When Can My Wife Claim A Spousal Benefit?
Hello, Larry. My wife is receiving her social security benefit. She will do better when I file and she can take a spousal benefit. However, I am considering filing a restricted application in September, when I turn FRA and take a 50% spousal benefit while working full time. My question is, when can my wife claim a spousal benefit for her? Can she take it when I file my restricted application at full retirement age or must she wait until I begin taking my benefits down the road, perhaps up to age 70? Thank you for your advice. Steve
Hi Steve,
Your wife . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Aug 11 2019 - 8:39am
Shouldn't I Be Allowed To File An Appeal?
Took early retirement/SSI while still self employed. An unexpected IRS Whistleblower Award arrived in my 65th year. That same year,I happened to earn income. Taxes were taken from Whistleblower award. Social Security would not allow me to appeal their demand for overpayment even though I attempted to tell them that award was not income which my taxes alone showed net income over the SSI income. That even with my deductions on Schedule C allowed me expenses against my income, I did not exceed the allowable income limit. I was coerced then and there to sign a payback at $300/ . . . Read More
Category: Social Security Overpayments
Posted: Aug 10 2019 - 7:49am
Shouldn't I Be Eligible For Both SSDI And Disabled Widow's Benefits?
Husband of 30 years passed Aug 2018
Oct 2018 I applied for SSDI benefits and also over the phone SS applied me for Widow benefits
Feb 2019 approved for Disability and Disabled Widow Benefits
Today I received a letter stating I was over paid and not entitled to a Widows benefit
I know you can’t double stack but aren’t SSDI and Widow Benefits out of two different funds ?
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
You may be able to draw a partial disabled widow's benefit (DWB) in addition to your Social Security disability (SSDI) . . . Read More
Category: Disabled Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Aug 9 2019 - 6:12pm
Is It True That I Should Be Eligible For Benefits From My Deceased Husband's Record?
I worked for the Federal government for almost 33 years and was in the old retirement system, CSRS. I had also worked in the SS system for my 40 quarters - thus earning a SS benefit. SS decided that because I had an annuity from the gov't, any SS I earned would be decreased by 2/3. When I retired in 2011, I applied for SS. I inquired about benefits under my deceased husband's acct, and was told because we were not married the "required 10 year" - I wasn't eligible under his benefits. I AGAIN specified that he had PASSED AWAY after being married only 9 years - but was told by . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Aug 9 2019 - 5:32pm
Can My Husband Draw Half Of My Benefit Amount When I Reach Full Retirement Age?
My husband started collecting his social security at age 66, his full retirement age. He gets $1005 a month.
When I turn 66.5, my full retirement age, (born in 1957) my earnings will be about $2745. Can my husband,
then file and claim 1/2 my benefits, which would be about $1372 a month. If so, do I also have to start collecting at 66.5, or can I file and and suspend mine until I turn 70 when my payment would be about $3514 a month.
Hi,
Yes, your husband could receive a combined benefit amount equal to 50% of your full retirement age (FRA) . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Aug 9 2019 - 4:58pm
Can I Switch From My Record To A Spousal Benefit When My Husband Files For His Benefits At Age 70?
I was born in 1956 and my husband in 11/1953. I plan to file for social security this year, 2019. At this time, My husband will file a restricted application and collect half of my social security benefit. When he turns 70 he will file and collect his own social security benefit. At his age 70, half of his social security benefit is more than my mine, can I switch to a spousal benefit when he turns 70 and files?
Hi,
You couldn't switch to drawing just a spousal benefit when your husband files for his benefits, but you could potentially qualify for an . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Aug 8 2019 - 4:52pm
How Should My Husband Answer The Following Questions On The Social Security Application?
Hi Larry,
Bought revised Get What's Yours and a subscription to Maximize, and both have been a lot of help. Am now trying to grapple with the SSA-1-BK form before approaching SSA so we have the answers to all of their questions before my husband applies. I am confused on two things:
1) What the heck does Question 10 mean? "Have you (or has someone on your behalf) ever filed an application for Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or hospital or medical insurance under Medicare?" Are they asking if you ever had Medicare under someone else's work record, or . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Aug 7 2019 - 5:09pm
Should I Still Be Receiving My Deceased Wife's Benefits?
My wife passed away from cancer 28 months ago, she was 68 and I am 61. She started collecting social security at 62 and we were getting 450. A month . After she passed away I have stopped receiving her social security ,
I am wondering is that correct? I will be working at least another 6 years , should I still be receiving her social security
Thankyou mark
Hi Mark,
I'm sorry for your loss.
No, you could not continue to receive your wife's Social Security benefits. A person's benefit payments stop effective with the month of their . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Aug 7 2019 - 4:48pm
Can I File And Suspend At 66 And Later Unsuspend And Ask For A Lump-Sum Back Payment?
Hi Larry, as a single person can I file and suspend at 66, and then at a later date (68 for instance) un-suspend and ask for a lump-sum back payment on the 24 months from 66 to 68? I've read that if I did this, I could not request any back payment. Instead, I've also read that if don't apply for SSA at 66 and then apply at 69 (for instance) I can only request up to six months of back payments. I've read many conflicting comments on this. Thanks for any clarity you can provide.
Hi,
No, only people who voluntarily suspended their benefits prior to April . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Aug 7 2019 - 4:32pm
Can I File For Early Retirement Benefits While I Wait For A Decision On My Disability Claim?
If you have filed for disability and I am 58 years old. Can I file for early retirement while I wait for disability. I was a industrial pipefitter, I have multiple health issues. What do I do?
Hi,
No. You would have to be at least age 62 in order to claim reduced Social Security retirement benefits. My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, so I can't tell you whether or not you might be eligible for benefits from any other sources. You may want to try checking with the Department of Social Services in your area to see if they have any . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Aug 7 2019 - 4:24pm
