Do I Qualify For Health Insurance If I'm Collecting Widow's Benefits At Age 61?
I am a widow age 61 collecting survivors benefits. Do I qualify for health insurance.
Hi,
Assuming that by health insurance you're referring to Medicare, then no, you wouldn't qualify for Medicare prior to age 65 unless you're disabled. Social Security would automatically enroll you in Medicare when you reach age 65, but you may be able to qualify for Medicare prior to that if you meet Social Security's definition of being disabled. Widow's who are between 60 and 65 years old don't need to be disabled in order to qualify for regular widow's benefits . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Mar 1 2020 - 9:44am
If I'm Repaying A Social Security Overpayment Can SSA Take My Tax Refund?
I have a overpayment im paying for with ssa if im makin payments every month can ssa take my tax refund
Hi,
No, Social Security won't offset your tax refund to recover an overpayment if you have an approved repayment plan and you are making the agreed upon payments on timely basis.
Best, Jerry
Category: Social Security Overpayments
Posted: Feb 29 2020 - 4:54pm
What Special Language Should I Use On My Application?
I will turn 70 in August. My wife will be 67 at that time. I want to make sure that I receive my full benefit for 70 and have no look back period applied. What special language should I use in the comments section to avoid any problems? Also, my wife will be applying as a faasf. What language should she use in the comments section to avoid receiving her own benefits. We are Maxifi members. Finally, when would be the best time to apply for both. Thanks, Mark
Hi Mark,
I'll start out by explaining that although I answer the questions submitted to this . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Feb 29 2020 - 9:32am
Is What My Niece Was Told By Social Security Correct?
Hi,
I am hoping you can provide some information on this subject. My niece married, had one child and her husband died in a horrific accident. The child was 3 years old at the time. She received social security benefits. My niece married again and that husband adopted her first child. The second husband died due to medical challenges. She also had a child to the second husband. When filing for social security for the second child she was told by social security that they will go by the second husbands information for the adopted child. Is that accurate? Or do they go by . . . Read More
Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Feb 28 2020 - 2:10pm
When Do Increases Caused By A Higher Year Of Earnings Go Into Effect?
I started receiving benefits at FRA, but am continuing to work. In theory, every year I work, one of my lower earning years should fall off. I understand that benefits get recalculated automatically every year. If I am eligible for an increase when does that go into effect; is it on my birthday, or on the anniversary of my initial employment, or the beginning of the fiscal year, etc.?
Any clarification you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Hi,
Social Security retirement benefits are based on an average of a person's highest 35 years of . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 28 2020 - 1:01pm
Is It True That I Can Collect My Husband's Benefits At 62 Then Start My Full Benefit At A Later Date?
Larry, I was married for 18 years, divorced and then remarried for 6 months before my husband died. My first husband is 66 and retired; I am 55. I recently visited a social security office where I was told I can collect on my husband’s benefit at 62 then start my full benefit at a later date, however, what I’ve been reading online leads me to believe something different (since I was born after 1956). Can you please provide clarification on that? Thank you.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
You can't file for spousal or divorced spousal benefits at . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 28 2020 - 10:40am
Can My Wife File For Spousal Benefits If I File And Suspend?
I am 66 years old (born in July 1953). My wife will be 62 next December (born December 1958). We were told that I could file and suspend next December (when she turns 62). At that time, will she be able to file for spousal benefits off my work record? In doing so, will she be able to accrue credits until she reaches full retirement age while I accrue benefits until I reach age 70?
Hi,
You could file for and suspend your benefits, but your wife wouldn't be able to collect spousal benefits while your benefits are suspended. Furthermore, whenever your . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Feb 28 2020 - 10:08am
Can My Wife Begin Drawing Half Of My Social Security Amount When She Reaches FRA?
Larry,
? 4 U My wife and I are both on SSDI. I am 65 and she 61. She receives about $875 after deductions. I receive about $2500 after deductions. When she reaches FRA can she begin drawing half of my social security which would be a greater amount than she receives on her own social security. This extra amount would help us in retirement. Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi,
Yes, your wife could file for spousal benefits at her full retirement age (FRA), in which case she'd get an excess spousal benefit equal to the difference between her PIA . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 28 2020 - 9:58am
Thanks For The Help
Hi Larry, I don't actually have a question, I just wanted to write to thank you for the advice and links you forwarded me after asking my questions.
Just wanted to let you and everyone else know that the information on the links were spot on and when I asked my local SS office about my situation, I was able to show them the information on the links and then they understood what I was referring to.
I have recently applied for my wife's and my SS and, once we apply for my disabled adult child's SS, we will be receiving pretty much what I was expecting.
. . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 28 2020 - 9:54am
Is It OK For My Wife To Start Drawing Her Benefits At Age 62?
I am 70 and drawing my benefits, my wife is almost 62. Is it OK for her to start drawing her at 62 or would that hurt in the future if I die.
Hi,
The answer to your question depends largely on your and your wife's comparative benefit rates. Your wife could file for benefits at age 62 and then potentially switch to drawing your full rate in the future as your survivor, but whether or not that's a good strategy depends on a number of variables. If your wife's own Social Security retirement rate is relatively small compared to yours, then it may make . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Feb 28 2020 - 9:43am
