Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 3001 - 3010 of 10063 questions.

Will I Still Be Able To Collect On My Ex-Husband's SS When I Retire At Age 62?

I was married to my ex husband for 16 years. I am now 60, he is 63. Due to Covid he was let go from his job and is now filing to collect his SS. We have an adult disabled daughter who was just cleared to collect on his SS as a DAC. My question is will I still be able to collect on my ex husbands SS when I retire at 62?

Hi,

Yes, at least potentially. The fact that your daughter is drawing benefits on your ex-husband's record would have no adverse impact on your ability to collect divorced spousal benefits. Divorced spousal benefits are exempt from . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Dec 6 2020 - 9:16am

Will My Survivor Benefits Be Affected By WEP And GPO?

I turned 69 years old on Oct. 8, 2020. I am not a US citizen, I have not worked in the USA, I am a resident outside the USA, my country has no social security agreement with the USA. I worked in my country as a teacher and has retired a long time ago. My husband died recently from a service connected disease so I qualify for the survivor benefit even if I am not a US citizen and Not a US resident. My question is whether my survivor benefit will still be affected by WEP and GOP given that my own retirement benefit was from my own government work.
In addition, I am . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Dec 5 2020 - 7:24am

Will Social Security Automatically Trigger My Wife's Additional Spousal Benefit?

Thanks for the previous answer! Just one more...

My wife is already receiving her own SS benefits. I will be filing next year and she will be eligible for a partial spousal benefit in addition to her own. Obviously, I have to submit an application to start my own benefits, but I'm not sure if she has to do anything to get her additional partial spousal benefit. I believe SS will automatically trigger her additional partial spousal benefit, in addition to her own. Is this correct, or does she have to apply again somehow for the additional spousal benefit? I don't see a . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Dec 5 2020 - 7:17am

Will My Wife's Benefits Be Paid On The Second Wednesday Or Third Wednesday Of The Month?

My wife is receiving her own SS benefit based on her work history. Her birthday is on the 20th of the month, so she gets her benefit on the third Wednesday. When I file, she will be able to file for an additional spousal benefit. With my birthday on the 8th of the month, I'll get my benefit on the second Wednesday.

Will her new benefit be paid on the second or third Wednesday of the month? Thanks for any replies!

Hi,

If your wife qualifies for spousal benefits when you start drawing your benefits, her benefit checks will continue to be paid on . . . Read More

Category: Payment Dates
Posted: Dec 4 2020 - 3:27pm

Should I Apply Early For Social Security?

I am working with the Federal government for ten years of services with Indian Health Services, but I know I will probably only get less than $200.00, not enough to live on.
I am seriously thinking of doing an Early Medical Retirement after February 2022 because my body is not healthy like it used to, and I have other health issues already getting worst.
I’m 57 years old and will need help with applying and which paperwork to do on the disability, too.
I’m permanently from Arizona, where I will be moving back and live. I only work here in New Mexico, renting . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Dec 4 2020 - 8:09am

Can I File For Social Security Separate Of Railroad Retirement Benefits?

What about paying into SS after retirement from RR. I have contributed 20 years worth in SS as a private contractor. Can I file for that period of time separate of RR benifits ?

Hi,

Yes, you can file for Social Security benefits and Railroad Retirement (RR) benefits separately, but if you file for both types of benefits then the Railroad Retirement Board will offset your Tier 1 RR benefits dollar for dollar by the amount of your Social Security benefits. Therefore, if you're already drawing RR benefits it would probably only be advantageous for you . . . Read More

Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Dec 4 2020 - 8:03am

How Will It Affect My SSDI Benefits If I Return To Work?

I presently draw SSDI and need to understand how returning to work would affect my future SSI benefits, so please allow me set my question up.

My initial disability was covered by a private (employer/MetLife) disability claim, through my employer. Part of the disability contract requirement for my claim was that I also make a claim for SSDI, so that my employer would only have to pay the benefit amount that was in excess of the SSDI payment. Shamefully, my employer used a high-power law firm to push my SSDI claim through in record time, and although initially denied . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Dec 3 2020 - 2:25pm

Will There Be Deductions To My Widow's Benefits?

I am 69 years old, not a US citizen, have not worked in the US, residing in the Philippines. My husband died recently. I applied for widow's benefit based on my husband's work credits. Will there be deductions to it?

Hi,

Yes, as a non U.S. citizen living in the Philippines, it certainly sounds like any U.S. Social Security benefits for which you qualify would be subject to the Nonresident Alien Withholding Tax Provision (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0205010001). What . . . Read More

Category: Benefit Payments Outside Of The U.S.
Posted: Dec 3 2020 - 2:04pm

Will I Be Eligible For Any Benefits From My Ex-Husband's Social Security?

I was married less than ten years and my x husband passed. Will I be eligible for any benefits from him. I never remarried?

Hi,

Assuming that you don't have a child in your care who is under age 16 or disabled and who qualifies for benefits on your ex-husband's record, then no, you won't be eligible for benefits on your ex's record if you were divorced from him at the time of his death. In order to qualify for divorced survivor benefits, you must have been married to the deceased for at least 10 years ( . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Dec 3 2020 - 9:11am

Will My Youngest Children Split The Oldest Child's Benefit When He Turns 18?

My sons father passed away in 2015. He left behind 3 children. They all receive survivors benefits or 1200*3. The oldest child is about to be 18. What happens then? Do the younger 2 then split his share?

Hi,

Not necessarily. First of all, if the 18 year old is still in high school, he could continue to receive benefits until he's 19. Or, if he's disabled, he could continue receiving benefits indefinitely.

If and when the oldest child's benefits do end, however, the remaining 2 children can be paid their maximum surviving child's rate of 75% . . . Read More

Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Dec 3 2020 - 8:45am
Return to Ask Larry
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.
Get What's Yours—Buy Now!