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

Displaying 4091 - 4100 of 10063 questions.

Can My Wife Get Child In Care Benefits Without Having To File For Her Benefits?

Hello Larry:
Combined family benefit question. My 2 adopted grandsons currently receive $1000 a month survivor benefits from their deceased fathers ( our son) ss. I will be filing later this year at 62. My wife will also be turning 62 this year. We both are retired. My PIA is $2765, my benefit at 62 will be $1967..My total family benefit is $4803. My questions are: Can my wife get child care benefits on my claim without having to file for her benefit and then wait until she is 67 to file hers? If she can, will the boys survivors benefits be combined with mine to raise our . . . Read More

Category: Family Benefit Maximum
Posted: Feb 16 2020 - 7:57am

Could I Get A Benefit From My Husband From Whom I'm Separated?

I am deaf and have two grown children with their hearing father. But we are separated over 20 years. I wanted a divorce and he refused to sign. I work full time job at school but never enough. Wonder can I get a benefit from him? I don't know if he has his own benefits. I know he has some blinds in his eyes I wasn't sure if he is getting benefits for that or maybe none. But me?? Get benefits from him? No? Please let me know thank you.

Hi,

If you're still married to your husband then the only way you could qualify for spousal benefits is if he's . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 15 2020 - 8:08am

Is This How GPO Works?

My Widowed mother receives a non covered pension from her teaching career of $3500/month. Her pension has an annual inflation adjustment. Her husband, who she had been married to for 50 years, died in 2007. My mother was well past FRA at that time. At the time of his death, he was receiving a SS benefit of $2000/month. I assume my mother’s SS widow benefit is subject to the GPO. Currently, she receives no widow’s benefit, as 2/3rd’s of her pension completely offsets the $2000 benefit she would otherwise receive. However, if you apply a COLA to his benefit over the 13 years . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Feb 14 2020 - 11:35am

Would You Help Us Understand How To Figure Out My Wife's Options?

Hi Larry, Enjoy your answers!
I'm receiving social security @ $2,130 per month. My wife is currently 62 and would retire soon if we can determine how much in spousal benefits she would receive at 62, 63, 63, 65 and FRA at 66 based on mine. We do not understand the formula other than ay her FRA she should get 50% of mine. Would you help us understand how to figure this out please?

Hi,

The exact amount that your wife could be paid as a spouse depends on number of factors, specifically your primary insurance amount (PIA), your wife's date of birth . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Feb 14 2020 - 11:05am

Do You Have Any Advice For Me?

Hi Larry, I’m unfamiliar with your service - but I’m so glad to have stumbled onto this article.
I previously was receiving SSI benefits when I lived in NC. At the time - I had been struggling with bipolar disorder w/ psychotic features ( hearing voices)
I had been in a LTR for 14 yrs - but when the illness became severe - he left. I had a very weak moment and did self harm. I was hospitalized at a psychiatric facility and stayed until my symptoms were stabilized.
With nowhere to go - my older sister became involved. We weren’t particularly close - but I had . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 14 2020 - 10:34am

Can I Fight This And Win?

I received an upfront payment from social security because when I filed they asked if I would like to receive back pay in leiyof an extra $35or $40 a month..and I did the calculations and said yes. Well after 5 months of fighting with them and no figures presented on paper, they finally gave me my money. They then told me as I was walking out the door I have to pay RRB back the monies I was receiving from them up until this time..it was labout 16 months of payments. I knew I had to quit receiving RRB retirement once I started receiving SS, but had no idea this would have been . . . Read More

Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Feb 14 2020 - 10:17am

Will My Wife Be Able To Draw Both Her Social Security And A CSRS Survivor Annuity?

I'm a federal retiree under CSRS with a survivor's benefit for my wife. My started drawing her social security at age 64 or 65; she was eligible for social security at 62. Will she be able to both her social security and CSRS survivor's benefits after my death?

Hi,

Yes. Drawing a CSRS survivor pension would have no adverse affect on your wife's Social Security benefits.

Best, Jerry

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Feb 14 2020 - 10:13am

Can I Start Drawing At Age 67 1/2 Under My Husband And Wait Until Age 70 1/2 To Draw My Own Benefits?

If I retired at age 67 1/2 and received benefits under husband and left my ss account until I turn 70 1/2 can I go back and draw under my own?

Hi,

The only way that a person can draw just spousal benefits only on a living husband's record is if they a) were born prior to January 2 1954, b) they haven't yet filed for their own Social Security benefits, and c) they file for spousal benefits at full retirement age (FRA) or later. However, if your husband is deceased then even if you were born after January 1 1954 you could potentially start drawing . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 13 2020 - 12:10pm

Can I Collect On My Deceased Husband's Record If I've Remarried?

Hi! My husband of 17 years passed away over 15 years ago. I have since remarried. I will be 60 in less than 2 weeks. Can I collected on my previous husband's Social Security? I was also married to my 1st husband over 35 years ago but he also passed away. Thank you.

Hi,

No, assuming that you are still married. You can't start drawing benefits on a deceased spouse's record if you're currently remarried and the remarriage occurred prior to when you reached age 60.

Best, Jerry

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Feb 13 2020 - 11:50am

How Can My Self-Employed Friend Get Social Security?

A have a friend who is self employed and her earning are only cash how can she get social security. She files joint return with her husband.
Thanks

Hi,

Self-employment earnings are required to be reported on Schedule SE of a person's income tax returns. The self-employed individual must pay the appropriate self-employment (i.e. Social Security) taxes, and those earnings are then credited to their Social Security earnings history the same as are wages from an employer. If a person fails to properly report their self-employment income or fails . . . Read More

Category: Earnings Subject To Social Security Taxes
Posted: Feb 13 2020 - 11:37am

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