How Do I Go About Switching From Spousal Benefits To My Own Benefits?
Thank you for the Maximize my Social Security software. We have been using it for several years and and also read your book. We really appreciate your work, thank you.
Question:
Wife took Social Security at 62 in 2018 (diagnosis of cancer but healthy now!)
I took restricted (born in 1951) at that time
I am now retiring and would like to take my own Social Security benefits. I prefer to do this online but I’m not certain of the procedure. Do you have any guidance on this?
Also, how do we know if my wife if eligible for a spousal benefit (we not sure . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Jul 1 2020 - 3:35pm
If We Lose Benefits Due To Earning Too Much Will Our Family Maximum Increase At FRA?
I'm thinking of taking SS at 63 and will likely be at my family limit since I have a DAC. If we make more than the limit before FRA, will our family maximum increase at FRA to be able to get back any money that we lost by earning too much between 63 and FRA?
Hi,
Your current and future earnings could potentially increase both your primary insurance amount (PIA) and your family maximum benefit (FMB) rate regardless of when you claim benefits. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing at full . . . Read More
Category: Family Benefit Maximum
Posted: Jul 1 2020 - 3:10pm
Can I File For Divorced Spousal Benefits And Still Receive My SSD?
After 30 years of marriage my husband and I divorced He is age 68 and still working I am 65 and on SSD. Am I able to fill for divorced spousal benefits and still receive my SSD? I don’t plain on applying for Social Security until I'm 67.
Thank you
Hi,
I'm assuming that by 'SSD', you're referring to Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits. If that's true, then the only way you'd qualify for divorced spousal benefits while your ex-husband is living is if 50% of his primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than your full SSDI rate. A person's . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 1 2020 - 9:37am
Can My Mom Threaten To Take Control Of My SS?
can a relative (mom) threaten to take control of my SS if they say I'm not responsible enough. Info about me I am 43 yrs old born with spinia bifida. Live with mom, sister (45) her bf and their 2 kids. I use my own money to pay our cable, phone, internet, trash bill and half the cell bill and occasionally help with electric bill. My own basic needs (clothes, shoes, shower stuff, diapers, pop, snacks). Help buy dinner groceries. Loan my sister money. Basically I get tired if my mom saying she's going to take control of my SS (because she wants it for herself nothing to do with . . . Read More
Category: Representative Payee
Posted: Jul 1 2020 - 9:23am
Will My Younger Child's Benefit Rate Increase When My Older Child Stops Getting Benefits?
Hello. Can you please help me with a question about my child's survivor benefits. My 2 youngest kid's father passed away in 2010. Supposedly, we were divorced the morning before his evening death. My kids were 9 and almost 3 then. My son just graduated high school and received his last check in his name. We got a letter saying it would be his last. They both have gotten equal amounts since then. I am wondering if she will get the entire amount now? They were both getting $1376 each. I have not received any letter and the people at the SS office don't seem to know anything on . . . Read More
Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Jul 1 2020 - 8:56am
How Do I Verify Wages From Over 40 Years Ago?
1. Hi Larry-I am reviewing my yearly SS statement for over 40 years work of work. I can tell that my earnings in some years are not reported and I don't have paycheck stubs for those years. I do notice a pattern however. It seems like whenever I worked for a government agency (City in CA) or a university (two from CA), my wages are not recorded. How do I recover and verify wages from over 40 years ago?
2. On my 1990 SS statement it says that I earned 35 credits, but for all years after that through 2018, it says 31. In 2019, I earned a small amount of money 3,831 and my . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Subject To Social Security Taxes
Posted: Jun 30 2020 - 3:11pm
Will I Be Able To Get Social Security From Both Spain And The U.S.?
Good morning,
I'm a dual citizen from Spain/USA I worked 15 years in Spain and 25 years in the US, can I get Social Security from both countries?
Hi,
My expertise is limited to U.S. Social Security benefits, so I can't tell you whether or not you'll qualify for benefits from Spain. As for U.S. Social Security benefits, you can qualify for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62 as long as you have at least 40 quarters of U.S. Social Security coverage (QC). Forty QCs roughly equates to 10 years of Social Security covered work, so . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 30 2020 - 9:54am
Would I Be Able To Get Food Stamps?
I am 70 yrs. old and collect ss retirement of $755 after medicre is taken out. My ? is. I presently live with my dughter while wqiting for a hud based senior complex apt. I pay her $300 a month. Would i be able to get food stamps.
Hi,
I'm sorry, but my expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, so I'm unable to answer questions about the food stamp program. You may want to try researching USDA's website for an answer (https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility).
. . . Read More
Category: Public Assistance Payments
Posted: Jun 29 2020 - 9:17am
Do I Qualify For Survivor Benefits When I Turn Age 60?
If my spouse worked but was self employed much of the time, do I qualify for SS benefits when I turn 60 in September?? I am receiving survivors benefits from the VA. He passed away on 2011. Thanks
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
You may be able to qualify for widow(er) benefits as early as age 60 provided that your spouse paid into Social Security long enough to be insured. People only earn Social Security credits on their self-employment earnings if they have a profit and if they pay self-employment taxes. To be fully insured, a person needs 40 . . . Read More
Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Jun 29 2020 - 9:03am
Who Do I Talk To To Get My Back Pay?
Larry, I was awarded full disability benefits in a hearing in September of 2019. The judge backdated my benefits to the last day I worked, December 15, 2015. I got a request from SSA for the paperwork surrounding my Workman's Comp resolution and agreement, which I submitted immediately because I knew that could delay my benefits. I received my award letter in November detailing my SSDI benefits going forward, along with the calculation of my back pay, less my WC award. It has been 9 months now, still no back pay. Every time I call the local SSA office, I get a different story, . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jun 28 2020 - 6:00pm
