Why Is It Taking So Long To Process My Disability Claim?
Dear Larry,
IAM 58 , and have been fighting for my disability for four years. IAM finally on the 3 part of my claim AGAIN and then covid happened. I have CHRONIC RESPIRATORY COPD & EMPHASIMA . I have complied with all medical requests and appointments, and medical records ECT... and am STILL WAITING.... my case manager has informed me that since covid, their medical Drs are going to review all my medical records and that they would then reach a decision. That was MONTHS AGO. .PLEASE ADVISE...
Hi,
Disability claims have historically taken an . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jul 31 2020 - 1:14pm
Does It Matter Whether I File Early Or Later?
Hi,
I am impacted by the Windfall Provision. I‘m unsure how to figure out if I should take retirement at age 62 or wait until 67. Of course more money If I wait but always losing 30% because of windfall. Does it matter early or later?
Thank you.
Hi,
Whether or not your primary insurance amount (PIA) is lowered due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), if you start drawing your benefits at age 62 your benefit rate will be roughly 30% to 35% lower than if you started drawing at full retirement age (FRA). A person's PIA is equal to . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Jul 31 2020 - 10:26am
Am I Entitled To Any Of My Deceased Wife's Benefits?
My wife passed I 2016,we were both on ssdi am I entitled to any if her benefits ?
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
The only way that you'd potentially be eligible for survivor benefits from your wife's account is if her full Social Security disability SSDI rate was higher than your SSDI rate. You'd also need to be at least age 50 to be able to qualify for disabled widower's benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html).
Best . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jul 31 2020 - 10:21am
Am I Eligible For Spousal Benefits?
My husband age 74 receives $2000 social security and also a pension. I am 74 and I receive $500. social security and an L.A. county government pension. We started receiving social security at age 62. I didn't know about spousal benefits. Am I eligible to spousal benefits since my husband's social security is higher than my social security?
Hi,
Whether or not you could be paid spousal benefits likely depends on the amount of your county pension. If a person receives a pension based on their earnings from a government agency where they didn't pay . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 31 2020 - 10:12am
How Do I Get A Maximum Increase Automatically?
I took early retirement at 62, I receive $1257 a month after Medicare Part B premium are taken out,, my question is when I turn 70 do I get a new maximum increase automatically to Social Security coming to me since I reached that age now in April 2021.
Hi,
I'm sorry, but I don't know what type of increase you're referring to. A person's benefit rate doesn't automatically increase at age 70 unless they voluntarily suspended their benefits between full retirement age (FRA) and age 70.
Other than cost of living increases, about the only other way . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 31 2020 - 10:06am
What Form Should I Request To Tell Social Security That I've Returned To Work Full-Time?
How can I get my filed viewed ? I filed already at 62 yrs I am 63 zI started working fulltime I plan to work God willing to 67yrs To make up the $ 350.00 What term Can I use for them to stop writing about sending me money I wrote several no money to 2023 so what form should I request ?
Thanks Help
Hi,
You can't voluntarily suspend your benefits until you reach full retirement age (FRA). Your benefits could be involuntarily suspended for part or all of a year if you work and earn too much ( . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 31 2020 - 9:53am
Does Social Security See State Partnerships The Same Way As Traditional Marriages For Benefit Purposes?
Marry fir 35 years
Divorced for less than 2 years and
enteref Official legal WA. State partnership.
Q- Does social security sees state partnerships the same way as traditional marriages for benefits purposes?
Q- I am already receiving benefits aftr FRA.
She is applying for benefits as of 2020 after her FRA.
If I pass, will she received higher benefits?
Hi,
No, Social Security doesn't view domestic partnerships the same as a marriage for benefit purposes. Social Security recognizes state law when determining whether . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 31 2020 - 8:50am
How Do You Go About Finding Out Benefit Rates For A Spouse Or Ex-Spouse?
I have read where you advise individuals concerning taking spousal, or survivors, benefits based on their spouses or ex-spouses record.
I wonder how one goes about finding out the benefit amounts that their spouse, or especially an ex-spouse, is eligible for, especially if they planned to use your software to find out their best course of action.
I realized that this information would be available if you could review their “My Social Security” accounts, but many may not have that confidential access.
Also, how does one access the information for a deceased . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 31 2020 - 8:41am
Can A Divorced Spouse Receive The Same Amount That Their Deceased Spouse Was Paid?
If a divorced wife is collecting on a ex husband that is deceased can she receive the same as him? I was told I would be getting 100%. He retired just before he was 70. I know he was getting more than 100%. I think 8% for each year after he was 66. I retired at 66 and was collecting mine until he passed away because his was more. i was married 20 years. Thanks
Hi,
Yes, a divorced spouse who qualifies for survivor benefits on the record their ex-spouse can be paid up to the higher of their own benefit rate or their ex-spouse's full benefit rate. And, . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Jul 31 2020 - 7:59am
What Recourses Do I Have If Social Security Mishandled My Claim?
(I have subscribed to you in the past and have followed your advice) A few days after my 66th birthday I applied for SPOUSAL benefits. After waiting for an interview for 2 months, I was told by the SS administrator that I would be approved for SPOUSAL benefits of a certain amount. Yesterday, they approved me for MY benefit amount - more than $300/mo less - but they marked it as spousal benefits. What are my recourses??
Hi,
My answer assumes that Social Security erroneously awarded you retirement benefits rather than spousal benefits. In that case, . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 30 2020 - 9:57am
