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

Displaying 3781 - 3790 of 10063 questions.

How Much Will WEP Reduce My Benefit?

I have worked 47, years. This makes 35, under Social Security. I worked 37, at IRS. I switched to FERS in 1998. I have 21, years substantial earning years. I turned 62, in 2016. My pension is part CSRS part Fers coponents ,19 cars 18 FERS. My estimate is 1335 a month if WEP occurs how much will it be reduced? We were sold it would not be.

Hi,

If you're drawing a government pension based on your earnings, and if even part of the earnings on which the pension is based were exempt from Social Security taxes then your Social Security retirement benefits . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Apr 30 2020 - 8:30am

Can I Collect On My Ex-Husband's Record When He Starts Collecting At Age 62?

Hi Larry im turning 60 in August. My X husband turns 62 this October I have not remarried but he has my question is when he starts collecting at age 62 can I collect off of his social security I am collecting Social Security Disability at this time. We were married for 16 years. Thank you Lori

Hi Lori,

No, the earliest that you could potentially claim divorced spousal benefits is when you reach age 62, and you'll only qualify if 50% of your ex's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than your full Social Security disability (SSDI) benefit rate. A . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Apr 30 2020 - 8:19am

Will I Be Eligible To Receive My Social Security Benefits If I'm Living In India?

Dear Larry,
I am an Indian citizen, living and working in US on Green Card since 12 years. I have completed >40 credit. I want to go back to India now.
Will I be eligible for receiving social security benefits while staying in India once I turn 65? If so, what are the paperwork that I need to do before leaving the country?
Thanks,
Best, Mayank

Hi Mayank,

Yes, you'll be able to draw your Social Security retirement benefits even if you return to India. You could actually claim reduced benefits as early as age 62, but you . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Apr 29 2020 - 5:57pm

How Do I Get Divorced Spousal Benefits?

Hi Larry, I am 56 yrs old and been on SSDI since 2010 . Previously, in 2001, I got divorced ( we were married 17 yrs.) He is about to retire this year ( he'll be 67) If I was married more than 10 yrs to him , how do I get the divorced spouse amount ? ( He always made alot more the I have ( I was mostly raising 4 children the whole marriage )
Right now I receive $890 a month on SSDI . I'm hoping that I qualify somehow for much more one day. He always made at least $60k plus a year
Thank you for a response and stay safe, Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

. . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Apr 29 2020 - 5:46pm

Do My SS Disability Benefits Automatically Change To Retirement Benefits At Age 65?

Does my status drawing SS disability benfits automatically change over to my retirement benefit at age 65 or do I need request the change?

Hi,

Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits automatically convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits when the recipient reaches full retirement age (FRA), not at age 65. No action on your part is required to initiate the conversion.

Best, Jerry

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Apr 29 2020 - 9:27am

Am I Entitled To My Deceased Husband's Social Security?

My husband recently passed away. We were separated am I entitled to is Social Security.
We have a 16 year old is she entitled to SS also?

Hi,

Assuming that your husband was insured for Social Security benefits, then you could potentially qualify for widow's benefits if you're at least age 60, or at least age 50 and disabled (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html). The only way you could qualify for survivor benefits before then is if . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Apr 29 2020 - 9:11am

Will Social Security Recalculate My WEP Reduction If I Have Additional Substantial Earnings Years?

I am subject to WEP. I am drawing teacher retirement. I have 21 years of substantial earnings (stopped teaching at age 46--worked as CPA for over 20 years) I wish to start my SS benefits this November. I will be 68. I will continue to report substantial earnings for 2-3 more years. Will the SSA recalculate my increase in substantial earnings related to WEP, or do I need to ask them to do that. I know they will recalculate for a new PIA if that applies and it probably should. I understand that SSA does its recalculations to be effective in January each year. Thank you.
. . . Read More

Category: Calculating Retirement Benefits
Posted: Apr 28 2020 - 3:41pm

Can I Get Benefits For Past Years When I Was 59 To 62?

I started collecting on ex husbands as. He was 100 % disabled for 30 + years while we were married. He is now deceased. I was told since he was disables that I could of started at age 59. I am now 67. Can I get the time from age 59 to 62 back played ?

Hi,

The answer to your question is no. You must file an application in order to qualify for benefits, and if you filed now you couldn't claim benefits retroactively for more than 6 months.

That said, though, it's unclear from the information in your question whether or not you actually missed out . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Apr 28 2020 - 10:27am

When Could I Retire With Full Benefits?

I work at Target Distribution Center and wanna know when I could retire with full benefits I'm 60 years old!

Hi,

Full unreduced Social Security retirement benefits are payable when a person reaches their full retirement age (FRA). If you were born in 1959, your FRA would be 66 & 10 months. If you were born in 1960, your FRA would be 67 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/retirechart.html). You may want to consider using our software ( . . . Read More

Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Apr 28 2020 - 10:18am

Will My Grandmother Get A Stimulus Payment?

My question is my grandmother is currently living in a nursing home and I had her social security and VA benefits go to them because I was unaware there was a deadline to pay them for her stay by a certain date...anywho I want to know if she will get the stimulus pay and what should be done. I have guardianship over my grandmother as she has chronic Alzheimer's and dementia. Thank you concerned

Hi,

My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, so I'm unable to answer questions about stimulus payments. Social Security has provided the following . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Apr 28 2020 - 10:12am

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