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

Displaying 3491 - 3500 of 10063 questions.

After I Reach FRA Can I Work Full Time Without Losing My Disabled Status?

I'm a 62 yo disabled person. After the age of 66 (FRA) can I work full-time without losing my disable status?

Hi,

Yes, once you reach full retirement age (FRA) there's no limit on how much you can earn and still draw all of your benefits. If you're 62 now, though, your FRA won't be until you reach either age 66 & 6 months if you were born in 1957, or 66 & 8 months if you were born in 1958.

Your Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits will convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits effective with your month of FRA . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jul 26 2020 - 9:57am

Will I Be Eligible For Spousal And Widower Benefits?

My wife is 63, and has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, with less than a year to survive. We applied for and are receiving ssdi. When she passes will I be eligible for spousal, widows, benefits and will this be based on her ssdi benefit of her standard ss benefit?
Also would there be any advantage for me to suspend these benefits and wait until my full retirement age?

Thanks, R

Hi R,

I'm very sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis.

I can't fully answer your questions without knowing your age, whether or not you're currently . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jul 25 2020 - 12:58pm

Is There Any Way To Increase My Benefits?

I will be 65 in March 2021. My husband died 2011, he was 55yrs receiving disability benefits. I was getting widows benefits until I became disabled in 2017. I did get an increase in benefits by approx $300.00. I now receive $1217.00 . Is there any way to increase my benefits (my work record is poor) according to my age or any other rules that could apply to me?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Apparently, your own benefit rate is higher than your reduced widow's rate, and you can only be paid the higher of those two rates. Therefore, the only way . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 25 2020 - 9:35am

Will My Payment Date Change When My SSDI Benefits Convert To Regular Social Security?

I have been receiving SSDI Payments on the 3rd of each month for a few years. In December I will be turning 66 and I'm told my SSDI WILL CONVERT TO REGULAR SOCIAL security automatically. I have e 2 questions. First is will the payment date change from the 3rd of each month to a different day of the month starting in January 2021? Also, do I need to contact the SSA before December to register or something or will my social security benefits just start coming automatically when I turn 66? Thank you!

Hi,

No, your payment date won't change when your . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 25 2020 - 9:28am

Is It True That I Will Be Subject To The Windfall Elimination Provision If I Receive A Pension From Bulgaria?

I became a legal US resident in 2000, respectively US citizen in 2005. I am eligible now for SS benefits, but I was told I will be a subject of Windfall Elimination Provision for the pension I got in my native country - Bulgaria . Will this pension, when I worked for Bulgarian companies, affect my US SS benefits. After I came in USA I use to work for companies in USA only and got the 40 credits I needed.
Thank you,
George

Hi George,

Yes, it sounds like your U.S. Social Security benefit rate will be affected by the Windfall Elimination . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jul 23 2020 - 10:55am

Which Foreign Exchange Rate Will Be Used To Calculate My Spousal Rate?

My husband and I moved to the U.S. over 20 years ago from Canada. My husband is now receiving Social Security retirement benefits and benefits from Canada Pension Plan. He delayed SS until age 67, but has some of his benefits reduced due to windfall elimination. I know my spousal benefits will be half of what he would have been entitled to at age 65, after the reduction from windfall elimination. At the time my husband applied for SS, his WEP reduction was determined on what the Canadian dollar was worth at that time, compared to the U.S. When I receive my spousal benefits, . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jul 23 2020 - 8:06am

Shouldn't My Social Security Earnings Include Extra Credits For The Years I Was In The Air Force?

I served in the Air Force from 1979-1999. I have my December pay stubs for 95, 96, 97 showing what my end of year earnings were. When I look at my social security earnings for those years it only shows my earning nothing extra. Called social security and was told if I paid into social security I don’t get anything added unless I need that amount to qualify for social security. From all I have read that doesn’t sound right. I would appreciate your thoughts on the subject

Hi,

Social Security's regulations grant deemed military wage (DMW) credits for any . . . Read More

Category: Deemed Military Wages
Posted: Jul 22 2020 - 7:54am

Can I Draw Both My City Pension And My Husband's Railroad Spouse Pension?

Can I draw my city Pension and my husband's railroad spouse pension at the same time?

Hi,

My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, so I can't answer questions about railroad benefits other than how they interact with Social Security. I do believe, though, that as with Social Security benefits, railroad spousal benefits can be subject to offset if a person is drawing a pension that's based on their work for a governmental agency. For more information, refer to the Railroad Retirement Board's website: . . . Read More

Category: Railroad Retirement Benefits
Posted: Jul 21 2020 - 2:24pm

Will My Mom's Survivor Rate Go Up Now That My Dad's Second Wife Has Died?

My dad married my mom, had an affair and remarried.. my mom is getting half his social security and his new wife is getting the other half.. my dad Passed last year and his new wife just passed a few months ago.. does my mom get ALL the benefits now since she’s the sole survivor?

Hi,

No. If more than one spouse or divorced spouse is drawing benefits on the account of a worker, their benefit rate is not affected by the other spouse or divorced spouse's eligibility. Therefore, your mother's benefit rate won't go up as a result of your father's widow's . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jul 21 2020 - 1:16pm

Does Social Security Use The Annual Earnings Test If It's More Advantageous To Me Than The Monthly Test?

I turned 62 mid January 2020 and started SS in Feb (first payment in March). In April I started a job (no earnings before that) and will earn about $28,000 for the 8 months at about $3500 per month. Since I will be over the $1520 for those 8 months will I be eligible for any benefits? Do they use the annual earnings test if more advantageous meaning I would only have to pay back about half of the approx $10k I will be over?

Hi,

Yes, Social Security will use whichever earnings test (i.e. annual or monthly) would allow you to be paid the most benefits . . . Read More

Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Jul 21 2020 - 10:09am

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