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

Displaying 4901 - 4910 of 10063 questions.

Would I Be Able To Claim Any Railroad Retirement Benefits?

I worked for the Illinois Central Railroad from 1976 to 1983 and have been in the private sector since then, paying into Social Secuirty. I am planning on starting Social Security benefits this October when I turn 70. Would I be able to claim any railroad retirement benefits?
Thank you

Hi,

If all of your railroad work was prior to 1996, I don't believe you'd qualify for Railroad Retirement (RR) benefits unless you had at least 10 years of railroad service. I'm not an expert on RR benefits, though, so you'll probably want to check with the . . . Read More

Category: Railroad Retirement Benefits
Posted: Jun 6 2019 - 2:25pm

What Can I Do To Appeal?

A few months ago, I lost my Social Security Benefits for Disability that I was getting for years. After I got a letter stating my last check, my beneficiary filed for an appeal. I'm still currently waiting for a letter stating I will be getting my SSI back. Now I've received letters that I will no longer be getting food stamps and medicaid due to the loss of my social security income. I'm an New Mexico resident. What can I do to appeal all of this? I'm struggling to make ends meet as is, I cannot find work and still struggle with my disabilities.

Hi,

. . . Read More

Category: Filing An Appeal
Posted: Jun 6 2019 - 9:32am

If A Person Files A Couple Months After Turning Age 70 Can They Still Claim 6 Months Of Retroactive Benefits?

If a person misses filing at age 70 by a couple months, can they still file for the 6 months of retroactive benefits? Local SSA office is saying it is illegal to pay retroactive benefits after reaching age 70.

Hi,

Yes. If a person hasn't yet filed for their benefits and they are past age 70, they can still claim benefits retroactively for up to 6 months prior to their month of filing (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200204030).

However, if a person previously filed . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 5 2019 - 3:55pm

Did The Increase In My Benefit Rate Cause My Sons' Benefit Rates To Be Reduced?

I am a divorced spouse, with 2 disabled children. The children's father took early retirement in May 2018 at age 62. I am also 62.My SS started out at $1034. My boys started at $1236 and my ex started at $2101...The first payment was June 2018. The checks increased in January for cost-of-living.

My oldest disabled son is 26 and was already on SSI as an adult, so was a "pass thru." He is considered still on SSI. Does that mean the original SSI payment stays the same and comes from another source, rather than the "Family Max. Amount" with the additional amount coming from . . . Read More

Category: Family Benefit Maximum
Posted: Jun 5 2019 - 1:59pm

Can You Explain This Mess?

I am in a confused state of mind because of the Social Security personnel. My husband passed away March 21, 2019. He was 75 years old. I am 70. The SS would deposit into our savings acct. each month $2,492.00 (his benefit) and 774.00 (my benefit). On March 20, Social Security deposited these amounts as usual. April 9, I received a letter from SSA stating that my monthly benefit changed to 1,774.80 starting in March, 2019 because of my husband's death. Also, it said that I was entitled to to a SS payment of 225.00 because of his death. Included was stated that SS used 1,896.00 . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jun 5 2019 - 9:08am

Can You Help Me?

I tried to by your product but my country of residence was not listed. I have a specific question regarding WEP windfall and the affect it will have on my benefits and my German spouses. I will have 35 years combined payment into the Germand and US system. 21 years US and 14 years Germany. I really need your help and am willing to pay. Can you help me?

Hi,

Yes, in response to your question we've now added Germany to the list of foreign countries from which we can accept payment. Our software can calculate the effect that the Windfall Elimination . . . Read More

Category: Maximize My Social Security Software
Posted: Jun 4 2019 - 3:09pm

Can I Find Out If My Ex-Wife Is Drawing Social Security From My Employment Record?

Larry:
Is there any way that I can find out if my ex-wife is drawing social security from my employment record without asking her directly? She is entitled to it that's not the issue.... can I ask Social Security for this information since it is my employment record?

Thanks for your help!
Tim

Hi Tim,

Yes. Social Security can't give you personal information about people receiving benefits on your record such as their address, but they're required to disclose to you the names of anyone receiving benefits based on your work record ( . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 4 2019 - 9:24am

What Downside Could There Be To Claiming My Own Benefits At 62 Before Jumping To My Ex's Record At FRA?

Upon my FRA at age 67, I will be claiming SS benefits on my EX-spouse's work record.

However, do I have the option of claiming early at age 62 on MY OWN work record, BEFORE jumping to my EX-spouse's record when I reach FRA ? What, if any, downside might there be to this strategy?

Thanks, Larry.

Hi,

The potential downside of your strategy would be that you would continue to receive a reduced benefit rate for as long as both you and your ex-spouse is living. Once you file for your own Social Security retirement benefits you can't later . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jun 4 2019 - 7:13am

Would The Proceeds Of A Settlement From My Former Employer Be Considered As Social Security Wages?

I am 68 and not collecting ss now, but I do work. Waiting until 70 to collect. I may have a settlement coming to me from my former employer. I know that the settlement is taxable. But are the proceeds considered social security wages?

Hi,

That depends on what type of compensation is involved in the settlement. Only earned income, specifically wages or net earnings from self-employment, is subject to Social Security taxes. If the settlement you receive from your former employer involves back wages for services that you performed, then the employer . . . Read More

Category: Earnings Subject To Social Security Taxes
Posted: Jun 3 2019 - 11:59am

Will The Amount Of My Divorced Spousal Benefit Double If My Ex Dies Before Me?

Hi Larry..

I'll be claiming Social Security on my EX-spouse's work record (I stayed home with the kids) when I reach my FRA at age 67. My question pertains to SURVIVOR benefits:

I will receive only HALF of his monthly benefit amount at my FRA. As his EX-spouse, will this amount double ("100% of the deceased's FULL BENEFIT RATE ") in the event I survive him?

Thank you kindly.

Hi,

Not necessarily. Your survivor rate would depend in part on whether or not and when your ex claims his benefits. Unreduced divorced spousal benefits . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 3 2019 - 10:16am

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