Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 3561 - 3570 of 10063 questions.

Will My Son's Benefit Increase When His Brother's Benefits Stop?

My son 17, and his brother (not mine) receive survivor benefits from their deceased father. His brother who lives in another state, turned 18 and graduated from HS last month. Will my son's benefit increase? Or are the boys eligible through college until age 22?

Hi,

Survivor benefits can be paid to eligible children who are a) under age 18, or b) 18 to 19 and attending high school, or c) any age if they became disabled prior to age 22. A child who is age 18 or older and in college wouldn't qualify for survivor benefits unless they're disabled.

. . . Read More
Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Jun 28 2020 - 10:16am

If My Oldest Son Has SSI Would It Affect My Other Children's Eligibility For State Health Insurance?

Hello, I have a question. If oldest son under 18 is eligible for ssi, he has medical insurance through the state, dhs Michigan. I also have 2 other children under 18 that have insurance through the state/dhs. If my oldest son has ssi would that effect my case towards my other children's insurance through dhs? Would they be cut off? Thank you!

Hi,

I'm sorry, but I can only answer questions about Social Security benefits. I don't know what if any effect your son drawing SSI might have on your other children's health insurance.

Best, Jerry

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 28 2020 - 10:11am

Is There A Way For Me To Apply For Survivor Benefits And Decline Part A Of Medicare?

I’m still working and will reach full retirement age next month. I applied for survivor benefits with Social Security this month. They asked if I would like to start Medicare part A I said no because I continue to put money aside in a healthcare savings account. They said they could not process my application with out signing me up for Medicare part a. Is there a way to decline?

Hi,

No. If you are at least age 65 and you apply for any type of Social Security benefits (e.g. retirement, spousal, survivor), you are automatically enrolled in Part A. . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: Jun 28 2020 - 9:53am

If I File For Spousal Benefits At FRA How Much Will I Receive?

My husband retired this year at 63 and is receiving a pension. He is going to apply for SS which should start at 63 1/2,; our income then will be the same as when he was working. My question-I am 60, if I wait until my FRA of 66 yrs and 10 mos will I get 50% of my husband’s SS at 63 1/2 or 66 1/2, his FRA. Thanks.

Hi,

Assuming that you don't qualify for benefits based on your own earnings history, if you wait until your full retirement age (FRA) to start drawing spousal benefits you'll be eligible for 50% of your husband's primary insurance amount ( . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 27 2020 - 5:44pm

Can You Tell Me More About Widow(er) Benefits?

I will like to know more widow(er) benefits. (Ssdi) this I know i,am intilliy it belongs to my wife dorothy who I was married to her for 34 years.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Widow(er) benefits can potentially be paid to a widow(er) as early as age 60, or at age 50 if they are disabled (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html). However, if a widow(er) claims benefits prior to their full retirement age (FRA), their benefit rate is . . . Read More

Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Jun 27 2020 - 12:01pm

Can I Apply For Disability At Age 80?

I am 80 and i retired on ss now i wondering if i cam apply for disability

Hi,

No, you couldn't file for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits because you're over full retirement age (FRA). SSDI benefits can't be paid after a person reaches FRA because SSDI benefits are basically just an alternative to regular Social Security retirement benefits. The difference is that SSDI benefits can be paid sooner than regular retirement benefits. In other words, qualifying for SSDI simply allows you to start drawing your Social Security retirement benefits . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jun 26 2020 - 3:31pm

Could I File For Spousal Benefits And Wait Until Age 70 To Start My Benefits?

I am FRA(66) and still working and thinking of retiring. I am married and he is retired and drawing SS. I wanted to know if I could file for spousal benefits and wait to start mine at age 70. I was born March of 1954.
Thank You

Hi,

Unfortunately, no you can't. Only people who were born prior to January 2 1954 are permitted to apply just for spousal benefits without also being required to file for their own benefits at the same time.

I don't have enough information about you and your husband's to offer you any advice, but the two of you . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 26 2020 - 10:12am

Can My Wife Switch To Spousal Benefits, And If So, What Does She Need To Do?

I am 70 and my wife will be 66 in August. My wife applied for SS when she was 62 and I collected spousal benefits until I was 70 and then collected my own. I have heard that when my wife turns 66 she can change to spousal benefits from me which would be more than what she is getting now. If this is true, how do I make the switch, I've looked on my wife's acct and don't see where to change that.
Thank you

Hi,

Once a person files for their own Social Security retirement benefits they can never subsequently switch to just drawing a different type . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 26 2020 - 9:33am

Can You Comment On When Your Software Will Be Able To Reflect This Quirk In SS?

Can you comment on when MMSC will be able to reflect this quirk is SS?
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-06-24/coronavirus-social-sec...

Hi,

To summarize the cited article for the benefit of other readers, the author of the article is postulating that future benefits for people born in 1960 and possibly later will decline as a result of lower wages resulting from COVID-19's effect on the economy. When calculating Social Security retirement . . . Read More

Category: Maximize My Social Security Software
Posted: Jun 25 2020 - 8:47pm

Could This Lady File For Benefits On The Records Of Either Of Her Former Husbands?

A lady, age 64 was married for more than 10 years, divorced, then remarried to her new spouse for more than 10 years. Her new spouse later died. Her first husband is 65 and has never claimed. Would she be able to claim benefits off of the record of her first spouse or her deceased spouse which ever is the highest? Thank you.

Hi,

My answer assumes that the first husband is living. Yes, this lady could file for either widow's benefits on her second husband's record, and/or divorced spousal benefits on her first husband's account. However, she could . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 25 2020 - 4:52pm
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