Why Can't I Collect Both My Wife's Benefits And My Own Disability Benefits?
My wife was killed in a car accident in 2016 and i went to collect spouses benifits and they told me i couldn't get hers because i get disabilty and i have to take mine why cant i collect hers besides my disability we were married 30 years i think i should get hers also they said i couldn't so i asked them then whats going to happen to hers then so i think i should get hers and mine both
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
Under the Social Security Act, if a person files for more than one type of Social Security benefit (e.g. retirement and spousal, . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 13 2020 - 11:27am
Can An Ex-Spouse Decline Social Security Benefits?
Can an ex-spouse Social Security benefits be declined or waived? My father passed away last year and this resulted in an increase to my mother’s monthly Social Security benefits. Most would view this as a good thing however my mother lives on a limited income and qualified for Medicaid coverage. The increase was enough to bump her from qualifying for continued Medicaid benefits And her spending habits do not allow for a month to month spend down.. My question simply is can the social Security benefit amount my mother receives from her ex-husband (my Father) be declined because . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 13 2020 - 11:15am
Why Isn't There A Question About Restricting The Application's Scope On An SSA-2-BK?
Hi Larry,
There is no question in the application SSA-2-BK that asks "If you are eligible for both retirement benefits and spouse's benefit, do you want to delay receipt of retirement benefit?"
Please advise.
Thank you,
Boris
Hi Boris,
That question only appears on Social Security's online retirement benefit application, which can be used to file just for spousal benefits or just for a person's own retirement benefits, or for both. The actual paper application forms like an SSA-2-BK haven't been used by Social Security . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Feb 13 2020 - 11:01am
Can I Claim Spousal Benefits While I Continue To Teach?
I am 66, still working as a teacher and have not claimed any SS benefits. My wife is 55 and on full disability due to 5 major back/neck surgeries. We have custody and are raising her two grandchildren ages 10 and 12. Can I claim "spousal benefits " on her SSDI while I continue to teach? Would we be eligible to collect child-n-care benefits on my Social Security if I went ahead and filed but suspended my own benefits until age 70? At the time when we thought we life would be a little less hectic, we have found that raising two children in school, sports, etc. is certainly . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 12 2020 - 1:31pm
Can I Convert My Railroad Retirement Benefit To A Social Security Benefit?
Dear Larry,
Can I convert my RR retirement benefit to all Social Security benefit? I fell that Railroad Retirement has cost me approximately $19,000 year by subtracting my Social Security benefits from my RR retirement pension. Unlike the RRB, I don't feel like I am "double dipping" as I paid into RR retirement and Social Security during two separate timelines without any overlap.
Thanks for considering this,
Mike
Hi Mike,
I'm not an expert on Railroad Retirement (RR) benefits, so I don't what options you have with regard to your RR . . . Read More
Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Feb 12 2020 - 11:54am
Can My Wife In Mexico Be Paid Spousal Benefits If I Die?
If my wife whom I married 10 years ago never lived in the U. S. for the reason she was deported back to Mexico when I married her. She was illegally her in the
U. S. She was denied entrance to the U. S. When she applied. I am 86 years old now and she is her very early 50's. Will she qualify for spousal benefits if I pass away? I send her money every month to Mexico since I am obligated to support her as a husband.
Hi,
No, as long as your wife remains in Mexico it doesn't sound like she could be paid either spousal or survivor benefits from your . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Feb 12 2020 - 7:39am
What Social Security Paperwork Do My Future Wife And I Need To Complete Upon Marrying?
My future wife and I have decided to marry now that we're both FTA and each receiving our own SS benefits. It appears that we will not suffer a decrease in our monthly SS, as it's our only income. True?
My question:
What Social Security paperwork or procedure do we need to complete upon marrying?
Thanks, Tommy
Hi Tommy,
Getting married would not affect your current benefits if you and your future wife are only receiving benefits based on your own earnings histories. You wouldn't necessarily need to make any report to Social . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 11 2020 - 5:20pm
Is It True That I Could Lose All Of My Disability Benefits Because I Received A 1099 For Housing My Mother?
Hi! I'm currently receiving disability social security benefits, but recently had to house my mom due to a problem with her house. The insurance company paid us to house her. I received a 1099 and my tax person told me I can loose all my benefits. Is that true?
Hi,
I'm not an expert on tax laws, but the only way that 1099 income could affect your Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits is if it must be reported as self-employment income and you pay self-employment taxes. From your description it doesn't sound to me like it would be self-employment . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Feb 11 2020 - 5:05pm
Would My Husband Be Able To Receive My Higher SS Payment If I Die Before Him?
My fiance and I would like to be married. As the wife, I receive the higher SS amount. Would my husband be able to receive my higher SS payment should I die before him? How many years would we need to be married?
Hi,
If a couple is receiving Social Security benefits and one of them dies, the surviving member of the couple usually qualifies for the higher of their two benefit rates provided that the surviving spouse is at least full retirement age (FRA) at the time of the death. You must normally be married for at least 9 months before you can qualify . . . Read More
Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Feb 11 2020 - 3:26pm
If I Remarry Will I Be Able To Draw Benefits On My New Husband's Record?
Hello Larry et al!
Hoping for some direction!! Hold onto your hats for this (seemingly complicated) series of questions!
I am a 54 year old Canadian citizen and resident. My American spouse (who moved to Canada) passed away a few years ago; all jobs he held were US based. I have been blessed to fall in love again - to yet another American. IF we decide to get married, I understand I will lose any of my deceased spouse's social security. Will I be entitled to a future spouse's benefits without being married f? Hypothetically, let's say I remarry him at my age of 55 . . . Read More
Category: Foreign Pensions
Posted: Feb 11 2020 - 3:03pm
