Would Social Security Automatically Transfer My Husband's Social Security To Me If He Dies?
I am 60, almost 61 and am disabled. I collect SSD and LTD from previous employer until 65. My husband has liver cancer and is not doing well. Will they automatically transfer his SSI to me? The reason I ask is my LTD offered a buyout if I don’t take it and SSI starts paying me my husband’s SSI it will cancel my Ltd due to the increase in funds, if I do take the buyout I will loose 15k over the next 4 yrs. With the Medical bills I cannot afford to loose any of it. Can I wait to take survivor benefits till I am 65 or will Social Security start survivor benefits automatically? . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Feb 4 2021 - 10:43am
Will My Disabled Child Need To File Taxes On Her SSI Income?
My 19 year old Special Needs Child (adult) receives SSI. She has a seasonal job as well working 3-6 hours a week. Will she need to file her SSI income on taxes? Can my husband and I still claim her on our taxes as a disabled adult child?
Hi,
My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, not income taxes. I can tell you that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are not taxable as income, but Social Security benefits can be taxed in some cases (https://www.ssa.gov/ . . . Read More
Category: Taxation Of Benefits
Posted: Feb 4 2021 - 10:35am
Will It Affect My VA Benefits If I File For Social Security Benefits On My Ex-Husband's Record?
My husband passed away in last month. He was a veteran with 100 percent service related disability. I have filed for DIC benefits and should be receiving them soon. I have Champva insurance benefits as a result of my husband's disability. When I spoke to the social security people after mt husband passed away they told me that I would receive more money if they filed for my widows benefits using my ex husband's income rather than my current husband who just passed away. If I do that will it affect my veterans widow benefits or my champva insurance in any way?
. . . Read More
Category: Veterans Benefits
Posted: Feb 3 2021 - 4:13pm
Can I Refuse To Receive Death Benefits From My Ex-Spouse?
I am living in public housing, my ex husband passed away 6 weeks ago, coming to find out that my children are entitled to my husbands death benefit. Two of my children are working and 1 is still in school. The problem is that when I was notified that my kids were entitled to his death benefit, which causes a problem in my living situation at public housing because I am over income. I don't want to have to tell my kids they have to give up there jobs that they went through and college to receive a degree in career in what they want to do. So what I am asking is that where the . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Feb 3 2021 - 10:59am
Will My DIC Payment From The VA Reduce My Social Security Widow's Benefit?
I am receiving a survivor’s social security benefit from my late husband. I also receive DIC from the VA. I see in the social security handbook that if I make over a certain amount my SS benefit will be reduced. As DIC is non taxable will it be counted and reduce my SS widow’s benefit?
Hi,
No. The only type of income that counts for Social Security earnings test purposes is earned income, specifically wages or self-employment earnings. No type of VA benefit would affect your Social Security widow's benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 2 2021 - 3:48pm
Is My Husband's Ex-Wife Eligible For A Benefit Equal To 50% Of My Husband's Benefit Rate?
My husband and his ex-wife were married 25 years. Following their divorce, at the age of 51, she remarried. Her second marriage lasted 30 years before her husband passed away. She is getting a widows benefit from the 2nd husband's SSA record. Half of my husband's social security is greater than the widows benefit she is getting, but SSA is saying she isn't eligible for it. I'm not confident they are always correct. Is she ineligible? As this is her only income, we would like for her to get as much as possible. Thank you.
Hi,
Unreduced divorced spousal . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Feb 2 2021 - 10:12am
Is There Anything We Can Do To Get Someone At Social Security To Investigate My Wife's Benefit Rate?
My wife's blindness SSDI may be underpaid by at least $400 a month for the probably the last 9 years. I do understand there are many variables that go into the computations and that I could be wrong which could be determined if I could get someone to actually talk to us and take a look. I think the underpayment may be because the computation method they are using is "Guaranteed Minimum" based computation from when she became reinstated my benefits in 2013, which doesn't account for further income through AERO, only for COLA.
Maybe reaffirming this, I ran the numbers I . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 1 2021 - 11:19am
Could We Elect To Pay Social Security Taxes On Our Minor Children's Earnings?
We are starting a small business and will be employing our minor children in the business. I understand that minor children working in their parents business are exempt from paying Social Security tax. My question is could we elect to have them pay Social Security tax? I can see some benefits to them establishing Social Security earnings and credits early on.
Hi,
Voluntary payment of Social Security taxes isn't permitted, so your children can only receive Social Security earnings credits if their earnings are legally subject to Social Security taxes . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Subject To Social Security Taxes
Posted: Jan 31 2021 - 4:03pm
Is My Husband Able To Get His Benefit Increased Based On My Higher Benefit?
Hi Larry,
My husband has coronary artery disease and had 2 stents placed 2009, then in 2012 had a double bypass. He was unable to continue his job as maintanence engineer for 2 hotels. I felt he should apply for disability benefits but he decided to file for SS benefits as he was 62. He has received the reduced payment since 2012. I retired at 70 and receive full benefits. We are 73 and 74 respectively. Is he able to get his benefit increased from my benefit which is $1000 + more than his?
Thanks, Jo Ann
Hi Jo Ann,
As long as you and your . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jan 31 2021 - 3:40pm
Am I Eligible For My Husband's SS Benefits If I Retire At Age 62?
I recently turned 62. I just heard of my ex dying several years ago and we were separated at the time, he abandoned me. Am I eligible for his SS benefits should I decide to retire early at 62?
We are still legally married
Hi,
You can never actually be paid someone else's benefits, but you may qualify for survivor benefits on your husband's record. Widow's benefits can potentially be paid as early as age 60, or even at age 50 if you're disabled, provided that you meet all of the requirements for those benefits.
I don't have enough . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jan 30 2021 - 2:49pm
