What Have I Done To Myself?
I turned 66 on January 1st and according to what I understand from SSA, that is my FRA. I didn't retire until April 2nd. After that, it took me a month to decide I didn't want to collect a lump sum for retroactive benefits and wanted to add two-thirds of a percent for each month I delayed filing. I bit the bullet and applied online on May 2nd. When choosing a benefit start date, it defaulted to 5/21 and told me I had two other choices, 12/20 and 9/21. I didn't know what to do, so I chose 9/21. Nothing ever came up about a retroactive benefit/lump sum option. What have I done to . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: May 5 2021 - 10:25am
Will Receiving Payouts From My 403(b) Plan Count For The Windfall Elimination Provision?
When applying for SS (my age is 66) and I paid into SS before and after my Church Pastoral Ministry,but was SS exempt during my ministry years, and I paid into a 403b9 program called Guidestone Retirement Resources, would this future payout (will apply for this payout in a year or so) be subject to SS scrutiny or Windfall Elimination Provision.
In my ss application, they are wanting me to varigy what future income will come (monthly) from this volunteer Stock-based investment and I don't understand what that has to do with my SS income amount. My Guidestone program isn't . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: May 5 2021 - 10:00am
Which PIAs Are Used To Calculate Spousal Benefits?
Is the PIA that is used for each spouse in computing whether a 50% spousal benefit is greater than the lower spouse's own benefit set once or is it indexed for when the relative computation is made? For example, lower paid spouse begins taking SS benefits based upon their own work history at age 63 1/2. Higher paid spouse is 2 years older and wants to delay taking their SS benefits until lower paid spouse reaches their FRA of 66 and 4 months so as to maximize the spousal benefit, since it will be larger than lower paid spouse's own benefit at that point. For computing 1/2 of . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 5 2021 - 9:39am
Will I Even Qualify For Retirement Benefits?
I didn't receive my SSI benefit on the first of May because I didn't apply for retirement benefits before I turn 62 on June 2 of this year. I called social security administration and they explained how they will call me this month on a certain date and time. Will I even qualify for retirement benefits? Ronny
Hi Ronny. As long as you have a total of at least 40 quarters (QC) of Social Security credits, then you should qualify for Social Security retirement benefits starting with June (https://www.ssa.gov/oact/ . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: May 5 2021 - 9:33am
Should I Be Able To Get A Refund If I Overpaid Part B Medicare Premiums?
My question is related to IRMAA. I retired at the end of Dec 2019. Prior to my retirement I was paying a considerable premium for Part B Medicare which is taken out of my social security. I had no idea at the time I retired what my retirement annuity would be but I knew my income would be considerably less. Since I didn't know what my total income for 2020 would be I decided to wait until my 2020 income tax was completed to file an SSA-44. After my taxes were complete, based on SSA info, I very much overpaid for all of 2020 and so far in 2021. I submitted the SSA-44 in Feb 2021 . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: May 5 2021 - 9:09am
How Much Am I Really Entitled To?
I started taking social security benefits when I was 62. I was born in December 1954 so I hadn't reached FRA. My husband started taking them in 2019. He was 66 that year. He just passed away in February and I filed for spousal benefits. I was told that I wasn't eligible to receive his benefits because they didn't exceed 50% of my benefits which were $837/month. His total benefit was $2007/month. How much am I really entitled to? When did the benefit get capped at 50% of the spouse's benefit?
Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Based on your description, it sounds . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: May 4 2021 - 12:52pm
Will Social Security Adjust My Earnings Record To Include Earnings I Had Using A Different Social Security Number?
Am already retired since year 2007 and I forgot to include few more years worked with different social security number. I called SSA they took the information and told me they will make adjustments in 30 days. Question: Those adjustment could be for the the years not included and with the other number. I have that number myself and it was real name and real Documents..Dou you thing that SSA may do adjustments for those years I wasn't paid for those additional years worked? Thanks a lot for your help and answers Larry
Hi. Yes, I think so. What happened in . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: May 3 2021 - 5:44pm
Can I Change The Start Date Of My Part B Medicare Coverage?
I am 66 and still working. I recently sent in my paperwork that last day of services will be
June 30, 2021. I would start receiving Medicare part B, July 1st. If I wanted to extend working through July 31, 2021 instead of Jun30, and start part B on August 1st would this be possible without consequences? How do I make this happen. Thank you
Hi. You should be able to change the start date of your Part B Medicare coverage as long as you request the change before your coverage starts. The paperwork required to change the start date would depend on the . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: May 3 2021 - 4:08pm
Why Won't My Caseworker Use 2015 As My Disability Start Date?
I was diagnosed with PTSD and ADHD at the age of 50. I have never held a job longer than 5 years. Forward to last last year and I had neuropathy from diabetes had partial foot amputated. My case worker won’t go back to 2015 instead using last year as disability started
Hi. By caseworker, I assume you're referring to a Social Security claims representative. If you're applying for disability benefits from Social Security, you can insist on alleging any date of your choosing as your disability onset date. It's then up to Social Security to determine whether . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: May 3 2021 - 3:54pm
Does My Son Have Any Options?
My son became disabled at age 19 and filed for benefits on my husband's
>> Social Security, as he was also disabled. My son is now an adult and gets benefits on my husband’s account. However, I am ready to receive my benefits, which are twice what my husband gets. Social Security said that my son has to now reapply for benefits on my account, which means he has to complete a new application for benefits. If he chooses to stay on my husband’s benefits, he will lose his SSI, and will no longer have free Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
Does he have any options? . . . Read More
Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: May 3 2021 - 10:19am
