Question: Receiving ex spouses social Security benefits. Is there a way to have an exception to the 10 year rule when diagnosed with a major Disease during the marriage then becoming disabled because of it?
Hi. No, there are no exceptions to the 10-year duration of marriage requirement for divorced spousal benefits.
Best, Jerry
Hi, Jerry/Larry. Regarding the prior question someone just posted of "When a person dies and they're drawing SSI does Social Security always take it all back" -- What if you also got Medicaid along with SSI. Isn't Medicaid administered by SocSec, and aren't there rules about Medicaid/SSI recovering money, once someone dies, for certain medical expenses if the deceased's estate has funds to pay for healthcare previously provided by Medicaid? I know this is complex, but wondered if SSA/Medicaid can seek repayment for services rendered/benefits paid? Thanks for the help!
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My son died recently in Mexico, and he was getting Social Security. He was married to a Mexican Citizen. She still lives in Mexico and has never lived in the US. She is 66 years old. Can she get his Survivor benefits.
Hi. I'm sorry for your loss It doesn't sound like your son's widow could be paid benefits while she's living in Mexico. Unless your son died as a result of a U.S. military service connected injury or illness or while he was in the U.S. military, then the only way that his widow could be paid survivor benefits is if she and your son lived . . . Read More
Hi Larry, I turned 61in February I'm on ssi disability now for past 4 years I was told by ss that they will retire me out at 62. What is it I need to do now or wait for them to do it.
Hi. If you're receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and if you have enough Social Security earnings credits to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, then you'll be required apply for reduced Social Security retirement benefits when you reach age 62. If you're eligible and you refuse to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security will stop . . . Read More
When a person dies and they're drawing SSI does Social Security always take it all back
Hi. No. Social Security generally only asks for benefits to be returned if benefits are paid after a person dies. For example, let's say that Bob dies on April 28th 2021. Social Security benefits are not payable for the month of a person's death, so Bob would not be due a benefit payment for the month of April. However, since Social Security benefits are paid a month behind, the benefit payment that Bob received in April (i.e. for March) could be kept. But, if Bob's . . . Read More
If 3 children receive same amount of survivors benefits, when oldest graduated from high school, should their $ be given to remaining 2 children or dropped? I was told when applying the total could be split by the 3 or given all to one so expected when child graduated to still have that amount for other 2 but it was dropped
Hi. The answer to your question depends on the family maximum benefit (FMB) involved. The FMB that can be paid on the record of a deceased worker can vary from 150% to 188% of their primary insurance amount (PIA). However, if any . . . Read More
I would like to retire this year, November 1st, 2021. I will be 66 years old on 11/2/2021. I am 2 months short of the 66 years and 2 months for full social security. How do I figure out how much my benefit will be reduced>
Thank you.
Hi. If you start drawing at full retirement age (FRA), your Social Security retirement benefit rate will be paid at a rate of 100% of your primary insurance amount (PIA). If you start drawing before then, your benefit rate will be reduced by 5/9ths of 1% for each month that you start drawing early. Thus, if you . . . Read More
I'm turning 62 in November 2021 and have been on SS disability FOR 1 year, what happens then and do I need to do anything? I presently receive 790.00 a month is there any way this would ever rise at all? And what happens when I turn 65?
Hi. Nothing will change when you reach age 62 or age 65. When you reach your full retirement age (FRA), which is 66 & 10 months if you were born in 1959, your SSDI benefits will automatically convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits. Your benefit rate will remain the same after your benefits convert to . . . Read More
Hi Larry,
Thank you for taking the time to read my question. I will be 63 in June 2021. My husband is 76 and took early SSDI when he was 64. His current benefit is 2547.50 (includes his Medicare payment). He is not in good health and I am considering retiring when I reach 63. My own benefit at that time will be approximately 880.00 per month. Do I qualify, and should I file for spousal benefits or my own. Is my spousal benefit figured on what his SS payment is currently or is it based what it would have been 10 years ago if he had not retired early...I’m confused! Since . . . Read More
I have been working for years as self employed and have filed taxes every year, and there are some 0's for example last 4 years, why would that be? should I do something about this? will it effect my payment amount at retirement
Hi. Self-employment earnings are reported on Schedule SE of a person's tax returns. If you reported a net-profit of $400 or more from your self-employment on a Schedule SE then those earnings should show up on your Social Security earnings history. But, if you had a net loss from your self-employment, or a net profit of less than . . . Read More
Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.