Ask Larry: Questions and Answers | BAM - Maximize My Social Security

Displaying 3471 - 3480 of 10063 questions.

Will My Wife Be Able To Collect Her Own Benefits If They're Higher Than Her Current Spousal Benefits?

My wife is collecting SS from mine and started at age 62 as a reduced benefit. She needed one more 1/4 she was told. Now she has earned 5 more quarters earned. She turns 65 this October,. Will she be able to collect hers if it's higher?
Or will she just stay on mine.?

Hi,

Yes, your wife could claim her own benefits if she now has at least 40 quarters (QC) of Social Security covered work. She would then be paid essentially the higher of her own rate or her spousal rate. But, if her own rate is lower than her spousal rate, she'd be paid her own . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jul 29 2020 - 11:19am

How Do I Claim Any Of My Ex-Husband's Social Security And Proceeds From The Sale Of His Business?

My ex went into his own automotive shop he is retireing in 3weeks I haven’t remarried. And I am on sis disability. He remarried he just sold his bessness and is retireing how do I clam any of this am I intitle to any of of his retirement and sis and the bessness he sold
Thank you
Kathy

Hi Kathy,

I can only answer questions about Social Security benefits. The only way that you could be eligible for divorced spousal benefits while your ex is living is if you a) were married to your ex for at least 10 years, b) you are currently at least age . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 29 2020 - 11:01am

Can You Explain Some Questions I Have Regarding Form SSA-1-BK?

I have read your REVISED 'How to Get What’s Yours' Social Security Benefits book and need some verification that I properly understand the rules as they apply to me and my husband.
My husband took Social Security at age 70 and retired at age 74 last year so he has received additional payment adjustments yearly due to that.
I turned 66 in late June 2020 so I lost out on filing for just a spousal benefit and letting my retirement benefit grow.
My own retirement benefit is MORE than half my husband’s PIA at 66 so it looks like I will only get my FRA benefit . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jul 29 2020 - 10:21am

Is It True That The $1 For $2 Penalty For Earning Over The Allowed Amount Is Returned One You Reach Full Retirement Age?

Hi Larry, I was told if you earn over the allowed amount there is a penalty of $1.00 for every $2.00 over the allowed amount. Then i was told that penalty amount collected is returned once you reach your full retirement age. This doesn't seem correct

Hi,

Amounts withheld from a person's benefits as a result of Social Security's earnings test are NOT returned to the person when they reach full retirement age (FRA), at least in a direct manner. What happens instead is that when the person reaches FRA, his or her Social Security retirement benefit rate . . . Read More

Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Jul 29 2020 - 9:54am

Can I Draw From My Ex-Husband's Social Security When I Retire?

I will be 66 in January i have been married 2 times can i draw my ex husband social security when i retired we were married 12 yrs he remarried

Hi,

My answer assumes that you're ex-spouse is still living. You could potentially draw benefits on your ex's record provided that you are unmarried, and if your ex is at least age 62 or drawing his Social Security benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0311.html). You wouldn't be allowed to file . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 29 2020 - 9:43am

How Long Must You Be Married To Be Eligible For Spousal Benefits?

How long do you have to be married to be eligible for spousal benefits?

My spouse has worked contract labor mostly (cash) would be eligible for social security at 62/65?

Hi,

You must normally be married for at least a year before you can be eligible for spousal benefits. However, there are exceptions (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0305.html) that can permit a spouse to qualify for spousal benefits sooner than their first anniversary . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 29 2020 - 9:29am

Which Is Correct?

My wife has worked for many years as a teacher/school librarian in public schools in Texas. She is covered under the Texas teachers retirement system and has Not been subject to Social Security withholding during her years there. Before she began working in Texas public schools she had worked for many years 1975 - 1992 in various other jobs, all of which were subject to Social Security w/holding. Also, in the 1999-2000 school year she worked in a public school in Colorado where she Was subject to SS w/holding.
It has been my understanding that she would still qualify for . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jul 29 2020 - 8:35am

Why Can't My Husband Get Disability Benefits?

This question is for my husband. He has been fighting for his disability since 2011 he can't read and write he had special education class in school. His back is broken in 3 places he has cops he has arthritis in his back and elbows and shoulders. In 2015 he went off cymbalt cold turkey which was for depression and ended up shooting himself and don't remember the accident. Now he has been diagnosed with skitzafrentic, and parionoia, I don't understand why he hasn't received it.

Hi,

I'm afraid I don't have an answer for you. In order to qualify for . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jul 28 2020 - 10:26am

Will I Be Eligible For Widow's Benefits At Age 60?

My first husband died 3 days before our first anniversary. I remarried 7 years later & divorced about 14 months later. I am not currently married & will be 60 next month & would like to apply for widows benefits if I’m truly eligible. Please help!

Hi,

Yes, it sounds like you'd potentially be eligible for widow's benefits on your first husband's record. You only need to have been married for at least 9 months leading up to your spouse's death to meet the duration of marriage requirement for widow's benefits, and since your subsequent . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jul 28 2020 - 10:16am

Can I Receive My Ex-Husband's Social Security?

My ex husband passed in 2019. He was disabled and receiving SSDI. We were married 28 years. Neither of us remarried. Can I receive his SS and when can I apply?

Hi,

It sounds like you may be able to qualify for surviving divorced spousal benefits depending on your age (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0403.html). Assuming that you don't have a child in your care who could qualify for benefits on your ex's account, the earliest you could qualify . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Jul 28 2020 - 10:04am

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