Can I Assume That My SSA Estimate Will Be Accurate When I Apply At Age 62?
I retired in 2018 at the age of 57 , and I am only collecting a pension. I have a forty year work history that’s documented with the SSA. In my ssa estimate can I assume the numbers will be accurate when I apply for early benefits at age 62? I don’t plan on working ever again but I do have those 40 years paid into ss.
Hi,
Probably not exactly. Social Security benefits are based on an average of your highest 35 years of wage-indexed earnings on which you paid Social Security taxes (https://www.ssa . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Feb 7 2020 - 5:20pm
Is There A Disadvantage To My Husband Collecting A Restricted Spousal Benefit?
Hi I am wondering if there is a disadvantage to my husband collecting a SS restricted spousal benefit and waiting to collect his at age 70. We both will be full retirement age, with birth year 1953 for him and 1954 for myself. (I was the low earner and will switch to my spousal benefit when he files.) If I was to die before he collects his at age 70 could he switch from restricted spousal to receive a widower benefit on me while waiting to collect his?
Thank you for you input. I read and enjoyed both of your books. VW
Hi VW,
The potential . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Feb 7 2020 - 1:16pm
If I Pay Child Support And My Benefits Are Improperly Reduced Do They Have To Pay Me Back?
If I pay childsuport and I wasn't riposte to and it get drop do they have to pay me back
Hi,
Social Security would only reduce a person's benefit to pay child support if they are ordered by a court to do so. If your benefits were garnished due to a valid court order, then you would have to work through the court in order to get that money back.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 7 2020 - 1:06pm
Is There A Way To Find Out What My Current Projected Benefit Will Be At Age 70?
I am collecting my SS from my wife’s benefit, using the Restricted Application strategy you recommend, letting my own benefit grow until I turn 70. Before I started collecting SS I would receive annually a letter outlining my projected benefit at 62, 66, and 70. Apparently you no longer receive that letter when you start collecting SS. Is there a way to find out what my current projected benefit will be at 70 when I switch to my own benefit. I have checked the SS website and it does not have that information in my account.
Hi,
For some reason, Social . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Feb 7 2020 - 12:55pm
Is There Any Way That I Can Collect From My Ex-Wife's Record Before She Turns Age 62?
Hi! I am 62 this March 15th! My Ex-wife is 53 today Feb. 7th! Married from Sept. 18th/1993--Dec.18th 2014! Married in Ontario, Canada and Divorced in Michigan. I know I can collect eventually as I have friends who have done this before! She started to work in Michigan in 2001 and is still working and living in the US since then! Is there any way I can collect before I'm 71 and she is 62??
Hi,
The answer's no, unless your ex-wife becomes entitled to Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits. Otherwise, you couldn't qualify for divorced spousal . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Feb 7 2020 - 12:44pm
Does Your Software Address Situations Where Only The Younger Spouse Has A Work History?
I am 64 and still working, although reduced hours and significantly reduced salary. My wife is 69 with no work record and no credits (she was a "stay at home mom"). We'd like to claim retirement benefits so I can more comfortably leave the work force completely, (although we could manage without social security benefits). I understand she would be entitled to one-half of my PIA if I start to claim retirement benefits now, although I would receive a smaller benefit. Does your MMSS program address a situation like this with only one spouse (the younger one) with a work record? . . . Read More
Category: Maximize My Social Security Software
Posted: Feb 7 2020 - 12:33pm
Will My Daughter's Benefits Go Up When Her Brother No Longer Collects?
Hello! I am looking for information regarding survivors benefits..I seem to be finding information that does not directly apply to my situation..My daughter and her brother get benefits due to their father passing a few years ago..however he has a different mom..he will be turning 18 this year, so my question is, Will her benefits go up once he turns 18 and no longer collects?
Hi,
Assuming that their are only 2 children and no one else receiving benefits on their father's record, then the answer is no. Each eligible surviving child of a deceased . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Feb 7 2020 - 12:19pm
If My Husband Gets A Survivor Pension Based On My Post Office Work Will It Reduced His Social Security?
I am a retired CSRS postal employee. My husband's survivor benefit from me is $1,896 monthly. Will this reduce his Social Security payment, which will be based on his work earnings, not mine. Thank you for your help.
Hi,
No. If your husband receives a survivor pension from the CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System) it would have no effect on his Social Security benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Feb 7 2020 - 12:14pm
What Should We Do To Maximize Our Benefits?
i AM 66 YEARS OLD & APPLIED FOR MY SS BENEFITS (100%) THIS MONTH. MY MONTHLY BENEFIT IS $1650. MY WIFE IS 65 AND NOT WORKING BUT HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH CREDITS. I AM STILL WORKING AND IF POSSIBLE WILL WORK UP TO 70. WE WANT TO APPLY FOR MY WIFE WHEN SHE WILL BE 66 & 2 MONTHS. HER BENEFIT WILL BE LESS THAN 50% OF MY BENEFIT CAN YOU HELP US WHAT WE SHOULD DO TO MAXIMISE OUR BENEFITS?..
Hi,
The answer to your question depends to a large degree on whether or not you were born prior to January 2 1954. If you were, then it sounds like it might be . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Feb 6 2020 - 4:40pm
What Do I Need To Do About The Settlement I Received?
I sued my former employer for unpaid overtime and we have just settled. I was declared medically dissabled due to a renal cell carcinoma diagnosis and am collecting SSDI. This is for wages prior to my r
becoming dissabled. What do I do?
Hi,
What you should do is contact Social Security and explain to them the circumstances of your settlement. Otherwise, assuming that your employer reports the settlement as earnings and withholds payroll taxes, Social Security will likely assume that you earned the money after you started drawing your Social . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Feb 6 2020 - 8:27am
