can Anything Be Done About The Reduction To My Widow's Benefit Amount?
Larry,
I retired from a State job in Nov.. 2018, shortly before my 70th Birthday. Until I retired, I was receiving all of my deceased husband's SS benefits as a widow. (He diied of cancer in Jan. 2015.)
As soon as I retired, my income fell drastically: my MA State pension is at 50% because I "only" worked for 20.5 years (from ages 50---70$. His SS benefit for me was cut from $2450. peri month to about $500..
I understand this is due to the GPO but think it is grossly unfair, because it cut so heavily into my finances. I receive MA Health and $373.50 per month . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: May 6 2021 - 8:34am
Can I Collect On My Deceased Husband's Record At Age 60 And Then Switch To My Own Benefits At Age 62 Or 67?
I am currently 58 and I am wondering if I should begin to collect my deceased husband's social security at age 60 or wait until 67 and collect my own. Currently mine is 1,657 if I take it at age 67 or 1,155 at age 62. His is currently 1,517 at full retirement. Can I collect his at age 60 then switch to my own at age 62 or 67? Thank you!
Hi. You could certainly apply for widow's benefits at age 60 and then switch to your own higher benefit rate at age 62 or 67, but it would probably be smarter to wait until you reach age 70 to switch to your own benefits. . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: May 5 2021 - 5:16pm
Am I Able To Retroactively Get The Three Months Of Benefits I Missed?
I am 67 years old and got my first payment for April in May of last year. I turned 66 on January 28th of 2020 and was eligible at that time. I went to the SS office as I had had some problems with my 2017 tax return as the numbers contributed to SS were more than they should have been. The IRS instructed me to get an updated W2 or a letter from this employer. I got the letter and the IRS excepted it. When I went to SS, twice two different offices I was told I needed an amended W2. I had been employed for in the hospitality industry for 39 years with this employer and at this . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: May 5 2021 - 2:17pm
Can I Pay Back Or Suspend My Benefits Now To Get A Higher Benefit Later?
My disability converted to retirement in December 2020. Can I payback or suspend social security now to get a higher benefit later?
Hi. You can voluntarily suspend your retirement benefits in order to earn delayed retirement credits (DRC), but you can't do so retroactively. The earliest that you can suspend your benefits is effective with the month after the month you request the voluntary suspension. So, for example, if you contacted Social Security today (i.e. May 5 2021), the earliest month that you could choose to suspend your benefits would be June . . . Read More
Category: Suspending Retirement Benefits
Posted: May 5 2021 - 2:01pm
Will I Be Kicked Off Of SSI If I Own Crypto Currency?
Hello,
If I'm currently on SSI and have money in Dogecoin and Bitcoin. Will I be kicked off of SSI. I'm kinda scared at the moment. I shouldn't have even done this. I'm afraid of getting kicked off. I dont plan on selling or cashing out until I'm eventually off of SSi. Do you have any Idea of what I should do. I'm wondering if I should just contact SSI and tell them. I think I should. Dang I hope I'm not screwed. Do u know if it's alright to have investments in Crypto but not touch it??? That's basically what I'm asking. I have money in silver as well. I been using Uphold . . . Read More
Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: May 5 2021 - 1:49pm
Can I Draw From Either Of My Ex-Spouses' Social Security?
My first marriage ended in Divorce after 21years I remarried ended in Divorce after 14 years can draw from either ex social security
Hi. Potentially, yes. You were married to each of your ex-spouse's for more than 10 years, so you'd meet the duration of marriage requirement for divorced spousal benefits on both of their records. You'd also need to meet the other requirements for those benefits, though, which are outlined in the following section of Social Security's handbook: . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 5 2021 - 1:39pm
When Do I Need To Contact Social Security?
When I turned 65 I used my spousal option so I could get my full SS earnings when I turn 70. When do I need to contact SSA to make sure there is no lapse and the increase is applied correctly? I will be 70 in March 2022. Thank you!
Hi. Since you were apparently born in March 1952, you didn't reach full retirement age (FRA) until age 66. So, hopefully you didn't actually file for your spousal benefits until then. If you really did apply for spousal benefits when you turned age 65 you would have been deemed to have also filed for your own Social Security . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: May 5 2021 - 1:27pm
