Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 2791 - 2800 of 10063 questions.

Can I Switch From Spousal Benefits To My Own Benefits Online?

Do I need to go the local SS office - to switch from spousal benefit to my own. Can it be done online

Hi. You'll need to file an application for your own benefits in order to make a switch. I'm not sure whether or not you'll be able to do that online, but Social Security's website claims that they're constantly expanding their online services so it couldn't hurt to try. If you hit a roadblock and if Social Security's offices are still closed, you can apply by phone. You should be able to initiate the application process by calling Social Security at 800- . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 25 2021 - 3:08pm

Is This Legal?

My friend lost her husband who was a high income earner, whereas she was a stay at home mother with no education past high school. Unfortunately she wasn't left much for herself due to some bad investment decisions by her husband. She fell in love a few years after her husband passed and remarried in her 50s. She did not know she would lose her deceased husband's social security benefit if she remarried. She is now 60 and she and her new husband have a good relationship, but their assets are rapidly diminishing and she could really use the social security benefit she would have . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Feb 25 2021 - 12:20pm

Can I Start Collecting Widow's Benefits Without An Earnings Limit At Age 66 Since I Was Born In 1956?

I plan to file for widow benefits first when i reach my full FRA. I was born in June 1956. I will be 66 in June of 2022. My full FRA for my benefits is 66 and 4 months. Is it true i can file for widow benefit and star receiving benefits at age 66 (4 months earlier) without the penalty of having $1 deduct if i make over 18,960. I plan to keep working until 67 - 68. I don't want to loss 4 months of benefits if they are available without penalty.
if i make let's say 18k from June - Oct 2022 will that be considered the only earnings that apply for the 4 months and in that . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Feb 24 2021 - 10:40am

Kudos And Thanks

RE: Suspending Social Security (Disability) from FRA to age 70
well it has been just over 4 years since I walked back into my local Social Security office with both the SSA-795 and the printed copy of POMS GN 02409.110.A.1 as advised by Jerry. I am happy to say that not only did my 1st payment arrive with credit for the quarterly Part B that I had been required to send to them by check, but that Social Security shows by the 2nd/ upcoming payment Social Security will have completed my Part B adjustments (2021 premium increase to what I had been billed/ mailed in) - so . . . Read More

Category: Suspending Retirement Benefits
Posted: Feb 23 2021 - 12:25pm

Will I Get The Amount That My Children Currently Receive When They Turn 18?

My husband passed away in Dec 2020. We have twin 11 yr olds,I myself am on SsDI
We are all recieving survivor benefits. My understanding is my benefits on the survivor side is reduced because family max. My children each recieve just over 2200.00 per month.
When they turn 18 in 7 yrs I will be 62 I am then intitled for the balance of my children's benefits?

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. My answer assumes that your own Social Security disability (SSDI) rate is lower than your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA). You wouldn't automatically . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Feb 23 2021 - 11:14am

Does My Husband Have To Be Out Of Work Before He Can File For SSDI?

My husband is 60, was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2019, He is under the care of a neurologist and is on medication and does have a significant tremor in his hand. He is a construction superintendent. He is still independent and can do everything for himself - feed, dress, bathe, but we've noticed he is not physically as strong as he was a year ago and his decision making and problem solving is impaired sometimes, his walking is not always steady which can be dangerous especially on a construction job site. He has worked since he was a teenager. Does he have to be out of work . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Feb 22 2021 - 4:52pm

Does My Common Law Marriage Make Me Qualified For My Spouse's Social Security After He Passes Away?

I have a common-law marriage am I eligible in Texas for my spouse's social security after he passes away when I'm eligible for Social Security

Hi,

Texas law recognizes common law marriages, and as long as you have a valid common law marriage you can potentially qualify for Social Security widow's benefits if and when you meet the other requirements for those benefits. The requirements for Social Security widow's benefits are outlined in the following section of Social Security's handbook: . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Feb 22 2021 - 3:46pm

When Should My Husband Apply In Order To Make Sure He Receives The Last Year's 8% Increase?

My husband turns 70 in a few months. He has been collecting half of my benefit while his benefit increases 8% each year until age 70. When does the 8% increase amount reflect on his personal benefit each year? When should he apply in order to be sure that he receives the last year's 8% increase? A few months before his birthday or after? With social security offices closed for covid, and website doesn't have option to file for personal benefit if already receiving a benefit, and can't get answer by calling Social Security since they don't answer the phone, what else can we try . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Feb 22 2021 - 3:20pm

Can I Collect On My Ex-Spouse's Benefits Now?

I am on social security disability (55) divorced after 31 years. My ex is also on social security for his disability. I get much less to live on because of less credits for me being stay at home mother most of the time married. Can I collect on his benefits now or is it only after he passes?

Hi, No benefits can be paid to the divorced spouse of someone who's receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits unless the divorced spouse is at least age 62. So, even though you're disabled the earliest that you might be eligible for divorced spousal . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Feb 22 2021 - 12:27pm

Can I Get My Deceased Father's Social Security?

My father just passed last week and he claimed me as a dependent and I'm 59 so can I get his Social Security ?

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. No one can be paid a deceased person's actual Social Security benefits or their contributions (i.e. Social Security taxes) to the program. Nor would the fact that your father claimed you as a dependent for tax purposes make you eligible for Social Security benefits.

The only way that you could collect survivor benefits based on your father's Social Security earnings record is if you can qualify for disabled . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Feb 22 2021 - 12:02pm
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