Am I Able To Get Some Of My Ex-Husband's Social Security Benefits?
Hi Larry,
I am recently divorced after being married for 23 years. Will I be able to get some of my ex husbands social security benefits?
Thank you.
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
I can't give you a specific answer without additional information about you and your ex-spouse. It sounds like you meet the duration of marriage requirement for divorced spousal benefits, but you would also need to meet the other requirements in order to actually be paid benefits. The basic requirements for divorced spousal benefits are as follows:
1) Your ex . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jan 30 2021 - 11:02am
Can We File A 2020 Tax Return For Our Disabled Child So That He Can Receive Last Year's Stimulus Payments?
Dear Larry,
My wife and I filed our 2019 taxes, and all previous ones, with our adult disabled child as a dependent. All of us began taking Social Security in 2020, including our son, who shifted from SSI and now gets enough benefits to provide over half of his support. Hence, we will not be claiming him on this year's taxes. My wife is his representative payee and power of attorney. Can she file a 2020 individual tax return so that he may receive the two stimulus payments given last year, and if so, does she need to file Forms 8453 and 2848, too, since our son cannot . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jan 30 2021 - 10:58am
Should I Receive 100% Of What My Husband Would Have Received, Or Only His Age 66 Amount?
My husband just passed away at 681/2. He was working up until September 2020. He had suspended his SS and was planning to take it at 70. I just called SS to switch to his SS and drop my own. I'm 67. The person I talked to told me I would only be able to draw what he would have received at full retirement age. We were told the advantage of waiting until 70 would benefit us both. So my question is do I receive 100% of what he would have received or is it reduced to his amount at 66?? Thank you.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
What the Social . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jan 29 2021 - 2:27pm
Is It Possible To Withdraw My SSDI If I've Been Collecting Benefits For Two And A Half Years?
I'm going to do a withdrawal on my SSDI but I've been collecting for last two and a half years is that possible? Total money I got from them was $3,400. I know I will have to return that in full
Hi,
Yes, it's possible to withdraw a claim for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits provided that you refund all of the benefits you've received. Unlike withdrawing a claim for Social Security retirement benefits, there is no set time limit on when your request for withdrawal of a claim for SSDI benefits must be filed.
You don't mention why you . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jan 29 2021 - 10:23am
Do I Have To Pay A Penalty For Not Signing Up For Medicare At Age 65?
Hi Larry,
I turned 65 October 2020. I am not signed up for Part A or Part B of social security. Do I now have to pay a penalty for not signing up for Part B medicare yet, or part A? I live in Germany and we have German health insurance. We may return to the States sometime but are not sure yet.
My husband is 65 also as of October 2020, he collects social security since age of 62 (early). He has one lung now, and would like to know if he can apply for a disability? What records must he show for this (medical records are all in German language) and how long would it . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jan 28 2021 - 11:26am
Will Two Surviving Children Each Receive 50% Of The Family Maximum?
my son is 16 and his father died, guessing his family max is around 4000. there are two children, mine is 16 and the dad has an older adult handicapped child living in a group home for many years since he was disabled when he was 3. The new wife of my ex, will not be 60 for 3 years. do the two children have to split the 2000 survivor benefit or will they each get 2000, does the new wife ( widow now ) come into the equation since she will not be 60 for 3 years and my kid will be 18 and done with it.
Hi,
The widow would only factor into the amount of . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jan 28 2021 - 11:07am
If My Wife Files For Social Security At Age 62 Will She Get Half Of My FRA Rate?
Hello Larry and Jerry:
My wife will turn 62 next month and we are thinking about filing for her social security benefits. According to the statement she received from social security in 2020, her benefit if she starts at 62 will be $538/month ($756/month if she starts at her FRA, 66 years and 10 months). She is not working currently and is not planning to go back to work. I am over 70, retired and started receiving my social security at age 70 after contributing into the system at the maximum level for over 35 years. I have two queries. If she files for social security . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jan 27 2021 - 10:29am
What Should I Do Next?
Homeless
4 in her degrees
Age 70. SS called yesterday said all my SS is cancelled!!
Hi have no money.
Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about the problems you're having. A call like the one you mention doesn't sound like a legitimate call from Social Security. Social Security never "cancels" a persons benefits, so I doubt if they would use a term like that. Social Security does sometimes suspend or terminate people's benefits for cause, but if that's what happened in your case then they should have informed you of the reason. You would also . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jan 27 2021 - 10:20am
Where Can I Have My SS Checks Deposited So The Government Can't Touch Them?
Where can I have my SS checks deposited (or direct deposited) so the government can't touch them?
Hi,
Social Security payments can be directly deposited to an account in your name at a bank, savings & loan, credit union, or thrift institution (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0202402030). My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, though, so I'm unable to answer the other part of your question.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jan 26 2021 - 5:28pm
Will My Wife Receive Less As A Surviving Spouse If She Takes Her Own Benefits Early?
Hello Larry,
My wife is 4 years, 1 month older than I. She turned 65 in Nov 2020. She retired effective Jan 2021 and is eligible for early SSI. I plan to work until full retirement age (66 yrs 10 mo.) with hopes of getting my full benefits. Our respective blood lines indicate that I will die before her, after which she should qualify for my (deceased spousal) benefits which will exceed her benefits. The question: By taking her benefits early, will my wife forfeit any portion or percentage of my benefits (Deceased spouse) which I didn't take till FRA? Or will she get my . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jan 26 2021 - 11:48am
