Is It True That My Friend Can't Draw Widow's Benefits Until She's Age 60?
My best friends husband died last January. They had been married 9 years. They live in Indiana. She is 58 years old. She was told that she cannot draw Survivors benefits until she is 60 years old. Is this right? Her doctors have been saying she should not return to work because of health reasons. She has been going through battles to get SSDI for years. And is currently appealing her case. Why would they make widows wait until they are 60 for survivors benefits? Or was she told the wrong info ? Thank you.
Hi,
Your friend could only qualify for widow's . . . Read More
Category: Disabled Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Feb 21 2020 - 4:43pm
Will My Relative's Wife Receive A Reduced Widow's Benefit Because She Filed For Her Own Benefits At Age 62?
Hi Larry: My relative is currently age 86 and his wife is age 84. He started collecting Social Security at age 65, and receives a current monthly benefit amount of $2,481.90, and she filed early, at age 62, for her Social Security benefit; her current benefit amount is $996.90.
Our question relates to the spousal benefit that his wife will receive if my relative passes away before his wife does. Basically, will his wife receive a net monthly benefit amount that is LOWER than my relative's total monthly amount because his wife claimed her benefit early, or will it be the . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Feb 21 2020 - 4:34pm
How Old Must My Husband Be To Not Lose Any Of His Benefits If He Works?
My husband was born in 1955 & is getting SS check for disable - he would like to try to work a few hours - how old does he have to be before they will not take any of his check .? He will be 65 in Sept .& I think then his check turns into his Social security - & someone told us that once that happens he can earn money & it doesn’t affect his check ??
Hi,
If your husband is receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits those benefits won't convert into regular Social Security retirement benefits until the month he reaches full . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Feb 21 2020 - 3:32pm
Can I Start Collecting My Deceased Husband's Benefits At FRA And Then Switch To Drawing My Own Benefits At Age 70?
My husband died in 2012. I am currently 62 years old. I was told by SS that at my full retirement age (66 1/2) that I could take 100% of my deceased husband’s SS and still work full-time. I intend to work until I’m 70 and invest his SS. My question is if I do that can I, at 70, switch to collecting my SS (which will be larger than his), thereby stop collecting his or will I have to continue taking his and forfeit mine?
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
The answer to your question is a definite yes. In fact, depending on how much you're earning you . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 21 2020 - 9:30am
What Federal Tax Rate Percentage Will I Have To Pay On My Benefits?
I am going to retire 66 and 2 months in May of 2021. I would like to know how much federal tax I will have to pay. I read an answer of yours already and know that based on total income that I will either have to pay taxes of either 50 to 85%. My question is at what federal tax rate percentage will I have to pay. 20% 25 %?? Does it depend in what state I live which is New York?
Hi,
I'm sorry, but my expertise is limited to Social Security benefits so I'm unable to answer income tax questions. For information on how much of your Social Security . . . Read More
Category: Taxation Of Benefits
Posted: Feb 20 2020 - 1:16pm
Are There Any Conditions On Getting Social Security During A Long Stay Abroad?
Is there any condition to get social security benefits during long stay abroad ? (2) in case of beneficery getting social security payment on the earning records of the spouse , if US Citizen , any problem to get SS Payments during long stay abroad ?(3) When can SSA stop payments , that is any reason involved to stop payment ?
Hi,
Yes, definitely. Whether or not, and how long that a person can be paid benefits while outside of the U.S. depends on the type of benefit they receive, their country of citizenship, and their country of residence. However . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 20 2020 - 1:02pm
Is It Best To File Online, Or At The Social Security Office?
My birth date is 06-12-1950 I will be 70 on June 12th, i plan on filing for my benefits in march.Is it best to file on line or in the office. My wife will be 64 on 04-07-20 she plans to retire the end of July. I will retire dec.31-2020. She can file after me right? Will her benefits be half of mine.
Hi,
I don't think there's any best way to apply for benefits. If you're comfortable filing online, then that may be easier for you. But, you could also file by phone or in person at a Social Security office. It's just up to you.
The most that . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Feb 19 2020 - 5:17pm
If My Husband Dies Can I Collect Spousal Social Security And Continue Working?
My husband is in a coma and it does not look good. I am currently working as a driving instructor and wondering if my husband dies, can I collect spousal social security and continue working?
Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about your husband's condition. Whether or not you could collect survivor benefits in the event of your husband's death depends on your age, whether or not you have a child in your care who is under age 16 or disabled, how much you're earning if you're under full retirement age (FRA), and whether or not you've already started drawing your . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Feb 19 2020 - 2:15pm
Will My Daughter Lose Her Benefits If I Remarry?
My daughter and I receive Survivor Benefits from her birth father's passing. She is 15 years old. If I remarry, will she loose her benefits? I understand that I will after I marry.
Thank you
Hi,
No, if you remarry it would have no adverse effect on your daughter's Social Security survivor benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Feb 19 2020 - 2:11pm
Is It True That I Won't Immediately Be Credited With 2 Of My DRCs?
Hi Larry,
I reached 66 last July. I'm planning to start receiving Social Security benefit in March of next year. I understand that for each additional month I wait, I would receive more benefit. However, when I called Social Security, I was told that for the first year, I would receive the same benefit as I had started in January of the same year. Only from the second year on, I'd get more benefit because I have waited 2 more months (starting in March instead in January). For example, my benefit amount is $1000 if starting in January, and is $1030 if starting in March. If . . . Read More
Category: Delayed Retirement Credits
Posted: Feb 18 2020 - 12:01pm
