What Is The Latest Date That I Can Sign Up For SS Without Paying A Penalty?
I will be turning 65 on 6/28/2021. What is the latest date that I can sign up for SS without paying a penalty ...for anything, including prescriptions, etc all? This will be my initial sign up. Thanks Larry
Hi. I assume that you are referring to Medicare premium penalties, since you don't have to pay to file for Social Security benefits regardless of when you apply. If you have enough credits for Social Security benefits, Part A of Medicare is premium free regardless of when you apply. Part A coverage can be established retroactively for up to 6 months . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Feb 27 2021 - 10:29am
How Can Social Security Just Stop Paying Spousal Support?
I was born Sep 20, 1953 and had been receiving spousal support from social Security for a few years. Sep 2020 I applied for full Social Security. In Nov 2020 I cancelled my application and requested to continue Spousal Support. In January I received a letter from Social Security saying all payments were cancelled. I did not start full Social Security and because I cancelled this request spousal support was eliminated and I was told it could not be restarted. I thought I was grandfathered in. How can they just stop paying spousal support?
Hi. If your own . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 27 2021 - 10:14am
Can Social Security Substitute The Earnings Years Used To Calculate My Benefit Rate?
Can SSI substitute employment years?
I am 69 years old and have been receiving SSI since I was 65 and I am still working. In most of my employment years, my income was not that great and those were the years that SSI used to calculate my monthly check. But in recent years my income is much better. My question is can SSI substitute some of my recent employment years for some of the poor income years so I can receive a larger monthly check?
Hi. By SSI, I assume you mean that you're collecting Social Security retirement benefits. If that's the case, the . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Feb 27 2021 - 9:48am
Am I Allowed To Get Things For My New House?
I'm selling my house and will be buying another in the three month time frame, My questions are, am I allowed to get things for the house like if it needs new flooring,hot water heater ect. for the house investing, if I have a bit left from the sell because homes are a bit cheaper?
Hi. Unless it's part of a trade or business that you operate, selling and buying houses or any other type of property has no impact on Social Security benefits. Nothing that you mentioned would have any adverse effect on your Social Security benefits if that's what you're . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 26 2021 - 3:17pm
Why Were Our U.S. And Canadian Benefits Reduced As Of January 2021?
Why was my CPP and OAS reduced as of January 2021 - my husband was also reduced.
Hi,
My expertise is limited to U.S. Social Security benefits, and there haven't been any regulatory changes that would explain a decrease in your U.S. benefits. Social Security generally sends a notice in the mail explaining any changes in a person's benefit rate, but if you don't get a notice you'll probably need to call Social Security to ask for an explanation.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 26 2021 - 3:12pm
Is It Correct That I Can Claim My Benefits Now Without Being Deemed To File For Spousal Benefits?
Hello Larry,
Even after I reading your(s) book about Social Security I still need help understanding my SS benefits! and of course, I can't get a straight answer from SSA.
I'm almost 63 years old. My husband is almost 65. I'm considering collecting my benefits now however need your help thinking this thru: I claim MY benefits now, which is abt $1,113; at FRA my max today shows as $1,452 which is slightly lower than my spousal benefits; my husband plans to wait until FRA which today shows as $2,935. My thinking is, if I collect now, I’m collecting only MY benefits . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 26 2021 - 11:16am
Can I Claim Benefits From My Ex-Husband's Record And Leave My Benefit To Age 70?
I am a divorced for many years single person with some health issues. I cannot afford to be out of work in order to apply for disability and I am 64 years old born in July 1956. I was married for almost 11 years and am wondering if I can take the spousal benefit and leave my benefit until I am 70. I am still working but it is getting more difficult to get up every day and drive into another state to work. I am trying to find another job closer to home but so far no luck. I am just wondering what is my best course. My exhusband also passed in 2006. I have been trying to read . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Feb 26 2021 - 10:56am
Am I Eligible For My Deceased Wife's Social Security?
My spouse just passed away at the age of 65yrs.
Am 54 years old, am I eligible for her social security?
Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. No one can actually claim another person's Social Security benefits or Social Security tax contributions, but if you were married for at least 9 months then you may qualify for survivor benefits based on your wife's earnings history. However, in order to qualify for widower's benefits as early as age 54 you'd either need to be disabled or have a child in your care who qualifies for child's benefits on your wife's . . . Read More
Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Feb 26 2021 - 10:42am
Will I Get My Maximum Retirement Benefit Rate If I Start My Benefits With June?
I’m turning 70 July 1, 2021. Can I request my retirement benefits to begin June 2021, in order to get my maximum benefits?
Hi. Yes. Social Security considers a person to have reached their next age on the day prior to their birthday (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200302400). So, if you were born on July 1 2021, Social Security would count you as being age 70 in June 2021. And, you'd then be eligible for your full age 70 rate if you claim your Social Security retirement . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Feb 26 2021 - 10:31am
Can I Receive My First Husband's Social Security?
My first husband went back to brazil and passed there.
Can i receive his social security here.
Although i remarried im divorced from my second. Im 74 now and receive very little because my first husband would not let me work.
Hi. The fact that you remarried and divorced wouldn't prevent you from qualifying for benefits on the record of your first spouse. But, in order for you to qualify for survivor benefits from his account he would need to have met the insured status requirement for U.S. Social Security benefits. And, his benefit rate would . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Feb 25 2021 - 3:16pm
