Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 3771 - 3780 of 10063 questions.

When Will My Medicare Kick In?

I am turning 62 this month, and have been on SSD for 2 years. When does Medicare kick in, and do I have to do anything?

Hi,

Social Security will automatically enroll you in parts A & B of Medicare effective with the 25th month of your entitlement to Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits. Part A coverage is free, but part B coverage is optional and Social Security will start deducting part B premiums from your SSDI payments when your coverage starts. You don't need to do anything unless you want to decline part B coverage, in which case you' . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: May 3 2020 - 1:46pm

Is The Earnings Limit Before Or After Deductions?

In reading other questions and IRS documents, I see that in the year I reach FRA I can use the monthly test when I start claiming benefits. Is the amount ($4k) before or after deductions such as taxes, FICA, Medicare, and 403(b) withholding? That is, is it gross or net monthly income?

Thank you

Hi,

Countable earnings for earnings test purposes includes any combination of gross wages (i.e. before deductions) and/or net earnings from self-employment. For more information on the earnings test, refer to the following Social Security website: . . . Read More

Category: Earnings Test
Posted: May 3 2020 - 8:26am

Can I Apply For Benefits Without Penalty Starting With The Month I Reach Age 66?

I currently earn 120k/year. I was born on Oct 11, 1954. I plan on retiring Nov 1, 2020 and I reach FRA Oct 11, 2020.
Can I apply for SS benefits without penalty in Oct 2020 with payments starting in Nov 2020 since I will still be employed during Oct? I could delay until Nov 2020 but would not receive a payment until Dec 2020.

Thank you

Hi,

Yes. There's no limit on the amount you can work and earn once you reach full retirement age (FRA), which in your case is October 2020. Therefore, you could claim your benefits effective with October . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: May 3 2020 - 8:21am

Is What Social Security Told Me Correct?

My spouse filed for her retirement benefit in her full retirement month when she turned 66. Neither of us have been married before and neither have any children. We are married beyond 10 years. I turned 66 my full retirement age a few months after she did and I filed a restricted application for a spousal benefit only with the plan to let my benefit grow to age 70 and file on my own record and receive the max at 70. We were both born before 1954. Also I felt that if I should predecease my wife then she would get the higher amount of mine which would not only be higher but would . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: May 2 2020 - 11:01am

Can I Change The Date Medicare Will Begin?

Medicare is scheduled to begin June 2020. Because of the Coronavirus I am putting retirement off until July 31. Can I change the date medicare will begin?

Hi,

The only way that you can delay the start date of Part A of Medicare is by filing your application later, but I assume you're referring to Part B of Medicare. The date that your Part B coverage starts depends on the type of enrollment period in which you apply.

If you apply for Part B of Medicare during your initial enrollment period (IEP), then your Part B start date depends on which . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: May 2 2020 - 10:13am

What Are My Next Steps?

I am the payee of my daughter’s survivor benefits. She was in the social services system (CPS) for 18 months and now currently back in my custody. Social services said that they are entitled to a portion of her benefits but when she was returned to my custody she did not have any back payments issued. I have called SSA but they said they could not find who was the payee during those 18 months. I’m wondering what my next steps are. Thank you

Hi,

I'm sorry, but I don't have sufficient information to know what, if anything, needs to be done. If your . . . Read More

Category: Representative Payee
Posted: May 1 2020 - 7:58am

Is What The Social Security Interviewer Told Me Correct?

I am 65 and on unemployment compensation. My Union still pays my health benefits through August 2020. I am trying to hold off until September to start early SS benefits (1-1-55)is my birthday. My phone conversation with an interviewer I was told I had to start medicare part B now. It was explained to me that I must be employed and have health benefits. Is this correct or was I misinformed. Thank you

Hi,

Well, you aren't required to sign up for Medicare, but it sounds like you might want to. You must be considered as an active employee in order for . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: Apr 30 2020 - 6:08pm

Why Was My Mother's Request For An Underpayment Rejected?

My father passed august 25, 2018. All year he received his deposit on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd of each month. In August when he died he received his deposit on 8/3/2018. He died August 25 and he received another deposit on August 31, 2018. A deposit went back to Social Security. Each payment is for the month prior. We filed the 1724 back in November 2019. They put us off over and over and over. Recently I was told moms claim on the 1724 was rejected. But no one could explain why. A manager was to call back that day or the next, no one ever called. This is the 3rd time no one ever . . . Read More

Category: Social Security Underpayments
Posted: Apr 30 2020 - 5:52pm

Will I Receive RRB Spousal Benefits As Well As My Social Security?

My deceased husband was a Railroad Retired clerk (38 yrs) when he passed 6 years ago. I am 64 reviewing my Social Security benefits to estimate when I can retire. My question is: Will I receive RRB Spousal Retirement benefits as well as my Social Security?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

My expertise is limited to Social Security (SS) benefits, so I don't know what benefits you may qualify for from Railroad Retirement (RR). What I can tell you is that if you qualify for both Social Security benefits and RR benefits and you file for both benefits . . . Read More

Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Apr 30 2020 - 1:34pm

Are There Any Ways That I Can Increase The Amount That I'm Receiving?

Hi Larry
I have been receiving Social Security Disability since 1998. Are there any ways that I can increase the amount that I'm already receiving?

Don

Hi Don,

Probably not. Social Security disability (SSDI) benefit rates are based on a variable number of a person's highest years of wage-indexed earnings. The number of years used is determined by the age at which the person became disabled.

The only way that your SSDI rate would increase, other than from cost of living increases, is if you have a new year of earnings that's . . . Read More

Category: Disability
Posted: Apr 30 2020 - 8:57am
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